D-Link DGL-4300 - Manual (Page 11)

Wireless Basics
11 D-Link Systems, Inc.
Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and compatible
high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business, or on public access wireless networks.
D-Link wireless products will allow you access to the data you want, when and where you want it.
You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking brings.
A WLAN is a cellular computer network that transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of
wires. WLANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments, and public areas such
as airports, coffee shops and universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping
people to work and communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling
and other fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless adapter cards
used on laptop and desktop systems support the same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.
People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location within the operating
range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time information can significantly improve
worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs – WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and relocate. Networks
that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease of implementation. WLANs can operate in
locations where installation of wiring may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast and easy and can
eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless technology allows the network
to go where wires cannot go - even outside the home or office.
Scalability – WLANs can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific
applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer
networks suitable for a small number of users to larger infrastructure networks to accommodate
hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as conventional
Ethernet network devices.