WLAN Full Form

WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. This kind of network is just like any other local area network. The change here is that in this network the connection between two or more systems is wireless. And each computer/system is connected through a hub known as a modem which is the gateway here. A modem can have its network connection to the internet or it may not. This kind of network runs in a small area. Namely, a school, home, computer lab, office, etc.

The hardware running behind this system works on IEEE 802.11 standards which is a rule or law similar to constitutional law. Most used small computer network all over the world use this standard protocol commonly called Wi-Fi, which we all are familiar with. A wireless router is installed inside the room/office which may or may not be connected to the internet. And all other devices such as printers, computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles or any other devices requiring network connection are connected to this router through the device’s Wi-Fi settings.

A similar device is a router such as JioFi which is a router installed in our home and on the backside, it is wired with the telephone lines through which the internet connection is supplied. And we connect our devices with the router and use the internet connection in the devices.

History of WLAN

The world’s first wireless computer network is known as ALOHAnet developed by a University of Hawaii professor, Norman Abramson. But since the cost of managing and building this was very high thus a wired connection was used in Hawaii. To control the technical standard of these wireless LAN networks IEEE 802.11 was created in the coming years. However, in 1991 HiperLAN/1 came to the market and was pursued by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETIS), followed by HyperLAN/2 in Feb 2000. And HyperLAN/2 worked better with IEEE 802.11a.

The IEEE 802.11 version could operate with both bands, 2.4GHz along with 5GHz. Significantly, with the increase in curiosity and technical advancements, these data transfer speeds and usage of bands kept on increasing. And today we have a much higher data transfer rate than those days.

Types of WLAN

There are 4 kinds of wireless Local Area Networks available:

• Infrastructure

It is a kind of WLAN where there are two or more WAP points to join the network and each WAP point is connected with a wired network connection. The system or devices connect with those WAP points wirelessly and use the network service. The WAP points are usually fixed and there can be many WAP points connected with a single wired hub network. Each WAP point connects the network with the device in range.

• Peer to Peer

This is an Ad hoc connection where two or more systems are connected directly without any hub/router or access point. This kind of connection is achieved using IBBS (Independent Basic Service Set). This kind of network is also called a Wi-Fi direct network.

• Bridge

A bridge is used to connect with two or more different networks. This kind of network is owned with a wireless ethernet connection transmitting data to another wireless ethernet using a wired medium. This can also be said as a connection point between two wireless access points.

• Wireless Distribution System

A wireless internet connection is a kind of connection where the range of the connection can be increased using interconnection between two or more access points. To understand better let us consider an example: If you open the hotspot of your mobile network and connect your computer system using Wi-Fi with it. And Again, you turn on the hotspot of your computer system and use it as an access point for any other device. Overall, you are increasing the range of your connection. This kind of connection is known as a wireless distribution system.

Applications

A WLAN has vast applications ranging from home use to industry and office use. The following are some of the WLAN applications:

•       Network on Airplanes and Trains
•       Small Home Networks like Jio Fi or any broadband connection
•       Mobile Hotspot connection
•       Public use connection in some areas such as hotels or malls
•       Connection between a system in a department that needs to exchange data with each other.

Conclusion

To sum up, WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. This kind of connection is a small area network connection between two or more systems to interchange data. The first wireless connection was set up in Hawaii by professor Norman Abramson. A WLAN is a broad of two types: an infrastructure connection and an Ad hoc connection. If speaking narrowly, it is of four types, Infrastructure, peer to peer, bridge and wireless distribution system. A WLAN has various uses in industries and homes such as connecting different devices like printers, mobile phones, computer systems to a network.