54Mbps, although in practice data throughput is half of this. Wireless LANs
can be formed simply by equipping PC's with wireless NICs. If connectivity to
a wired LAN is required an Access Point (AP) is used as a bridging device.
AP's are typically located close to the centre of the wireless client population.
2. What are the advantages of Wireless LANs ?
a. Mobility:
Wireless LAN systems can provide LAN users with access to real-time
information anywhere in their organization. This mobility supports productivity
and service opportunities not possible with wired networks.
b. Installation Speed and Simplicity:
Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the
need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.
c. Installation Flexibility:
Wireless technology allows the network to go where wire cannot go.
d. Reduced Cost-of-Ownership:
While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware can be higher
than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-
cycle costs can be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in
dynamic environments requiring frequent moves and changes.
e. Scalability:
Wireless LAN systems 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 full infrastructure networks of thousands of users that enable roaming
over a broad area.
3. What are the disadvantages of Wireless LANs ?
The speed of Wireless LAN is still relative slower than wired LAN. The most
popular wired LAN is operated in 100Mbps, which is almost 10 times of that of
Wireless LAN (10Mbps). A faster wired LAN standard (1000Mbps), which is
100 times faster, becomes popular as well. The setup cost of Wireless LAN is
relative high because the equipment cost including access point and PCMCIA
