LINUXMAKER, OpenSource, Tutorials

Wireless LAN

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a "wireless" local area network that most often refers to an IEEE 802.11 family standard. The established standards are currently 802.11a (transmitting in the 5 GHz frequency range up to 54 Mbps) and 802.11b (transmitting up to 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz frequency range). New is now the IEEE 802.11g standard, it was ratified in June 2003. A WLAN can be operated in two modes, infrastructure mode or ad hoc mode.

Infrastructure Mode

In this mode, a base station, which is often a wireless access point, is specially awarded. This mode coordinates the individual network nodes.

Ad-hoc Mode

In ad hoc mode, on the other hand, no station is particularly excellent, but all are equally involved. This allows ad-hoc networks to be set up quickly and easily. It is not intended that packets will be passed on. Thus, it may happen that a physically centrally located computer can reach the entire network, while a computer reaches only a part at the edge area. And a maximum of 6 connections are possible in ad hoc mode.

The focus is clearly on the infrastructure mode, in which one or more computers connect to a central access point.

The ESSID should not contain spaces or special characters, as this may cause connectivity problems. (Even if the wireless network is listed in the list of available networks!)