Wireless Local Area Network
(Select Models Only)
With the 802.11 wireless device, you can access a wireless local
area network (WLAN), which is composed of other computers
and accessories linked by a wireless router or a wireless access
point.
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A large scale WLAN, such as a corporate WLAN or public
WLAN hotspot typically use wireless access points, which
can handle a large number of computers and accessories and
can separate critical network functions.
■
A home or small office WLAN typically uses a wireless
router, which enables several wireless and wired computers
to share an Internet connection, a printer, and files without
additional pieces of hardware or software. "Wireless access
point" and "wireless router" are often used interchangeably.
Notebooks with 802.11 WLAN may support one or more of three
IEEE physical layer standards:
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802.11a
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802.11b
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802.11g
Hardware and Software Guide
Wireless (Select Models Only)
11–3