Wireless Basics - D-Link DWL-3260AP - AirPremier - Wireless Access Point User Manual

Wireless Basics

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 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 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a 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 WLAN 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.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as conventional
Ethernet network devices. The DWL-3260AP saves money by providing multi-functionality that
is configurable in one of four different modes.
Scalability - WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways 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.
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