Wireless Basics - D-Link AirPro DWL-6000AP User Manual

3. Wireless Basics

D-Link AirPro 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. Strictly adhering to the IEEE standard, the D-Link AirPro wireless family of products will
allow you to securely access the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy
the freedom that wireless networking delivers.
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits and receives data
with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless LANs 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.
Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices to link to a conventional
Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an Internet connection supplied through the wired
LAN. A Wireless Access Point (AP) is a device used to provide this link.
The advantages of Wireless LAN are many and varied and include:
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 (Wireless Local Area Networks) are easy to set up, manage,
change and relocate. Networks that frequently change, both physically and logically, can benefit
from WLANs ease of implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.
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.
Network Expansion - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go.
Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware
might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle
costs will be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments
requiring frequent moves, adds, and changes.
Scalability – Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) 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 allow roaming over a broad area.
The DWL-6000AP is compatible with the D-Link AirPro 802.11a family of products, which include:
♦
5GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers (DWL-A650)
♦
5GHz Wireless PCI Adapters used with desktop computers
The DWL-6000AP is also compatible with the D-Link AirPlus 802.11b Wireless Family of LAN
products, which include:
♦
Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers (DWL-650+)
♦
Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers (DWL-520+)
♦
Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Broadband Router (DI-614+)
AirPro DWL-6000AP
4
(DWL-A520)