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Wireless LAN and IEEE 802.11

Wireless LANs use radio waves instead of cables to connect devices in a local area network. They allow users to move freely within the network's coverage area. Most WLANs are based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The standard defines stations including access points that transmit radio frequencies to connect wireless devices, and clients like laptops and smartphones. Stations communicate within basic service sets identified by a BSSID, while extended service sets connect multiple BSSs through an access point distribution system. Wireless LANs provide connectivity and mobility advantages over wired LANs with lower installation costs and flexibility, though they can be slower with greater interference risks.

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48 views4 pages

Wireless LAN and IEEE 802.11

Wireless LANs use radio waves instead of cables to connect devices in a local area network. They allow users to move freely within the network's coverage area. Most WLANs are based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The standard defines stations including access points that transmit radio frequencies to connect wireless devices, and clients like laptops and smartphones. Stations communicate within basic service sets identified by a BSSID, while extended service sets connect multiple BSSs through an access point distribution system. Wireless LANs provide connectivity and mobility advantages over wired LANs with lower installation costs and flexibility, though they can be slower with greater interference risks.

Uploaded by

Anandhu c
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Categories 

 
Wireless LAN and IEEE 802.11
 Wireless LANs are Local Area Networks that use high frequency radio waves instead of cables
for connecting the devices in LAN.
 Users connected by WLANs can move around within the area of network coverage.
 Most WLANs are based upon the standard IEEE 802.11 .

IEEE 802.11 Architecture


The components of an IEEE 802.11 architecture are as follows

1) Stations (STA) − Stations include all devices and equipments that are connected to the wireless LAN. A
station can be of two types:

Access Points (AP) −  access points (AP) are generally wireless routers that form the base stations . The
access point transmit or receive radio frequencies between the wireless LAN .
A single access point can support a small group of users and can working within a range of less than one
hundred to several hundred feet. The access point or the antenna attached to the access point
mounted so as to get the desired radio coverage .

Client. − Clients can be mobile devices such as workstations, computers, laptops, printers, smartphones,
etc. that are equipped with wireless network interface controller.

2) Basic Service Set (BSS)

 A basic service set is a group of stations that can communicate witheach other at physical layer
level.
 Every BSS has an identification (ID) called the BSSID, which is the MAC address of the access
point servicing the BSS.

. BSS can be of two categories depending upon mode of operation:

 Infrastructure BSS − also referred to as IBSS ,Here, the devices communicate with other
devices through access points.

 Independent BSS − Here, the devices communicate in peer-to-peer basis in an ad hoc


manner , which means they cannot connect to any other basic service set.

3) Extended Service Set (ESS) − It is a set of all connected BSS. Access points in an ESS are
connected by a distribution system. Each ESS has an ID called the SSID which is a 32-byte
(maximum) character string.
4 ) Distribution System (DS) − It connects access points in ESS. The concept of a DS can be used
to increase network coverage through roaming between cells. DS can be wired or wireless.
Current wireless distribution systems are mostly based on WDS or MESH protocols, though other
systems are in use

Advantages of Wireless LANs

 Advantages of Wireless LANs

 provides dual advantage of connectivity and mobility

 Fast Installation and Simplicity: Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can
eliminate the need to pull cables through walls, floor, and ceilings.

 Installation Flexibility: Wireless network is suitable for any kind of geographical conditions. If d


move to a new location, the wireless system is much easier to move.

 Reduced Cost: . Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments, requiring
frequent moves and changes.

 Scalability Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies ,

Configurations can be easily changed,nodes can be added to the existing wireless LAN
without much degradation of performance..

Disadvantages of WLANs

 Since radio waves are used for communications, the signals are noisier with more interference
from nearby systems.

 Greater care is needed for encrypting information, more chance for errors. So, they require
greater bandwidth than the wired LANs.

 WLANs are slower than wired LANs.

Definition : 
Peer to Peer ( P2P network) : "peers" are computer systems which are connected to each other via the
Internet.

Files can be shared directly between systems on the network without the need of a central server. In
other words, each computer on a P2P network becomes a file server as well as a client.

Ad-hoc network - is a type of LAN that is built to enable two or more wireless devices to be connected
to each other without requiring a central device, such as a router or access point.

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