CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 1

A Day in the Life of a Wireless User:

• Hotspots:

• Wireless local area network (WLAN

• Bluetooth wireless standard

• Fixed broadband wireless

• Free space optics (FSO)

• Handheld devices

• Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 2

Wireless Local Area Networks (continued)

Figure 1-3: Wireless LAN

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 3

Wireless Local Area Networks

Figure 1-4: Home wireless LAN

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Bluetooth (continued)

Figure 1-5: Bluetooth device

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Telecommunications Links

• Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN):

• T-1 lines

• Cable modems

• Digital subscriber lines (DSL

• WiMax

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Telecommunications Links

Figure 1-6: Free space optics transceiver

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Telecommunications Links

Figure 1-7: Wireless office technologies

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Cellular Telephony

Figure 1-8: Browsing the World Wide Web

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Cellular Telephony

Figure 1-9: WAP communications

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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Figure 1-10: RFID tag

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Wireless Technology Categories

Table 1-1: Typical wireless technologies

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Wireless LAN Applications:

• Education

• Business

• Travel

• Construction

• Warehouse Management

• Public Safety

• Healthcare

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Wireless Advantages

• Mobility: Primary advantage of wireless technology

• Easier and Less Expensive Installation: Installing network cabling in older buildings difficult and costly

• Increased Reliability: Wireless LAN technology eliminates certain types of cable failures and increases overall network reliability

• Disaster Recovery: Documented disaster recovery plan vital to every business

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Wireless Disadvantages

• Security: Wireless signals broadcast in open air

• Radio Signal Interference: Signals from other devices can disrupt wireless transmissions

• Health Risks: Wireless devices emit RF energy