What Exactly Does WLAN Mean

Wireless Local Area Network, Wireless LAN or WLAN is the English term for designating a wireless local area network . These types of networks are used, mainly, when the wiring of the network devices is not possible, it is very difficult to perform or is associated with a high effort, but also for pure comfort. It is particularly extended in the private space , where it represents an excellent solution so that there is Internet in all the rooms of a house without the need to connect cables. Wireless networks are also very useful in offices, especially when you have to connect a large number of devices such as laptops, smartphones or tablets.

There are three different ways to operate a wireless network:

• Infrastructure mode : the structure in this way is similar to that of a mobile network. A wireless modes access point (Wireless Access Point) is responsible for coordinating all network participants and sends small data packets with information about the network name, the transmission rates supported or the type of encryption. The wireless access point is often a router.

• Wireless Distribution System: Because Ethernet and WLAN use the same addressing mode, it is possible to connect to wired networks (or other wireless networks) without complications through the wireless access point. In this way, you can link these networks and increase, for example, their reach. This is why we talk about a Wireless Distribution System (in Spanish, a wireless distribution system).

• Ad hoc Modus: in the ad hoc networks there is no central control instance, so the respective terminals must themselves be responsible for coordination. These networks are used for rapid and direct communication between individual participants. However, the use of this mode is not widespread, as alternative technologies such as Bluetooth are used much more.