Home Network: Wireless lan networking

Wireless lan networking

Wireless LAN networking can easily be setup by installing a wireless router and an access device for each computer on the network. The router acts as the central communications hub, routing traffic and data between various machines. An access device allows a computer to connect to the wireless network. A typical wired Ethernet based network runs at 100 mbits/sec. Wireless networks started operating at 11 mbits/sec. Advances in technology upgraded the speed higher and now the typical connection speed is 54 mbits/sec. More recent products have the capability of transmitting and receiving data at 108 mbits/sec and further. However it should be noted that the speed is only an indication of the maximum available bandwidth and not a guarantee of actual transmission rates.

Transmissions are typically much lower, especially if the users computer is further away from the access point. Obstructions and signal distortions lower the access speed. Wireless LAN networks are great for sharing common files, printers and Internet access, but typical home installations are not very good for large data transfers.