WLAN is an acronym that refers to a Wireless Local Area Network.
WLAN is an acronym in the English language that refers to Wireless Local Area Network , an expression that can be translated as Wireless Local Area Network . As the name indicates, a WLAN is a local network whose equipment does not need to be linked through cables to connect.
The WLAN is a specific type of LAN : a computer network made up of units located in a small geographical space. While the computers that are part of a LAN connect to each other or to a router with cables, in a WLAN the connection is made using radio frequency waves .
As they are wireless networks , WLANs usually allow users to have extensive mobility, since they do not depend on cables or physical elements to remain on the network. The absence of cables also helps to maintain order or organization in the office or environment in question.
WLAN example
An example of WLAN is the wireless network that is installed in a home using WiFi technology. Suppose there is a computer in a bedroom, another computer in the dining room, and a third laptop. The three computers have wireless network cards and are interconnected through a wireless access point (device known as WAP ).
In this way, the parent who uses the dining room computer can send a photo to his child, who uses the bedroom computer. At the same time, both can share files with whoever uses the laptop.
A WLAN can allow the interconnection of various devices in a home.
Weaknesses of these networks
There are two main problems or weaknesses, let's put it this way, that a WLAN has:
-Security. It is considered that this is much more vulnerable than other networks, so it is necessary to take all possible measures to prevent anyone from accessing it. Hence the choice, for example, of encryption and the use of different keys and algorithms.
-Speed. In the same way, there is still much room for improvement in WLANs in this regard. And it is considered that, currently, it has not yet managed to reach the speed that other types of local networks do offer and have.
Advantages of WLAN
Faced with these setbacks or weak points of the WLAN, we can highlight its most notable advantages, some of which you have already been able to intuit to a certain extent:
-In companies it gives the possibility for any employee to obtain information from any part of the company from their position and immediately. This is a circumstance that, without a doubt, contributes both to making your work easier and to significantly improving your productivity.
-Although it may involve a higher cost at first in many cases, in the long run it represents a much more profitable investment.
-The WLAN is installed really quickly and easily, so you will be able to use it immediately.
-Precisely, the changes that have to be made are also very easy to undertake.