Local Access Network Technologies
This text reviews the major new access technologies that are finding their way into significant use. It defines terms and technologies, and goes on to discuss how those technologies may be deployed.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Local Access Network Technologies
Chapter 12: Wireless LANs
M. Begley, A. Sago
12.1 Introduction
The concept of a local area network or LAN has existed for many decades, and it forms the basis of all in-building office and retail data networks in the world today. Inter connection of personal computers, servers and peripherals is the rationale for such a network. Also, many homes are now equipped with a LAN to cater for multiple home computers and peripherals. We can also think of the LAN as an access network to wide area locations or the Internet. The LAN wiring can be replaced by a wireless medium using wireless LAN technology to give local mobility for users, sometimes known as nomadic access. This capability has existed since the mid-1980s in some niche applications, but recently there has been are surgence of interest in implementing wireless LAN networks across a wider range of applications. The architecture and protocols in current use on wireless LAN networks are discussed in this chapter along with a view of current and future trends in the markets and technologies that constitute this field. The important areas of spectrum availability, regulation and security are also covered.
12.2 Network architectures
Wireless technology can be used to replace fixed wiring in many parts of a local area network, or to provide mobility on an existing network. Common architectures are described below.
12.2.1 Infrastructure
A typical small, medium or large enterprise would deploy wireless LANs as part of a wired network infrastructure, to enhance network coverage or provide mobility to...
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