TABLE OF CONTENTS Wireless networks have become integral to many organizations over the past few years, and no wonder. The ability to remain connected and mobile without wires provides a wealth of benefits. Entire buildings and campuses can establish a network presence with a minimum of wires. No longer is it necessary to install a wired network drop in every location, which can be an expensive and time consuming undertaking. Wireless networking allows users to be mobile, yet still be able perform tasks such as checking their e-mails, accessing servers, and use the resources of the Internet.
Integrating both wired network and wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies into a single device allows the administrator to have the best of both worlds. In addition to the radio technologies that enable WLANs, other technologies are employed to provide security, efficiency, and stability to the wireless local area network.
Because WLAN radio devices use various aspects of radio technology, this chapter first reviews radio frequency (RF) fundamentals such as the practical information necessary to understand the functionality of any WLAN radio device, including Cisco Aironet products. Because this subject matter represents such a broad range of topics and technologies, discussing them all in one chapter is difficult at best. Instead, this chapter focuses on the fundamentals and standards as they directly relate to WLANs. It discusses current wireless technologies and the advantages and disadvantages of various wireless technology implementations, with greater attention given to the technology used by Cisco Aironet devices.
