The full form and meaning of the acronym WLAN is the wireless local area network.
There are three main types of networks in computer networking such as – Local area network, Wide area network and Metropolitan area network where WLAN or wireless local area network works as a LAN network.
As the name suggests Wireless local area network is a wireless computer network. The wireless local area network is able to link two or more computers or devices to form a local area network through wireless communication.
This local area network by wireless local area network is created in the reach of a limited area like computer laboratory, office building, school or campus etc.
The wireless local area network is able to provide a connection to the wider internet through a gateway.
What is WLAN? (About WLAN)
If we understand wireless local area network in simple language, then it is such a local area network, through which we connect our devices wirelessly through radio waves without wire.
WiFi is a very good example of WLAN, through which we connect many of our important devices such as computers, mobiles, printers etc. to each other through a network.
When connected to a wireless local area network, the user can work from anywhere within the range of that network, even while walking or roaming around.
These wireless local area networks that are based on the IEEE 802.11 standards are the most commonly used wireless local area networks and computer networks in the world.
These types of wireless local area networks are generally called Wi-Fi. This wireless local area network as Wi-Fi is a kind of trademark and it belongs to the Wi-Fi alliance.
This Wi-Fi or wireless local area network are mostly used in small offices and homes and the purpose for it is to link laptops, computers, smartphones, web TVs, printers etc. together.
These wireless local area networks can also link gaming devices in this network along with other devices. This network of devices is established through a wireless router. This router for wireless local area network links these devices and network to the internet further.
Through the establishment of this type of wireless local area network restaurants, coffee shops, airports, libraries, hotels etc. provide Hotspots to their customers and visitors that allows people to access the internet through this wireless local area network in their portable wireless devices.
History of WLAN
The world’s first-ever developed wireless local area network or wireless computer communication network was ALOHAnet. This first wireless computer communication network or WLAN was developed by professor Norman Abramson at the University of Hawaii.
This wireless local area network by Norman became operational in 1971. This first system contained seven computers to connect them and these computers were organized over four islands.
These were connected together to communicate with the central computer in the network and this central computer in the network was situated on the Oahu island where there was no phone line.
Initially, the hardware for wireless local area networks was costly so it was used only as an alternative. As an alternative, this hardware was only used where cabling was not easy to possible.
Proprietary protocols and industry-specific solutions of wireless local area networks were developed initially.
However, these industry-specific solutions and proprietary protocols were changed with technical standards of wireless local area networks in the late 1990s.
HirperLAN which was a European alternative for the computer network was started and its first version was approved in 1996. It was started in 1991 by the European Telecommunications standard institute.
802.11n was enhanced in 802.11 in 2009. This 802.11n was able to operate in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Here in these two bands, the maximum rate of data transfer in wireless local area network was 600 Mbit/S.
The latest routers and dual bands that are used in the wireless local area network are capable to use both wireless bands mentioned.
Because of this specification of routers and dual-band data communication is able to avoid the crowded 2.4 GHz bands. This band is shared with Bluetooth devices as well as with microwave ovens.
In 1997 a group name HomeRF was established. The purpose of HomeRF was to promote the technology of residential use however HomeRF was parted in 2003.
Some famous WLAN Devices
- Computer
- Laptop
- Mobile
- Printer
- Gaming Device
- TV
- Music System
- Camera
Advantages of WLAN
Talking about some of the best benefits of WLAN-
- WLAN works without a physical wire, so it is a very easy way of communication.
- A wireless local area network is a reliable method of communication.
- Because it does not require any kind of communication wire, so the cost of installing and operating it is very less.
- WLAN makes it easy to add and remove any new device from the network
Disadvantages of WLAN
these are some major disadvantages of WLAN-
- When more devices are connected with WLAN, the data transfer rate becomes very low.
- Although all efforts are made to make WLAN secure, but many times hackers, by hacking people’s networks, steal the necessary information from it.
- Through this you can use that network only in a limited radius.
WLAN Vs WiFi
All WiFi belongs to WLAN, but not all WLAN is necessarily WiFi
WLAN FAQs
is Wlan and WiFi are same things?
Although in many places WLAN and WiFi are used for the same meaning, if understood in detail, WiFi is a type of WLAN.
A WLAN is a wireless local area network, which can also be used as WiFi or in many other ways.
Some other famous full forms of WLAN
WLAN- Wide Local Area Network, in network connection
WLAN- WiFi Link and Network
