ZyXEL Communications 320W User Manual

 

All contents copyright (c) 2005 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.   

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c. Installation Flexibility: 

Wireless technology allows the network to go where wire cannot go.   

d. Reduced Cost-of-Ownership: 

While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware can be higher than the cost of wired 

LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs can be significantly lower. Long-term 

cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves and changes.   

e. Scalability: 

Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific 

applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer networks 

suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousands of users that enable 

roaming over a broad area.   
 

The speed of Wireless LAN is still relative slower than wired LAN. The most popular wired LAN is 

operated in 100Mbps, which is almost 10 times of that of Wireless LAN (10Mbps). A faster wired LAN 

standard (1000Mbps), which is 100 times faster, becomes popular as well. The setup cost of Wireless 

LAN is relative high because the equipment cost including access point and PCMCIA Wireless LAN card 

is higher than hubs and CAT 5 cables. 

Airports, hotels, and even coffee shops like Starbucks are deploying 802.11 networks so people can 

wirelessly browse the Internet with their laptops. As these types of networks increase, this will create 

additional security risk for the remote user if not properly protected.   

The AP (access point also known as a base station) is the wireless server that with an antenna and a wired 

Ethernet connection that broadcasts information using radio signals. AP typically acts as a bridge for the 

clients. It can pass information to wireless LAN cards that have been installed in computers or laptops 

allowing those computers to connect to the campus network and the Internet without wires.