WEP provides security by encrypting data sent over radio waves from end point to end point. The first of these protocols is Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WLAN 802.11 standards also have security protocols that were developed to provide the same level of security as that of a wired LAN. 802.11 specifies over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a base station, or between two wireless clients. The Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) developed the 802.11 specification for wireless LAN technology. WLANs may also enable network administrators to connect devices that may be physically difficult to reach with a cable. With mobility, WLANs give flexibility and increased productivity, appealing to both entrepreneurs and to home users. This freedom means users can access shared resources without looking for a place to plug in cables, provided that their terminals are mobile and within the designated network coverage area.
WLANs give users mobility as they allow connection to a local area network without having to be physically connected by a cable. This minimizes the need for wired connections. Wireless LANs, or WLANs, use radio frequency (RF) technology to transmit and receive data over the air. Special routing protocols and filters minimize the expense of sending data over vast distances. WANs can be as simple as a modem and a remote access server for employees to dial into, or it can be as complex as hundreds of branch offices globally linked. This is accomplished by connecting the several LANs with dedicated leased lines such as a T1 or a T3, by dial-up phone lines (both synchronous and asynchronous), by satellite links and by data packet carrier services. Wide area networking combines multiple LANs that are geographically separate. Often elements of a network are widely separated physically. The development of standard networking protocols and media has resulted in worldwide proliferation of LANs throughout business and educational organizations. LANs can be small, linking as few as three computers, but can often link hundreds of computers used by thousands of people. Local Area Networks or LANs are usually confined to a limited geographic area, such as a single building or a college campus. Local Area Networks (LANs)Ī network is any collection of independent computers that exchange information with each other over a shared communication medium. In describing the basics of networking technology, it will be helpful to explain the different types of networks in use. Ethernet Products – including transceivers, network interface cards, hubs and repeaters.Networking and Ethernet Basics – including standard code, media, topographies, collisions and CSMA/CD.Types of LAN Technology – including Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet,.The Internet and Beyond – The Internet and its contributions to intranets and extranets.Types of Networks – including LANs, WANs and WLANs.This tutorial will explain the basics of some of the most popular technologies used in networking, and will include the following: Just how all this information is transmitted, stored, categorized and accessed remains a mystery to the average computer user. Networking has thus become an increasingly pervasive, worldwide reality because it is fast, efficient, reliable and effective. Individuals, professionals and academics have also learned to rely on computer networks for capabilities such as electronic mail and access to remote databases for research and communication purposes. Ethernet Tutorial – Part I: Networking BasicsĬomputer networking has become an integral part of business today.