Advantages and Disadvantages of WLANs

WLANs have advantages and disadvantages when compared with wired LANs.

A WLAN will make it simple to add or move workstations and to install access

points to provide connectivity in areas where it is diffi cult to lay cable. Temporary or

semipermanent buildings that are in range of an access point can be wirelessly connected

to a LAN to give these buildings connectivity. Where computer labs are used in schools,

the computers (laptops) could be put on a mobile cart and wheeled from classroom to

classroom, provided they are in range of access points.

 Wired network points would be

needed for each of the access points. A WLAN has some specifi c advantages:

WLANs also have some disadvantages:

It is easier to add or move workstations.

It is easier to provide connectivity in areas where it is diffi cult to lay cable.

walls and ceilings.

Installation is fast and easy, and it can eliminate the need to pull cable through

Access to the network can be from anywhere within range of an access point.

 Although the initial investment required for WLAN hardware can be similar to

a directional antenna can be used to avoid digging trenches under roads to

connect the sites.

When a facility is located on more than one site (such as on two sides of a road),

WLAN can avoid the need to drill holes in walls.

frequent moves and changes.

In historic buildings where traditional cabling would compromise the façade, a Long-term cost benefi ts can be found in dynamic environments requiring

• each computer will decrease accordingly.

As the number of computers using the network increases, the data transfer rate to

points.

As standards change, it may be necessary to replace wireless cards and/or access

be more effective on a wired LAN.

Lower wireless bandwidth means some applications such as video streaming will

Security is more diffi cult to guarantee and requires confi guration.

distance determined by the standard used and buildings and other obstacles

between the access point and the user.

A wired LAN is most likely to be required to provide a backbone to the WLAN;

a WLAN should be a supplement to a wired LAN and not a complete solution.

few moves and changes.Long-term cost benefi ts are harder to achieve in static environments that require

Devices will only operate at a limited distance from an access point, with the