A Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN allows wireless and mobile users to connect to a local area network (LAN) though the use of a wireless connection. Instead of utilizing wires to communicate between processing locations such as devices, WLANs use high-frequency radio waves or infrared signals to transmit a connection through access points to the Internet. This provides users with the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network.

A WLAN typically extends an existing wired local area network and is built by attaching access points to the edge of the wired network. Clients can then communicate with the access point by using a wireless network adapter.

In addition, all WLANs must adhere to the latest Wireless Networking Standards in order to stay up to speed and differentiate between standards that are appropriate for each individual business based on the amount of bandwidth that is necessary and specifications involved. According to the Wireless Networking Standards, differentiators include data rate, modulation scheme, types of security and additional specifications that vary based on the necessities of each company. These include the IEEE 802.11 group of standards, which specify the technologies for wireless LANs.

As the industry begins further integrating its communication platforms to cloud-based solutions, virtualization becomes a key component to scaling wireless networks as well. As enterprises today are becoming increasingly mobile, traditional controller-based architectures become costly and cumbersome to manage.

Network security remains an important issue for WLANs. Random wireless clients must usually be prohibited from joining the WLAN. Technologies like WEP raise the level of security on wireless networks to rival that of traditional wired networks.

By transitioning to WLAN solutions, remote sites and users can be managed from a single location that can be private or public cloud based, depending on the needs of each organization. The virtualization of the control and management of the wireless network is referred to as virtual WLAN or vWLAN.

For more information on virtual wireless LANs, stay tuned to the WLAN channel.