Networking / Beginners

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Home and Small Office

For homeowners and small office inhabitants, a wireless LAN is becoming an effective option as compared to ethernet for sharing printers, scanners, and high-speed Internet connections. It's often less expensive to set up a wireless LAN and avoid having to install ethernet cabling throughout a home or small office. The cost savings in addition to mobility benefits are causing many homeowners to take this approach, especially as wireless LAN prices continue to drop and the fears of wireless subside. In the case of leasing a home or office, wireless may be the only alternative if the landlord has restrictions on changing the wiring.

A wireless LAN solution for the home and small office is very simple, generally consisting of a single access point that connects directly to the Internet connection (such as ISDN, DSL, or cable modem) via a router. Additionally, as soon as you install a wireless LAN radio in each laptop and PC, you're ready to use the network. You can browse the Web from your favorite chair while watching television or sitting in the backyard next to the pool.