Table of contents
WLAN (Wirekess Local Area Network, Wireless Local Area Network)
The development trend of Wi-Fi
Basic WLAN networking architecture:
Here is what a common Fat AP (FAT AP) looks like
The following are common skinny AP appearances
WLAN (Wirekess Local Area Network, Wireless Local Area Network)
The traditional wired network has high cost of laying , fixed location , and poor mobility . As people's requirements for network portability and mobility increase day by day, the traditional wired network can no longer meet the demand, and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) technology emerges as the times require.
At present, WLAN has become an economical and efficient network access method.
What is WLAN
WLAN stands for Wireless LAN (wireless local area network), which refers to a wireless local area network constructed through wireless technology. In a broad sense, WLAN refers to a network composed of wireless signals such as radio waves, lasers, and infrared rays instead of some or all of the transmission media in the preferred local area network.
Through WLAN technology, users can easily access to the wireless network and move freely within the coverage area of the wireless network, completely getting rid of the shackles of the wired network.
When several devices are connected to the same AP, mutual access between devices can be realized.
Wireless is less secure than wired, so there is no security without wireless. When doing wireless, the data is generally encrypted and the connected devices are verified.
WLAN and Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is one of the wireless communication technologies in WLAN. WLAN is the product of the combination of computer network and wireless communication technology (Wi-Fi), and is the wireless extension of wired network.
The development trend of Wi-Fi
Compared with the wired LAN, the wireless LAN mainly changes the lower two layers of the TCP/IP model (data link layer, physical layer):
Basic WLAN networking architecture:
Fat AP (FAT AP) = home router
Fat APs need to be configured independently. Each fat AP needs to be configured separately and cannot be deployed uniformly.
Fat AP usage range: family
Features : APs work independently, need to be configured separately, have a single function, and are low in cost. As the WLAN coverage area increases, the number of FAT APs that need to be deployed will also increase.
Here is what a common Fat AP (FAT AP) looks like
Thin AP (AC+FIT AP) thin AP architecture:
Scope of application: medium and large enterprises
Features: Thin APs need to be used in conjunction with the AC, and are managed and configured by the AC in a unified manner . They have rich functions and require high skills for network operation and maintenance personnel.
By configuring the AC, the newly added thin AP can be plugged in and used directly. Therefore, almost no configuration is required for the AP, and only the AC needs to be managed and configured.
The following are common skinny AP appearances
