A WLAN is a type of LAN (Local Area Network) that uses wireless communication (radio waves) instead of physical cables to connect devices. The most common WLAN technology is Wi‑Fi (IEEE 802.11 standard).
Key Characteristics
Coverage: Limited to a local area (home, office, campus).
Medium: Uses radio waves instead of Ethernet cables.
Access Point: Devices connect through a wireless router or access point.
Mobility: Users can move freely within the coverage area while staying connected.
Speed: Depends on Wi‑Fi standard (e.g., Wi‑Fi 5, Wi‑Fi 6, Wi‑Fi 7).
📶 Wi‑Fi: Standards, Versions, and History
1. Origins
1997: First Wi‑Fi standard (IEEE 802.11) introduced, max speed only 2 Mbps.
Developed by the IEEE Standards Association, Wi‑Fi quickly became the dominant wireless LAN technology worldwide.
2. Generations of Wi‑Fi
Generation
Standard
Year
Band
Max Speed
Key Features
Wi‑Fi 1
802.11
1997
2.4 GHz
2 Mbps
First Wi‑Fi standard
Wi‑Fi 2
802.11b
1999
2.4 GHz
11 Mbps
Affordable, but interference-prone
Wi‑Fi 3
802.11g
2003
2.4 GHz
54 Mbps
Faster, backward compatible
Wi‑Fi 4
802.11n
2009
2.4 & 5 GHz
600 Mbps
Introduced MIMO, dual-band
Wi‑Fi 5
802.11ac
2014
5 GHz
1.3 Gbps
Beamforming, better streaming
Wi‑Fi 6
802.11ax
2019
2.4 & 5 GHz
9.6 Gbps
OFDMA, improved efficiency
Wi‑Fi 6E
802.11ax (extended)
2021
6 GHz
9.6 Gbps
New 6 GHz band, less congestion
Wi‑Fi 7
802.11be
2024
2.4/5/6 GHz
~46 Gbps
Multi-link operation, ultra-low latency
3. Evolution Highlights
Early Wi‑Fi (1997–2003): Slow speeds, mainly for basic web browsing.
Wi‑Fi 4 (2009): Big leap with MIMO (multiple antennas) and dual-band support.
Wi‑Fi 5 (2014): Optimized for HD video streaming and gaming.
Wi‑Fi 6/6E (2019–2021): Focused on efficiency, handling many devices simultaneously.
Wi‑Fi 7 (2024): Designed for ultra-fast speeds, AR/VR, and next-gen cloud applications.
4. Why It Matters
Speed: From 2 Mbps (Wi‑Fi 1) to ~46 Gbps (Wi‑Fi 7).
Frequency bands: Expanded from 2.4 GHz → 5 GHz → 6 GHz.
Applications: From simple browsing → HD streaming → IoT → AR/VR.
WLAN vs LAN
Feature
LAN (general)
WLAN (wireless LAN)
Connection
Wired (Ethernet cables)
Wireless (Wi‑Fi radio waves)
Mobility
Limited (fixed cables)
High (move freely with devices)
Speed
Very stable, up to 10 Gbps
Variable, depends on Wi‑Fi standard
Setup
Requires cabling
Easier, just router + Wi‑Fi
Examples
Home Wi‑Fi network: Your phone, laptop, and smart TV connected wirelessly to the router.
Office WLAN: Employees connect laptops and phones to the corporate Wi‑Fi.
Campus WLAN: University provides wireless access across classrooms and libraries.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up