D-Link DWA-510 - Page 56

56D-Link DWA-510 User Manual
AppendixA-WirelessBasics
What is Wireless?
Wireless or Wi-Fi technology is another way of connecting your computer to the network without using wires. Wi-Fi uses radio
frequencytoconnectwirelessly,soyouhavethefreedomtoconnectcomputersanywhereinyourhomeorofcenetwork.
Why D-Link Wireless?
D-Linkistheworldwideleaderandawardwinningdesigner,developer,andmanufacturerofnetworkingproducts.D-Linkdelivers
the performance you need at a price you can afford. D-Link has all the products you need to build your network.
How does wireless work?
Wirelessworkssimilartohowcordlessphonework,throughradiosignalstotransmitdatafromonepointAtopointB.Butwireless
technology has restrictions as to how you can access the network. You must be within the wireless network range area to be able
toconnectyourcomputer.TherearetwodifferenttypesofwirelessnetworksWirelessLocalAreaNetwork(WLAN),andWireless
PersonalAreaNetwork(WPAN).
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Inawirelesslocalareanetwork,adevicecalledanAccessPoint(AP)connectscomputerstothenetwork.Theaccesspointhasa
smallantennaattachedtoit,whichallowsittotransmitdatabackandforthoverradiosignals.Withanindooraccesspointasseen
inthepicture,thesignalcantravelupto300feet.Withanoutdooraccesspointthesignalcanreachoutupto30milestoserve
placeslikemanufacturingplants,industriallocations,collegeandhighschoolcampuses,airports,golfcourses,andmanyother
outdoor venues.