Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of WLAN? Under what situation is a wireless LAN desirable over LAN?

Answer 1

 The advantages of WLAN:

     It's easier to add or move workstations.
     easier to provide connectivity in areas that are difficult to lay cable.
     Installation is quick and easy, and caneliminate the need to pull cable through walls /ceiling and wall / ceiling.
     access to the network can be from anywherewithin range of the access point.
     Portable or semi-permanent buildings can be connected using WLAN.
     While the initial investment required for Wlanhardware similar to the cost of wired LANhardware, installation costs can be significantly lower.
     When the facility is located on more than one site (like the two sides of the road), directionalantennas can be used to avoid digging trenchesunder roads to connect to the site.
     Long-term cost benefits can be found in thedynamic environment that requires the frequency of motion and change.

Disadvantages of WLAN:

     When the number of computers that use the network increases, the data transfer to the computer each will be reduced.
     When standards change, it may be necessaryto replace the wireless card and / or access point.
     The low bandwidth wireless means someapplications like video streaming to be more effective on the LAN cable.
     Security is more difficult to guarantee andrequires no configuration.
     The device operates on a limited distancefrom the access point, the distance is determined by the standard used and buildingsand other obstacles between the access pointand the user.
     A lan cable most likely be required to provide a backbone to WLAN, WLAN should be asupplement to the LAN cable and not a complete solution.
     Long-term cost-efficient is more difficult toachieve static environments that require fewmoves and changes