WLANs

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) connect devices within a limited area using wireless radio communications, providing mobility and convenient access to networks and services. They are commonly based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards and are widely deployed in homes, businesses, schools, and public spaces.

A WLAN typically consists of access points (APs) that connect wireless clients to a wired backbone, network switches, and a backhaul link to the wider network. In infrastructure deployments, clients attach to APs, which in turn forward traffic through a distribution system. An extended network may use multiple APs forming a basic service set (BSS) and, when interconnected, an extended service set (ESS) to cover larger areas and enable roaming between APs.

Technologies and performance in WLANs include modulation and access methods such as OFDM, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and, more recently, MU-MIMO and beamforming. WLANs operate on radio frequency bands that have evolved from 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz to include the 6 GHz band for newer generations. Channel availability and width, especially wider channels, influence capacity and interference. Common enhancements across generations include higher data rates, improved spectral efficiency, and better support for multiple devices.

Standards progression, from older 802.11a/b/g/n/ac to 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6 and 6E) and now 802.11be (Wi‑Fi 7), reflects ongoing improvements in throughput, latency, and capacity. Security has advanced from WEP to WPA2 and WPA3, emphasizing stronger encryption (AES), robust authentication (802.1X), and features like protected management frames.

Management and deployment vary by environment. Home WLANs are usually simple and router-based, while enterprise networks use centralized controllers or cloud management, QoS (WMM), guest networks, VLANs, and extensive RF planning to optimize coverage and performance. WLANs remain a core technology for flexible, scalable local connectivity.