Wi-Fi Wireless LAN (WLAN) Networking Architecture and Technologies

Wireless local area networks (WLANs), based on the WiFi technologies are often implemented as an overlay to the wired LAN based on the Ethernet technology. There are two main architectures used in the WLAN environment:

Peer-to-peer auton­omous architecture in which the wireless access point (AP) has auton­omy over access, security, and operation. APs in this architecture usually do not require a wireless controller.

Centralized WLAN architecture in which Lightweight APs with limited functionality are used, with most of the wireless intelligence residing at a central controlling device (i.e., the WLAN controller).

One can certainly combine the above two architectures to form a mixed environment to achieve its purpose.
The choice of WLAN architecture will come after considering factors such as network size, migration, and costs.

Network size - Distributed WLAN with autonomous APs can become difficult to manage if deployed in large numbers. There are no defined rules as to how large a deployment must be before it can be considered too large to manage. As a basic rule of thumb, if more than 5 to 10 APs are deployed, a centralized solution can potentially be more cost-effective than a distributed autonomous architecture. A centralized architecture could translate into lower operational costs because network policies, security settings, and radio-frequency power settings can be managed from a single device.

Migration- If a small wireless deployment requires only a few APs, the WLAN can be designed using distributed autonomous APs. As wireless coverage is expanded with the addition of APs, the solution can be converted into a centralized lightweight architecture. Migration from an autonomous to a lightweight solution is possible with the addition of the wireless control­ler and an operating system upgrade to selected APs from certain equipment providers.

Costs- Normally, the hardware cost of a lightweight AP is lower than that of an autonomous AP, but the cost of the wireless controller must be factored into the to­tal cost. In addition to the capital cost of device purchases, the cost of managing the network should also be accounted in the equation.

Wi-Fi WLAN Networking Architecture

Related Terms:Wi-Fi, Wireless LAN, WLAN, WLAN Architecture, Wi-Fi Technologies

Reference Links:

http://www.javvin.com/wlan-wifi-guide.html: WLAN (Wi-Fi) Quick Guide

http://www.javvin.com/wirelessmap.html : Wireless Communication Technology Map