Although a LAN provides enormous flexibility,
the initial cabling cost can be substantial,
as well as the inevitable wiring
changes that occur in a dynamic organization.
Many companies find wireless
technology to be an attractive alternative.
A wireless local area network, or WLAN, is relatively inexpensive to install and is
well-suited to workgroups and users who are not anchored to a specific desk or location.
Most notebook computers are equipped with built-in wireless capability, and it is relatively
simple to add this feature to existing desktop computers and workstations in order
to set up a wireless network.
Like their wired counterparts, wireless networks have certain standards and topologies,
which are discussed in the following sections.