Many “smart devices” and computers are equipped with a built-in wireless LAN card that allows these devices to connect to wireless Ethernet networks. The device, while specifically allowing for the wireless network connection of devices into wireless access points and ad hoc networks, is made in many sizes and form factors, all of which can be considered as built-in wireless LAN cards. The most common appliance to contain such a device and call it by this name is a laptop computer. http://www.papatek.com/USB-Wireless-LAN-Adapter/802.11g-WIRELESS-USB-54Mbps-Adapter.html
Wireless LAN description
A wireless Local Area Network (LAN) is a standard Ethernet network that uses radio frequency radio transceivers instead of wires to connect computers and other devices into the Ethernet network. Each device uses a wireless LAN card to send and receive data from the other, analogous to the way a wire allows the same communication type.
Interface
Many laptop computers utilize a mini-PCI interface for the connection of the wireless LAN card into the laptop. Other options are PCMCIA and USB, but these interfaces are not the type that built-in wireless LAN cards use. Some systems have the wireless card circuitry built into the motherboard, but the modular design of mini-PCI is favored.
Wireless Protocols
Wireless LAN cards can use any of the IEEE 802.11 standards the controller chip supports. The most common are the standards: b, g, a, n. Maximum throughput speeds increase with time, and the old 11 Mbps “b” cards are a fraction of the 200-plus Mbps “n” standard. Protocols also vary in range and receive sensitivity. http://www.papatek.com/USB-Wireless-LAN-Adapter/USB-802.11N-150M-WIRELESS-LAN-Adapter(RT3070-Chipset)-slim.html
Popularity of Built-In Wireless LAN Cards
The explosion of popularity in wireless networking has led to the almost ubiquitous implementation of wireless LAN cards in all laptop computers and any other portable computer-like device. Any laptop purchased would be expected to have wireless capability as a standard feature, whereas a few years ago, it was an expensive addition.
Benefits
Wireless LAN cards allow people to compute with LAN, and often Internet, access without the constraints of wires. The benefit of mobility in computing cannot be understated in the scenarios where instant local computing, as well as networked data access, is mandatory. Also, the cost of implementation can be significantly lower than a wired connection in some circumstances.
http://www.papatek.com/USB-Wireless-LAN-Adapter/GWF-3A33-USB-Wireless-LAN-Card-Black.html
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#1 by guzen on April 22nd, 2010
One way to effectively kick people off is to discover who they are. Devices can be used to locate the source (home, apartment, etc) of a signal accessing your connection. At the same time, programs used by hackers can hack their connections as well, allowing you to monitor until info is found to identify your suspect. If either method is successful, hire a lawyer and sue the scum for all he has – including his computer.
#2 by p p on April 22nd, 2010
They're the same thing. Only one is already on your laptop and the other is an add-on piece.
Neither is any faster than the other.
The sell it already in laptops so that you will buy that laptop instead of another brand.
It's called "marketing"
#3 by nacao on April 22nd, 2010
i use wpa2 (AES) with a 63-character long password consisting of random upper-case, lower-case, numbers and symbols. Hopefully this will be enough to secure my network….
#4 by Knobbs on April 22nd, 2010
A built-in wireless LAN and a built-in wireless card are the same thing and the terminology can be used interchangeably. A wireless card allows you to connect to a wireless network.
An Ethernet LAN is just a network to which you connect to via a Ethernet cable, also known as a network cable, also known as Cat5 or Cat6.
#5 by corpo on April 22nd, 2010
@mewrox99 I agree, i always setup WPA2 and mac filter, i run alot of wireless stuff so hiding doesnt work in my case.
Its too easy to spoof MAC’s, also WEP is easily cracked, would not suggest it either.
#6 by psychic on April 22nd, 2010
go up to your URL bar, put a Q between the words you and tube and then press enter or click go
#7 by seb1970 on April 22nd, 2010
Go to Start/Control Panel/Network. If Vista on the left panel select Manage Networks. Right click on the wireless device and select properties. On the device listing there should be a button for configure. Select the advanced tab and a list will appear. You can click on each item in the list and there is a drop down on the right for making changes. Find the one for power management by sytem and set it so the system does not shut off for power management. Also, check for how it is awakened. Sometimes they are set to wake on lan. Most of the items will not be changed, so don't except for the power settings.
#8 by rails on April 22nd, 2010
Ok im getting the wifi from the router but i dont know why it wont let me get into the internet? what do i do?? Please Help
#9 by Vanessa on April 23rd, 2010
To create a wireless connection to the Internet, you need 3 components. You need a broadband provider, a wireless router and a wireless network card. Cable, telephone and other telecommunication companies offer broadband connection. Just like a telephone lines or cable T.V., broadband connections are via cables. You connect the broadband cable to your desktop or laptop computer. However, you can also connect wirlessly (i.e. no cables). Here's how. You connect the broadband cable to a wireless router. The router in turn broadcasts the signal through the air. Just like a radio station transmitting radio waves which radios pick up to play music. Now that you have a signal, you need something to receive the signal (i.e. a wireless network card). Now, as long as your computer receives the signal, you are connected to the Internet.
Wireless routers transmit omni-directionally, which means any computer which is in range will receive the signal unless you encrypt the wireless signal. All routers can encrypt the signal which they transmit, allowing only computers with the proper encryption key to receive the signal. Sadly, very few people use this feature, which means their signal can be used by anyone within range of the router.
Wireless routers have advanced rapidly. Each generation of routers is given a number id. The earliest wireless connection is called 802.11a followed by 802.11b and then jumped to 802.11g, which is the latest final version. The newer 802.11n is the next version which is due to be out by early 2008. Your wireless network card and wireless router must have the same number id to work properly. So, if you are using a 802.11g wireless router then you need a network adapter which supports 802.11g in order to connect. Most routers are backward compatible. For example, if your network card uses 802.11b, you can still use a 802.11g router. However, the reverse doesn't work. If you have a 802.11b router, you can not connect with a 802.11g network card.
If your computer informs you are connected but only with limited connectivity, it is telling you the wireless signal is very weak and you have a slooow connection to the Internet. Move your laptop closer to the router to increase the signal strength. Any available network which is unsecured, you have access to but if it is secured (i.e. encrypted), you will need a password key to connect.
#10 by earthlink on April 23rd, 2010
Remember MAC Addresses can be spoofed. But hiding the SSID, WPA2, and MAC filtering is usually more than enough to stop the script kiddie next door
#11 by jpro on April 23rd, 2010
is wireless lan the same thing as wifi? if so then whats so different about wifi?
#12 by truth on April 24th, 2010
Also i wanted to add that most people run WRT54g linksys router, the best thing i can say is go with DDWRT firmware, gives LOADS of features that most people will probably never use.
#13 by aar930 on April 24th, 2010
The 802.11b and 802.11g wireless standards are available to you. Both use the 2.4 GHz frequency range.This frequency range is susceptible to interference from cordless phones, microwave ovens, and Bluetooth devices. This standard has a range of 100 meters from the access point and supports a transfer rate of up to 54 Mbps (megabits per second).
Yes, your laptop is ready for wireless. Now you need an access point (preferably a router) and an ISP (Internet service provider that gives you access to the Internet–AOL, for example) that are not included in the purchase price of the laptop. In other words, you have to make these arrangements and pay for them.
#14 by CobMan151 on April 25th, 2010
The Airport Extreme card in your computer is 802.11n compatible, which means that it is theoretically capable of 74 mBit/s.
The speed of your wireless network will depend on the speed of your wireless router, the wireless cards in the other computers on the network, as well as the signal strength each computer gets.
#15 by urbantool on April 25th, 2010
Chris i need help, my local area connection is saying its unplugged my i have a cable in the port how can i fix this?
#16 by FireStorm on April 25th, 2010
Yeah, it means the PC has wi-fi complying 802.11 b/g standard as defined by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
You can connect to a wireless hotspot (hub) providing internet access and other services. Which may be provided by your ISP and usually protected by a password. However, you may find some unsecure hotspots and use them on your own risk!
There are several specifications under 802.11 family, but usually three specifications are found in most laptops/cell phones:
802.11 a/b/g