D Link DIR615B2 User Manual

Appendix A - Wireless Basics

Wireless Basics

D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and compatible high-speed wireless
connectivity within your home, business or public access wireless networks. Strictly adhering to the IEEE standard,
the D-Link wireless family of products will allow you to securely access the data you want, when and where you want
it. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits and receives data with radio signals
instead of wires. Wireless LANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments, and public areas such
as airports, coffee shops and universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and
communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed infrastructure have proven
to be beneficial for many users.

Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless adapter cards used on laptop
and desktop systems support the same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.

Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices to link to a conventional Ethernet LAN in
order to use servers, printers or an Internet connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Router is a device
used to provide this link.

91D-Link DIR-615 User Manual

Appendix A - Wireless Basics

What is Wireless?

Wireless or Wi-Fi technology is another way of connecting your computer to the network without using wires.
Wi-Fi uses radio frequency to connect wirelessly, so you have the freedom to connect computers anywhere
in your home or office network.

Why D-Link Wireless?

D-Link is the worldwide leader and award winning designer, developer, and manufacturer of networking
products. D-Link delivers the performance you need at a price you can afford. D-Link has all the products you
need to build your network.

How does wireless work?

Wireless works similar to how cordless phone work, through radio signals to transmit data from one point A
to point B. But wireless technology has restrictions as to how you can access the network. You must be within
the wireless network range area to be able to connect your computer. There are two different types of wireless
networks Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

In a wireless local area network, a device called an Access Point (AP) connects computers to the network.
The access point has a small antenna attached to it, which allows it to transmit data back and forth over radio
signals. With an indoor access point as seen in the picture, the signal can travel up to 300 feet. With an outdoor
access point the signal can reach out up to 30 miles to serve places like manufacturing plants, industrial
locations, college and high school campuses, airports, golf courses, and many other outdoor venues.

92D-Link DIR-615 User Manual

Appendix A - Wireless Basics

Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)

Bluetooth is the industry standard wireless technology used for WPAN. Bluetooth devices in WPAN operate
in a range up to 30 feet away.

Compared to WLAN the speed and wireless operation range are both less than WLAN, but in return it
doesn’t use nearly as much power which makes it ideal for personal devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs,
headphones, laptops, speakers, and other devices that operate on batteries.

Who uses wireless?

Wireless technology as become so popular in recent years that almost everyone is using it, whether it’s for
home, office, business, D-Link has a wireless solution for it.

Home

• Gives everyone at home broadband access

• Surf the web, check e-mail, instant message, and etc

• Gets rid of the cables around the house

• Simple and easy to use

Small Office and Home Office

• Stay on top of everything at home as you would at office

• Remotely access your office network from home

• Share Internet connection and printer with multiple computers

• No need to dedicate office space

93D-Link DIR-615 User Manual

Appendix A - Wireless Basics

Where is wireless used?

Wireless technology is expanding everywhere not just at home or office. People like the freedom of mobility
and it’s becoming so popular that more and more public facilities now provide wireless access to attract people.
The wireless connection in public places is usually called “hotspots”.

Using a D-Link Cardbus Adapter with your laptop, you can access the hotspot to connect to Internet from
remote locations like: Airports, Hotels, Coffee Shops, Libraries, Restaurants, and Convention Centers.

Wireless network is easy to setup, but if you’re installing it for the first time it could be quite a task not knowing
where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a few setup steps and tips to help you through the process of
setting up a wireless network.

Tips

Here are a few things to keep in mind, when you install a wireless network.

Centralize your router or Access Point

Make sure you place the router/access point in a centralized location within your network for the best
performance. Try to place the router/access point as high as possible in the room, so the signal gets dispersed
throughout your home. If you have a two-story home, you may need a repeater to boost the signal to extend
the range.

Eliminate Interference

Place home appliances such as cordless telephones, microwaves, and televisions as far away as possible
from the router/access point. This would significantly reduce any interference that the appliances might cause
since they operate on same frequency.

94D-Link DIR-615 User Manual

Appendix A - Wireless Basics

Security

Don’t let you next-door neighbors or intruders connect to your wireless network. Secure your wireless network
by turning on the WPA or WEP security feature on the router. Refer to product manual for detail information
on how to set it up.

Wireless Modes

There are basically two modes of networking:

• Infrastructure – All wireless clients will connect to an access point or wireless router.

• Ad-Hoc – Directly connecting to another computer, for peer-to-peer communication, using wireless network

adapters on each computer, such as two or more DIR-615 wireless network Cardbus adapters.

An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point or wireless router. All the wireless devices, or clients, will connect
to the wireless router or access point.

An Ad-Hoc network contains only clients, such as laptops with wireless cardbus adapters. All the adapters must be in
Ad-Hoc mode to communicate.

95D-Link DIR-615 User Manual