Wireless Networks first-step

Chapter Summary

Wireless networks include components that make mobile and portable application possible. Users are end points of the wireless network and utilize computer devices designed for a particular application. Wireless NICs and base stations are key components that communicate over the air medium. To provide roaming throughout a facility or city, a distribution system such as Ethernet interconnects base stations and interfaces users to servers and applications located on the wired network.

The seven-layer OSI reference model depicts functions necessary for a network, but wireless networks implement only functions defined by the bottom two layers—the physical and data link layer. These functions include medium access, error control, and ...