OSU Wireless Network Project

FAQ

Question: What is a Wireless (LAN) Network?

A wireless LAN is a local area network that uses Radio Frequency (RF) instead of cables to connect users. With the aid of a compatible notebook computer (one fitted with a wireless LAN card) or any wireless handheld device, staff and students alike can connect to the campus network and hence the Internet from almost anywhere on a given campus.

In general, wireless networks are run through several strategically placed access points - pairs of antennas that can communicate via radio waves with special modem cards installed in the computers. Typically, the campuses are equipped with the IEEE 802.11b standard (also called Wi-Fi) wireless capability. Wi-Fi has a connection speed of up to 11Mbps, which is faster than a standard telephone modem but far slower than the stationary wired computers in most campus computer labs.

Excerpt: http://misbridge.mccombs.utexas.edu/knowledge/topics/univwire/