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 LAN is an acronym that stands for local area network or a group of computers including network devices that have all been connected together. LANs can be thought of as private networks. Some residences with more than one computer connected to the Internet have LANs or home networks that share resources including their Internet connection.

Sometimes, the computers that comprise a LAN are all in the same office or in the same building. In this case, the number of computers connected through a specific LAN will be small. However, sometimes LANs are spread across several buildings and can include hundreds or even thousands of computers.

The primary purpose of a LAN is to link all of the computers together within a specific company, organization, or group in order to facilitate sharing among the computers. This sharing functionality will include the ability to share files, printers, and servers. A LAN can be connected to other, larger LANs as well as to wide area networks or WANs. Typically, the Internet connection on the computers within a LAN is high speed. The expense to put together a LAN is much lower than the cost to put together a WAN.

Although the basic concept of LANs is utilized throughout each one, the specifics vary. In general, however, some components are universal or common across LANs. These components include: the connective media for the devices, the protocols for transmitting data across a LAN, the interfaces that are included on each of the devices to facilitate connection to media, and the software that is utilized. In particular, the software administers the network services.

WAN is an acronym that stands for wide area network. A WAN is not limited by geographic location and can span several states, countries, or even the entire world. However, a particular wide area network might be confined within specified boundaries such as those determined by a state or country. Typically, it includes geographically dispersed telecommunications as connotated by the use of the word, wide.

In general, a WAN is used to connect several, smaller LANs or even to connect several large LANS. In fact, a WAN or wide area network might be restricted to a specific company, organization, or enterprise. On the other hand, WANs are often collective efforts and exist simply at the discretion of several organizations or companies.

WANs might be accessible to the public, and yet they do not have to be accessible to the public. One example of a public WAN that is also on a worldwide level is the Internet.

Typically, the Internet connection on the computers within a WAN is high speed.

The technology used with a WAN is generally expensive in comparison to that used within a LAN. This is generally related to the greater amount of distance that is involved with a WAN as well as the greater number of computers and devices that are involved. Another difference between the two is that LANs are often privately owned, whereas WANs can be privately owned, rented, or publicly owned.

Wi-Fi technology uses radio waves in order to produce wireless high-speed Internet connections. No physical wiring is required with Wi-Fi since it uses radio frequency technology. To use Wi-Fi, an access point must exist. This access point broadcasts a wireless signal that can be detected by other computers. Once a computer detects the signal, it can tune in provided the computer has the specified wireless network adapters.

Connecting wireless Internet to a desktop computer in addition to a laptop is certainly possible and even favorable so that you always have access. Typically, you need to have a router in order to allow more than one machine to have access to Internet. For Internet services accessed via satellite, wires do not even come into the picture.

However, if you plan to have more than one computer using the wireless Internet, each machine needs to have its own Wi-Fi card. You have two choices for your Wi-Fi cards- an external one or an internal one. An external Wi-Fi card is a device that the computer user inserts in an external slot on his machine in order to add Wi-Fi capability. Typical examples are CardBus, PCMCIA, USB, or Expresscard. These devices can be used on either laptops or desktops.

An internal Wi-Fi card is one that exists inside the laptop or desktop computer in order to add Wi-Fi capability. Some cards are preinstalled and come with the machine. In other cases, the Wi-Fi card can be inserted into the computer easily enough.

Wi-Fi cards allow computer users to tap into certain hot spots. Today, hot spots can be found all over the place as many businesses have signed on to provide public access to wireless high-speed Internet. A USB device can be installed to allow you to gain access to wireless Internet on the go wherever you are. In general, you need to be within a certain range or number of yards in order to access this service.

Shop around for prices and availability if you are interested in Internet on the go. Different plans and rates are featured by most of the major telephone companies. In fact, some of them even offer special deals for members of their phone services. I might also recommend that you try out this service before signing on for a year’s contract. In fact, AT & T offers a one-time connection at the moment for less than $4.00 for a 2-hour connection or twice that amount for a 24-hour connection. Why not sample what’s out there before you make the commitment?

If your wireless router currently gives you a choice of security options such as WEP, WPA, or WPA2, then choose WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access Version 2) as it is the most secure wireless security choice you can make. WPA2 comes in two versions: personal and enterprise. The personal version uses a preset password to protect against unauthorized access while the enterprise version verifies users via the server. Both versions, which are backwards compatible with WPA, use government grade security and encryption algorithms and provide a high level of protection and network control.

WPA2 became the mandatory standard for equipment certified by the Wireless Alliance in March 2006. Therefore, if you have a brand new router, chances are good that you already have WPA2. However, if your wireless router was manufactured beforehand or is not a Wireless Alliance Certified router, than you may want to consider upgrading to WPA2.

This doesn’t mean that you have to run out and buy a new wireless router. In fact, your router’s manufacturer may have a firmware update that adds WPA2 security to the existing router. Firmware upgrades are free but risky so use extreme care should you go this route. This means that you absolutely, positively, must be 100% sure that you are downloading the correct firmware version for your exact model. In addition, even though the router is wireless, connect your computer to the router using a cable before “flashing” the firmware.

Start by going to your router’s manufacturer’s Web site and checking to see if a firmware update is available for your router, and if so, if the update adds the WPA2 security standard. For example, if you have a Linksys wireless router, head over to Linksys.com and click on the Download link. From there, enter your router’s model number and search for updates. If a firmware update is available, read about what’s included. Because firmware updates have the potential to go bad, you should only apply the update if it addresses security issues or fixes problems that you are currently experiencing.

If your wireless router isn’t WPA2 compatible and an update doesn’t yet exist, don’t worry. WPA is still a strong security type. In addition, you can further restrict access to your wireless network by taking advantage of MAC address filtering where you enter the MAC addresses of computers that you will allow to connect, thereby restricting all other computers from accessing your network.