Providing broadband wireless access is no longer out of the question when it comes to the installation or expansion of a network. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are now available from many providers at a reasonable cost and due to technological advancements offer a high quality of functionality.

In an article written by Gerald L. Boerner, The Brave New World of Wireless Technologies: A Primer for Educators, he points out the advantages of wireless networks and how they operate. Unlike WF-FI, most wired local area networks (LANs) consist of copper wiring or optic cabling, which inherently have many disadvantages when it comes to installing a new network or expanding one that already exists. Older buildings, such as those that exist on many college campuses today, represent a significant challenge when comes to installing a traditional wired network. Unique architecture, thick walls and the absence of "false" interior ceilings can often limit the installation of thousands of feet of wire that may be needed to install a wired network.

A wireless LAN is basically made up of the same components that make up a traditional LAN network. It includes: a network interface card (NIC), a communication media (copper cable, fiber optics, etc.), a set of rules that follow a standard (protocol) for interpreting the communication signal, and an operating system that that understands and maintains the connection between the local and remote computer. What differentiates a wireless network is the use of non-physical media carrying information between the nodes of the network. A wireless LAN uses several different bands of the frequency spectrum.

A wireless LAN adds to this mix a special device, the Access Point (AP) to the network. This device communicates with both the wireless device through the Radio frequency (RF) signal and the wired network through standard protocols like Ethernet. In addition, both the Access Point and the NIC must include antennas to allow access to the RF spectrum. The key elements in designing a wireless LAN are the number, placement, and configuration of Access Points for optimal performance.

The operational and installation aspects of wireless LAN makes it a more practical option for colleges and universities when considering new or additional computing capabilities.

The standards that have impacted wireless networks the most are included in IEEE 802.11. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is an organization that includes engineers, scientists and students in electronics and related fields that are involved with setting standards for computers and communications. The IEEE standardized the radio frequencies used by Wi-Fi networks. They operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, with an 11 Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so they can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices. These standards will play an important role within the framework of HEWAC. Our organization will work in parallel with the latest technology standards in order to maintain a high level of consistency within our policies.