A Wireless LAN (WLAN) is a flexible network system that provides users with convenient options for accessing network resources and allows the development of new innovative IT services. The WLAN offering, Mobile at Maryland (MAM) will provide users with most of the functionality of traditional wired LANs without the physical constraints of wires. MAM can help provide increasingly mobile students and faculty with easy and consistent access to the Internet and university network with maximum flexibility. MAM will enable creativity and collaboration among many users. Imagine the ability to have mobile classrooms, discussion groups, and seminars; these are just some of the possibilities.

MAM is being implemented as an extension to the current wired LAN, not as a replacement. WLANs operate in almost the same way as wired LANs, using the same networking protocols and supporting most of the same applications; however, they do have some basic differences:

• Specialized physical and datalink protocols — Use of these protocols makes the WLANs slower and less efficient than wired networks
• Integration into existing networks through access points — These small devices are the central hub of a WLAN and provide the connectivity to the university network and the Internet. This requires careful planning and design with potential impact to the entire university network.
• Wider coverage options — Connected users can roam from one coverage area to another.
• Unique security considerations — Wireless communications can present potential security issues since an intruder does not need physical access to the wired network in order to gain access to data communications.
• Specific interoperability requirements — Vendor interoperability is not a problem with regard to the radio (PC) cards for computers; however, it is a concern regarding access point to access point communications.
• Performance issues — Each wireless access point has a finite range within which a wireless connection can be maintained. The actual distance varies depending upon the environment. When operating at the limits of the range, performance and speed may drop, and in extreme circumstances the connection can be lost.

Keeping the above information in mind and remembering that wireless communication is not a replacement for the traditional data network, wireless networking allows us to break the traditional mold of being restrained by the standard wired data jack. Are you ready to…ROAM?

More information about the wireless LAN services can be found at http://noc.net.umd.edu/MAM.html.

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