What is WLAN? Compare WLAN and Wi-Fi, advantages and disadvantages & safe use

1. Introduction

When you turn on your phone, tablet, or laptop and open the network settings, have you ever noticed the term “WLAN” next to the familiar Wi-Fi icon?
In that moment, you might ask yourself: “What exactly is WLAN? Is it the same as Wi-Fi?”. If you’ve ever wondered this, you’re not alone.

In today’s digital era, we connect to wireless networks every day, but not everyone understands the terms behind them. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) is a key concept that affects the speed, range, and security of the Internet connection you use.

Understanding WLAN not only answers your questions but also equips you with the knowledge to use wireless networks smartly, optimize performance, and enhance security.
This article will serve as a comprehensive guide, helping you:

• Define and explain the core principles of WLAN
• Explore the pros and cons of WLAN compared to wired LAN
• Understand the difference between WLAN and Wi-Fi
• Learn about common models, security standards, and safe usage tips

Let’s start our journey to become smart Internet users who know how wireless networks work and how to make the most of their benefits.

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2. Exploring WLAN networks: The simplest and most accessible explanation

What does WLAN stand for? Breaking down "Wireless local area network"

To thoroughly understand WLAN, the best approach is to dissect its name. WLAN is the abbreviation for "Wireless Local Area Network," which translates to "Wireless Local Area Network" in English. Let's analyze each component to clearly see the essence of this technology.

First, let's temporarily forget the word "Wireless" and focus on LAN (Local Area Network). This is a fundamental concept in computer networking. A LAN is a system that connects multiple computer devices (like PCs, printers, servers) together within a limited and private geographical scope, such as a home, office, building, or school campus. Traditionally, devices in a LAN were connected through physical cables, most commonly Ethernet cables.

Now, let's add the crucial element: the letter "W" (Wireless), meaning "without wires." This is the revolution. The "W" represents a fundamental change in data transmission methods. Instead of being bound by Ethernet cables, WLAN networks use invisible radio waves to send and receive information between devices. Simply put, WLAN is a LAN that has been "liberated" from cables, allowing devices to communicate through the air.

Understanding this name origin is key to grasping the entire concept. It not only explains the core functionality but also hints at all the inherent advantages (freedom of movement) and disadvantages (security risks, signal interference) that stem from this single change: from wires to waves.

How it works at its core: How data "Flies" through the air

So how can data accurately "fly" from your router to your laptop? This process operates through the harmonious coordination of two main components: Access Points and client devices (like your phone or computer).

1. Access Point (AP): This is the heart of the WLAN network. In most homes and small offices, this function is integrated into what we commonly call a "Wi-Fi box" or wireless router. The AP acts as a bridge. It receives data from a wired internet connection (usually from a modem) and performs a magical task: converting these electronic signals into radio waves. Then, it broadcasts these data-carrying radio waves into the surrounding space.

2. Client Devices: Your laptop, smartphone, and tablet are all equipped with a component called a wireless network adapter. This adapter works like a receiver. It "listens" and captures the radio waves broadcast by the AP, then translates them back into digital data that your device can understand and display.

To ensure data reaches the right destination in an environment with multiple connected devices, the system uses an intelligent routing mechanism. Data is divided into small packets called "packets." Each packet contains not only a portion of data but is also "labeled" with the MAC (Media Access Control) address – a unique identifier for the receiving device. When an AP broadcasts a packet, only the device with the matching MAC address receives and processes it. You can imagine the AP like a radio station broadcasting an exclusive program, and your phone is a radio precisely tuned to that station's frequency, ignoring all other signals.

3. Weighing the Pros and Cons: WLAN advantages and disadvantages

Every technology has two sides, and WLAN is no exception. Eliminating cables brings unprecedented freedom but also comes with unique challenges. Understanding both advantages and disadvantages helps you maximize benefits while preventing potential risks.

💡 See also: Compare LAN, Man and WAN - Differences and applications.

5 Outstanding advantages of WLAN that make you love it

The benefits of wireless networks have completely changed how we work, study, and entertain.

• Convenience and Mobility: This is the biggest and most obvious advantage. WLAN liberates you from cable constraints, allowing you to access the internet and network resources from anywhere within the coverage area. You can work on your laptop in the living room, watch movies on your tablet in the kitchen, or join online meetings while moving between office departments without connection interruption. This mobility is the foundation for the explosion of smart devices like smartphones and laptops.

• Easy and Clean Installation: Setting up a WLAN network is much simpler than a wired network. Instead of drilling walls, running cables, and crimping network connectors, you only need a central device (Access Point/router) and a few software configuration steps. This not only saves time and labor costs but also keeps your living and working spaces neat and aesthetic.

• Flexible Scalability: Wired networks are limited by the number of physical Ethernet ports on routers or switches. In contrast, WLAN networks can simultaneously support dozens, even hundreds of devices without requiring additional physical infrastructure. Adding a new user or device to the network is simply a matter of entering the correct password, rather than running a new cable.

• Device Compatibility: In today's tech ecosystem, many devices are designed to prioritize wireless connections and may not even have network ports, such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart speakers, and countless IoT (Internet of Things) devices. WLAN is essential technology for connecting all these devices together.

• Cost-Effective Upgrades: Wireless network technology develops continuously with newer, faster, and more efficient standards. To upgrade your WLAN network, you usually only need to replace your old router with a new one supporting the latest standards. This is a much more flexible and less expensive solution compared to having to tear down and reinstall an entire Ethernet cable system in a building.

4 Disadvantages to note for safe and effective use

Alongside undeniable advantages, the "invisibility" of WLAN networks also brings significant challenges.

• Lower Security Than Wired Networks: This is the most inherent and important disadvantage. Because radio waves travel through the air, anyone with suitable equipment within the coverage area can "eavesdrop" or attempt to access your network. This makes WLAN much more vulnerable to attacks than wired networks, where attackers would need physical access to a cable or network port. Therefore, using strong encryption methods is mandatory to protect data.

• Limited Range: Radio waves cannot travel infinitely far. WLAN signals weaken with distance and are easily obstructed by physical barriers like concrete walls, metal furniture, and even other electronic devices. A typical router can only effectively cover a certain range (a few dozen square meters). To cover larger spaces, users need to invest in additional extension devices like Repeaters or additional Access Points.

• Speed and Stability: While modern wireless standards are very fast, theoretically, a wireless connection is usually still slower and has higher latency than a direct Ethernet cable connection. More importantly, WLAN performance can be unstable. It's very sensitive to radio frequency (RF) interference caused by other common household devices operating on the same 2.4 GHz band, such as microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices.

• Performance Degradation with Multiple Users: WLAN networks operate on a shared medium. This means the network's total bandwidth is divided among all connected devices. When more devices simultaneously connect and transfer data (e.g., one person watching 4K movies, one person playing online games, one person downloading large files), the speed allocated to each device will decrease significantly.

Intuitively, WLAN's advantages and disadvantages don't exist independently. They are two sides of the same coin, stemming directly from the core technology of radio waves. The "openness" and "invisibility" of radio waves provide excellent mobility but also create security vulnerabilities and environmental sensitivity. Choosing between wired and wireless networks isn't about selecting the "better" option, but rather a strategic decision based on whether you prioritize convenience or absolute speed and security for a specific task.

Here's a detailed comparison between the two network types by criteria:

4. Compare WLAN and Wi-Fi: What is the difference?

This is one of the most common and confusing questions. Many people use these two terms interchangeably, and in everyday communication, this usually doesn't cause problems. However, technically, they are not entirely identical.

The real relationship: WLAN is the "House," Wi-Fi is a Popular "Door"

To visualize this relationship most easily, think of this simple analogy:

• WLAN is the concept of a "house": It represents the general idea of a local network that doesn't use cables. This "house" can be built with many different types of materials and technologies. WLAN is a general term, a broad category.

• Wi-Fi is a "brand of building materials" that's famous: Specifically, Wi-Fi is the trade name for a set of wireless technologies that comply with the IEEE 802.11 standards. This is the most popular and successful type of "material" for building a "WLAN house."

Thus, the accurate answer is: Every Wi-Fi network is a WLAN network, but not every WLAN network is Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a subset within the larger set of WLAN. Wi-Fi is a specific method, a standardized technology for creating a wireless local area network.

So when is WLAN not Wi-Fi?

To make this difference tangible, let's look at a few examples of WLAN networks that don't use Wi-Fi technology:

• Personal Bluetooth Networks: When you connect wireless headphones, wireless mouse, and wireless keyboard to your computer, you've created a very small wireless local area network (also called Wireless Personal Area Network - WPAN). This network uses Bluetooth technology, not Wi-Fi, to connect devices within close range. This is a form of WLAN.

• Smart Home Systems: Many smart home devices like bulbs, outlets, door sensors don't connect directly to your Wi-Fi network. Instead, they may use low-power protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave to communicate with each other and with a central controller (hub). This entire system forms a specialized WLAN network for IoT devices.

• Infrared Connections (IrDA): Although obsolete for data transmission, infrared technology is still used in remote controls for TVs and air conditioners. When you press a button, the remote is sending a wireless signal to the device, creating a simple, directional form of WLAN connection.

These examples clearly show that WLAN is a concept encompassing many different technologies, with Wi-Fi being just the most prominent and commonly encountered one we use daily.

Why do we often confuse these two concepts?

The common confusion between WLAN and Wi-Fi isn't due to user ignorance, but rather the direct result of an extremely successful industry marketing and standardization strategy. The story behind this is quite interesting:

In the early days of wireless networking (1990s), a major problem emerged: devices from different manufacturers often couldn't "talk" to each other. To solve this chaos, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) created a common technical standard called IEEE 802.11.

However, the name "IEEE 802.11" was too dry and hard to remember for average consumers. Recognizing this, a group of leading industry companies formed an organization called the Wi-Fi Alliance in 1999. Their mission was to test and certify whether products complied with the IEEE 802.11 standard, ensuring they could work compatibly with each other.

To make this certification appealing and easily recognizable, they created an extremely catchy brand name: "Wi-Fi" (allegedly standing for Wireless Fidelity, though this remains controversial) and a distinctive logo. Any product passing their tests would be labeled "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™."

This strategy was tremendously successful. The Wi-Fi brand became a guarantee of quality and compatibility, essential for product sales. As a result, the brand name "Wi-Fi" appeared on every router box, laptop, phone, and in every advertising campaign. Gradually, in the public mind, this friendly brand name completely replaced the more accurate but less appealing technical term "WLAN." So today's confusion is actually a testament to the power of branding in shaping our language and perception of technology.

5. WLAN network models are popular and WPA2/WPA3

For those who want to learn more, the WLAN world has many interesting concepts about architecture and security layers. Understanding them helps us recognize how wireless networks are designed to meet different needs, from a simple connection between two laptops to a complex system for an entire university.

3 Common WLAN architecture models

WLAN models aren't random configurations; they represent a logical evolution of scale, control capability, and complexity, with each model created to solve a different connectivity problem.

1. Independent Model (IBSS - Independent Basic Service Set): Also known as Ad-hoc networks. This is the simplest form of WLAN. In this model, devices (e.g., two laptops) connect directly to each other without needing a central device like a router. They form a temporary peer-to-peer network to share files or play games. This model is very flexible for immediate, small-scale needs, but difficult to manage and less secure when the number of devices increases.

2. Infrastructure Model (BSS - Basic Service Set): Also called Infrastructure networks. This is the most common model you're using at home or in small offices. In this model, all wireless devices connect to a central point called an Access Point (AP). The AP manages all communication, assigns addresses, and connects the WLAN to wired networks (and the Internet). All data from one device to another must go through the AP. This model solves problems of centralized management and Internet access.

3. Extended Model (ESS - Extended Service Set): When a single AP isn't enough to cover a large area like a multi-story building, university campus, or airport, we need the ESS model. An ESS is basically a combination of multiple BSS (multiple APs) connected through a common wired network system (called Distribution System). The great thing about ESS is that it allows seamless roaming between different AP coverage areas without losing connection. Your phone will automatically switch from one AP to another with stronger signal intelligently. This model solves problems of scale and connection continuity.

The security race: From weak WEP to robust WPA3

The history of WLAN security protocol development is a classic example of a technological "arms race" between security developers and the hacker community. Understanding this race shows why using old security standards is extremely dangerous.

• The First Shot: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): Born alongside the first 802.11 standard, WEP had the ambition to provide security "equivalent to wired networks." However, due to serious algorithm design flaws, WEP failed miserably. Today, tools available on the Internet can crack a WEP network in just minutes. WEP is considered completely obsolete with no security value.

• Emergency Solution: WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): Facing WEP's collapse, the Wi-Fi Alliance quickly released WPA as a temporary "firefighting" solution. WPA used the TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) protocol to patch WEP's biggest holes, such as automatically changing encryption keys over time. Although much better than WEP, WPA was still built on old foundations and was only considered a stepping stone.

• The Golden Era: WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II): This was the real and long-term replacement for WEP. Introduced in 2004, WPA2 brought extremely strong encryption standard AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), which the US government trusts to protect sensitive information. For over a decade, WPA2 became the gold standard for Wi-Fi security, and to this day is still considered the minimum security level required for all wireless networks.

• Next Generation: WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access III): Technology never stops evolving, and security researchers have found potential weaknesses in WPA2 (like KRACK attacks). WPA3 was born to address these modern threats. It brings many important improvements, such as individual encryption for each device on public networks (making eavesdropping useless) and mechanisms to prevent offline dictionary attacks. WPA3 is the future of wireless security, providing a stronger defense layer than ever before.

The lesson from this race is very clear: always check your router settings and ensure you're using the highest security standard your device supports, at minimum WPA2, and preferably WPA3 if available.

💡 For better network security, you should combine it What is VPN? How to work and benefits when used.

6. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. How Can I Extend WLAN Coverage at Home?

Weak signals in a corner of the house is a very common problem. There are several ways to fix this:

• Optimize Router Position: This is the first step and costs nothing. Place your router in a central location in your house, high up (e.g., on top of a cabinet), and away from large obstacles like thick walls, fish tanks, and devices that could cause interference like microwaves.

• Use Signal Extenders (Repeater/Extender): These are small devices that plug into power outlets, designed to receive existing Wi-Fi signals and rebroadcast them to extend coverage. This is a simple solution but may reduce network speed by half in the extended area.

• Use Wi-Fi Mesh Systems: This is the most effective solution for large or multi-story houses. A Mesh system consists of multiple broadcasting "nodes" that work together to create a single, seamless network with wide coverage and stable speeds throughout the house. Essentially, this is a consumer version of the ESS model.

2. How Do WLAN, WAN, and Internet Differ?

These are easily confused concepts about scale:

• LAN/WLAN (Local Area Network): Very small scope, only within a building or house. LAN uses cables, WLAN doesn't use cables.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Very large scope, connecting LANs in different cities, countries, even continents. Large companies use WANs to connect their branches.
• Internet: You can think of the Internet as the world's largest public WAN. It's a global system connecting billions of LANs, WANs, computers, and devices together.

3. Can I Be Hacked Through Public WLAN and How to Stay Safe?

Yes, very likely. Public WLAN networks (at coffee shops, airports, hotels) are extremely risky environments. You don't know who's managing that network and who else is connecting with you. Bad actors can easily set up fake Access Points (Fake Access Point) or use tools to monitor all your unencrypted data.

The best way to protect yourself on public WLAN is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN will create a secure encrypted "tunnel" for all your data. Everything you send and receive through this tunnel is scrambled, making it impossible for anyone monitoring the same Wi-Fi network to read anything.

7. Conclusion

Through our detailed exploration journey, we can summarize the most essential points about WLAN that any user should remember:

1. WLAN is Wireless Local Area Network: Essentially, it's a LAN that has eliminated cables and uses radio waves to connect devices within a limited range like homes or offices.

2. The Basic Trade-off: WLAN provides unparalleled convenience and mobility, but pays the price with lower security and less stability than wired networks. The choice between these two network types depends on which factor you prioritize.

3. Wi-Fi is a Type of WLAN: Wi-Fi is not synonymous with WLAN. Wi-Fi is the brand name of a specific technology (based on IEEE 802.11 standards) used to create WLAN networks. WLAN is a broader concept, including other technologies like Bluetooth or Zigbee.

4. Security is Paramount: Never use outdated security standards like WEP or WPA. Always ensure your network is protected with WPA2 or WPA3 standards to defend against modern threats.

With this knowledge, you're no longer a passive user. Now, when you see "WLAN" on your devices, you understand its essence, power, and risks. You're equipped to make smarter decisions, from router placement and device selection to protecting your personal data in the vast world of wireless connectivity.