Difference between Wireless LAN and Bluetooth

Wireless LAN (WLAN) stands for Wireless Local Area Network. It refers to a network that connects two or more devices by using wireless data connections over short distances. Bluetooth is a short range technology standard which allows devices to communicate in a wireless manner. Bluetooth works in lower distance range than in comparison to a typical wireless LAN. Wireless LANs (802.11b) are also faster than in comparison to Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth is a better option when communication needs to take place between smart phones, etc. Bluetooth technology is new than in comparison to WLAN. Basically, WLAN and Bluetooth are both used to cater to two different types of wireless connectivity requirements.

Wireless LAN or WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. It refers to a network that connects two or more devices by using wireless data connections over short distances. It can be considered as an extension of a LAN. WLAN is generally implemented by transmission modes like spread-spectrum radio transmission and infrared transmission. Infrared is based on transmission of infrared light. On the other hand, radio transmission makes use of the radio transmission on the ISM free-license GHz range.

The components that make up a WLAN are:

• Wireless access point – It is a tiny box containing one or more aerials. A connector is also present in the box which attaches it to the rest of the wired LAN. The number of access points may differ from one scenario to the other. Access points handle the receiving and transmitting of data to all the wireless devices in their area.
• Wireless network card – This card acts as a radio receiver/transmitter for a specific computer. Today, most of the laptops have this facility within its structure. However, in case it is not present, installation is required.

There are three commonly used WLAN systems:

• 802.11b

Based on 2.4GHz
Typical throughput 3 to 5Mb/s
Well established and low cost

• 802.11g

Based on 2.4GHz
Typical throughput 6 to 20Mb/s

• 802.11a

Based on 5GHz
Typical throughput 6 to 28Mb/s

Bluetooth is a short range technology standard which allows devices to communicate in a wireless manner. The devices can be computers, mobiles or handheld devices. Like WLAN, Bluetooth technology does not require any cables to connect the devices. Bluetooth-enabled devices work within a range of 10 meters. Ericsson Mobile Communication is credited for starting the project named as Bluetooth.

It uses a chip that can be easily plugged into devices like phones and computers. It uses a particular radio frequency to transmit the data. Bluetooth is regarded to be a very safe technology. It has the capability to connect upto 8 devices at the same time. It is mostly preferred for transferring files from one phone to the other. One can also send music files and pictures wirelessly with the help of this technology. Bluetooth technology uses modifications of existing wireless LAN techniques.

Both WLAN and Bluetooth are important technologies in the wireless platform.

Comparison between wireless LAN 802.11b and Bluetooth:

	Wireless LAN	Bluetooth
Definition	Wireless LAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. It refers to a network that connects two or more devices by using wireless data connections over short distances.	Bluetooth is a short range technology standard which allows devices to communicate in a wireless manner.
Distance Range	Up to 200 feet	Less than 30 feet
Bandwidth	High	Low
Security issues	Can occur, still controllable	Minimum
Speed	Comparatively more	Comparatively less
Central Access Point	Required	Not required
Identification of the network	By locating a central router of a wireless network switch.	By checking out the Bluetooth control panel (on phone or computer)

Create your own LAN-Connect two computers

Why is it needed??

If we connect two computers, it forms a network. The main advantage of a network is "resource sharing".

We can share files and folders. 

We can share printers. 

We can play LAN games.

Here are the steps to connect two windows XP computers.

Things You Will Need:

1. A Crossover cabe – This is a Cat5 Ethernet Cable that the wires have been switched around to allow two computers to talk to each other.

2. Ethernet adapter or in simple terms the port on the back of your pc where you are going to insert this cable.

Steps:

An Introduction to Proxy servers and Firewalls

Proxy Server:

Proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource, available from a different server.

Advantages Of Proxy:

Proxy Servers primarily provide anonymity on the Internet, since there is no direct connection between you and the Server.

Proxy Servers can be used for Regulating a Network and to apply Access Control Lists (ACL’s) on network services or content. For Example, It can be used to Block undesired sites.

Proxy severs can also be used use to Log the Internet usage of the Users in a Specified Network.

Proxy Servers can also provide some features which are generally Found in Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems such as scanning the transmitted content for Malwares before delivery.

Proxy Servers are also used to scan outgoing traffic to prevent data leakage.

Types of Proxy servers

•Caching Proxy Server

•Web Proxy Server

•Content Filtering Server

•Anonymizing Proxy Server

•Hostile Proxy

•Transparent Proxy server

•Reverse Proxy


What is Packet Filtering?