WLAN: Is WLAN, WiFi, Wireless, WPS the same thing? – Motorola Mentor

What is WiFi?

WiFi is probably the most popular kind of the internet connections. WiFi uses radio waves like radio, television, mobile phones and many other uses of wireless technology.

But what does WiFi stand for? Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity.

How does WiFi work?

WiFi or WLAN networks use radio waves to exchange information between devices. These radio waves are transmitted on specific frequency – 2.4GHz or 5 GHz. Frequency depends on the 802.11 standard which device uses. Similar technology is used for mobile phones.

A wireless network is very similar to a wired network with one big difference:
Devices don't use any cables to connect to the internet. They use radio wireless connections called WiFi. They don't need any ports - just antennas, which are usually hidden inside the device itself.

Since the WiFi signal is sent through the air, anybody with a WiFi device can connect to your wireless network! This poses a serious security risk. MOTOROLA wireless modems comes with a pre-configured encrypted security key that you must type in to your device before it will allow you to connect to the wireless network.

Then what is WLAN? Is it the same thing as WiFi?

WLAN means any wireless local area network - no matter what technology is used and
Wi-Fi is a type of WLAN that follows the IEEE 802.11 standards which most WLANs in use today do!

So...are Wireless and WiFi the same?

Wireless and WiFi are the same thing in that they allow devices to connect to the Internet without a cable.

What is Wired Networking?

A Wired network is a group of devices connected to one another using network cables (ethernet cables).

The moment you plug a device into your modem/router, you have yourself a wired network!

Basically, LAN ports on a router allow Ethernet-ready devices to connect to one another and share data. (Gaming consoles have LAN ports, some laptops and desktop computers, etc.)

In order for those devices to access the Internet, the router needs to have a WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN) port. On many routers, this port may also be labeled "Internet" port.

What is WiFi Protected Setup (WPS)?

Here's how it works: On the modem/router, you press the WPS button (normally in the back of Motorola devices).

Then, within two minutes, you must press the WPS button on your WiFi device and you'll be connected. This way you don't have to remember the password (encryption key) or type it in. Note that this method works only with devices that support WPS.
(A lot of printers have WPS, some Android phones, some laptops).

iPhones/iPads do NOT support WPS.