Contents
Abstract
Wireless LANs, or Wireless Local Area Network (WLANs), have become an indispensable aspect of mobile computing. Today, most laptops have built-in WLAN cards. This chapter describes how to set up a WLAN card with YaST, encrypt transmissions, and use tips and tricks.
WLAN cards communicate using the 802.11 standard, prepared by the IEEE organization. Originally, this standard provided for a maximum transmission rate of 2 Mbit/s. Meanwhile, several supplements have been added to increase the data rate. These supplements define details such as the modulation, transmission output, and transmission rates (see Table 32.1, “Overview of Various WLAN Standards”). Additionally, many companies implement hardware with proprietary or draft features.
Table 32.1. Overview of Various WLAN Standards
|
Name |
Band (GHz) |
Maximum Transmission Rate (Mbit/s) |
Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
802.11 Legacy |
2.4 |
2 |
Outdated; virtually no end devices available |
|
802.11a |
5 |
54 |
Less interference-prone |
|
802.11b |
2.4 |
11 |
Less common |
|
802.11g |
2.4 |
54 |
Widespread, backwards-compatible with 11b |
|
802.11n (formerly 802.11n draft) |
2.4 and/or 5 |
300 |
Common |
802.11 Legacy cards are not supported by openSUSE®. Most cards using 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n draft are supported. New cards usually comply with the 802.11n draft standard, but cards using 802.11g are still available.