Hardware Components of Wireless Based LAN

• Local Area Networks no longer need to be bound by cables and wires. ballyscanlon/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  From a hardware standpoint, setting up a wireless LAN is not very complex. You need a few readily available components and computers that can access a wireless network.

Modem/MAC Controller

• The radio modem transmits and receives data from the computers hooked into the network. The modem consists of a variety of antennas, amplificators and filters, which are encased within a metal shield that protects your computer from outside signal interference.

  The modem also contains the MAC (medium access control) controller, which is the mechanism that actually channels and processes the requests coming to and from the computers on the network.

Host Interface

• This is typically the wireless card within the computers on the network. This card lets your computer communicate with the MAC controller.

Server

• Depending on the features you want for your network, dedicated servers can be optional. However, if you want network printing, file sharing or shared applications, you should set up a computer to act as your LAN's server.