Appendix A - Wireless Basics

What is Wireless?

Wireless or Wi-Fi technology is another way of connecting your computer to the network without using wires. Wi-Fi uses radio frequency to connect wirelessly, so you have the freedom to connect computers anywhere in your home or office network.

Why D-Link Wireless?

D-Link is the worldwide leader and award winning designer, developer, and manufacturer of networking products. D-Link delivers the performance you need at a price you can afford. D-Link has all the products you need to build your network.

How does wireless work?

Wireless works similar to how cordless phone work, through radio signals to transmit data from one point A to point B. But wireless technology has restrictions as to how you can access the network. You must be within the wireless network range area to be able to connect your computer. There are two different types of wireless networks Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

In a wireless local area network, a device called an Access Point (AP) connects computers to the network. The access point has a small antenna attached to it, which allows it to transmit data back and forth over radio signals. With an indoor access point as seen in the picture, the signal can travel up to 300 feet. With an outdoor access point the signal can reach out up to 30 miles to serve places like manufacturing plants, industrial locations, college and high school campuses, airports, golf courses, and many other outdoor venues.

D-Link WDA-2320 User Manual

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D-Link 2320 manual What is Wireless?, Wireless Local Area Network Wlan

2320 specifications

The D-Link DGS-2320 series of switches are designed to be scalable, efficient, and versatile networking solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. These managed gigabit Ethernet switches provide a robust platform with advanced features, aimed at delivering capability and performance without compromising ease of use.

One of the key features of the D-Link DGS-2320 series is its high-speed connectivity, supporting up to 48 gigabit Ethernet ports. This structure allows for the swift transfer of data across the network, ensuring that enterprise applications run smoothly and efficiently. The switches also include 4 SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) ports for flexible uplink options, enabling organizations to utilize fiber connections for higher-speed backbones or inter-switch connections.

Another notable aspect of the DGS-2320 switches is the Layer 2/3 functionality. The Layer 3 features include static routing capabilities, which allow for better traffic management and reduced congestion. This helps in optimizing the overall performance of the network. Furthermore, the switches support IP Multicast and IGMP Snooping, enhancing multimedia application performance without overwhelming the network.

In terms of security, the DGS-2320 series offers a variety of features to protect against unauthorized access and ensure data integrity. Access Control Lists (ACLs) allow administrators to define permissions for users and devices, while features like 802.1X port-based authentication provide an additional layer of security. Other security mechanisms include DHCP Snooping, which helps to prevent rogue DHCP servers from causing disruptions.

Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities in the DGS-2320 switches enable efficient bandwidth management by prioritizing critical applications and traffic types. This is particularly beneficial for VoIP and video streaming applications, where latency and jitter can significantly affect performance. The switches also support traffic shaping and rate limiting, ensuring fair bandwidth distribution across all users.

Management of the DGS-2320 series is made easy with a user-friendly web interface as well as command-line interface (CLI) options, giving network administrators flexible methods to configure and monitor their networks. Additionally, support for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) allows for seamless integration into existing network management systems.

In conclusion, the D-Link DGS-2320 series switches stand out due to their combination of performance, security features, and efficient management capabilities, making them an ideal choice for organizations looking to enhance their network infrastructure. Whether for expanding an existing network or setting up a new one, the DGS-2320 switches deliver reliability and functionality to meet modern networking demands.