Editing Wireless LAN (section)

{{short description|Computer network that links devices using wireless communication within a limited area}}
{{redirect|WLAN}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}

{{Area networks}}
[[File:wireless network.jpg|thumb|This [[Laptop|notebook computer]] is connected to a [[wireless access point]] using a [[PC Card]] wireless card.]]
[[File:WI-FI Range Diagram.svg|thumb|An example of a Wi-Fi network]]

A '''wireless LAN''' ('''WLAN''') is a [[wireless computer network]] that links two or more devices using [[wireless communication]] to form a [[local area network]] (LAN) within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, campus, or office building. This gives users the ability to move around within the area and remain connected to the network. Through a [[Gateway (telecommunications)|gateway]], a WLAN can also provide a connection to the wider [[Internet]].

Wireless LANs based on the [[IEEE 802.11]] standards are the most widely used computer networks in the world. These are commonly called [[Wi-Fi]], which is a trademark belonging to the [[Wi-Fi Alliance]]. They are used for home and small office networks that link together [[laptop computer]]s, [[printer (computing)|printer]]s, [[smartphone]]s, [[Web TV]]s and gaming devices through a [[Wireless router|wireless network router]], which in turn may link them to the Internet. [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|Hotspots]] provided by routers at restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, libraries, and airports allow consumers to access the internet with portable wireless devices.