what does wlan stand for

Stands for "Wireless Local Area Network." A WLAN, or wireless LAN, is a network that allows devices to connect and communicate wirelessly. Unlike a traditional wired LAN, in which devices communicate over Ethernet cables, devices on a WLAN communicate via Wi-Fi.

While a WLAN may look different than a traditional LAN, it functions the same way. New devices are typically added and configured using DHCP. They can communicate with other devices on the network the same way they would on a wired network. The primary difference is how the data is transmitted. In a LAN, data is transmitted over physical cables in a series of Ethernet packets containing. In a WLAN, data is transmitted over the air using one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols.

As wireless devices have grown in popularity, so have WLANs. In fact, most routers sold are now wireless routers. A wireless router serves as a base station, providing wireless connections to any Wi-Fi-enabled devices within range of the router's wireless signal. This includes laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other wireless devices, such as smart appliances and smart home controllers. Wireless routers often connect to a cable modem or other Internet-connected device to provide Internet access to connected devices.

LANs and WLANs can be merged together using a bridge that connects the two networks. Many wireless routers also include Ethernet ports, providing connections for a limited number of wireless devices. In most cases, wireless routers act as a bridge, merging the Ethernet and Wi-Fi-connected devices into the same network. This allows wired and wireless devices to communicate with each other through a single router.