| A wireless LAN, or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), is a type of local area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than cables and wires to communicate between computers, peripherals, storage, and networking devices. By contrast, a wired LAN spans a relatively small geographic area and is connected with cabling or telephone lines. A group of LANs that is inter-connected and spans a wider geographic area is called a wide area network (WAN). Users with access to a LAN or WAN can access and share data, applications, and devices anywhere on the LAN or WAN if they have the appropriate security permissions. Users can also use the LAN or WAN to communicate with each other by sending e-mail or engaging in chat sessions. |