WLAN Performance and Topology Considerations

In wire-based networks, after the cabling is completed and the LAN switches are in place, the performance and topology of an individual network connection are not much of a design consideration. Performance is predetermined by the combination of the speed of the LAN switch port to which a user connects and the NIC in the user's device. And unless there are hardware failures or performance bottlenecks closer to the core of the network, the user can have a reasonable expectation of connecting to the network at the same speed (and also from the same location!).

In WLANs, the convenience of user mobility alters the individual connection performance/topology equation. The speed of the individual connection ...

