It's difficult for those without radio frequency (RF) (define) experience to determine the optimum location for access points. Without paying close attention to the factors that contribute to RF propagation, you'll end up with spotty coverage, inadequate performance, and frustrated users.

As an independent consultant, I've been assisting Telecom Engineering Consultants (a major contractor to Dade County in Florida) with the deployment of a public wireless LAN throughout the Miami International Airport (MIA). The WLAN will cover the majority of public areas, such as concourses, terminals, baggage claim, and concessions. This massive wireless hotspot will provide the opportunity for millions of people traveling through MIA each year to access e-mail, surf the Web, and interface with corporate applications.

When deploying a wireless LAN, you can easily forget about the wired side of the network. The access point wiring, sometimes referred to as a distribution system, is very important because it is what connects the access points into the corporate network. In addition to providing access to resources on the network, this wiring also provides the means for roaming

The growth of public WLANs will be very high over the next few years. Companies are deploying these visitor-friendly WLANs in "hotspots" where people congregate, such as airports, convention centers, hotels, and marinas throughout the World. It won't be long until we become reliant on having WLAN access just about everywhere we go.