When wireless LANs first became available in the early 1990s, primary applications were wireless bar code solutions for needs like inventory control and retail price marking. Data transfers for these types of applications don't demand very high performance. In fact, 1Mbps data rates are generally sufficient to handle the transfer of relatively small bar codes for a limited number of users.
Today, enterprises are deploying wireless LANs for larger numbers of users with needs for corporate applications that involve e-mail, Web browsing, and access to various server-based databases. The need for higher data rates and techniques to improve performance of wireless LANs is becoming crucial to support these types of applications. To get that extra performance, you have a lot to consider.

The traditional architecture for wireless LANs includes access points, which forms a backbone enabling users to roam throughout a facility and interface with resources on the wired network. It's a proven, workable method, and that's why the use of access points is the most common method used today to fully cover a facility. You can sometimes even go without access points if you want to have client devices communicate directly, but that severely decreases the range of the wireless LAN. But there is another way.

Most wireless LANs consist of a sea of access points installed within a building that provide overlapping radio cells. One issue with this approach, however, is that it involves careful access point positioning and assignment of radio channels. A site survey also becomes an essential step.

In order to make the best use of wireless LAN bandwidth, you need to be aware of various 802.11 configuration parameters. As an optional user feature, the 802.11 standard includes the ability for radio-based network interface cards (NICs) and access points to fragment packets for improving performance in the presence of RF interference and marginal coverage areas. Let's take a closer look at how fragmentation works and cover some implementation tips.