Components and Topologies
Consumer wireless products

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular for consumer use and coming down in price. Whereas Cisco provides wireless enterprise level wireless equipment, there are many vendors providing consumer WLAN devices . Since wireless networks do not require cables, the devices can be used anywhere in a home, even out on the patio. There is no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house, the network can be anywhere, without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports, which are great when on the road and some work needs to be done. These networks typically allow any vendor NICs to connect.