Compaq Presario CQ5000 Getting Started - Page 24

Integrated Wireless Devices Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be equipped with one or more of the following integrated wireless devices: Wireless local area network (WLAN) devices connect the computer to wireless local area networks (commonly referred to as wireless networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate offices, your home, and public areas such as airports and restaurants. In a WLAN, each mobile wireless device communicates with a wireless access point, which can be several meters away. Computers with WLAN devices may support one or more of the four IEEE physical layer industry standards: 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11a. Bluetooth devices create a personal area network (PAN) to connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and cameras. In a PAN, each device communicates directly with the other devices, and the devices must be relatively close together-within 10 meters of each other. Wireless wide area network (WWAN) devices provide access to information anytime and anywhere that you have cellular (data) coverage. In a WWAN, each mobile device communicates to a public carrier's base station. Public carriers install networks of base stations (similar to cell phone towers) throughout large geographic areas, effectively providing coverage across entire states, or even entire countries/regions. For more information about wireless technology, go to: http://www.hp.com/go/techcenter/wireless Connecting the Wireless LAN Device (Select models only) You can connect the computer to an 802.11n (select models only), 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network by using the external antenna that was included with the system. This device enables you to establish a wireless network using the computer as a wireless access point, or you can use the computer as a wireless client (Station Mode) if you already have a wireless network running. You need an existing wireless LAN with an Internet connection (consult your Internet Service Provider for further information). An external antenna is supplied with the system; you must connect it to the 802.11 module to increase the range and sensitivity of the radio. 14 Getting Started (features vary by model)