Difference Between WLAN and Wi-Fi

Networking of computers is a interconnection of computer devices that can exchange data and share resources with each other. These devices use some set of communication rules known as protocols to send or receive information over physical or wireless technologies.

What is WLAN?

WLAN full form is Wireless Local Area Network which is nothing but a local area network that uses wireless communication to connect devices. It allows multiple devices can communicate with each other and share resources within a short area like home, office, or campus. WLAN setup is done by using various wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. WLAN is used to set up a local network which allows multiple devices to communicate and share resources with each other without the use of physical cables.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi full form is Wireless Fidelity is nothing but a wireless networking technology by which we can access networks or connect with other computers or mobile using a wireless medium. The communication Standard is IEEE 802.11. Wi-Fi works using Physical Data Link Layer. Wi-Fi is also Known as WLAN. Nowadays all mobile computing devices such as laptops, mobile phones, also digital cameras, and smart TVs have the support of Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi connection is established from the access point or base station to the client connection or any client-to-client connection within a specific range, the range depends on the router which provides the radio frequency through Wi-Fi. These frequencies operate on 2 types of bandwidth at present, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. In Simple words, WLAN is a general term whereas Wi-Fi is the wireless technology that is under the category of WLAN.

Some of the important terminologies related to WLAN and Wi-Fi are given below:

1. Access Point(AP): AP is nothing but a device which acts as a central hub for Wi-Fi Connections.
2. Router: It is a device which is used to send or receive the data on the computer networks. It decides the best path for the data packets to move from one place to another.
3. Bandwidth: It is the maximum rate at which data transfer occurs across any particular path of network.
4. Channel: It is a medium which is used to transport information from one network device to another.
5. Roaming: It is nothing but the ability of the client device to move from one access point to another while maintaining a continuous connection.
6. SSID(Service Set Identifier): It is a sequence of characters that uniquely names a Wi-Fi network.

Difference Between WLAN and Wi-Fi

WLAN	Wi-Fi
WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network.	Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity.
It is a wireless network setup that connects devices within a limited area.	It is a particular Wireless network technology which falls under WLAN.
It can be secured using different protocols like WPA or WPA2.	In this also WPA or WPA2 encryption protocols are used to secure Wi-Fi.
There is no specific standard.	It is 802.11 standard
It can also include other wireless communication technologies other than Wi-Fi like Bluetooth.	It refers to wireless internet connectivity provided by Wi-Fi Technology.
It is a broad term encompassing any Wireless local area network.	It is used only for wireless internet connectivity.
It may not always be interchangeable with Wi-Fi, as WLAN can refer to other wireless technologies.	It is Often used interchangeably with WLAN.
Home networks, Educational institutions, offices, Public areas, etc.	Home networks, Educational institutions, offices, Public areas, etc.