WLAN and Its Application in University Library Services

WLAN and its Application in University Library Services* Naushad Ali PM Lecturer, Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim Univestiy, Aligarh – 202002

Musthafa KM Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim Univestiy, Aligarh – 202002.

ABSTRACT The advantages of Wireless Local Area Network are discussed. Wireless LAN offers productivity, convenience and cost advantages over traditional wired networks in Libraries highlights the components of WLAN. Wireless LANs augment rather than replace wired LAN networks, often providing the final few meters of connectivity between a wired network and the mobile user. In the IT age rather mobile age, notebook computers with PC cars and mobile phones put the information you need, at your finger tips, wherever you are, whenever you need it. Wireless local Area Network (WLAN) is a new product of modern technology, which can be used for the data transmission without wired environment, using radio frequency (RF) technology, microwave or infrared technology. WLAN technology gives live networked environment without cable connections from virtually anywhere in the building or campus and which will make possible to be get connected with the data source wherever you go.1 The notable significance of wireless LAN in libraries is, the users can access shared information without looking for a place to plug in, and libraries network managers can set up or build up networks without installing or moving wires. Using the laptop and notebook computers, the real time information transmission as well as data processing is possible to the centralized host computer another advantages of WLAN is it is possible to make inside or outside the library building an still remain connected to the internet or to other computing devices on the network.

COMPONENTS OF WLAN Wireless LANs use electro magnetic airwaves (radio or infrared) to communication information from one point to another without relying on any physical connection. Radio waves are other referred to as radio carriers because they simply perform the function or delivering energy to a remote receiver. The data being transmitted is super imposed on the radio carrier so that it an be accurately extracted at the receiving end, once data is super imposed (modulated) onto the radio carriers, the radio signal occupies more than a single frequency, since the frequency or bit rate of the modulation information adds to the carrier.2 * Paper presented in national seminar on 'Information Access, Management and Exchange in the Technological Age’ held at University of Calicut, Kerala on 28th and 29th May 2002.

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To set up a WLAN technology in the university library needs the following components.

1. Access point: A device, which used as transmits/receiver is called access point or transceiver. This connects to the wired network from a fixed location using standard cabling. The access point working as a mediator between the wireless LAN and the wired network infrastructure. Usually single access point can serve a small group of users and within a small area.

2. Adapter: Adapters provide an interface between the client network operating system and the airwaves via an antenna. The forms of adapters are variant according to the type of computers as PC cards, as cards desktop computers and in hand held computers as integrated. 3. Network Operating Software (NOS) A pre-designed well-programmed network operating software is essential for any network, either wired LAN or Wireless LAN. It should be capable to organize the system and devices attached to the WLAN. The efficiency and effectiveness of a WLAN is depending upon the quality and performance of the operating system.

4. Input / Output Devices: The input/output deceives with computers in their variant frames are another required component of WLAN. In Wireless Local Area Network the portable computers and wireless device are more popular.

5. Network Connection The individual systems have to be connected with the server. A WLAN uses a high-speed, radio-frequency (RF) network access technology to transmit and receive data over waves; a radio receiver tunes in one radio frequency while rejecting all other frequencies.

WHY WLAN IN LIBRARIES Wireless LAN offers the following productivity, convenience and cost advantages over traditional wired networks. Mobility: WLAN systems can provide library uses with access to real-time information anywhere in their organization. This mobility supports productivity and service opportunities not possible wit wired network. Installation speed and simplicity: installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Installation flexibility: wireless technology allows the network to go where wire cannot go. Reduced cost-of-ownership: While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware can be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs can be significantly lower. Long term cost benefits is greatest in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves and changes. The WLAN is more suitable in libraries where we can not install cable and offer mobility because of physical terrain obstacles, architecture that is unfriendly to 2

wiring, and the users are in different places or not constant at anywhere. The users of library and information centres are mainly students, research scholars, teaching staff policy makers, technologists and other supporting staff. WLAN allows more mobility in the system. The librarian can control all the c Sections of the library sitting in his/her chamber without any constraints of cables and connections. For users, can search their information in OPAC from anywhere, within the control of WLAN. If it is more powerful, it is useful to provide access to OPAC as well as other services even from different departments of a university. Students in the campus can access catalogue of the central library as well as other department libraries through WLAN. They can conveniently search the online catalogue as well as CD-ROM databases anywhere in the campus even in the classroom. Students holding class on a campus can also access the Internet to consult the catalogue of the Library of Congress Research scholars in the universities are more productive because hand held or notebook computers with wireless LAN capability deliver latest information instantly. Online and CD-ROM databases, OPAC and Internet can also be accessible through WLAN server, which facilitate the Internet connection. Scientists can have interaction with library staff whenever they need or the specific and recent information. Teachers can use OPAC, databases and other library services through WLAN while sitting in their chambers. They can give references and bibliography on a particular subject while class is in progress. Other users of he university library can also have their own information without moving anywhere. The users can save the time of moving to the library and OPAC terminals, this time can utilize for more effective activities. Using WLAN, librarians can make assisting the library users more efficiently, instead of taking library users to the terminals her can take the terminals to the right user. They can use for collection of serial usage of data and book selection. In meetings library authorities can make quicker decisions because they have real time information at their fingertips. Apart from the above mentioned advantages the WLAN can be used in various section of the library such as reference, circulation, serial control, documentation and information services to provide better service and fast transaction of information.

CONCLUSION WLAN provide services beyond the physical restrains of wall and buildings. Mobility and flexibility are the two boons, WLAN promise. As a new technology WLAN has its own limitations like it works within a few meters of connectivity between a wired network and the mobile use there are some companies which provide complete range of IEEE 802.11b compliance product for WLAN such as CISCO (www.cisco.com), D-link (www.dlink_india.com), 3COM (www.3com.com), TATA TELECOM etc. application of WLAN in the information dissemination will facilitate easy and effective service in university libraries, which is the need of the hour. Wireless LANs have gained wide popularity in a number of fields, including, the health-care, business, manufacturing, warehousing and academia. Wireless LANs frequently augment rather than replace wired LAN networks often providing the final few meters of connectivity between a wired network and the mobile user. REFERENCES 1. Wireless LAN – it’s a part of your future. Information Technology, March 2001, p, 20-24

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2. White paper on what is Wireless LAN. www.proxim.com/learn/libraryv /whitleathers. 3. SHARMA (SK), WLAN: Access to digital libraries without wires. CALIBER 202, 14-16 Feb., 2002, p. 139-46. 4. The wireless LAN Alliance (WLANA). www.wlana.com. 5. Wireless networking in our homes. Information Technology, March 2001, p, 26-27

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