A wireless LAN is the perfect way to improve data connectivity in an existing building without the expense of installing a structured cabling scheme to every desk. Besides the freedom that wireless computing affords users, ease of connection is a further benefit. Problems with the physical aspects of wired LAN connections (locating live data outlets, loose patch cords, broken connectors, etc.) generate a significant volume of helpdesk calls. With a wireless network, the incidence of these problems is reduced. There are however, a number of issues that anyone deploying a wireless LAN needs to be aware of.
This section describes how to solve the security issues without effecting application performance over
wireless LANs using NeoAccel’s 3rd generation VPN solution.

First and foremost is the issue of security. In most wired LANs the cables are contained inside the building, so a would-be hacker must defeat physical security measures (e.g. security personnel, identity cards and door locks). However, the radio waves used in wireless networking typically penetrate outside the building, creating a real risk that the network can be hacked from the parking lot or the street.
The designers of the IEEE 802.11b or Wi-Fi tried to overcome the security issue by devising a user authentication and data encryption system known as Wired Equivalent Privacy, or WEP.
Unfortunately, some compromises that were made in developing WEP have resulted in it being much less secured than intended: in fact a free program is now available on the Internet that allows a hacker with minimal technical knowledge to break into a WEP-enabled wireless network, without being detected, in any more than a few hours.
Security experts agree that all sensitive applications should be protected with additional security systems such as Internet Protocol Security (IPsec). However, if excessive security measures are forced on users of non sensitive applications, the wireless network becomes cumbersome to use and system throughput is reduced. NeoAccel has introduced the next generation of VPNs for lousy networks like WLAN that makes application
run without inducing any latency