Wireless Distribution System

What Does Wireless Distribution System Mean?

A wireless distribution system (WDS) is a method of interconnecting access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN), whether or not they are connected through a backbone wired network. According to the IEEE 802.11 standard, a distribution system is an infrastructure that connects access points (AP). Distributed WLAN means that the access points are configured with the same service set identifier.

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Techopedia Explains Wireless Distribution System

A wireless distribution system connects one or more wired or wireless clients and is aided by a wireless repeater that replaces the function of a backbone wired network. The network is, in short, expanded wirelessly with a number of access points. A common use of a WDS is the bridging of two or more buildings through a WLAN. The most straightforward WDS consists of two or more systems with access points configured to send each other messages or acknowledgments working in conjunction with an antenna that is able to send and receive messages using the “line-of-sight-communication” protocol.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…