For some application problems, wireless might be your solution. A number of manufacturers, including Intel, 3Com, D-Link, Linksys, Compaq, Dell, SMC, as well as many others, have developed wireless Ethernet equipment. Lately these systems have become less expensive compared to previously and the reliability and speed have been enhanced. You see these poles in offices where it is either unlawful or unwise to let wires dangle from the ceiling. Another option, which is expensive, is to run wire conduits across the floor to carry wires to the computers.
Software is provided with the wireless card, and all the new wireless cards are plug and play.
Then a wireless receiver is placed in a convenient location, either inside or outside the room. The range of the wireless device is as much as 300 feet, considering walls and floors. In a lab, the computer department could run one Cat 5 cable from any location to the lab and mount the receiver high on the wall or on the ceiling in the room. The receiver will handle, typically, up to 32 computer workstations and some receivers will handle up to 64 computer workstations. The connection speed is 11 mps and will provide speeds faster than any Internet connection would need.