ures will be required. Implementing Wireless LANs Table 7-2: WLAN Technical Attributes - cont'd Requirement type Considerations Interference and If the WLAN will have to operate in an environment with coexistence other wireless networks, such as Bluetooth, or alongside cordless phones, then coexistence will need to be a consideration. Technology maturity Before standards have been agreed early products have an interoperability risk, while a fully mature technology may have limited scope for future development and risk early obsolescence as new usage models arise. The significance of this attribute will depend on whether the user requirements are within the proven capabilities of existing technology or require a leading edge solution. Operating range The required range will be determined by the physical extent and nature of the operating area, as well as the layout of components such as access points. The overall link budget will be important in implementing point-to-point connections (wireless bridges between buildings). Network scalability If the WLAN is likely to require more than a few access points, or significant future growth is anticipated, then ease of initial configuration and ongoing network management tasks will be a requirement, at least for the network manager. Establishing Technical Requirements Technical requirements follow from user requirements, by translating these into the specific technical attributes that are needed to deliver the user requirements (Table 7-2). For example, if there is a user requirement for rapid transfer of large files, for example for video editing applications, this will translate into a technical requirement for a high effective data rate. Some technical attributes, such as operating range and those relating to interference and coexistence, will be clarified following site surveying and initial planning of the physical layout of the network hardware. Evaluating Available Technologies Having established the technical attributes necessary to meet user requirements, the ava