A wireless local network and method integrating the locating and the seamless roaming of mobile nodes. The network includes a server constituting the core of the network, fixed access points providing the low-level protocol, fixed anchors providing the locating function and nodes comprising sensors and actuators according to the end purpose of the network. The fixed anchors determine a distance measurement with the nodes by time of flight of radio waves, with the nodes behaving as an active radio deflector.