User's Manual

Network Configuration and Planning
18
Network Configuration and Planning
The Wireless Solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration, as well as
an integrated configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
The Wireless PC Card can be configured as:
• Ad hoc - for small groups that only communicate with each other
• Infrastructure - for wireless LANs
Network Topologies
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
An ad hoc wireless LAN consists of a group
of computers, each equipped with one
wireless adapter, connected via radio signals
as an independent wireless LAN. Computers
in a specific ad hoc wireless LAN must
therefore be configured to the same radio
channel. An ad hoc wireless LAN can be
used in a SOHO or temporary environment.
Infrastructure Wireless LAN
The access point can also provide wireless
workstations with access to a wired LAN. An integrated wired and wireless LAN is called
an infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless
PC users, and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN. Each wireless
PC in this BSS can talk to any computer in its wireless group via a radio link, or access
other computers or network resources in the wired LAN infrastructure via the access
point.
The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs to the
wired LAN, but also extends the effective wireless transmission range for wireless PCs by
passing their signal through one or more access points.
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
Notebook with
Wireless USB Adapter
Notebook with
Wireless PC Card
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter