User's Manual

Installation and User Guide: Airgo Wireless LAN Client Adapter 11
2
Introduction to the Airgo Client Utility
The chapter provides an overview of wireless networking and explains how to access the Airgo
Client Utility to configure your Airgo Wireless LAN Client Adapter. It includes the following
topics:
• Overview of Wireless Networking
• Airgo Client Utility
• Navigating the User Interface
Overview of Wireless Networking
The Airgo Wireless LAN Client Adapter connects your PC to a wireless local area network
(wireless LAN) by way of radio signals. An access point is the device that forwards data from the
wired network to your PC by way of radio signals and connects you with other wireless users. The
IEEE 802.11 standard identifies two types of wireless networking modes:
• In an infrastructure network, an access point links the wireless LAN to a wired network. By
attaching to an existing network infrastructure, you can gain access to other locations on the
wired network, other wireless LANs, or the Internet. This is the mode to use when setting up a
home network or linking to an office network (Figure 3).
• In an ad-hoc wireless network, you establish communications between your PC and a small
number of other wireless users without using an access point (Figure 4).
Figure 3: Infrastructure Network
NOTE: The Airgo Wireless LAN Client Adapter installed on your PC can communicate
with any access point that supports the industry standard IEEE 802.11 wireless
communications protocol. It is recommended that you use the Airgo Wireless LAN Client
Adapter with Airgo Access Points in order to take advantage of their advanced range, high
data rates, and other features.
Wired network
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