User's Manual

Chapter 1: Introduction 5
Types of Wireless Networks
There are two types of wireless networks: infrastructure and ad hoc.
In an infrastructure network, a wireless adapter connects to a wireless network
through a central wireless access point, gateway, or router, such as a Microsoft
Wireless Base Station. This type of network is often used when a broadband
Internet connection will be shared among computers, or when there are more
than two computers or devices on a wireless network. The following illustration
shows an infrastructure network.
In an ad hoc network, a wireless adapter connects directly to wireless adapters
that are installed in other computers. This type of network is often used when
only two computers or devices are being connected, when a broadband Internet
connection will not be shared, or when the connection to another computer is
intended to be temporary. The following illustration shows an ad hoc network.
Active Internet Connection
Broadband Modem
Wireless Base Station
Ethernet Connection
First Computer
Second Computer
First computer Second computer
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