User Manual

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2 Chapter PRELIMINARY
2-28 • AR5001 STA User’s Guide Atheros Communications, Inc.
2-28 • July 2002 COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
Ad Hoc Mode
An ad hoc network usually is a short-lived network with a small number of
stations. The network is usually created for a special purpose such as
exchanging data between friends, or between customer and client. Because
the duration of the ad hoc network tends to be limited, Power Saving and
Security features are not typically a requirement. For ad hoc network activity,
the Power Saving and Security features can be disabled. Currently, shared key
security is supported in ad hoc mode. Future Atheros software
implementations will provide unique key support.
In ad hoc mode, a station scans the air for an existing BSS. If no BSS is found,
the station establishes a BSS for other stations to join. When other stations
scan the air and find an established BSS in place, they join that BSS to form an
ad hoc network. If a specific set of stations requires ad hoc network
connectivity, it is recommended to have one station establish a BSS first before
configuring the remaining stations. This prevents the scenario of several
stations trying to form a BSS at the same time, which can result in multiple
singular BSSs being established, rather than a single BSS with multiple
stations.