User's Manual

5
Wireless LAN
PC Card
Wireless LAN
Router/AP
File server
Wireless LAN
Router/AP
Wireless LAN
USB Adapter
Wireless LAN
USB Adapter
Wireless LAN
PC Card
Wireless LAN
PC Card
Wireless LAN
PC Card
Wireless LAN USB Adapter
File server
Network Printer
En t e rn e t
Wireless LAN PC Card
Wireless LAN
Router/AP
Wireless LAN PC Card
communications between two computers have to be via the AP no matter the AP is wired to Ethernet
network or stand-alone. If used in stand-alone, the AP can extend the range of independent wireless
LANs by acting a repeater, which effectively doubling the distance between wireless stations as shown in
Figure 1-3.
Figure 1-3
Extended-range independent WLAN using AP as repeater
If wired to an Ethernet network as shown in Figure 1-4, the AP serves as a bridge and provides the link
between the server and the wireless clients. The wireless clients can move freely throughout the
coverage area of the AP while remaining connected to the server. Since the ap is connected to the wired
network, each client would have access to server resources as well as to other clients.
Figure 1-4 Single AP bridge
Access points have a finite range, on the order of 50 meters indoor and 100 meters outdoors. In a very
large facility such as an enterprise, a warehouse, or on a college campus, it will probably be necessary to
install more than one access point to cover an entire building or campus, as shown in Figure 1-5. In this
scenario, access points hand the client off from one to another in a way that is invisible to the client,
ensuring roken connectivity. Wireless clients can roam seamlessly between different coverage areas and
remain connected to the network.
Wireless LAN PC Card
Wireless LAN
Router/AP
L
L
Infrastructure
Wireless LAN PC Card
Wireless LAN USB Adapter