Product Card

SECTION 2. Network Applications

There are two types of networks used with the WL2400-ISA and WL2400-PCM: StructureNet and

Instawave. The number of computers connected, Ethernet installation, and the desired network

application determine the type of network.

2.1 Instawave

Vs StructureNet

Operation

The AP-2 Access Point gives you the option of operating in “Instawave” mode (default) or “StructureNet”

mode. A description of these two modes follows, as well as an explanation of the advantages of each

compared to the other. This information should enable you to decide which mode to use. Generally, it is

not a good idea to mix modes. We recommend that all access points in your installation be set to the

same mode.

IEEE802.11 defines two modes of operation: “ad hoc” mode and “infrastructure” mode. The concept

behind “ad-hoc” mode is that several wireless stations such as laptops can get together in a local area

such as a conference room and form a wireless network together. This would enable the sharing of

documents and collaborative working using applications such as Microsoft’s NetMeeting. In ad-hoc mode

all the operations are peer to peer, but cannot communicate with an access point.

Infrastructure mode requires the use of an access point. In Infrastructure mode, all wireless

communication is between a station and an access point. There must be an operational access point in

the vicinity for a station to communicate. Even if there are two wireless stations, they cannot communicate

directly in the manner described for “ad-hoc” networks; they must communicate with each other via the

access point.

The AP-2 has a mode that has the attributes of “ad-hoc” operation, but also allows you to use the Access

Point to communicate with a wired LAN. This mode is called “Instawave

” and is the default mode of

operation.

2.2 Advantage of Instawave

Instawave is very easy to set up. All the stations on a specific radio channel form a network if they are

within range of each other. The channel can be specified in the access point and on the PCs or laptops.

The default channel is 10.

Regardless of how many access points and stations there are in an area, they will automatically form a

network. The access points may be attached to the same LAN or they may be on different LAN segments.

The advantage of Instawave is that the most direct communication path is taken automatically. If two

stations wish to communicate peer-to-peer they can do so. If the station wishes to communicate with a

server on the LAN the correct access point will accept the data and forward it to the LAN. If there are two

or more access points attached to the same LAN, the access points will determine which access point is

used automatically — the user does not need to intervene.

Instawave is a good choice for small networks that need maximum flexibility and simplicity. To use

Instawave you must configure the AP-2 with “mode: Instawave” and set the Channel on the remote

stations to the same number as on the AP-2.

2.3 Advantage of StructureNet

When StructureNet is enabled each wireless station must associate with a single access point. That

access point is responsible for receiving and sending all data to the station. A station cannot be

associated with more than one access point at a time. The disadvantage of this is that peer-to-peer

communication requires that a message be sent twice — once to the access point and a second time to