Cisco Systems WUSB54GSC manual Planning your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Roaming

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Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.

Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they both share the same channel and SSID.

Before enabling you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer- to-peer) without the use of an access point

access point: device that allows wireless- equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network.

infrastructure: Configuration in which a wireless network is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

ssid: your wireless network’s name

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network

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Network Topology

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Contents Wireless- G How to Use this User Guide Copyright and TrademarksTable of Contents Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster List of Figures Front PanelLink Information Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this Guide? Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Network Topology Planning your Wireless NetworkSsid your wireless network’s name RoamingPlanning your Wireless Network Network LayoutGetting to Know the Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter LED IndicatorsSetting up and Connecting the USB Adapter Starting the Setup WizardInstalling files Creating a Profile Creating a ProfileSetting Up the Adapter with SecureEasySetup Changes, refer to Using the Wireless Network MonitorSetting Up the Adapter with Available Networks Encryption encoding data transmitted in a network12 WEP Key Needed for Connection 14 WPA2-Personal Needed for Connection Setting Up the Adapter with Manual Setup 17 Network Settings18 Wireless Mode WEP WPA Personal WPA2 PersonalWPA Enterprise EAP-TLSRadius 28 Confirm New Settings Wireless Network Status screen Using the Wireless Network MonitorAccessing the Wireless Network Monitor Link Information ScreensWireless Network Status Wireless Network Statistics Link Information Wireless Network StatisticsSite Survey Site InformationProfiles Profile InformationCreating a New Profile 11 Export a ProfileMy computer does not recognize the USB Adapter Appendix a TroubleshootingCommon Problems and Solutions USB Adapter does not work properlyWhat is the Ieee 802.11g standard? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Ieee 802.11b standard? What Ieee 802.11b features are supported?What is roaming? What is ad-hoc mode?What is infrastructure mode? What is ISM band?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is WEP?Appendix B Using Windows XP Wireless Configuration Figure B-1 Wireless Network Monitor IconFigure B-4 Available Wireless Network Figure B-6 Network Connection Wireless Security Security Precautions Appendix C Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix C Wireless Security Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Shared Resources Appendix D Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix E Glossary Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Appendix F Specifications WUSB54GSCAppendix G Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix H Regulatory Information FCC StatementCompact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster Dual-Band Wireless Access Point Appendix I Contact Information