Linksys WAP11 v.2.6 manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology

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Figure 2-1

Instant Wireless® Series

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area net- work (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name for wireless devices.

Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configura- tion is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers com- municating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or periph- erals with a wired network or not.

If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessed by a wired network or need to share a peripheral, such as a print- er, with the wired network computers, the wireless network should be set up in infrastructure mode. (See Figure 2-1.) The basis of infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves as the main point of com-

munications in a wireless network. Access points transmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network cards, which can roam within a certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access points can be arranged to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set up to communicate with your Ethernet (wired) hardware as well.

Wireless Network Access Point

If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only with the other computers on the wireless network, then the ad-hocmode can be used. (See Figure 2-2.) Ad-hoc mode allows computers equipped with wire- less transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, elimi- nating the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is that, in Ad- Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the wireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference direct- ly between them.

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Contents Wireless Network Access Point Mail Table of Contents Introduction Instant Wireless Network Access PointFeatures Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Wireless Network Access Point’s LEDs Wireless Network Access Point’s PortsConnecting the Wireless Network Access Point Instant Wireless Series Instant Wireless Series Instant Wireless Series Setup Tab Configuring the Wireless Network Access PointSetting WEP Encryption Setting the AP Mode Password Tab Status Tab LANHelp Tab Log TabFilter Tab Wireless Tab Frequently Asked Questions Appendix a TroubleshootingWhat is infrastructure mode? Setting Up TCP/IP in Windows What is a MAC Address?TCP/IP Setup for Windows TCP/IP Setup for Windows 98 and MillenniumAppendix C Glossary TCP/IP Setup for Windows XPInstant Wireless Series Instant Wireless Series Instant Wireless Series Appendix D Specifications Environmental Appendix E Warranty InformationAppendix F Contact Information Copyright 2003 Linksys, All Rights Reserved
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