NETGEAR MA101 manual Wireless Network Configuration, Ad Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer Workgroup

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Wireless Network Configuration

The 802.11b standard offers two methods for configuring a wireless network — ad hoc and infrastructure.

Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)

In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed point in the network — each node can generally communicate with any other node. There is no access point involved in this configuration. This mode enables you to quickly set up a small wireless workgroup and allows workgroup members to exchange data or share printers as supported by Microsoft Networking in the various Windows operating systems. Some vendors also refer to ad hoc networking as peer-to-peer group networking.

In this configuration, network packets are directly sent and received by the intended transmitting and receiving stations. As long as the stations are within range of one another, this is the easiest and least expensive way to set up a wireless network.

Infrastructure Mode

With a wireless Access Point, you can operate the wireless LAN in the infrastructure mode. This mode provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed range or area of coverage, interacting with wireless nodes via an antenna.

In the infrastructure mode, the wireless access point converts airwave data into wired Ethernet data, acting as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple access points via a wired Ethernet backbone can further extend the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one access point domain to another and still maintain seamless network connection.

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Contents NETGEAR, Inc Technical Support Contents Index Preface About This Installation Guide Bold times roman User inputPage About the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter Key Features and Related Netgear ProductsChapter Introduction What’s in the Box? Model MA101 Resource CD, includingRoad Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ Road Map for How to Get There From HereA Road Map for How to Get There From Here Up the MA101 Other computers Connect to Password that have been Help Network Page Chapter Installing MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter What You Will Need Before You BeginVerify System Requirements Observe Location and Range GuidelinesTwo Basic Operating Modes MA101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Infrastructure Mode Setting Up the MA101 in Infrastructure Mode For Windows XP Users Installing a MA101Connect the MA101 USB Adapter to your computer Install the MA101 driver software Verify wireless connectivity to your network For Windows 98/Me Users Installing a MA101 Install the MA101 softwareInsert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your computer Click Yes when asked if you want to reboot the system Configure your wireless adapter Ssid WirelessFor Windows 2000 Users Installing a MA101 Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your CD-ROM drivePage MA101 Configuration Utility Using the MA101 to Connect in Ad-Hoc Mode MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Ad-Hoc ModeConfigure your wireless adapters Setting Up a MA101 in Ad-Hoc ModeSet up the MA101 USB Adapter for your computer Computer-to-computer Ad-Hoc networks onlyVerify wireless connectivity between the computers Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors Color Condition DescriptionTroubleshooting Tips Symptom Cause SolutionPage Protecting Your Wireless Connection Enabling Basic Wireless Security FeaturesPage Setting the Wireless Network Name Ssid Changing the SsidConfiguring WEP Encryption Security Configuring WEP EncryptionAppendix a Technical Specifications DsssPage Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics Related Publications Wireless NetworkingWireless Network Configuration Ad Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer WorkgroupExtended Service Set Identification Essid Authentication and WEP EncryptionWireless Channel Selection Wired Equivalent Privacy WEPRadio frequency channels used are listed in Table Page Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP NetworkingConfiguring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking Install or Verify Windows Networking ComponentsPage Page Choose Settings, and then Control Panel Locate your Network Neighborhood iconPrimary Network Logon is set to Windows logon Page Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking Verifying TCP/IP PropertiesDhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XPConnection with the wireless icon and choose Status TCP/IP details are presented on the Support tab Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows Page Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or Page Index NumericsPage Page Page Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer Page NETGEAR, Inc