Network Computing Devices WUSB11 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 communications 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 USB Network Adapter

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.

Figure 2-2

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Contents Wireless USB Network Adapter Copyright & Trademarks Table of Contents Introduction Wireless USB Network AdapterFeatures Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Overview Getting to Know the Wireless USB Network AdapterWireless USB Network Adapter’s Port and LEDs Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, Proceed to Hardware Installation Using the Adapter’s Wall Mount Hardware InstallationConnecting the Adapter Step B Driver Installation for Windows XP Driver Installation and Configuration for Windows XPWindows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Link Information Accessing the Wlan MonitorSite Survey Wireless Network StatusProfile Information ProfilesCreating a New Profile Instant Wireless Series Instant Wireless Series Frequently Asked Questions Appendix a TroubleshootingCommon Problems and Solutions What is the Ieee 802.11b standard? Appendix B Glossary Can Instant Wireless products support printer sharing?Instant Wireless Series Instant Wireless Series Environmental Appendix C SpecificationsAppendix E Contact Information Appendix D Warranty InformationCopyright 2003 Linksys, All Rights Reserved
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