The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs to the wired LAN, but also increases the effective wireless transmission range for wireless PCs by passing their signal through one or more access points.
A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for connection between mobile workers, as shown in the following figure.
Wired LAN Extension to Wireless Adapters
File
Server
Desktop PC | Switch |
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter
Access Point
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
INFRASTRUCTURE WIRELESS LAN FOR ROAMING WIRELESS
PCS
The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communications domain for each access point. For wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for the wireless card to the SSID of the access point to which you want to connect. A wireless infrastructure can also support roaming for mobile workers. More than one access point can be configured to create an Extended Service Set (ESS). By placing the access points so that a continuous coverage area is created, wireless users within this ESS can roam freely.
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