Linksys Comprehensive Guide to Wireless Ethernet Bridge and Network Planning
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Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network (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 shared by the wireless devices belonging to the same wireless network.

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 configuration is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or peripherals with a wired network or not.

If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired network or need to share a peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network computers, the wireless network should be set up in Infrastructure mode. The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves as the main point of communications in a wireless network (see Figure 2-1). 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 hardware as well.

If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only with the other computers on the wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating 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 directly between them.

Figure 2-2 shows a typical scenario of four Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges in ad-hoc mode. Figure 2-3 shows a typical wireless bridging scenario using two Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges. Each wireless network is connected to a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge through a switch. A separate notebook computer is equipped with a wireless network adapter and can communicate with either wireless network when it is configured with the appropriate SSID and channel.

LAN (Local Area Network): the computers and networking products that make up your local network.

SSID: your wireless network’s name.

Infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode

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

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

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Network Topology

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Contents 802 GHz .11b Wireless- B Copyright and Trademarks How to Use this GuideTable of Contents Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Ad-Hoc Mode Infrastructure ModeIntroduction IntroductionWhat’s in this Guide? Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Network Topology Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure ModeAd-Hoc Mode LAN Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet BridgePWR Connect the Ethernet Network Cable Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for SetupSetting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Setup WizardOverview List of Bridges Wireless Settings WEP Key Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use Starting the Web-based Utility Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based UtilityWireless SetupSite Survey Password Tab MAC Address AdvancedWireless Settings LAN SettingsStatus LAN StatisticsHelp Tab HelpCommon Problems and Solutions Appendix a TroubleshootingWeb-based Utility doesn’t detect the Bridge Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is ad-hoc mode? What is Spread Spectrum? Appendix B Wireless Security Brief OverviewWhat Are the Risks? Jamming Attacks Passive AttacksActive Attacks Maximizing Wireless SecurityDictionary-Building or Table Attacks Man-in-the-Middle AttacksWireless-B Ethernet Bridge Ssid Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Figure B-2 WEP Encryption WEP EncryptionAppendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows Help Shared ResourcesNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix E Glossary Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Model Appendix F SpecificationsStandards Ieee 802.11b, Ieee Ports ButtonsWarranty Year Limited Operating HumidityStorage Humidity Limited Warranty Appendix G Warranty InformationFCC Statement Appendix H Regulatory InformationIndustry Canada Canada Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Appendix I Contact Information
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