Linksys WAP200RF manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Roaming

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Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet and Rangebooster

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one or more wireless adapters. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel to talk to each other. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with each other to form an ad-hoc network without the use of an access point.

Linksys also provides products to allow wireless adaptors to access wired network through a bridge such as the wireless access point, or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired or wireless network via the access point or wireless router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an Access Point is able to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be more than doubled since Access Point can transmit signal at higher power to the wireless space.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they both share the same wireless network (SSID), wireless channel, and wireless security settings.

This Access Point has 802.11F Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP) to complete the roaming process in seconds. If your wireless networks share the same IP subnet, this will not disrupt your data connection while moving around.

Before you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

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

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

roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

ssid: your wireless network's name

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

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Network Topology

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Contents User Guide How to Use this User Guide Copyright and TrademarksTable of Contents Appendix B Wireless Security Appendix a TroubleshootingFrequently Asked Questions Example of a Simple Wireless Network List of Figures20 Security Monitor Basic Settings Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this User Guide? Introduction What’s in this User Guide? Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkRoaming Network Layout Example of a simple wireless network Getting to Know the Wireless-G Access Point LEDsAccess Point’s port are located on the back of the device PortsDesktop Placement and Antenna Setup Antennas and PositionsOverview Connecting the Wireless-G Access PointConnection Stand Option Placement OptionsWall-Mount Option Setting Up the Wireless-G Access Point Accessing the UtilityWireless SetupNavigating the Utility Administration AP ModeSecurity Monitor Status Basic Setup Configuring the Wireless-G Access PointSetup Basic Setup Tab Network SetupSetup Time Tab TimeWireless Basic Wireless Settings Tab Basic SettingsWireless Wireless Security Tab Wireless SecurityWPA-Personal aka WPA-PSK WPA2-PersonalWPA2-Personal Mixed WPA-EnterpriseWPA2-Enterprise WPA2-Enterprise MixedDisable RadiusWireless Client List Wireless Wireless Connection Control TabWireless Connection Control Connection ControlWireless Advanced Wireless Settings Tab Advanced SettingsWireless Vlan & QoS Tab VlanQoS AP Mode Tab MAC Address18 Wireless Repeater Mode 19 Wireless Bridge Mode Wireless Security Monitor Security Monitor Basic Settings TabSecurity Monitor Accounts Security Monitor Event Log Tab Mail NotificationSyslog Notification Local AP Password Administration Management TabWeb Access ManagementSnmp IdentificationEmail Alert Administration Log TabLog Notification Queue LengthFactory Default Administration Factory Default TabAdministration Firmware Upgrade Tab Firmware UpgradeReboot Administration Reboot TabAdministration Config Management Tab Config ManagementInformation Status Local Network TabLocal Network Status Wireless Tab Wireless NetworkStatus System Performance Tab WiredWireless System PerformancePage Appendix a Troubleshooting Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat Ieee 802.11g features are supported? What is the ISM band? Does the Access Point function as a firewall? Security Precautions Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Page Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Shared Resources Appendix D Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix E Glossary Appendix E Glossary Appendix E Glossary Appendix E Glossary Appendix E Glossary Appendix F Specifications 802.11F Wireless Roaming11.g 54Mbps@ -72dBm, 11.b 11Mbps@ -85dBM Dhcp Client11g 14 dBm SecuritySuspicious network events Wireless Security MonitorCertification Appendix G Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix H Regulatory Information Appendix H Regulatory Information Appendix H Regulatory Information Appendix H Regulatory Information Appendix H Regulatory Information Appendix H Regulatory Information Appendix H Regulatory Information Need to contact Linksys? Appendix I Contact InformationInformation section in this Guide
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