3Com 09-1765-001 manual Airconnect Overview, AirConnect Network, Topologies, Introduction

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AIRCONNECT OVERVIEW

Introduction	AirConnect from 3Com is made up of a series of products that work together
	to deliver high-speed digital wireless networking. This technology provides
	connectivity between wireless clients and network nodes in a variety of indoor
	environments, and also provides bridging architecture between wired and wireless
	network segments. AirConnect is based on the IEEE 802.11HR standard, and
	delivers 11 Mbps data transfer rates.
	The core hardware products that make up an AirConnect network include the
	following:
	■ PC card, installed in a wireless client (laptop or desktop computer)
	■ Access point, or AP, which serves as a wireless network node
	■ PowerBASE-T (optional), which provides bus power to the access point when
	connected to an Ethernet network
	Also included in your AirConnect kit are an AP mounting bracket and hardware,
	a serial cable, a power adapter and associated power cables, and two CDs: the
	AirConnect Administrator CD, and the AirConnect User CD.
AirConnect Network	To better understand how the various AirConnect products work together to
Topologies	create a wireless network, it might be helpful to depict a few of the possible
	AirConnect network topologies. The topology used in a particular environment
	depends on many factors, such as the functionality of the AP in the network, or
	desired data transfer rates. Your AirConnect network topology will probably
	resemble one of the following scenarios, or perhaps a combination of two or
	more.