6
C
HAPTER
1: I
NTRODUCTION
The type of network you decide to set up depends on the size of your office and
whether or not you require connection to a wired LAN. You can also set up
security for each of the different types of networks. Your set up will probably
resemble one or more of the following examples.
All Wireless Networks
The simplest 3Com wireless LAN consists of several clients associating in an ad hoc
network without an access point.
A simple configuration consists of one access point and several clients. The clients
can associate with the wireless network anywhere within the coverage area of the
access point. The access point is not connected to any other network segments.
For more complex requirements, you can configure several access points as
separate networks at the same site. The access points use different network
identifiers called
wireless LAN service areas
(
WLAN service areas
, also called
Extended Service Set Identities
or
ESSID
). Clients can roam within the coverage
areas of access points that have the same WLAN service areas. They cannot roam
to the coverage areas of access points that are configured with different WLAN
service areas.
Wired/Wireless
Networks
An access point can be connected to a wired LAN with an Ethernet cable to create
a mixed wired/wireless network. In this configuration, the access point provides
the link between the wired network and wireless clients. Clients can move freely
throughout the service area of the access point and remain associated with the
larger network for services such as printing and Internet access.
Multiple access points can be connected to an existing LAN to provide complete
wireless network coverage. Wireless clients can roam seamlessly between different
access points with the same WLAN service areas and remain associated with the
larger network.
POWER
WIRELESS
ETHERNET