3Com WL-560 manual Network Configuration and Planning

Network Configuration and Planning 7

Consider 802.11g when you need wider coverage and vendor compatibility and you are:

■ Maintaining support for existing 802.11b users and the existing wireless investment while providing for expansion into 802.11g.

	■ Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges,
	gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees
	compatibility among vendors.
	■ Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee shops or
	university cafeterias.
Network	The Bridge can operate in either infrastructure or ad-hocmode, and can
Configuration and	support a stand-alone wireless network configuration or an integrated
Planning	configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
	Operating in infrastructure mode and connected to an Ethernet hub, a
	single Bridge can combine up to 16 client devices—such as computers
	with network adapters and printers—into a multiclient workgroup. The
	workgroup associates with the wired network through a wireless LAN
	access point such as the 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Access Point.
	Infrastructure configurations extend your wireless LAN to devices that
	would otherwise have to be connected to the wired network.
	Operating in ad-hocmode, two or more Bridges can associate among
	themselves and communicate with one another at close range without an
	access point. You may wish to set up an ad-hoc network, for example, if
	a group is working away from the office, or if a group in the office needs
	to share files apart from the wired LAN.