Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an 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 network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can 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 can be doubled.
topology: the physical layout of a network.
access point: a device that allows
infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.
router: a networking device that connects multiple networks together.
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 channel and SSID.
Before enabling 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.
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 | 4 |
Network Topology
