The Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable

Wireless local network (WLAN)

In a wireless local network (WLAN) PCs are linked without wires. For this the PCs have to be equipped with a wireless network adapter (WLAN adapter) such as a Gigaset PC Card 108 or a USB Adapter 108.

We generally differentiate between two types of wireless network:uInfrastructure mode u Ad-hoc mode

Infrastructure mode

The infrastructure mode connects wireless and wired networks with one another. In addition to the mobile stations, the infrastructure mode needs an access point such as the Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable. In infrastructure mode the stations in the network always communicate via this access point. Each station that wants to be part of the wireless network must first register with the access point before it can exchange data.

The access point establishes the connection between the mobile stations of a wireless network and a wired LAN (Ethernet) or the Internet. In this case this is described as the device's router functionality. The router sends data packets that are not addressed to stations within the network "outside" and forwards data packets originating from "outside" to the appropriate station within the network.

You can use the Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable to connectuwirelessly networked PCs to the Internet anduwirelessly networked PCs to an Ethernet network.

Infrastructure mode is the default configuration of the Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable. This configuration is described in the quick guide enclosed with the router.

Ad-hoc mode

An ad-hoc network is a wireless network set up without an access point or router.

The mobile network components that communicate with each other directly and without wire connections form the network "ad-hoc", i.e. as and when required. All the stations in the network have the same rights. Ad-hoc networks are used wherever communications networks have to be set up quickly and without any existing network infrastructure, and where the participants are on the move.

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