34Infrastructure Wireless LAN
The SMC2755W can also provide access to a wired LAN for
wireless workstations. An integrated wired/wireless LAN is called
an Infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists
of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that is directly
connected to the wired LAN. Each wireless PC in this BSS can talk
to any computer in its wireless group via a radio link, or access
other computers or network resources in the wired LAN
infrastructure via the access point.
The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility
of wireless PCs to the wired LAN, but also increases the effective
wireless transmission range for wireless PCs by passing their signal
through one or more access points.
A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central
database, or for connection between mobile workers, as shown in
the following figure.
File
Server
Switch
DesktopPC
AccessPoint
Wired LAN Extension
to Wireless Adapters
PCwith Wireless
PCI Adapter
Notebookwith Wireless
PCCard Adapter