Chapter 2 - Wireless LAN Networking
This section provides background information on wireless LAN networking technology.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. CHANGING
NETWORK SETTINGS AND PARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD ONLY
BE DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATOR.
Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate)
The SMCWPCI-N provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. In most networking scenarios, the factory default Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your SMCWPCI-N to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops below a certain level, the SMCWPCI-N automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate. Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the communication quality improves again, the SMCWPCI-N gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available transmission rate.
Types of Wireless Networks
Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In infra- structure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each access point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set (ESS) is two or more BSS in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as peer-to-peer mode), wireless devices communicate with each other directly and do not use an access point. This is an Independent BSS (IBSS).
To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using access points, set the SMCWPCI-N operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an access point, use Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode.
AD-HOC(IBSS) NETWORK
Ad-hoc mode does not require an access point or a wired network. Two or more wireless stations communicate directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an
