7
INFRASTRUCTURE WIRELESS LAN
The access point 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.
INFRASTRUCTURE WIRELESS LAN FOR ROAMING WIRELESS
PC
S
The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communications domain for each access point. For
wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for
the wireless card to the SSID of the access point to which you want to connect. A
wireless infrastructure can also support roaming for mobile workers. More than one
access point can be configured to create an Extended Service Set (ESS). By placing the
access points so that a continuous coverage area is created, wireless users within this
ESS can roam freely.
Wired LAN Extension to
File
Desktop
PC
Server
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter
Access Point
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
Wireless Adapters