Cisco Systems CB21AG Network Card User Manual


 
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Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Client Adapters (CB21AG and PI21AG) Installation and Configuration Guide
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Chapter 1 Product Overview
Network Configurations Using Client Adapters
Network Configurations Using Client Adapters
Client adapters can be used in a variety of network configurations. In some configurations, access points
provide connections to your network or act as repeaters to increase wireless communication range. The
maximum communication range is based on how you configure your wireless network.
This section describes and illustrates the two most common network configurations:
Ad hoc wireless local area network (LAN)
Wireless infrastructure with workstations accessing a wired LAN
For examples of more complex network configurations involving client adapters and access points, refer
to the documentation for your access point.
Note Refer to Chapter 5 for information on setting the client adapter’s network type.
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
An ad hoc (or peer-to-peer) wireless LAN (see Figure 1-1) is the simplest wireless LAN configuration.
In a wireless LAN using an ad hoc network configuration, all devices equipped with a client adapter can
be linked together and communicate directly with each other. The use of an infrastructure device, such
as an access point, is not required.
Figure 1-1 Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
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