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Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one or more wireless adapters. Computers in a
wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel to talk to each other. Several PCs equipped
with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with each other to form an ad-hoc network without the use of
an access point.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide access to a wired network when using an access point, such as the
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point, or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an
infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired or
wireless network via the access point or wireless router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may double the
effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be doubled (depending on
antenna characteristics).
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same wireless channel and SSID.
Before you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access
point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
Note that Spanning Tree Protocol should be disabled on the switches connecting to the APs to allow roaming to
work without disruption.
Network Layout
The Wireless-G Exterior Access Point has been designed for use with 802.11g and 802.11b products. The Access
Point is compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b adapters, such as the Notebook Adapters for your laptop
computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity.
These wireless products can also communicate with a 802.11g or 802.11b Wireless PrintServer.
infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired
network via an access point.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly
with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access
point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from one
access point's range to another without losing the
connection.
ssid: your wireless network's name