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Network Topologies
33
Infrastructure Wireless LANs
The SMC (802.11a/11b/11g) access points can also provide
wireless workstations with access to a wired LAN. An integrated
wired and 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 extends 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
Desktop PC
Access Point
Wired LAN Extension
to Wireless Adapters
PC with Wireless
PC I Adapter
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter