Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network; Network Topology; Roaming - Linksys WRE54G User Manual

Wireless-G Range Expander

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless
network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an 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 network infrastructure via the access point or wireless
router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can 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 can be doubled.

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 channel and SSID.
Should 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.
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating
directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of
an access point.
infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired
network via 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.
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