SENAO 3054 PCI Aries User Manual page 4

Infrastructure Mode
The infrastructure mode requires the use of an access point (AP). In this mode, all wireless
communications between two computers have to be via the AP, no matter if the AP is wired to an
Ethernet network or stand-alone. If used in stand-alone, the AP can extend the range of
independent wireless LANs by acting a repeater, which effectively doubles the distance between
wireless stations as shown in Figure 1-3.
Wireless LAN PC Card
Extended-range independent WLAN using AP as repeater
If wired to an Ethernet network as shown in Figure 1-4, the AP serves as a bridge and provides the
link between the server and the wireless clients. The wireless clients can move freely throughout the
coverage area of the AP while remaining connected to the server. Since the AP is connected to the
wired network, each client would have access to the server's resources as well as to other clients.
Wireless LAN PC Card
Wireless LAN PC Card
Figure 1-2
Infrastructure
Wireless LAN
Router/AP
L
Figure 1-3
Enterne t
Wireless LAN
Router/AP
Wireless LAN USB Adapter
Wireless LAN PC Card
L
Wireless LAN USB Adapter
File server
Network Printer