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Chapter 1. Introduction to wireless networking
The Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN USB Device is an 802.11b wireless networking device that
connects to a USB port on your computer. Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN network products are
based on the IEEE 802.11b standard and connect computers together to form a wireless local area
network (WLAN).
All Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN products interoperate with other IEEE 802.11b compliant
wireless devices from other vendors. The WiFi certification logo indicates that the wireless device
is 802.11b compliant.
The Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN USB Device operates in either infrastructure mode or peer-
to-peer mode.
1.1
Infrastructure Mode: A WLAN with Access Points
In infrastructure mode, wireless clients send and receive information through access points. When a
wireless client communicates with another, it transmits to the access point. The access point
receives the information and rebroadcasts it. Then the other device receives the information.
Access points are strategically located within an area to provide optimal coverage for wireless
clients. A large WLAN uses multiple access points to provide coverage over a wide area. Access
points can connect to a LAN through a wired Ethernet connection. Access points send and receive
information from the LAN through this wired connection.
1.2
Peer-to-Peer Mode: A WLAN without Access Points
In peer-to-peer mode, also called Ad Hoc Mode, wireless clients send and receive information to
other wireless clients without using an access point. In contrast to infrastructure mode, this type of
WLAN only contains wireless clients.
You can use peer-to-peer mode to network computers in a home or small office, or to set up a
temporary wireless network for a meeting.
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN USB Device Users Guide
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