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Chapter
Chapter :
Plannng Your Wreless
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 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, SSID, and wireless
security settings.
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:
Spanning Tree Protocol should be
disabled on the switches connecting to the APs
to allow roaming to work without disruption.
Network Layout
The Access Point has been designed for use with 802.11g
and 802.11b products, such as the Notebook Adapters
for your laptop computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop
PCs, and USB Adapters.
Wreless-G Exteror Access Pont wth Power Over Ethernet
Planning Your Wireless Network
These wireless products can also communicate with a
802.11g or 802.11b Wireless PrintServer.
To link your wired network with your wireless network,
connect the Access Point's Ethernet network port to any
switch or router with Power over Ethernet (PoE)—or a PoE
injector, such as the Linksys WAPPOE or WAPPOE12.
NOTE:
12 VDC on WAPPOE12 is for the splitter
output. Both PoE Injectors provide 48 VDC
power output.
Go to the Linksys website at www.lnksys.com for more
information about wireless products.
Example of a Simple Wireless Network
Example of Smple Wreless Network
The above diagram shows a typical infrastructure
wireless network setup. The Wireless Access Points are
connecting to a Linksys switch that provides power to
the Access Points. Each Access Point can connect multiple
wireless devices to the network. This network will provide
connectivity among wireless network devices and PCs
that have a wired connection to the switch.
The switch then can connect to a router that can connect
to an ISP for Internet access.
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