Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network; Network Topology; Roaming; Network Layout - Linksys WAP54GPE - Wireless-G Exterior Access Point User Manual

Wireless-G Exterior Access Point

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless 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, such as the
Wireless-G Exterior 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 and SSID.
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 that Spanning Tree Protocol should be disabled on the switches connecting to the APs to allow roaming
to work without disruption.

Network Layout

The Wireless-G Exterior Access Point has been designed for use with 802.11g and 802.11b products. The
Access Point is compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b adapters, such as the Notebook Adapters for your
laptop computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB
connectivity. These wireless products can also communicate with a 802.11g or 802.11b Wireless PrintServer.
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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