Infrastructure Mode; Peer-To-Peer Mode; Identifying A Wlan - Intel WPC2011BWW - PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN PC Card Quick Installation Manual

Information About Wireless Networks
This section includes general information about wireless
networks. If you are already familiar with wireless networks or
do not want to read reference information about them, skip this
section.
A (LAN) is a network in which you share files, printers, and
other services with users. In a Local Area Network (LAN), a
networked computer is called a client. In a wireless LAN
(WLAN), a client that has an Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B
LAN adapter installed is called a wireless client. A wireless
client communicates with the WLAN without cables. It sends
and receives information through a path in the air called a
channel.
A wireless client operates in either infrastructure mode or peer-
to-peer mode.

Infrastructure Mode

In infrastructure mode, a wireless client sends and receives
information through one or more access points. The Intel®
PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter operates with Intel® PRO/
Wireless 2011B LAN Access Points and IEEE 802.11b
compliant access points sold by other vendors.

Peer-to-Peer Mode

In peer-to-peer mode, also called Ad Hoc, wireless clients send
and receive information to other wireless clients directly
without using an access point. This type of WLAN typically
contains only wireless clients.

Identifying a WLAN

A Service Set Identifier (SSID) identifies a WLAN. There are
several kinds of SSIDs. For simplicity, this guide uses the term
Network Name (SSID) in place of other terms such as ESSID
and IBSSID. For either an infrastructure or peer-to-peer
WLAN, the SSID indicates what WLAN you are
communicating with. When installing a wireless adapter, the
software asks you to enter this information. All devices in a
WLAN must use the same Network Name (SSID).
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter Quick Installation Guide 1