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The Gigaset PCI Card 54
Basics about wireless LANs
In this section, a few basics about wireless LANs are covered so you will better
understand how the Gigaset WLAN-Adapter operates when establishing a wireless
network.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Simply stated, a LAN is a network that only exists in a relatively limited area. A network
is two or more computers which are connected together in order to mutually use files
as well as peripheral devices, e.g. a printer.
Using the Gigaset WLAN-Adapter you can communicate with other computers without
having to route network cable. Thus you can take your computer to another place and
still remain connected to the network.
You can use the Gigaset WLAN-Adapter in two different ways. On one hand, you can
establish a connection to one or more PCs equipped with wireless network adapters.
This is an Ad-hoc network. On the other hand, you can establish a connection to an
Access Point, which is used to obtain access to an already existing wired LAN. This forms
an Infrastructure wireless network.
Ad-hoc network
In an Ad-hoc network, wireless Peer-to-Peer connections are established between PCs.
An Ad-hoc network is spontaneously (ad hoc) established by the participants as needed.
A wireless network adapter must be installed on all participating PCs, e.g., a Gigaset PC
Card 54 or a Gigaset PCI Card 54. Areas of applications for Ad-hoc networks are
anywhere that communication networks should be established quickly and without an
existing network infrastructure, and where participants should be mobile.
Infrastructure network
In the Infrastructure network, connections between the network participants are
established via an Access Point (or multiple Access Points). The Access Point is used as
a base station of the wireless network. It controls the connections between the
connected participants and can also establish the connection from mobile stations of a
wireless network to a wired LAN (Ethernet) or to the Internet.
Roaming
Multiple Access Points can be installed to expand the coverage range of the wireless
network. Participants of the wireless network can move freely between the various
Access Points, without losing contact to the network. As soon as the wireless contact
threatens to be interrupted, the PC automatically looks for another Access Point offering
a stronger signal. All access points and wireless network adapters must have the same
SSID. (SSID stands for Service Set ID.) All access points must be connected to a common
Ethernet network.
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