Introduction; What Is A Wireless Lan; Modes Of Operation Of Wireless Lans And Access Points - Lancom L-54g Wireless Manual

LANCOM L-54g Wireless - LANCOM L-54ag Wireless - LANCOM L-54 dual Wireless

1 Introduction

1.1

What is a wireless LAN?

The following sections describe the functionality of wireless networks

in general. You can see from the table 'What your LANCOM can do'
further below which functions your device supports. Please refer to
the reference manual for further information on this topic.
A wireless LAN connects individual end-user devices (PCs and mobile comput-
ers) to form a local network (also called – Local Area Network). In contrast to
a traditional LAN, communication takes place over a wireless connection and
not over network cables. For this reason it is called a Wireless Local Area Net-
work (WLAN).
A wireless LAN provides the same functionality as a cable-based network:
Access to files, servers, printers etc. as well as the integration of individual
work stations into a corporate mail system or access to the Internet.
There are obvious advantages to wireless LANs: Notebooks and PCs can be
installed where they are needed—problems with missing connections or
structural changes are a thing of the past with wireless networks.
Apart from that, wireless LANs can also be used for connections over longer
distances. Expensive leased lines and the associated construction measures
can be saved.
LANCOM Wireless Routers and LANCOM Access Points can be oper-

ated either as self-sufficient Access Points with their own configura-
tion (WLAN modules in "Access Point mode") or as components in a
WLAN infrastructure, which is controlled from a central WLAN-
Controller ("managed mode"). Please observe the corresponding
notices to this in this documentation.
1.1.1

Modes of operation of wireless LANs and access points

Wireless LAN technology and access points in wireless LANs are used in the
following modes of operation:
Simple, direct connection between terminal devices with an access point
(ad-hoc mode)
Extensive wireless LANs, possibly connected to a LAN, with one or more
access points (infrastructure network)
Chapter 1: Introduction
9