Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network; Network Topology; Roaming; Network Layout - Linksys WAP2000 User Manual

Chapter 
Chapter :
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 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 security 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: Spanning Tree Protocol should be
disabled on the switches connecting to the APs
to allow roaming to work without disruption.
Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Planning Your Wireless Network

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 for either a laptop or desktop. These
wireless products can also communicate with a 802.11g
or 802.11b Wireless Print Server.
To link your wired network with your wireless network,
connect the Access Point's Ethernet network port to any
switch or router.

Example of a Simple Wireless Network

Broadband Switch or
Internet Modem Router
WAP2000
Wireless Access Point
Wireless Clients
Example of Simple Wireless Network
The above diagram shows a typical infrastructure wireless
network setup. The Wireless Access Point connects to a
Linksys switch that provides power to the Access Point.
The 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.
Wired Clients