Ad-Hoc Versus Infrastructure Mode - Linksys WDT11 User Manual

5. The following window will appear next. To install the Configuration Utility
in the default directory (recommended), click the Next button.
fer to install the Utility in another directory, click the Browse button, locate
the preferred directory then click the Next button.
6. When the following screen appears, choose either Infrastructure mode or
Ad-Hoc mode, depending on your needs. If you are unsure whether to
choose Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc, refer to the next section for more informa-
tion. Once you have made your choice, click the Next button.
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Instant Wireless Series
TM
If you pre-
PCI Adapter

Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which
they may be set up: Infrastructure
modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or
peripherals with a wired network or not.
If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired net-
work or need to share a peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network
computers, the wireless network should be set up in the Infrastructure mode.
The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves
as the main point of communications in a wireless network. Access points
transmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network adapters, which can roam
within a certain
radial range of
the access point.
Multiple access
points can be
arranged to work
in succession to
extend the roam-
ing range, and
can be set up to
c o m m u n i c a t e
with your
Ethernet hardware as well.
If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only
with the other computers on the wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can
be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless transmitters
and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for
an access point. The drawback of this mode is in the fact that, in Ad-Hoc mode,
wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with computers on
and Ad-Hoc. Choosing between these two
a wired network.
And, of course, com-
munication between
the wireless-equipped
computers is limited
by the distance and
interference directly
between them.
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