Contents:
About the 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card, PCI Adapter, and Access Point
Network Configuration and Planning >
Adapter Installation and Configuration for Windows 98 SE/2000/Me/XP
22 Mbps Wireless Configuration Utilities
Product Specifications for 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card and PCI Adapter
Product Specifications for 22 Mbps Wireless Access Point
22 Mbps Wireless PC Card, PCI Adapter, and Access Point User Guide
Network Configuration and Planning
The 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card and PCI Adapter support legacy Ethernet LAN network configuration options as defined by the IEEE 802 standards committee.
The 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card and PCI Adapter can be configured as one of the following:
- 802.11b AdHoc for departmental or Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) LANs
- Infrastructure for enterprise LANs
- LAN-Interconnection for point-to-point link as a campus backbone
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
An 802.11b AdHoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card or PCI Adapter, that is connected as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in a specific 802.11b AdHoc wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel. The 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card, PCI Adapter, and Access Point are also backwards compatible with all 802.11b 11Mbps wireless products.
802.11b AdHoc wireless LAN configurations are appropriate for branch level departments or SOHO operations.
The 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card or PCI Adapter provides access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A group of 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card or PCI Adapter users and a 22 Mbps Wireless Access Point compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card or PCI Adapter in a BSS can talk to any computer in the wired LAN infrastructure through the 22 Mbps Wireless Access Point.
An Infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a PC to a wired LAN and doubles the effective wireless transmission range for two 22 Mbps Wireless PC Cards or PCI Adapters. Since the 22 Mbps Wireless Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled.
The use of a unique ID in a BSS is essential. Any PCs equipped with 22 Mbps Wireless PC Cards or PCI Adapters and configured without roaming options in an independent BSS must be configured with a BSS ID that corresponds to the 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card or PCI Adapter used in the BSS. Check your 22 Mbps Wireless PC Card or PCI Adapter for its BSS ID or use the Access Point Configuration Utility program to determine the BSS ID.
The Infrastructure 22 Mbps Wireless LAN configuration is appropriate for enterprise-scale 22 Mbps Wireless to a central database or as a wireless application for mobile users.
ROAMING
Infrastructure configuration also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). The continuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All 22 Mbps Wireless PC Cards, PCI Adapters, and 22 Mbps Wireless Access Points within one ESS must be configured with the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.
Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum Access Point position. Proper 22 Mbps Wireless Access Point positioning and a clear radio signal will greatly enhance the performance.
