User's Manual

April 2004 © 2003 Foundry Networks, Inc. 3-1
Chapter 3
Network Planning
Network Topologies
The wireless solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration as well as an integrated
configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
Wireless network cards, adapters, and access points can be configured as:
• Ad hoc for departmental, SOHO, or enterprise LANs
• Infrastructure for wireless LANs
• Infrastructure wireless LAN for roaming wireless PCs
The 802.11b and 802.11g frequency band which operates at 2.4 GHz can easily encounter
interference from other 2.4 GHz devices, such as other 802.11b or g wireless devices, cordless
phones and microwave ovens. If you experience poor wireless LAN performance, try the following
measures:
• Limit any possible sources of radio interference within the service area
• Increase the distance between neighboring access points
• Decrease the signal strength of neighboring access points
• Increase the channel separation of neighboring access points (e.g., up to 3 channels of
separation for 802.11b, up to 4 channels for 802.11a, or up to 5 channels for 802.11g)
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN (no AP or Bridge)
An ad hoc wireless LAN consists of a group of computers, each equipped with a wireless adapter,
connected via radio signals as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in a specific ad hoc
wireless LAN must therefore be configured to the same radio channel.