User's Manual

3
3. Wireless LAN Basics
Wireless LAN (Local Area Networks) systems
offer a great number of advantages over a
traditional, wired system. Wireless LANs
(WLANs) are more flexible, easier to setup and
manage and often more cost effective than their
wired equivalence.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology. WLANs
transmit and receive data over the air,
minimizing the need for wired connections.
Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with
user mobility, and, through simplified
configuration, enable movable LANs.
With wireless LANs, users can access shared
information without looking for a place to plug
in and network managers can set up or augment
networks without installing or moving wires.
Wireless LANs offer the following productivity,
convenience and cost advantages over traditional
wired networks.
• Mobility – Wireless LAN systems can provide
LAN users with access to real-time information
anywhere in their organization. This mobility
supports productivity and service opportunities
not possible with wired networks.
• Installation Speed and Simplicity – Installing a
wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and
can eliminate the need to pull cable through
walls and ceilings.
• Installation Flexibility – wireless technology
allows the network to go where wires cannot go.
• Reduced Cost-of-Ownership – While the initial
investment required for wireless LAN hardware
might be higher than the cost of wired LAN
hardware, overall installation expenses and life-
cycle costs will be significantly lower. Long-
term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic
environments requiring frequent moves, adds,
and changes.
• Scalability – Wireless LAN systems can be
configured in a variety of topologies to meet the
needs of specific applications and installations.
Configurations are easily changed and range
from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small
number of users to full infrastructure networks of
thousands of users that allows roaming over a
broad area.
4. Installation for Windows
95 / 98
The following section will assist you to installing
wireless LAN Adapter successfully. You will
first install software (driver) and then insert the
802CI3 wireless LAN card, and finally set the
network properties to accommodate resource
sharing and select the type of wireless network
that you wish to install. The 802CI3 can be
easily be installed and used, without bothering to
connect cables for keeping your computer to use
network resources, as in case of wired LAN.
4.1 Installation Overview
Here are some steps you will perform in
establishing your wireless network connection:
• Install the Access Point at first. AP is needed in
case of Infrastructure network mode.
• Install the software using the Installation
Diskette.
• Install the Wireless LAN Card (802CI3).
• Install the network protocol(s) required to
communicate on your network. Most
likely you will need the TCP/IP
protocol.