User's Manual

Network Configuration and Planning
16
Infrastructure Wireless LAN
The AP-2000 PC Card can also provide access to a wired LAN for wireless clients. An
integrated wired/wireless LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service
Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PCs, and an access point that is directly
connected to the wired LAN. Each wireless PC in this BSS can talk to any computer in its
wireless group via a radio link, or access other computers or network resources in the
wired LAN infrastructure via the access point.
The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs to the
wired LAN, but also increases the effective wireless transmission range for wireless PCs
by passing their signal through one or more access points.
A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for connecting
mobile workers, as shown in the following figure.
File
Server
Switch
Desktop PC
Access Point
<BSS2>
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter
Seamless Roaming
<ESS>
Switch
Access Point
<BSS1>
PC with Wireless
PC I Adapter
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter