User`s guide

Introduction
1- 5
Terminology
When configuring your system, and when reading this
manual, keep in mind the following terminology:
Infrastructure – The wireless infrastructure is the
communications system that combines Aironet Access
Points, mobile stations and fixed stations. Aironet Access
Points within the infrastructure can be either root units,
which are physically wired to the LAN backbone, or can act
as wireless repeaters. Other RF enabled devices serve as
fixed stations or mobile stations.
Cell – A single Aironet Access Point transmits and receives
data within an area called a cell. A cell is the area of radio
range (coverage) in which the Access Point can
communicate to other devices in the wireless infrastructure.
The size of a single cell depends upon the speed of the
transmission, the type of antennas used, the physical
environment as well as other factors. The size of the entire
coverage area for the wireless infrastructure can be
increased by adding Access Points, thus adding cells.
Root Unit – The root unit is an Aironet Access Point that is
located at the top, or starting point, of a wireless
infrastructure. The root unit provides the physical connection
to the wired LAN (such as Ethernet) and contains
configuration information in its association table that covers
all stations in the infrastructure.
Repeater – A repeater is an Aironet Access Point that
extends the radio range of the infrastructure. A repeater is
not physically attached to the wired LAN, but communicates
via radio to another Access Point, which is either a root unit
or another repeater.