User`s guide

Introduction
BreezeNET PRO.11 Series
1-13
User’s Guide
1.4 BreezeNET PRO.11 Functional Description
BreezeNET PRO.11 units add wireless functionality to existing Ethernet LANs.
1.4.1 Quick Review of Ethernet
Standard Ethernet LAN stations are wired to a common bus. When one of the
stations sends a message, it assigns a destination address to the message and sends
the message on the bus. All stations on the bus “hear” the message, but only the
station with the matching address processes the message.
1.4.2 Startup Procedure
When wireless units (other than the AP-10) start up, they scan the frequencies for
an AP-10. If an active AP-10 is in range, the units synchronize with it. The
addresses associated with the units are registered in the AP-10 (the registration
process is different for each unit type). From then on, the units can send and receive
messages to and from the wired LAN.
1.4.3 AP-10 Access Point
The AP-10 Access Point is connected to a wired Ethernet LAN, and it keeps a list
of known stations on its wireless side. When an AP-10 “hears” a message that is
destined for a wireless station, the AP-10 forwards the message wirelessly to the
station. If the message has a destination address that the AP-10 does not recognize,
the AP-10 ignores the message.
The AP-10 continuously “listens” for wireless messages as well. When the AP-10
“hears” a wireless message destined for another wireless unit, it relays the message
directly to the wireless unit without forwarding the message to the wired LAN.
When the AP-10 “hears” a wireless message the destination of which is not on the
wireless LAN, it forwards the message to the wired LAN. Messages cannot be sent
directly between wireless stations without an AP-10 to relay the message.