User's Manual

Network Topologies
19
Infrastructure Wireless LAN
The Wireless 802.11g/b Card can also provide wireless workstations with access to a wired
LAN. An integrated wired and wireless LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A
Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, 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 extends the effective wireless transmission range for wireless PCs by
passing their signals through one or more access points.
A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for connection
between mobile workers, as shown in the following figure.
File
Server
Switch
Desktop PC
Access Point
Wired LAN Extension
to Wireless Adapters
PC with Wireless
PC I Adapter
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter
BENQ.book Page 19 Friday, July 4, 2003 7:49 PM