User Manual

54Mbps 802.11g Wireless LAN Card
2
Wireless LAN Basics
This section conations some Wireless LAN basics to help you better understand how the
product work together to create a wireless network.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Simply put, a LAN is a network that exists in a relatively limited area. A network is two or
more computers connected together sharing files and peripheral devices such as printers.
The Wireless LAN Card allows you to interact with other computers without having to run
cables normally associated with networks. This lets you move your computer around while
staying connected to your network.
There are two ways to use the Wireless LAN Card. One way is to connect directly to one or
more Wireless LAN Card equipped computers, forming an Ad-Hoc wireless network. The
second way is to connect to an Access Point that gives you access to an existing wired LAN,
forming an Infrastructure wireless network.
Ad-Hoc Mode
The Ad-Hoc Group offers peer-to-peer connections between workstations, allowing
communication between computers within range that have an 802.11g DSSS compatible PC
card installed. A wireless Ad-Hoc network can also access a wired LAN’s TCP/IP service
(such as e-mail and the Internet) by using a TCP/IP software router on an Ethernet equipped
PowerBook or notebook.
Figure 1-1 Ad-Hoc Mode
Infrastructure Mode
The Infrastructure network uses an AP or several APs as a gateway, linking the wireless
network to a wired LAN. As a result, portable workstations or desktops on your wireless
network have access to all of the features of your wired LAN including e-mail, Internet
access, network printers and files server.