User guide

Odyssey Access Client User Guide
96  802.11 Wireless Networking
802.11 Wireless Networking
There are many types of wireless communication. Odyssey Access Client is
designed to work over networks that adhere to the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN
standards, as well as the Wi-Fi Alliance enhancements to these standards.
Many corporations deploy secure wireless 802.11 networks and 802.11 networks
are commonly found in hotels, airports, and other “hotspots” as a means of
Internet access.
Types of 802.11 Wireless Networks
Your wireless adapter (network interface card) enables you to connect to wireless
networks of two types: access point networks and peer-to-peer networks.
Access Point Networks
Access point networking is the most common type of wireless networking,
providing wireless access to a corporate network and the Internet.
In this type of wireless network, your PC establishes a wireless connection to a
device called an access point. The access point links your wireless PC to the rest of
the network. An access point provides general network connectivity for many PCs.
A single network can include many access points. Each access point typically has a
range of several hundred feet. An enterprise that uses wireless networking can
strategically place access points so that, wherever you are located in the company,
you are always within range of an access point that can link you to the corporate
network.
You may find access points at other locations outside of your company building. For
example, you might find access points at hotels, airports, or Internet cafes, or you
might have your own access point on your home network. Some of these locations
require that you log in. Others might provide network access to anyone within
range.
When you connect to a network via an access point, you are using the 802.11
infrastructure mode. See “Specify the Network Type” on page 74 and “Specifying a
Network Type” on page 60 for information about configuring infrastructure network
connections.
Peer-to-Peer Networks
Even when no access point is available, two or more wireless clients can use
peer-to-peer networking to create a private wireless network. You might want to do
this to share files, run groupware applications, or play games. The peer-to-peer
network requires no additional equipment beyond a set of two or more
wireless-enabled PCs that are located within range of each other. As a result, this
networking mode does not involve an authentication server and cannot use
802.1X-based authentication.