User Manual

32
Planning Your Wireless Netw ork
Ne t w ork Topology
A wireless LAN is exactly like a regular LAN, except that each computer in the
LAN uses an Instant Wireless™ Wireless PCI Card to connect to the network
using no wires. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the
same radio channel.
The Instant Wireless™ Wireless PCI Card provides LAN access for wireless
workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure
configuration. A group of Wireless PCI Card users and an Access Point com-
pose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each PC equipped with an Wireless PCI Card
in a BSS can talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Access
Point.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an Wireless PCI
Card PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wireless transmission range
for two Wireless PCI Card PCs. Since the Access Point is able to forward data
within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is
doubled.
The use of a unique ID in a Basic Service Set is essential.
The Wireless LAN Infrastructure configuration is appropriate for enterprise-
scale wireless access to a central database, or as a wireless application for
mobile users.
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More
than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). This con-
tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All Wireless PCI
Card PCs within one Extende Service Set must be configured with the same
SSID.
Selecting a feasible radio channel and optimum Access Point position is rec-
ommended. Proper Access Point positioning combined with a clear radio sig-
nal will greatly enhance performance.
Roam ing
• One Instant Wireless
TM
Wireless PCI Card
• One Setup CD-ROM (Manual on CD)
• Quick Installation Guide and Registration Card (not shown)
• One Free PCI Slot
• Windows 95, 98, Millennium, NT or 2000
• 600 Kbytes of free disk space for utility and driver installation
Pa cka ge Conte nts
Syst em Re quire ments
Instant Wireless
TM
Series
Wireless PCI Card