Network Card User Manual

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Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for MS-DOS
OL-1744-02
Chapter 1 Overview
System Configurations
Wireless Infrastructure
In a wireless infrastructure (Figure 1-2), an access point is used as a stand alone root unit. The root unit
is not attached to any wired LAN (such as an Ethernet LAN), but functions as a hub linking all stations
together. This configuration is similar to the ad hoc network, except that the access point serves as the
focal point for communications. This increases the effective communication range over the ad hoc LAN
because both stations are not required to be in direct communication range of each other.
Figure 1-2 Wireless Infrastructure
Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN
A micro-cellular network can be created by placing two or more access points on a LAN (Figure 1-3).
The roaming protocols allow remote workstations to move from one microcell domain to another. The
process is seamless and transparent. The connection to the file server or host is maintained without
disruption. This configuration is useful with portable or mobile stations, allowing them to be directly
connected to the wired network even while moving about (roaming). When an infrastructure is
configured by using multiple access points and repeaters, a mobile station is automatically associated
and re-associated to the access point which provides the best performance. This is referred to as seamless
roaming.
Access Point
(Root Unit)
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