User's Manual

6
by installing one or more Access Points on the Ethernet network. Access Points
are devices that communicate with both the Ethernet network and the wireless
network.
An Access Point network is also referred to as an Infrastructure network.
The key difference between an Infrastructure network and an Ad-Hoc network is
the addition of one extra element—the Access Point. The Access Point serves as
the focal point for all data traffic on your wireless network, optimally managing
all wireless data transactions.
Additionally, the wireless Infrastructure can provide access to an existing
wired LAN. This link allows computers on the wireless LAN to access the other
wired LAN’s resources and tools, including Internet access, email delivery, file
transfer, and printer sharing. See Figure 2 for example.
Figure 2 Access Point Network
You can use the Wireless Router For ADSL to communicate with 802.11g Access
Points, 802.11b Access Points, or a combination of Access Point types. The
wireless adapter is compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b Access Points from any
vendor.
3.2.1 Roaming Among Multiple APs
For larger environments, the Wireless Router For ADSL may roam from one
Access Point to another while maintaining the same network connection. The
Access Points establish coverage areas or cells similar in concept to those of a
cellular phone network. The card will connect to any Access Point that is within
range.
The Wireless Router For ADSL supports both roaming between APs of the
same type (for example, from one 802.11b AP to another) and roaming between
APs of different types (for example, from an 802.11b AP to an 802.11g AP).
Figure 3 illustrates roaming between APs of different radio types: