User's Manual

LAN-Express IEEE 802.11 Wireless Adapter User Guide
Chapter 3 Wireless Topologies 21
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 3-2 for example.
Figure 3-2 Access Point Network
You can use the LAN-Express IEEE 802.11 Wireless Adapter 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.