User's Manual

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About Wireless LAN Technology
● Choosing a WLAN
● Configuring a WLAN
● Identifying a WLAN
● Surveying the Site of Your WLAN
● Factors Affecting Range
● Stronger Security
A wireless network connects computers without using network cables. Computers use radio communications to
send data between each other. You can communicate directly with other wireless computers, or connect to an
existing network through a wireless access point. When you set up your wireless adapter, you select the
operating mode for the kind of wireless network you want. You can use your Intel(R) PRO/Wireless adapter to
connect to other similar wireless devices that comply with the 802.11 standard for wireless networking.
Choosing a Wireless LAN Mode
Wireless LANs can operate with or without access points, depending on the number of users in the network.
Infrastructure mode uses access points to allow wireless computers to send and receive information. Wireless
computers transmit to the access point, the access point receives the information and rebroadcasts it to other
computers. The access point can also connect to a wired network or to the Internet. Multiple access points can
work together to provide coverage over a wide area.
Peer-to-Peer mode, also called Ad Hoc mode, works without access points and allows wireless computers to
send information directly to other wireless computers. You can use Peer-to-Peer mode to network computers in
a home or small office or to set up a temporary wireless network for a meeting.