User's Manual

InstantWave High Speed PCI/PC Card 3
Glossary
Wireless Network
In the IEEE 802.11b definition, a wireless network is classified as an Ad-Hoc
network or an Infrastructure network.
Ad-Hoc Network
An Ad-Hoc network is formed by a number of wireless stations (without an Access
Point) communicating via radio waves. For the users, the shared resources on the
wireless network appear exactly as they would on a regular wired network. The
wireless operation of the network is totally transparent. Figure 1 depicts a typical
Ad-Hoc network scenario.
FIGURE 1. AN AD-HOC NETWORK
Infrastructure Network
An Infrastructure network is formed by several stations and one Access Point(AP),
with the stations within range of the AP. Figure 2 depicts a typical Infrastructure
network topology.
FIGURE 2. AN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK
Server
Wired Computers
Access Point
Wireless Computers (PCI/PC Card)
Wireless Stations