User's Manual

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About Wireless LANs
9
This chapter provides some background information about using Wireless LANs (WLANs).
Modes
Wireless LANs can work in either of two (2) modes:
• Ad-hoc
• Infrastructure
Adhoc Mode
Ad-hoc mode does not require an Access Point or a wired (Ethernet) LAN. Wireless Stations (e.g. notebook PCs
with wireless cards) communicate directly with each other.
Infrastructure Mode
In Infrastructure Mode, one or more Access Points are used to connect Wireless Stations (e.g. Notebook PCs
with wireless cards) to a wired (Ethernet) LAN. The Wireless Stations can then access all LAN resources.
A
ccess Points can only function in "Infrastructure" mode, and can communicate only with
W
ireless Stations which are set to "Infrastructure" mode.
BSS/ESS
BSS
A group of Wireless Stations and a single Access Point, all using the same ID (SSID), form a Basic Service Set
(BSS).
Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to communicate with each other.
ESS
A group of Wireless Stations, and multiple Access Points, all using the same ID (ESSID), form an Extended
Service Set (ESS).
Different Access Points within an ESS can use different Channels. In fact, to reduce interference, it is
recommended that adjacent Access Points SHOULD use different channels.
As Wireless Stations are physically moved through the area covered by an ESS, they will automatically change to the
Access Point which has the least interference or best performance. This capability is called Roaming. (Access