User's Manual

hwc_intro.fm

A31003-W1050-U100-2-7619, March 2008

HiPath Wireless Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software V5 R1 , C20/C2400 User Guide

Overview of the Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software solution

Conventional wireless LANS

2 Overview of the Controller, Access Points and

Convergence Software solution

This chapter describes HiPath Controller, Access Points and Convergence

Software concepts, including:

• Conventional wireless LANS

• Elements of the Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software

solution

• Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software and your network

• System Configuration Overview

The next generation of Siemens wireless networking devices provides a truly

scalable WLAN solution. Siemens Wireless APs are fit access points controlled

through a sophisticated network device, the HiPath Wireless Controller. This

solution provides the security and manageability required by enterprises and

service providers.

The Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software system is a highly

scalable Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) solution developed by Siemens.

Based on a third generation WLAN topology, the Controller, Access Points and

Convergence Software system makes wireless practical for service providers as

well as medium and large-scale enterprises.

The Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software system provides a

secure, highly scalable, cost-effective solution based on the IEEE 802.11

standard. The system is intended for enterprise networks operating on multiple

floors in more than one building, and is ideal for public environments, such as

airports and convention centers that require multiple access points.

This chapter provides an overview of the fundamental principles of the Controller,

Access Points and Convergence Software system.

2.1 Conventional wireless LANS

Wireless communication between multiple computers requires that each

computer is equipped with a receiver/transmitter—a WLAN Network Interface

Card (NIC)—capable of exchanging digital information over a common radio

frequency. This is called an ad hoc network configuration. An ad hoc network

configuration allows wireless devices to communicate together. This setup is

defined as an independent basic service set (IBSS).

An alternative to the ad hoc configuration is the use of an access point. This may

be a dedicated hardware bridge or a computer running special software.

Computers and other wireless devices communicate with each other through this