User's Manual

10
SMCD3GNV5 Administrator Manual
Wireless LAN Modes
Wireless LANs can be configured in one of two ways:
1. Ad-hoc Networking
Also known as a peer-to-peer network, an
ad-hoc network is one that allows all workstations
and computers in the network to act as servers to all other users on the network. Users on the
network can
share files, print to a shared printer, and access the Internet with a shared modem.
However, with
ad-hoc networking, users can only communicate with other wireless LAN
computers that are in the wireless
LAN workgroup, and are within range.
2. Infrasture Networking
Infrastructure networking differs from ad-hoc networking in that it includes an access point.
Unlike the ad-hoc structure where users on the LAN contend the shared bandwidth, on an
infrastructure network
the access point can manage the bandwidth to maximize bandwidth
utilization.
Additionally, the access point enables users on
a wireless LAN to access an existing wired
network, allowing wireless users to take advantage of the wired networks resources, such as
Internet, email,
file transfer, and printer sharing.
Infrastructure networking has the following advantages over ad-hoc networking:
• Extended range: each wireless LAN
computer within the range of the access point can
communicate with other wireless LAN computers within range of the access point.
•
Roaming: the access point enables a wireless LAN computer to move through a building
and
still be connected to the LAN.
• Wired to
wireless LAN connectivity: the access point bridges the gap between wireless
LANs
and their wired counterparts.