User Manual

Wireless LAN Networking

This section provides background information on wireless LAN networking technology. Consult

the “

Glossary” for definitions of the terminology used in this section.

HE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. CHANGING

NETWORK SETTINGS AND PARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD ONLY

BE DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATOR.

Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate)

The WAP-200A provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options

include Best (Auto), 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 22

Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps and 54 Mbps. In most networking scenarios, the factory

default Best (Auto) setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your WAP-200A to

operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops below a

certain level, the WAP-200A automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate.

Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the communication

quality improves again, the WAP-200A gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again until it

reaches the highest available transmission rate.

Types of Wireless Networks

Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In infra-

structure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each access

point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set

(ESS) is two or more BSSs in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as peer-to-peer

mode), wireless devices communicate with each other directly and do not use an access point.

This is an Independent BSS (IBSS).

To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using access points, set the WAP-200A

operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an

access point, use Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode.

D-HOC (IBSS) NETWORK

Ad-hoc mode does not require an access point or a wired network. Two or more wireless stations

communicate directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS).