User's Manual

6
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.
T
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 WPC-360A provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options
include Fully 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 Fully Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your WPC-360A to
operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops below a
certain level, the WPC-360A 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 WPC-360A 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 WPC-360A
operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an
access point, use Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode.
A
D-HOC (IBSS) NETWORK