User's Manual

4
SECTION 2. Network Applications
There are two types of networks used with the WL2400-ISA and WL2400-PCM: StructureNet
and Instawave. The number of computers connected, Ethernet installation, and the desired
network application determine the type of network.
2.1 Instawave
tm
Vs StructureNet
tm
Operation
The AP-2 Access Point gives you the option of operating in “Instawave” mode (default) or
“StructureNet” mode. A description of these two modes follows, as well as an explanation of
the advantages of each compared to the other. This information should enable you to decide
which mode to use. Generally, it is not a good idea to mix modes. We recommend that all
access points in your installation be set to the same mode.
IEEE802.11 defines two modes of operation: “ad hoc” mode and “infrastructure” mode. The
concept behind “ad-hoc” mode is that several wireless stations such as laptops can get
together in a local area such as a conference room and form a wireless network together.
This would enable the sharing of documents and collaborative working using applications such
as Microsoft’s NetMeeting. In ad-hoc mode all the operations are peer to peer, but cannot
communicate with an access point.
Infrastructure mode requires the use of an access point. In Infrastructure mode, all wireless
communication is between a station and an access point. There must be an operational
access point in the vicinity for a station to communicate. Even if there are two wireless
stations, they cannot communicate directly in the manner described for “ad-hoc” networks;
they must communicate with each other via the access point.
The AP-2 has a mode that has the attributes of “ad-hoc” operation, but also allows you to use
the Access Point to communicate with a wired LAN. This mode is called “Instawave
TM
” and is
the default mode of operation.
2.2 Advantage of Instawave
Instawave is very easy to set up. All the stations on a specific radio channel form a network if
they are within range of each other. The channel can be specified in the access point and on
the PCs or laptops. The default channel is 10.
Regardless of how many access points and stations there are in an area, they will
automatically form a network. The access points may be attached to the same LAN or they
may be on different LAN segments. The advantage of Instawave is that the most direct
communication path is taken automatically. If two stations wish to communicate peer-to-peer
they can do so. If the station wishes to communicate with a server on the LAN the correct
access point will accept the data and forward it to the LAN. If there are two or more access
points attached to the same LAN, the access points will determine which access point is used
automatically — the user does not need to intervene.