Cisco Cisco WAP200 Wireless-G Access Point - PoE Rangebooster Maintenance Manual

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions
Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet and Rangebooster
What IEEE 802.11g features are supported?
The product supports the following IEEE 802.11g functions: 
CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol 
OFDM protocol
Multi-Channel Roaming 
Automatic Rate Selection 
RTS/CTS feature 
Fragmentation
Power Management 
What is Ad-hoc?
 An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as an independent 
wireless LAN. An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
What is Infrastructure?
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is applicable to 
enterprise scale for wireless access to a central database, or wireless application for mobile workers.
What is roaming?
Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user to communicate continuously while moving freely throughout 
an area greater than that covered by a single Access Point. Before using the roaming function, the workstation 
must make sure that it is set to the same channel number as the Access Point of the dedicated coverage area. 
To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless LAN must incorporate a number of different functions. Each 
node and Access Point, for example, must always acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node must 
maintain contact with the wireless network even when not actually transmitting data. Achieving these functions 
simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technology that links Access Points and nodes. In such a 
system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates 
such factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currently being carried by each Access 
Point and the distance of each Access Point to the wired backbone. Based on that information, the node next 
selects the right Access Point and registers its address. Communications between end node and host computer 
can then be transmitted up and down the backbone.
As the user moves on, the end node’s RF transmitter regularly checks the system to determine whether it is in 
touch with the original Access Point or whether it should seek a new one. When a node no longer receives 
acknowledgment from its original Access Point, it undertakes a new search. Upon finding a new Access Point, it 
then re-registers, and the communication process continues.