CyberTAN Technology Inc. CB001A Manuel D’Utilisation

 

Wireless LANs can be configured in one of two ways: 

 

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. 

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.