11
I
NFRASTRUCTURE
W
IRELESS
LAN
FOR
R
OAMING
W
IRELESS
PC
S
The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communications domain for each access point.
For wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier
(SSID) for the wireless card to the SSID of the access point to which you want
to connect. A wireless infrastructure can also support roaming for mobile
workers. More than one access point can be configured to create an Extended
Service Set (ESS). By placing the access points so that a continuous coverage area
is created, wireless users within this ESS can roam freely.
T
ERMINOLOGY
Access Point
—An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and
wireless networks.
Ad Hoc
—An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with LAN
adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN.
Backbone
—The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network
that transports information from one central location to another central location
where it is unloaded onto a local system.
Base Station
—In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio
transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with the mobile
radiotelephone sets within its range. In cellular and personal communications
File
Server
Switch
Desktop PC
Access Point
<BSS2>
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter
Seamless Roaming
<ESS>
Switch
Access Point
<BSS1>
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter
