17
Distribution System (WDS).
AP Client.
This mode is for
Dynamic
LAN-to-LAN Bridging. The AP Client automati-
cally establishes bridge links with APs from any vendors.
In either mode, the HD24613 forwards packets between its Ethernet interface and wireless interface
for wired hosts on the Ethernet side and wireless host(s) on the wireless side.
There are 2 types of wireless links as specified by the IEEE 802.11 standard.
STA-AP.
This type of wireless link is established between an IEEE 802.11 Station (STA)
and an IEEE 802.11 Access Point (AP). An STA is usually a client computer (PC or PDA)
with a WLAN network interface card (NIC). The AP Client mode is actually an STA.
WDS.
This type of wireless link is established between two IEEE 802.11 HD24613’s.
Wireless packets transmitted along the WDS link comply with the IEEE 802.11 WDS
(Wireless Distribution System) format at the link layer.
The relationships among the operational modes and the wireless link types are shown in the following
table:
AP/Bridge
AP Client
AP/Bridge
WDS STA-AP
AP Client
STA-AP
Table 2. Operational modes vs. wireless link types
To establish a
static
bridge link based on WDS, the AP/bridges at both end of the WDS link must be
manually
configured with each other’s MAC addresses (see Section 3.5.1.5 for more information). To
establish a
dynamic
bridge link between a HD24613 and an AP Client, both devices have to be confi-
gured with the same SSID and WEP settings. The AP Client automatically scans for any HD24613
that is using the matched SSID and establishes a bridge link with the scanned HD24613.
NOTE:
Although it’s more convenient to use dynamic bridging, it has a limitation—the AP Client
only can forward TCP/IP packets between its wireless interface and Ethernet interface; other type of
traffic (such as IPX and AppleTalk) is not forwarded.
TIP:
When the HD24613 is configured to be in AP Client, it can be used as an Ethernet-to-wireless
network adapter. For example, a notebook computer equipped with an Ethernet adapter can be con-
nected to this device with a crossover Ethernet cable for wireless connectivity to another access point.
