MRV Communications MRW55, User Manual

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Network Configuration
2-2
2
Infrastructure Wireless LAN
The access point function of the wireless bridge provides access to a wired LAN for
802.11a/b/g wireless workstations. An integrated wired/wireless LAN is called an
Infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of
wireless PC users and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN.
Each wireless PC in a BSS can connect to any computer in its wireless group or
access other computers or network resources in the wired LAN infrastructure
through the access point.
The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs to
the wired LAN, but also increases the effective wireless transmission range for
wireless PCs by passing their signals through one or more access points.
A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for
connection between mobile workers, as shown in the following figure.
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
Notebook with
Wireless USB Adapter
Notebook with
Wireless PC Card
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
Server
Switch
Desktop PC
Access Point
Wired LAN Extension
to Wireless Clients
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter