ORiNOCO Wireless Client
User Guide
Chapter 3 Wireless Topologies
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Chapter 3 Wireless Topologies
3-1 Introduction
ORiNOCO wireless products look and operate similar to Ethernet products. The only difference
is that a radio replaces the wire between communicating devices. This means that all of your
existing applications that operate over Ethernet will work with the ORiNOCO Wireless Client
without any special wireless networking software.
A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of operation. While each method has
its advantages, one of them may be better suited for your needs. Review the following
configurations to determine which mode is best for you.
3-2 Peer-to-Peer Group
A Peer-to-Peer group (also known as an
Ad-Hoc
network) is the simplest to deploy and is ideal
for small offices. Peer-to-Peer Group can be comprised of two or more wireless client configured
to communicate with one another. Peer-to-Peer Group clients communicate directly with each
other without using an access point (AP). As a user on this type of network, you are able to
quickly build up a wireless network in order to share files with other employees, print to a shared
office printer, and access the Internet through a single shared connection.
Ad-hoc networking is cost effective, because no other devices components are needed (such as
access points, hubs or routers) in order to setup a network. However, with Ad-Hoc networking,
your computer is only able to communicate with other nearby wireless clients.
By using the off-the-shelf peer-to-peer network operating systems, each computer can
dynamically connect and reconnect to the others with no additional configuration, as illustrated in
Figure 3-1.
