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The Giga762SX WLAN dsl
Giga762SX WLAN dsl / eng / A31008-M705-W171-1x-5819 / introduction.fm / 02.07.2008
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Wireless local area network (WLAN)
In a wireless local area network (WLAN), PCs are linked without wires or cables. The PCs
have to be equipped with a wireless local area network adapter (WLAN adapter), for
example a Gigaset USB Adapter 54.
We generally differentiate between two types of wireless network:
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Infrastructure mode
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Ad-hoc mode
Infrastructure mode
Infrastructure mode connects wireless and wired networks with one another. In addi-
tion to the mobile stations, infrastructure mode needs an access point such as the
Giga762SX WLAN dsl. In infrastructure mode, the stations in the network always com-
municate via this access point. The access point sets up the wireless network on a per-
manent basis. Each station that wants to be part of the wireless network must first reg-
ister with the access point before it can exchange data.
The access point establishes the connection between the mobile stations of a wireless
network and a wired LAN (Ethernet) or the Internet. In this case this is described as the
device's router functionality. The router sends data packets that are not addressed to sta-
tions within the network "outside" and forwards data packets originating from "outside"
to the appropriate station within the network.
You can use the Giga762SX WLAN dsl to connect
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wirelessly networked PCs to the Internet and
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wirelessly networked PCs to an Ethernet network.
Infrastructure mode is the default configuration for the Giga762SX WLAN dsl.
Ad-hoc mode
An ad-hoc network is a wireless network that has been configured without an access
point or a router. The mobile network components that communicate with each other
directly and wirelessly form the network on an "ad-hoc" basis, i.e. as and when required.
All the stations in the network have the same rights. Ad-hoc networks are used wher-
ever communications networks have to be set up quickly and there is no existing net-
work infrastructure, and where the participants are on the move.