Chapter 2 Designing Your Wireless Network
There are three different modes which you can set up the Wireless Client Bridge in the
building-to-building wireless network: AP mode, Point to Point mode, and Point to
Multipoint mode. The following describes how the three different modes work:
2.1 AP mode (Regular Access Point Mode)
You can configure the Wireless Client Bridge as Access Point through the web-based
user Interface configuration. Users with a wireless Client device with in range can
connect to the Wireless Client Bridge/Access Point to access the Local Area Network.
2.2 Point to Point Connectivity (Ad-hoc Mode)
This is the simplest network configuration that several computers equipped with the PC
cards or client bridges that form a wireless network whenever they are within range of
one another. In ad-hoc mode, each client is linked peer-to-peer and would only have
access to the resources of the other client, this requires no access point. This is the
easiest and least expensive way for the SOHO to set up a wireless network.
2.3 Point to Multi-point Connectivity (Infrastructure Mode)
The infrastructure mode requires the use of an access point (AP). In this mode, all
wireless communication between two computers has to be via the AP whether the AP
is wired to an Ethernet network or stands alone. If used as a stand-alone, the AP can
extend the range of independent wireless LANs by acting a repeater, which effectively
doubles the distance between wireless stations
.
If wired to an Ethernet network, the AP serves as a bridge and provides the link
between the server and the wireless clients. The wireless clients can move freely
throughout the coverage area of the AP while remaining connected to the Local Area
Network. Since the AP is connected to the wired network, each client would have
access to the network resources as well as to other clients.
In a very large facility such as an enterprise, a warehouse, or on a college campus, it
will probably be necessary to install more than one access point to cover an entire
building or campus. In this scenario, access points hand the client off from one to
another in a way that is invisible to the client, ensuring unbroken connectivity.
Wireless clients can roam seamlessly between different coverage areas and remain
connected to the network.
