BL4S200 User’s Manual
139
Once the access point is discovered, the device will logically join the access point and
announce itself. Once joined, the device can transmit and receive data packets much like
an Ethernet-based MAC. Being in a joined state is akin to having link status in a
10/100Base-T network.
802.11b/g interface cards implement all of the 802.11b/g low-level configurations in firm-
ware. In fact, the 802.11b/g default configuration is often sufficient for a device to join an
access point automatically, which it can do once enabled. Commands issued to the chip set
in the interface allow a host program to override the default configurations and execute
functions implemented on the interface cards, for example, scanning for hosts and access
points.
6.1.2 Ad-Hoc Mode
In the ad-hoc mode, each device can set a channel number and an SSID to communicate
with. If devices are operating on the same channel and SSID, they can talk with each
other, much like they would on a wired LAN such as an Ethernet. This works fine for a
few devices that are statically configured to talk to each other, and no access point is
needed.
6.1.3 Additional Information
802.11 Wireless Networking
; published by O'Reilly Media, provides further information about
802.11b wireless networks.
