SysKonnect Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter SK-54C1 - Manual (Page 53)

SysKonnect SK-54C1 Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter
5 Features
The SysKonnect SK-54C1 Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter is comprised of highly integrated
Marvell 802.11g/b chipsets. The chipsets consist of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver and an
integrated MAC/Baseband WLAN client System-on-Chip device. Marvell chipset solutions are
compliant with the IEEE 802.11g/b standard and support point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
access that seamlessly connect to wired Ethernet and PC network LANs.
Wireless Modes
The SysKonnect Cardbus Adapter operates similar to Ethernet adapters except that a radio
replaces the wires between communication devices. All existing applications that operate
over Ethernet will operate over a SysKonnect wireless network without any modification or
need for special wireless networking software.
The adapter supports the following network technologies:
• Ad-hoc (peer-to-peer group) mode
• (Access Point, AP) Infrastructure mode
Ad-hoc Mode
In Ad-hoc mode (also referred to as peer-to-peer mode), wireless clients send and receive in-
formation to and from other wireless clients without using an access point. In comparison to
Infrastructure mode, this type of WLAN connection only contains wireless clients. Ad-hoc
mode is useful for establishing a network where wireless infrastructure does not exist or
where services are not required. Two or more computers can establish an Ad-hoc network
when within range of one another. Each computer dynamically connects to one another with-
out additional configuration. Ad-hoc mode is used to network computers at home or in small
offices. It is also used to set up a temporary wireless network for meetings.
Infrastructure Mode
In Infrastructure mode, wireless devices communicate with other wireless devices or devices
on the LAN side wired network through access points. When communicating through wired
networks, Cardbus adapters send and receive information through access points (APs). The
access point receives the information and redirects it to clients, which then receive the infor-
mation.
Access points are typically strategically located within an area to provide optimal coverage for
wireless clients. A large WLAN uses multiple access points to provide coverage over a wide
area. Access points connect to a LAN through a wired Ethernet connection. Access points
send and receive information from the LAN through this wired connection. Most corporate
WLANs operate in Infrastructure mode because they require access to the wired LAN in order
to use services such as file servers or printers.