3Com WL-560 - Manual (Page 13)

Network Configuration and Planning 7
Consider 802.11g when you need wider coverage and vendor
compatibility and you are:
■ Maintaining support for existing 802.11b users and the existing
wireless investment while providing for expansion into 802.11g.
■
Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges,
gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees
compatibility among vendors.
■ Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee shops or
university cafeterias.
Network
Configuration and
Planning The Bridge can operate in either infrastructure or ad-hoc mode, and can
support a stand-alone wireless network configuration or an integrated
configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
Operating in infrastructure mode and connected to an Ethernet hub, a
single Bridge can combine up to 16 client devices—such as computers
with network adapters and printers—into a multiclient workgroup. The
workgroup associates with the wired network through a wireless LAN
access point such as the 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Access Point.
Infrastructure configurations extend your wireless LAN to devices that
would otherwise have to be connected to the wired network.
Operating in ad-hoc mode, two or more Bridges can associate among
themselves and communicate with one another at close range without an
access point. You may wish to set up an ad-hoc network, for example, if
a group is working away from the office, or if a group in the office needs
to share files apart from the wired LAN.