Linksys WRT54G - Manual (Page 12)

4 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
Dual-Band Wireless Access Point
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one Linksys wireless adapter. Computers in a
wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel.
The Linksys wireless adapters provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wireless
and wired LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A group of Linksys wireless adapter users and a
Wireless-G Broadband Router compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each Linksys wireless adapter PC in a BSS can
talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Wireless-G Broadband Router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a Linksys wireless adapter PC to a wired LAN, and
doubles the effective wireless transmission range for two Linksys wireless adapter PCs. Since the Wireless-G
Broadband Router is able to forward data within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN
is doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More than one BSS can be configured
as an Extended Service Set (ESS). This continuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All PCs
equipped with a Linksys wireless adapter within one ESS must be configured with the same ESS ID and use the
same radio channel.
Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, choosing a feasible radio channel and optimum Wireless-G
Broadband Router position is recommended. Proper router positioning combined with a clear radio signal will
greatly enhance performance.
Infrastructure: a wireless network
that is bridged to a wired network via
an access point.
LAN: the computers and networking
products that make up your local
network