Chapter 2 introduction, Chapter 2, Introduction – NETGEAR ME103 User Manual

Page 15

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Introduction

2-1

August 2003

Chapter 2

Introduction

This chapter introduces the NETGEAR ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point. Minimal
prerequisites for installation are presented in

“System Requirements” on page 2-5

.

About the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

The ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point is the basic building block of a wireless LAN
infrastructure. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped
wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices.

The ME103 provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed
range or area of coverage, interacting with a wireless network interface card (NIC) via an antenna.
Typically, an individual in-building access point provides a maximum connectivity area with about
a 300 foot radius. The ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point can support a small group
of users in a range of several hundred feet. Most access points are rated between 30-70 users
simultaneously.

The ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point acts as a bridge between the wired LAN and
wireless clients. Connecting multiple ME103 Access Points via a wired Ethernet backbone can
further lengthen the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the
range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely
roam from one Access Point to another and still maintain seamless connection to the network.

The auto-sensing capability of the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point allows packet
transmission at up to 11Mbps, or at reduced speeds to compensate for distance or electromagnetic
noise interference.

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