NetComm NP5400 - Manual (Page 4)

www.netcomm.com.au Rev. 1 - YML668
Page 4 NP5400 11g Wireless Access Point User Guide
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one Instant Wireless Series
adapter. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel.
The Instant Wireless Series adapters provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations.
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A group of
Instant Wireless Series adapter users and an Instant Wireless 11g Wireless Access Point
compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each Instant Wireless Series adapter PC in a BSS can talk to
any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the 11g Wireless Access Point.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an Instant Wireless Series adapter PC
to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wireless transmission range for two Instant Wireless
Series adapter PCs. Since the 11g Wireless Access Point 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 an Instant Wireless Series 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
11g Wireless Access Point position is recommended. Proper Access Point positioning combined
with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.