3Com 3CRWE870075A User Guide - Page 11

INFRASTRUCTURE WIRELESS LAN FOR ROAMING WIRELESS PCS The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communications domain for each access point. For wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for the wireless card to the SSID of the access point to which you want to connect. A wireless infrastructure can also support roaming for mobile workers. More than one access point can be configured to create an Extended Service Set (ESS). By placing the access points so that a continuous coverage area is created, wireless users within this ESS can roam freely. Desktop PC Switch File Server Switch Notebook with Wireless PC Card Adapter Notebook with Wireless PC Card Adapter Access Point Access Point PC with Wireless PCI Adapter Seamless Roaming TERMINOLOGY Access Point-An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Ad Hoc-An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with LAN adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Backbone-The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that transports information from one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local system. Base Station-In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with the mobile radiotelephone sets within its range. In cellular and personal communications 11