3Com 3CRWE675075-UK User Guide - 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. Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine