3Com 3CRWE825075A-US User Guide - Page 9

o Supporting a dense user base confined to a small coverage area. Because 802.11a has a greater number of non-overlapping channels, you can pack more access points in a tighter space. NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING The wireless solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration as well as an integrated configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs. The wireless network cards, adapters, and access point can be configured as: o Ad hoc for departmental or SOHO LAN o Infrastructure for wireless LAN o Infrastructure wireless LAN for roaming wireless PCs AD HOC WIRELESS LAN An ad hoc wireless LAN consists of a group of computers, each equipped with a wireless adapter, connected via radio signals as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in a specific ad hoc wireless LAN must therefore be configured to the same radio channel. An ad hoc wireless LAN can be used for a branch office or SOHO operation. Ad Hoc Wireless LAN Notebook with Wireless USB Adapter Notebook with Wireless PC Card PC with Wireless PCI Adapter INFRASTRUCTURE WIRELESS LAN The access point can also provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wired/wireless LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN. Each wireless PC in this BSS can talk to any computer in its wireless group via a radio link, or access other computers or network resources in the wired LAN infrastructure via the access point. 9