Cisco WAP2000 User Guide - Page 6

Chapter 2 Planning Your Wireless Network Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one or more wireless adapters. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel to talk to each other. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with each other to form an ad-hoc network without the use of an access point. Linksys wireless adapters also provide access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired or wireless network via the access point or wireless router. An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be doubled (depending on antenna characteristics). Roaming Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they both share the same wireless security and SSID. Before you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance. NOTE: Spanning Tree Protocol should be disabled on the switches connecting to the APs to allow roaming to work without disruption. Network Layout The Access Point has been designed for use with 802.11g and 802.11b products, such as the Notebook Adapters for your laptop computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB Adapters for either a laptop or desktop. These wireless products can also communicate with a 802.11g or 802.11b Wireless Print Server. To link your wired network with your wireless network, connect the Access Point's Ethernet network port to any switch or router. Example of a Simple Wireless Network Internet Broadband Modem Switch or Router Wired Clients WAP2000 Wireless Access Point Wireless Clients Example of Simple Wireless Network The above diagram shows a typical infrastructure wireless network setup. The Wireless Access Point connects to a Linksys switch that provides power to the Access Point. The Access Point can connect multiple wireless devices to the network. This network will provide connectivity among wireless network devices and PCs that have a wired connection to the switch. The switch then can connect to a router that can connect to an ISP for Internet access. Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet