Linksys WCF12 User Guide - Page 4

Instant WirelessTM Series Package Contents Figure 1-1 • One Instant Wireless™ CompactFlash Card • One Setup CD-ROM including Drivers and User Guide • One Quick Installation • One Registration Card System Requirements • One Computer with the following: • Pentium Class 200MHz or Faster Processor • CD-ROM Drive • 64MB RAM (recommended) • Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP (to load drivers) • Microsoft ActiveSync Utility • PDA with Windows CE 3.0 or Higher and Available Type I CompactFlash Slot 2 Wireless CompactFlash Card Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless LAN is exactly like a regular LAN, except that each Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) equipped with a Wireless CompactFlash Card can connect to the network using no wires. All points (including PDAs) in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the same SSID and other wireless settings. The Wireless CompactFlash Card provides LAN access for PDAs. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an infrastructure network. A group of wireless users and an Access Point comprise a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each PDA equipped with a Wireless CompactFlash Card in a BSS can talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Access Point. The Wireless CompactFlash Card also allows you to synchronize your PDA through a wireless connection. An infrastructure network extends the accessibility of a Wireless CompactFlash Card PDA to a wired LAN, and it doubles the effective wireless transmission range for two Wireless CompactFlash Card PDAs. Since the Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled. The use of a unique ID in a BSS is essential. The wireless LAN infrastructure configuration is appropriate for enterprisescale, wireless access to a central database, or as a wireless application for mobile users. Roaming Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More than one BSS can be configured to work as an Extended Service Set (ESS). This continuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All Wireless CompactFlash Card PDAs within one ESS must be configured with the same SSID and other wireless settings. Optimum position for the Access Point is recommended. Proper Access Point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance. 3