Package Contents; System Requirements; Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network; Network Topology - Linksys WCF12 User Manual

Package Contents

• 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
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Instant Wireless
Figure 1-1
TM Series
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 wire-
less LAN must be configured to share the same SSID and other wireless set-
tings.
The Wireless CompactFlash Card provides LAN access for PDAs. An inte-
grated 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 wire-
less 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 infra-
structure LAN is doubled.
The use of a unique ID in a BSS is essential.
The wireless LAN infrastructure configuration is appropriate for enterprise-
scale, 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.
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