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

Package Contents

• One Instant Wireless TM Wireless Network Access Point
• One AC Power Adapter
• One Setup CD-ROM (with User Guide)
• One Quick Installation and Registration Card (not shown)
• Two Detachable Antennae

System Requirements

• A Windows 95, 98, Millennium, NT version 4.0, 2000, or XP PC
• 2MB of free disk space for utility installation
• An Ethernet Adapter with RJ-45 Connection
• One CD-ROM Drive
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Instant Wireless
Figure 1-1
Series Wireless Network Access Point
TM
Chapter 2: Planning Your
Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one Instant
Wireless™ Series adapter. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured
to share the same radio channel.
The Instant Wireless™ Series adapters provide access to a wired LAN for wire-
less workstations.
Infrastructure configuration. A group of Instant Wireless™ Series adapter
users and an Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network Access Point compose a
Basic Service Set (BSS). Each Instant Wireless™ Series adapter PC in a BSS
can talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Instant
Wireless™ Wireless Network Access Point.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an Instant
Wireless™ Series adapter PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wire-
less transmission range for two Instant Wireless™ Series adapter PCs. Since
the Wireless Network Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, the
effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More
than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). This con-
tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All PCs equipped
with an Instant Wireless™ Series adapter within one ESS must be configured
with the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.
Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, choosing a feasible radio
channel and optimum Wireless Network Access Point position is recommend-
ed. Proper Wireless Network Access Point positioning combined with a clear
radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an
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