Siemens 11 - Manual (Page 5)

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The Gigaset USB Adapter 11
Gigaset USB Adapter 11 / en / A31008-E105-B102-1-7619 / introduction.fm / 06.12.2002
Wireless LAN Basics
This section contains some wireless LAN basics to help you better understand how the
Gigaset USB Adapter 11 works to create a wireless network.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Simply put, a LAN is a network that exists in a relatively limited area. A network is two
or more computers connected together, sharing files and peripheral devices such as
printers.
The Gigaset USB Adapter 11 allows you to interact with other computers without having
to run cables normally associated with networks. This lets you move your computer
around while staying connected to your network.
There are two ways to use the Gigaset USB Adapter 11. One way is to connect directly
to one or more wireless network adapter equipped computers, forming an ad hoc wire-
less network. The second way is to connect to an Access Point that gives you access to
an existing wired LAN, forming an infrastructure wireless network.
Ad Hoc Network
The ad hoc network offers peer-to-peer connections between workstations, allowing
communication between computers within range that have an IEEE 802.11b DSSS com-
patible PC card installed. A wireless ad hoc network can also access a wired LAN’s TCP/
IP service (such as e-mail and the Internet) by using a TCP/IP software router on an Eth-
ernet equipped PC.
Infrastructure Network
The infrastructure network uses an access point (or several access points) as a gateway,
linking the wireless network to a wired LAN. As a result, portable workstations or desk-
tops on your wireless network have access to all of the features of your wired LAN
including e-mail, Internet access, network printers and file servers.
Roaming
Multiple Access Points can be installed to extend the wireless service coverage area for
seamless wireless access. Within an extended service area, all Access Points and wire-
less network adapters must have the same Service Set Identity (SSID). Roaming
between different Access Points is controlled automatically to maintain the wireless
connectivity at all times.