Apple AirPort Card - Manual (Page 4)

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How AirPort Works
In a traditional network, computers are connected through a series of wires that transfer
information between the different computers on the network. With AirPort, data is transferred
between computers over a wireless network using radio waves.
There are two ways to create a wireless network. When two or more AirPort-equipped
computers are in range of one another, they can use AirPort to communicate directly. This
connection is known as a “computer-to-computer” AirPort connection.
You can create a more permanent wireless network using a device known as a “base station.”
In this kind of network, all wireless communication goes through the base station to other
computers on the network or to the Internet.
How AirPort Provides Wireless Internet Access
The following are ways that you can use AirPort technology to provide Internet access to
AirPort-equipped computers:
m Connect an AirPort Base Station (available from your Apple-authorized dealer or The Apple
Store at www.apple.com/store) to an existing network that already has Internet access, such
as in a school or small office.
m Connect a telephone line, cable modem, or DSL modem to an AirPort Base Station. The
AirPort Base Station establishes an Internet connection and also creates a wireless network
though which multiple computers can get access to the Internet.
m Share the Internet connection (phone line, cable modem, or DSL) of a single AirPort-
equipped computer with other wireless-equipped computers. When the other computers
need to access the Internet, all information passes through the computer with the Internet
connection.
Note: To use AirPort to access the Internet, you must have an account with an Internet service
provider (ISP). In addition, you need to have a traditional way to access the Internet, either
through a phone line, cable, or DSL modem.
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