Wireless Home Networking - Index of

Figure 2-7:
The two
wireless
computers
in this
network
communicate
through
the AP in
infrastructure
mode.
Infrastructure mode
When a wireless station (such as a PC or a Mac) communicates with other
computers or devices through an AP, the wireless station is operating in infrastructure
mode. The station uses the network infrastructure to reach another
computer or device rather than communicate directly with the other computer
or device. Figure 2-7 shows a network that consists of a wireless network
segment with two wireless personal computers, and a wired network
segment with three computers. These five computers communicate through
the AP and the network infrastructure. The wireless computers in this network
are communicating in infrastructure mode.
Ad hoc mode
Whenever two wireless stations are close enough to communicate with each
other, they’re capable of establishing an ad hoc network: that is, a wireless
network that doesn’t use an AP. Theoretically, you could create a home network
out of wireless stations without the need for an AP. It’s more practical,
however, to use an AP because it facilitates communication between many
stations at once (as many as hundreds of stations simultaneously in a single
wireless network segment). In addition, an AP can create a connection, or
bridge, between a wireless network segment and a wired segment.
Wireless
PC
Wireless
PC
Access
point
Chapter 2: From a to n and b-yond
PC
Ethernet cable
PC
Wired
network
PC
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