Wlan Formation
Posted by Goody on 03/10/08 in Communications
In WLAN formation I will show you basic definition and explanations of abbreviations you have heard hundred of times. WLAN networks consist of:
1) Distribution system - combination of bridging engine and backbone network.
2) Access Point - performs wireless to wired bridging function.
3) Wireless Medium - for exchanging frames between stations and backbone.
4) Station - PCs, laptops and other devices with wireless network card.
The basic block of 802.11 networks is BSS - Basic Service Set. This is group of stations that communicate only between them.
There are 2 types of BSS:
Independent BSS networks or ad hoc. Only stations without Access Point. You can setup your WLAN home network, even without AP.
Infrastructure BSS networks - stations use Access Point for communication between them. Why do we actually use Access Point, if it is not essential? There are few reasons for that:
- Access Point bridges wireless word to wired. So without Access Point you do not have a connection to the rest of the world.
- Longer range. Range of Infrastructure BSS is defined by the distance between station and access point. In Ad-Hoc network range is defined by distance between stations.
- With Access Point, stations save power. When station enters a power-saving mode, access point buffers frames for it.
Extended Service areas- ESS -connects BSSs with backbone network. ESS connects stations with rest of the word - Internet.
From user’s prospective, WLAN is Wireless Ethernet. Network administrators have to know that frame delivery is unreliable, comparing to wired networks. Because that, 802.11 standard requires a numbers of additional services and more complex framing.
Igor Bartolic is working as network specialist. He was involved in wireless technology from its beginning.
On his web http://www.home-wlan.com you could find secrets out about wireless technology.
Tags: access point, AP, BSS, ESS, IBSS, wireless bridge, wlan formation, wlan infrastructure
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