Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
1
Chapter 1. Introduction to wireless networking
The Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter is an Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN network
product. Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN network products are based on the IEEE 802.11b
standard and connect computers together to form a wireless network.
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network in a central location. Users at that location share files,
printers, and other services. In a LAN, a networked computers that request services are called
clients, while servers in a LAN provide services. In a wireless LAN (WLAN), wireless adapters are
installed in clients. A wireless client communicates with the WLAN without cables. Instead,
wireless clients send and receive information through the air.
All Intel 802.11b compliant devices interoperate with other 802.11b compliant wireless devices
from other vendors. The WiFi certification logo indicates that the wireless device has been tested by
an independent organization and is 802.11b compliant.
A wireless client operates in either infrastructure mode or peer-to-peer mode.
1.1
Infrastructure Mode: A WLAN with Access Points
In infrastructure mode, wireless clients send and receive information through access points. When a
wireless client communicates with another, it transmits to the access point. The access point
receives the information and rebroadcasts it. Then the other device receives the information.
Access points are strategically located within an area to provide optimal coverage for wireless
clients. A large WLAN uses multiple access points to provide coverage over a wide area. Access
points can connect to a LAN through a wired Ethernet connection. Access points send and receive
information from the LAN through this wired connection.
1.2
Peer-to-Peer Mode: A WLAN without Access Points
In peer-to-peer mode, also called Ad Hoc Mode, wireless clients send and receive information to
other wireless clients without using an access point. In contrast to infrastructure mode, this type of
WLAN only contains wireless clients.
You can use peer-to-peer mode to network computers in a home or small office, or to set up a
temporary wireless network for a meeting.