Introduction
Network Topologies
WaveLAN/EC-S User’s Guide
1-13
Whenever a broadcast message is sent from any unit in this group,
all other units in the group that correctly receive the message send
it out their serial port, as pictured In Figure 1-8.
As in Station-to-Station topology, the device that is transmitting a
message forms a packet, however the packet specifies a
broadcast address rather than a specific unit’s port address.
Broadcast topology is generally used only when one device needs
to send messages to multiple units, something that is usually not
possible with conventional RS-232 communications.
Broadcast topology is not as common as Station-to-Station
topology, because most existing software that use RS-232
communication are designed for communication with a single
device on the other end of the serial line.
Hybrid Topologies
1
Although Station-to-Station and Broadcast topologies are the most
common, the WaveLAN/EC-S device allows for a great variety of
hybrid topologies.
A common type of hybrid topology is the client-server topology,
where:
■
The server is connected to a WavePOINT-II Access Point, and
■
Wireless clients have been equipped with WaveLAN/EC-S
devices, to connect to the server via the WavePOINT-II access
point.
The WavePOINT-II can broadcast (allowing communication to all
of the clients), but each of the client converter’s are configured for
Station-to-Station (allowing communication only to the server: the
clients don’t hear each other’s messages).
