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Wireless Networks

Notes 2.1.6 Wireless Network Infrastructures

In the case of wireless networking in Infrastructure mode you are connecting your devices using
a central device, namely a wireless access point. To join the WLAN, the AP and all wireless
clients must be configured to use the same SSID. The AP is then cabled to the wired network to
allow wireless clients access to, for example, Internet connections or printers.

Notes Additional APs can be added to the WLAN to increase the reach of the infrastructure
and support any number of wireless clients.

Compared to the alternative, ad-hoc wireless networks, infrastructure mode networks offer the
advantage of scalability, centralized security management and improved reach. The disadvantage
of infrastructure wireless networks is simply the additional cost to purchase AP hardware.
As opposed to Ad Hoc mode networks, which make wireless connections directly between
computers, Infrastructure mode wireless networks use networking infrastructure. In this case,
infrastructure refers to switches, routers, firewalls, and access points (APs). Infrastructure mode
wireless networking is the mode that you most often encounter in your work as a networking
professional supporting networks for clients or in a corporate environment.
At a minimum, the only network infrastructure component that is required for Infrastructure
mode is an access point, but if an AP is all you have, you have no more than you would have had
when using Ad Hoc mode. However, most Infrastructure mode implementations include other
components from your traditional network infrastructure.
Figure 2.7: Wireless Network Infrastructure

ASA
firewall Internet
Network
Switch

Access
points

Wireless
clients

Source: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/wireless-networking-infrastructure-mode.html
Base station

In radio communications, a base station is a wireless communications station installed at a fixed
location and used to communicate as part of one of the following:
z z a push-to-talk two-way radio system, or;

z z a wireless telephone system such as cellular CDMA or GSM cell site.
z z Terrestrial Trunked Radio

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