LANCOM OAP-54-1 Wireless – LANCOM OAC-54-1 Wireless
Chapter 1: Introduction
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1Introduction
1.1 What is a wireless LAN?
The following sections describe the functionality of wireless networks
in general. You can see from the table 'What your LANCOM can do'
further below which functions your device supports. Please refer to
the reference manual for further information on this topic.
A wireless LAN connects individual end-user devices (PCs and mobile compu-
ters) to form a local network (also called – Local Area Network). In contrast
to a traditional LAN, communication takes place over a wireless connection
and not over network cables. For this reason it is called a Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN).
A wireless LAN provides the same functionality as a cable-based network:
Access to files, servers, printers etc. as well as the integration of individual
work stations into a corporate mail system or access to the Internet.
There are obvious advantages to wireless LANs: Notebooks and PCs can be
installed where they are needed—problems with missing connections or
structural changes are a thing of the past with wireless networks.
Apart from that, wireless LANs can also be used for connections over longer
distances. Expensive leased lines and the associated construction measures
can be saved.
LANCOM Wireless Routers and LANCOM Access Points can be opera-
ted either as self-sufficient Access Points with their own configuration
(WLAN modules in "Access Point mode“) or as components in a WLAN
infrastructure, which is controlled from a central WLAN-Controller
("managed mode"). Please observe the corresponding notices to this
in this documentation.
1.1.1 Modes of operation of wireless LANs and access points
Wireless LAN technology and access points in wireless LANs are used in the
following modes of operation:
Simple, direct connection between terminal devices with an access point
(ad-hoc mode)
Extensive wireless LANs, possibly connected to a LAN, with one or more
access points (infrastructure network)
