D-Link DWL-900AP [12/61] Network topology

Network Topology

The IEEE 802.11b standard supports three basic topologies for WLANs—the

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS), the Basic Service Set (BSS), and the

Extended Service Set (ESS). Wireless LAN components can be used to

extend, enhance or entirely replace existing Ethernet infrastructure. The

DWL-900AP can accommodate any WLAN topology.

BSS

In a Basic Service Set, a wireless access point performs multiple tasks; it is

a base station and network access controller for the wireless stations in the

BSS. The access point can also provide a connection to a wired Ethernet

LAN for the BSS member stations. An example of a BSS might be a

business meeting conducted in a room with only a single Ethernet port

available. Each participant has a wireless laptop computer and requires

simultaneous access to a data server on the Ethernet LAN. A wireless

access point provides the connection to the Ethernet and acts as the network

control station for the BSS members.

In a BSS, the wireless access point performs functions similar to an Ethernet

switch. The access point controls network access and maintains a

dynamically updated list of all the members of the BSS. Members of each

BSS are added or deleted from the list as they join or leave the BSS.

Wireless stations in the BSS are identified by their MAC (Media Access

Control) address.

IBSS

An Independent Basic Service Set or ad-hoc network consists of two or

more wireless stations that communicate directly, peer-to-peer, without the

services of a wireless access point. An example of an ad-hoc network or