# Overview

Welcome to the Intel® PRO/Wireless Access Point Administrator's Guide. This guide provides some background on how wireless LANs (WLANs) work and how they fit in with a traditional wire-based Ethernet 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, networked computers that request services are called clients and computers that provide services are called servers. In a WLAN, wireless adapters are installed in clients. A wireless client communicates with the WLAN without cables. Instead, wireless clients send and receive information through radio waves.

To select a topic, click a link in the channel on the left of this screen.

### Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B Products

These products are IEEE 802.11b wireless devices that operate between 2.4 and 2.5 gigahertz using direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) technology. These products provide a high-capacity network using multiple access points within large or small areas. All Intel 802.11b compliant devices interoperate with 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.

The key features are listed below. For more detailed information, see the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point User's Guide. To see this guide and others, click View Other Guides on the left side of this window.

#### Key Features

An Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN:

- allows communication between both conventional wired and wireless clients and other devices.
- supports the IEEE 802.11b specification. which allows Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN devices to communicate with devices from other vendors.
- allows wireless clients to roam throughout large facilities while remaining connected to the LAN.
- allows protocol firmware upgrades while devices remain operational.
- features antenna diversity which allows devices to alternate between antennas with the best reception. A device with this capability receives data on one antenna and transmits on the other antenna, increasing overall performance.
- provides an 11 Mbps data rate for high-capacity fast operation.
- operates within small or large environments using multiple access points.
- provides easy network scalability by adding access points.
- operates in a range of about 45 meters (150 feet).

### Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 Products

These products are IEEE 802.11a wireless devices that operate at 5 gigahertz also using direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) technology. These products provide a high-capacity network using multiple access points within large or small environments. All Intel 802.11a compliant devices interoperate with 802.11a compliant wireless devices from other vendors.

Copyright© 2002 Intel Corporation. Legal Information