5
Wireless LAN Networking 
This section provides background information on wireless LAN networking technology. Consult 
the 
Glossary
for definitions of the terminology used in this section. 
T
HE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. 
C
HANGING 
NETWORK SETTINGS AND PARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD ONLY 
BE DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATOR. 
Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate) 
The SMCWGBR14-N provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. In most 
networking scenarios, the factory default Best (automatic) setting proves the most efficient. This 
setting allows your SMCWGBR14-N to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When 
the communication quality drops below a certain level, the SMCWGBR14-N automatically 
switches to a lower transmission (data) rate. Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more 
reliable. However, when the communication quality improves again, the SMCWGBR14-N gradually 
increases the transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available transmission 
rate. 
Types of Wireless Networks 
Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In infra-
structure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each access 
point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set 
(ESS) is two or more BSSs in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as peer-to-peer 
mode), wireless devices communicate with each other directly and do not use an access point. 
This is an Independent BSS (IBSS). 
To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using access points, set the operation mode 
to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an access point, use 
Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode. 
A
D
-H
OC
(IBSS) N
ETWORK 
Ad-hoc mode does not require an access point or a wired network. Two or more wireless stations 
communicate directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an 
Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). 
To set up an ad-hoc network, configure all the stations in ad-hoc mode. Use the same SSID and