The access point (AP) operates at Layers 1 and 2 of the OSI Reference Model.
This is also where the wireless bridge and workgroup bridge operate, as shown
Figure
.
Access Points
An access point (AP) is a WLAN device that can act
as the center point of a stand-alone wireless network. An AP can also be used
as the connection point between wireless and wired networks. In large
installations, the roaming functionality provided by multiple APs allows
wireless users to move freely throughout the facility, while maintaining
seamless, uninterrupted access to the network.
Cisco APs come in several
models. The 1100 Series supports IEEE 802.11b. The 1200 Series, shown in Figure
,
supports 802.11a and 802.11b in the same unit. It also supports inline power
injection, to save on AC wiring costs, and both RJ45 and 10/100 Ethernet
connectors.
Wireless Bridges
The Cisco Aironet 350 Series Wireless Bridge is
designed to connect two or more networks that are typically located in
different buildings. It delivers high data rates and superior throughput for
data-intensive, line-of-sight applications. The bridges connect hard-to-wire
sites, noncontiguous floors, satellite offices, school or corporate campus
settings, temporary networks, and warehouses. They can be configured for
point-to-point or point-to-multipoint applications. Cisco wireless bridges and
workgroup bridges, along with their standard graphic icons, are shown in Figure
.
Workgroup Bridges
The Cisco Aironet 350 workgroup bridge (WGB)
product connects to the Ethernet port of a device that does not have a PCI or
PCMCIA slot available. It provides a single MAC address connection into an AP,
and onto the LAN backbone. The Aironet workgroup bridge cannot be used in a
peer-to-peer mode connection. It must communicate with an AP.
One
configuration of the workgroup bridge will connect up to eight wired machines
to an AP. It is ideal for connecting remote workgroups to a wired LAN, as shown
in Figure
.
In order
to use a WGB with multiple MAC addresses, the WGB and all users must be
connected to a hub. The unit will automatically select the first eight MAC
addresses that it hears on the Ethernet. Alternatively, the addresses may be
entered manually into a table. The eight MAC addresses are static.