CCNA® Cisco Certified Network Associate: Study Guide, Seventh Edition

Wireless Topologies

Now that I’ve discussed the very basics of wireless devices used in today’s simple networks, I want to describe the different types of networks you’ll run across or design and implement as your wireless networks grow.

These include the following:

• IBSS
• BSS
• ESS

Let’s take a look at these networks in more detail.

Independent Basic Service Set (Ad Hoc)

Using an ad hoc network is the easiest way to install wireless 802.11 devices. In this mode, the wireless NICs (or other devices) can communicate directly without the need for an AP. A good example of this is two laptops with wireless NICs installed. If both cards were set up to operate in ad hoc mode, they could connect and transfer files as long as the other network settings, ...