Connecting the Wireless Network to a Wired LAN

In Chapter 18, "Introduction to Wireless Networking," you learned that you can create an ad hoc wireless network by using a collection of computers. When you use an AP to mediate communications between the wireless clients, you create an infrastructure network. When you're using a few laptop computers in a temporary location, an ad hoc wireless configuration may suffice.

However, if you are going to connect your LAN to the Internet, an AP is required to connect the LAN to the cable/DSL modem or another Internet connection.

If the wired network or broadband connection operates at a faster bandwidth (and most do today, with 100Mbps being the lowest common denominator for wired networks), the AP can buffer between the lower-speed wireless network and the 100Mbps wired network.

If your AP does not include an Ethernet switch, you can connect the AP to an unused port on an existing Ethernet switch. Whether an AP has an integrated Ethernet switch or the AP is connected to an existing switch, wired and wireless clients can be part of the same network. By configuring wired and wireless clients with the same workgroup name or by using the same domain controller, they can become part of the same network, sharing printers, an Internet connection, and folders.