WLAN Design Models

WLAN Design Models


Site-to-Site Connections

When using WLAN technology to form site-to-site links, you will either create point-to-point (PtP) or point-to-multipoint (PtMP) links. This section describes both.


Point-to-Point (PtP)
A PtP WLAN connection is a dedicated connection between two wireless devices. These two devices are usually bridges that allow for the bridging of two otherwise disconnected LANs. These wireless connections allow for the creation of large-scale campus networks and may even be used to create metropolitan networks that span cities. They provide the benefit of connecting disconnected LANs over some distance without the need for leased lines or running cable when the connection is created within a large campus or otherwise owned area.


Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP)
A PtMP wireless link is created when more than one link is made into a central link location. An omni- or semidirectional antenna is usually used at the central location, and semidirectional or highly directional antennas are used at the other locations.


Wireless Mesh Networks
Another wireless networking model is the wireless mesh networking model. In the database world, you have a one-to-one relationship model, and this is like the PtP model in WLANs. You also have a one-to-many relationship model, and this is like the PtMP model in WLANs. However, database theory also presents a many-to-many relationship model, and this is much like the mesh networking model in WLANs. Therefore, you could say that mesh networking is like a multipoint-to-multipoint (MPtMP) model.