Editing Wireless LAN (section)

== Architecture ==
=== Stations ===
All components that can connect into a wireless medium in a [[Computer networking|network]] are referred to as stations. All stations are equipped with [[wireless network interface controller]]s. Wireless stations fall into two categories: [[wireless access point]]s (WAPs) and clients. WAPs are base stations for the wireless network. They transmit and receive radio frequencies for wireless-enabled devices to communicate with. Wireless clients can be mobile devices such as laptops, [[personal digital assistant]]s, [[VoIP phone]]s and other [[smartphone]]s, or non-portable devices such as [[desktop computer]]s, printers, and [[workstation]]s that are equipped with a wireless network interface.

=== Service set ===
{{ main | Service set (802.11 network) }}

The basic service set (BSS) is a set of all stations that can communicate with each other at PHY layer. Every BSS has an identification (ID) called the BSSID, which is the [[MAC address]] of the access point servicing the BSS.

There are two types of BSS: Independent BSS (also referred to as IBSS), and infrastructure BSS. An independent BSS (IBSS) is an [[Wireless ad hoc network|ad hoc network]] that contains no access points, which means they cannot connect to any other basic service set. In an IBSS the STAs are configured in ad hoc (peer-to-peer) mode.

An extended service set (ESS) is a set of connected BSSs. Access points in an ESS are connected by a distribution system. Each ESS has an ID called the SSID which is a 32-byte (maximum) character string.

A distribution system (DS) connects access points in an extended service set. The concept of a DS can be used to increase network coverage through roaming between cells. DS can be wired or wireless. Current wireless distribution systems are mostly based on [[Wireless distribution system|WDS]] or [[Wireless mesh network|Mesh protocols]],<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.hawaiian-study.info/mesh-routing-and-wireless-distribution |title=Wireless Mesh Routing Compared WDS |access-date=2022-11-11 |archive-date=2023-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117221059/https://www.hawaiian-study.info/mesh-routing-and-wireless-distribution |url-status=live }}</ref> though other systems are in use.