There are a few main ways that a wireless network can be configured.

• Ad-hoc networks
  • nodes all speak directly to each other
• Wireless LANS or WLANS
  • one or more access points act as a bridge between a wireless and a wired network, and there are mesh networks which are a hybrid of the two

In an ad-hoc network, there isn’t really any supporting network infrastructure

Ex. Smartphone can establish ad-hoc networks with other smartphones in the area so that people can exchange photos, video, or contact information.

Ex2. Equipment communicate with each other in a warehouse.

Wireless LANS / WLAN

A wireless LAN consists of one or more access points which act as bridges between the wireless and wired networks.

Mesh Networks

Mesh networks are like ad-hoc networks, since lots of the devices communicate with each other wirelessly, forming a mesh. If you were to draw lines for all the links between all the nodes, most mesh networks you’ll run into are made up of only wireless access points, and will still be connected to a wired networks.