190Chapter 11: Networking Your Computerwww.gateway.comEquipment you need for an access pointwireless Ethernet networkFor an access point wireless Ethernet network you need:■ A wireless Ethernet PCI card installed in each desktop computer- OR -A wireless Ethernet USB adapter attached to each desktop computer- OR -A notebook with wireless Ethernet built-in- OR -A wireless Ethernet PC Card installed in each notebook that does not havewireless Ethernet built-in■ A wireless Ethernet access point to connect your wireless Ethernet networkto the Internet or a wired Ethernet networkImportant IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g use the same radiofrequency. IEEE 802.11a uses a different radio frequencythan IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g. All wirelessEthernet components should use the same frequency. Acombination of IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b orIEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11g components willnot work. Some wireless devices can broadcast andreceive signals on both frequencies.A mixture of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g componentswill result in your network running at the speed of theslower IEEE 802.11b components.
