What is the difference between Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure topology?

In infrastructure mode, all devices on a wireless network communicate with each other through an access point (wireless router).

In ad hoc mode, a computer with a wireless network adapter communicates directly with a printer equipped with a wireless print server.

	Infrastructure	Ad hoc
*Characteristics*
Communication	Through an access point	Directly between devices
Security	More security options	WEP or no security
Range	Determined by the range and number of access points	Restricted to the range of individual devices on the network
Speed	Usually faster	Usually slower
*Requirements for all devices*
Unique IP address for each device	Yes	Yes
Mode set to	Infrastructure mode	Ad hoc mode
Same SSID	Yes, including the access point	Yes
Same channel	Yes, including the access point	Yes