User's Manual

Appendix B:

About Wireless LANs

BSS

A group of Wireless Stations and a single Access Point, all using the same ID (SSID), form a

Basic Service Set (BSS).

Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to communicate

with each other.

Channels

The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used for communication.

• Access Points use a fixed Channel. You can select the Channel used. This allows you to

choose a Channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA

and Canada, 11 channel are available. If using multiple Access Points, it is better if

adjacent Access Points use different Channels to reduce interference.

• In "Infrastructure" mode, Wireless Stations normally scan all Channels, looking for an

Access Point. If more than one Access Point can be used, the one with the strongest signal

is used. (This can only happen within an ESS.)

Note to US model owner: To comply with US FCC regulation, the country

selection function has been completely removed from all US models. The above

function is for non-US models only.

Security

Authentication methods include Disable, Open, Shared, WEP Auto, WPA, WPA-PSK,

WPA2, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, WPA1/WPA2 and 802.1X. Once you choose

your authentication, you then need to select the Data Encryption methods which may includes

WEP Key, Pass Phrase and Radius Server settings.

Encryption

Enabling WEP can protect your data from eavesdroppers. There are two levels of WEP

Encryption: 64 bits and 128 bits. 64 bits WEP encryption requires enter 10 Hex characters as a

“secret key”, whereas 128 bits WEP requires users to enter 26 Hex characters as “secret key”.

PASS PHRASE is applicable only when you select to use WPA-PSK authentication. You will

need to enter an 8~63 characters password to kick off the encryption process, which will

generate four WEP keys automatically.

RADIUS setup is used to set up additional parameters for authorizing wireless clients through

RADIUS server. The RADIUS setup is required when you select to use Open System with

802.1x or WPA/WPA2 authentication.

Open, Shared, WEP auto

With Shared Key or Open System, the Wireless Device can automatically change its

authentication method to Shared Key or Open System depending on its client’s setting.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a standard for encrypting data before it is transmitted.