User Manual

Configuration Parameters 30
Channel
802.11a devices spread a radio signal over a range of frequencies. The IEEE 802.11a
specification allocates the available frequencies in the 5 GHz band into a series of
operating Channels that are identified by a Channel number and a center carrier
frequency.
An 802.11a network adapter configured for Infrastructure mode receives a Channel
assignment from its Access Point. You cannot configure the Channel for an adapter
operating in Infrastructure mode. For an Ad Hoc network, all nodes must use the
same Channel to communicate. You can configure the adapter to scan multiple
Channels to locate an Ad Hoc network or you can configure it to use a specific
Channel. See “Station Configuration” on page 39 for details.
The number of available Channels varies by region and model number.
For United States and Canada:
All 802.11a network adapter models can use one of eight Channels in
802.11a-compliant mode: Channel 36 (5.18 GHz), Channel 40 (5.20 GHz), Channel 44
(5.22 GHz), Channel 48 (5.24 GHz), Channel 52 (5.26 GHz), Channel 56 (5.28 GHz),
Channel 60 (5.30 GHz), and Channel 64 (5.32 GHz).
In addition, the Model 8455 CardBus Card supports five Channels in the 5.725-5.850
GHz band in 802.11a-compliant mode: Channel 149 (5.745 GHz), Channel 153
(5.765 GHz), Channel 157 (5.785 GHz), Channel 161 (5.805 GHz), and Channel 165
(5.825 GHz).
All 802.11a network adapter models can use one of three Channels in 2X mode:
Channel 42 (5.21 GHz), Channel 50 (5.25 GHz), and Channel 58 (5.29 GHz). The Model
8455 CardBus Card also supports two additional Channels in 2X mode: Channel 152
(5.760 GHz) and Channel 160 (5.800 GHz).
If you wish to install multiple Ad Hoc networks in the same vicinity, configure each
network with a unique Channel to avoid interference between networks. Keep in mind
that each Channel in 2X mode overlaps multiple Channels in 802.11a mode. For
example, if an Ad Hoc network in 2X mode is using Channel 50, do not configure
nearby networks in 802.11a mode for Channel 42, 48, 52, or 56.
Note: See “Radio Frequency Interference Requirements” on page 13 for important
regulatory information concerning Channel selection.
For Europe:
All 802.11a network adapter models can use one of eight Channels: Channel 36
(5.18 GHz), Channel 40 (5.20 GHz), Channel 44 (5.22 GHz), Channel 48 (5.24 GHz),
Channel 52 (5.26 GHz), Channel 56 (5.28 GHz), Channel 60 (5.30 GHz), and Channel
64 (5.32 GHz).
In addition, the Model 8455 CardBus Card supports eleven Channels in the
5.470-5.725 GHz band: Channel 100 (5.500 GHz), Channel 104 (5.520 GHz),
Channel 108 (5.540 GHz), Channel 112 (5.560 GHz), Channel 116 (5.580 GHz),
Channel 120 (5.600 GHz), Channel 124 (5.620 GHz), Channel 128 (5.640 GHz),
Channel 132 (5.660 GHz), Channel 136 (5.680 GHz), and Channel 140 (5.700 GHz).