User Manual

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SSID
The SSID is the “network name” for the WLAN network. The SSID is any name, and can be any set of characters or
numbers. The Client sniffs the radio frequencies for an AP with the same SSID with itself. The client locks onto the AP
and they are “associated”.
To enable plug-and-play convenience, most client cards can sniff the frequencies to extract the available SSID’s to let
the user choose from.
Encryption
WLAN traffic can be captured by anybody to be read! The solution is to use encryption to make the traffic appear as
random characters to the eavesdropper. Both the AP and client must use the same encryption standard and key to
enable them to decode the “rubbish”. If the encryption settings are mismatched, the client and AP cannot associate.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the most common WLAN encryption standard.
Frequency
This device operates in the 2.4GHz band. Depending on regulation, not all the frequencies may be available in every
country. Frequency is configured on the AP only. The client searches for the AP and locks onto that AP’s channel.
Signal Strength
Radio signals drop in power over a distance. Even if all the settings are correct, low signal strength makes association
impossible. The usable distance between the AP and client can range from a few meters indoor to a few km. When
setting up the client, make sure that you:
Keep at a distance between the AP and the clients.
Make sure that the WLAN signals do not have to pass through too many concrete walls and metal
structures to reach the client.
Make sure that clients are located far away from one another to avoid interference.
Make sure that there is line of sight between the AP and client device.
Interference
Interference happens when 2 clients with the same channels are placed near to one another. The speed of the network
drops and the signal strength fluctuates wildly.
Roaming
Association happens when the SSID, Encryption and MAC Address Control settings are correct between the AP and
client. If 2 AP’s with these same settings are located in the same area, the client would choose to associate to the one
which gives it a better signal strength. The client would roam over to the 2nd AP when he moves nearer to it. The client
switches AP and frequency as he does so.