Installation Guide
Table Of Contents
- Copyright
- Limited Warranty
- Information for Canadian Users
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Statement
- Customer Support
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- Preface
- Wireless Network Basics
- Disable Windows XP Configuration Tool
- Using the Wireless LAN Utility
- Wireless LAN Security
- Advanced Configuration
- Removing and Upgrading the WLAN Utility
- Troubleshooting
- Index
Wireless LAN Utility
Using the Wireless LAN Utility 3-5
3.4 Wireless LAN Parameters
This section describes each wireless LAN parameter.
3.4.1 SSID
The SSID (Service Set IDentity) is a unique name shared among all wireless devices in a wireless network.
Wireless devices must have the same SSID to communicate with each other.
3.4.2 Channel
A range of radio frequencies used by IEEE 802.11b wireless devices is called a channel.
3.4.3 Tx Rate
The WLAN Adapter provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options include
Fully Auto, 1 M bit/sec, 2 M bit/sec, 5.5M bit/sec and 11M bit/sec. In most networking scenarios, the
factory default Fully Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your WLAN Adapter to
operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops below a certain
level, the WLAN Adapter automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate. Transmission at lower
data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the communication quality improves again, the
WLAN Adapter gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available
transmission rate.
If you wish to balance speed versus reliability, you can select any of the above options 11M bit/sec or
5.5M bit/sec is used in a networking environment where you are certain that all wireless devices can
communicate at the highest transmission (data) rate. 1M bit/sec or 2M bit/sec are used often in networking
environments where the range of the wireless connection is more important than speed.
3.5 Wireless Network Type
Wireless LAN works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure.
To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using Access Points (APs), set the WLAN Adapter’s
operation mode to Infrastructure. An AP acts as a bridge between the wireless stations and the wired
network. In case you do not wish to connect to a wired network, but prefer to set up a small independent
wireless workgroup without an AP, use the Ad-hoc (IBSS) (Independent Basic Service Set) mode.
3.5.1 Ad-Hoc (IBSS)
Ad-hoc mode does not required an AP or a wired network. Two or more wireless clients communicate
directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an Independent Basic Service
Set (IBSS).