Network Mode, Channel | Lantronix Hub specs

MSS User Guide

4: Configuration

Network Mode

There are two types of 802.11 networks: Ad-Hoc and infrastructure. In an Ad-Hoc network, devices communicate directly with one another on a peer-to-peer basis. In an infrastructure network (the default), several devices communicate with one or more APs, and the APs may or may not be connected to a physical Ethernet network. You must tell your MSS which type of network is present with the Change 80211 NETWORKMODE command.

Figure 4-72: Configuring the Network Mode

Local>> CHANGE 80211 NETWORKMODE ADHOC or

Local>> CHANGE 80211 NETWORKMODE INFRASTRUCTURE

The network mode setting relates to the channel setting, explained next.

Channel

The frequency band allocated to 802.11 wireless communications is subdivided into different channels to allow subnetworking. Generally speaking, your MSS needs to know which channel it should use for communications—it will be the same as the one being used by the local AP. You can also set the channel to Any, the default, which causes the MSS to use the same channel used by the strongest AP with the same ESSID.

Note: Because some of the channels overlap slightly, avoid using adjacent channels within a workgroup area, or crosstalk and lower throughput may result. Channel overlap depends on the Region setting—see your PC card documentation for specific information about which channels are available in your area.

Figure 4-73: Configuring the 802.11 Channel

Local>> CHANGE 80211 CHANNEL 7

The channel setting relates to the network mode setting. For infrastructure network mode, you should set the channel to Any so the MSS can sync with an AP. For Ad-Hoc network mode, you should set a specific channel number so that the MSS can start a new IBSS if needed. When the channel is set to Any, the MSS can only join an existing IBSS.

WEP

Some 802.11 cards can be set with a WEP key, which will encrypt any data you transmit through wireless communication.

To enable WEP, enter the following command:

Figure 4-74: Enabling WEP

Local>> CHANGE 80211 WEP ENABLED

Local>> CHANGE 80211 RESET

Setting the WEP Key and Index Number

When WEP is enabled and a WEP key is set, the MSS will only connect to an AP (in infrastructure mode) or communicate with other Ad-Hoc peers (in Ad-Hoc mode) that have been programmed with the same WEP key as the MSS. For a key to match, both the key data and the index number must be identical.

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