AT&T 6550G user manual Wireless LAN Wlan, Wan, Wpa-Psk

Glossary

Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Wireless LANs are local area networks that use wireless communications for transmitting data. Transmissions are usually in the 2.4 GHz band. WLAN devices do not need to be lined up for communications like infrared devices. WLAN devices use routers which are connected to the wired LAN and provide connectivity to the LAN. The radio frequency of WLAN devices is strong enough to be transmitted through non-metal walls and objects, and can cover an area up to a thousand feet. Laptops and notebooks use wire- less LAN PCMCIA cards while PCs use plug-in cards to access the WLAN.

WAN

WAN (Wide Area Network) is a communications network that covers a wide geographic area such as a country (contrasted with a LAN, which covers a small area such as a company building).

WPA

WPA (WiFi Protected Access) is an enhanced security specification to increase the level of access control and data protection for wireless data networks. WPA authentication requires that an authentication server authenticate all client adapters before being allowed access to a wire- less network. This authentication mode is designed for enterprise applications requiring very high levels of security.

WPA-PSK

Authentication mode enables the user to configure a type of client authentication used for acquiring access to the wireless network. The WPA-PSK mode has been designed for those environments where high data security is desired, but there is no authentication server. The client initiates authentication by sending a password called a passphrase to the wireless router. If the passphrase is identical to the passphrase on the wireless router, the wireless router allows the client to access the network. The passphrase can be between 8 and 63 characters.

AT&T Plug&Share™ Wireless PCI Adapter 108 Mbps 6550G 37