802.11e Standard

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless Access Point WPN802

The purpose of 11d is to add features and restrictions to allow WLANs to operate within the rules of these countries. Equipment manufacturers do not want to produce a wide variety of country-specific products and users that travel do not want a bag full of country-specific WLAN PC cards. The outcome will be country-specific firmware solutions.

802.11e is a proposed IEEE standard to define quality of service (QoS) mechanisms for wireless gear that gives support to bandwidth-sensitive applications such as voice and video.

802.11g Standard

Similar to 802.11b, this physical layer standard provides a throughput of up to 54 Mbps. It also operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band but uses a different radio technology in order to boost overall bandwidth.

802.11i

This is the name of the IEEE Task Group dedicated to standardizing WLAN security. The 802.11i Security has a frame work based on RSN (Robust Security Mechanism). RSN consists of two parts: 1) The Data Privacy Mechanism and 2) Security Association Management.

The Data Privacy Mechanism supports two proposed schemes: TKIP and AES. TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity) is a short-term solution that defines software patches to WEP to provide a minimally adequate level of data privacy. AES or AES-OCB (Advanced Encryption Standard and Offset Codebook) is a robust data privacy scheme and is a longer-term solution.

Security Association Management is addressed by a) RSN Negotiation Procedures, b) IEEE 802.1x Authentication and c) IEEE 802.1x Key management.

The standards are being defined to naturally co-exist with pre-RSN networks that are currently deployed.

802.11n Standard

A recently formed (Oct 2003) IEEE official task group referred to as: 802.11n or "TGn" for the 100 Mbps wireless physical layer standard protocol. Current published ratification date is December 2005. As of February 2004, no draft specification has been written - It is expected to use both the 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

A symmetric 128-bit block data encryption technique developed by Belgian cryptographers Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen. The U.S government adopted the algorithm as its encryption technique in October 2000, replacing the DES encryption it used. AES works at multiple network layers simultaneously. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Department of Commerce selected the algorithm, called Rijndael (pronounced Rhine Dahl or Rain Doll), out of a group of five algorithms under consideration, including one called MARS from a large research team at IBM. AES is expected to replace WEP as a WLAN encryption method in 2003.

Glossary

202-10101-01, May 2005

WPN802 specifications

The NETGEAR WPN802 is an exceptional wireless access point that has made a significant impact on the home networking landscape. Designed to provide robust wireless connectivity, the WPN802 is an 802.11g compliant device, delivering reliable performance at data rates of up to 54 Mbps. This allows users to enjoy seamless Internet access for streaming, gaming, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

One of the standout features of the NETGEAR WPN802 is its ease of installation and setup. The device is equipped with a user-friendly setup wizard that guides users step by step through the process, making it accessible even for those who may not be tech-savvy. The WPN802 also supports both wired and wireless connections, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into existing network configurations, whether expanding a home network or setting up a new one.

Security is a crucial aspect of any wireless network, and the WPN802 addresses this with several built-in security features. It supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption protocols, ensuring that data transmitted over the network remains secure from unauthorized access. Additionally, the device provides MAC address filtering, which allows users to control the devices that can connect to the network.

Another significant feature of the NETGEAR WPN802 is its versatility. It can function not only as an access point but also as a wireless bridge or a repeater, enabling users to extend the range of their existing wireless network. This flexibility is particularly valuable in larger homes or offices where coverage may be spotty in certain areas.

The WPN802 also includes Quality of Service (QoS) features that prioritize bandwidth for different applications, ensuring that critical tasks such as video conferencing and online gaming receive the necessary resources for optimal performance. This enhances the overall user experience, especially in environments with multiple connected devices.

In terms of build and design, the NETGEAR WPN802 is compact and lightweight, allowing for easy placement in various locations without being obtrusive. Its stylish exterior ensures it can fit in seamlessly with home or office decor.

In conclusion, the NETGEAR WPN802 is a highly reliable and feature-rich wireless access point that caters to the needs of modern users. With its fast wireless speeds, robust security features, versatile functionality, and user-friendly setup, it remains a commendable choice for anyone looking to enhance their wireless networking experience. Whether used in a residential or small business setting, the WPN802 stands out as a dependable solution that continues to meet the demands of today's connected world.