3Com 11 Mbps manual Setting up a User, Access List, Saved passwords on the clients, User accounts

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30CHAPTER 4: CONFIGURING THE ACCESS POINT 8000

Access Point Encryption The following encryption settings are available on the Encryption page. These Settings encryption settings are for Security settings that use access point encryption:

■ No Security (Open System)—No encryption is used. The network communications could be intercepted by unintended recipients.

■ 40-bit Encryption Shared Key (Wi-Fi)—This option encrypts the wireless

transmissions to protect data, but still permits communication among compatible wireless LAN clients and access points from third-party manufacturers.

40-bit Encryption Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security requires you to set up encryption in one of the following ways:

■ An encryption string is a string of characters between 6 and 30 characters long. The string can be any combination of letters and numbers and is case sensitive. The encryption string can be used only with other 3Com 11 Mbps wireless PC Cards and Access Points.

■ Hexadecimal keys are sequences of hexadecimal digits arranged into four keys. A hexadecimal digit may be a letter from A to F or a number from 0 to 9. This type of encryption is compatible with equipment from other manufacturers that use Wi-Fi certified 40-bit encryption.

■ 128-bit Encryption Shared Key—This setting is compatible with 3Com AirConnect products and products from other vendors, including Agere and Cisco. 128-bit Encryption Shared Key security requires you to set up an encryption string or hexadecimal keys as described for 40-bit Encryption Shared Key (Wi-Fi).

■ 128-bit Dynamic Security Link—This setting requires that you select Access

 

Point Local Authentication/Encryption option under Security Settings. 128-bit

 

Dynamic Security Link is the highest level of access point local security,

 

requiring a user name and password to access the wireless LAN. The user name

 

and password set up on the access point must match those set up on the

 

client. Each network session creates a unique, one-time encryption code. If you

 

choose this type of security, you must also set up the user access list (see

 

“Setting up a User Access List”). If you check the Require Windows user

 

authentication check box, clients will be required to enter a user name and

 

password every time they associate with the network. If you leave this box

 

unchecked, the system will authenticate clients based on the user access list

 

and the saved passwords on the clients.

 

 

Setting up a User

The user access list is required only if you configure an access point for 128-bit

Access List

Dynamic Security Link on the encryption page. There must be at least one entry in

 

the List.

 

The user access list determines which users are allowed to pass data to the access

 

point. Through this list, you can perform high-level management of up to 1000

 

user accounts.

 

■ Adding users—To add a user, you must supply a username and password for

 

each new user. The username and password pairs must match the user names

 

and passwords of any clients trying to associate with the access point.

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Contents Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point User Guide Version3Com Corporation Bayfront PlazaSanta Clara, California 95052-8145Contents Conducting a Site Survey Regulatory Compliance Information Index Page Access Point 8000 Feature Summary IntroductionInstallation Overview Management toolsInstallation Overview Page Installing the Access Point Deciding Where toBefore You Begin Place EquipmentConnecting Placing the AccessAttached before the access point is installed Standard AntennaPlacing the Access Point SET Connecting Power Connecting to an Ethernet NetworkChecking the LEDs As shown belowOmnidirectional Antenna Model number 3CWE490 3CWE492 3CWE497 3CWE498Ceiling Mount Omnidirectional Antenna Ceiling Mount Hallway AntennaDirectional Panel Antenna Side Installing Software Utilities Page Access Point Security AuthenticationUpper-Layer Access Point Security Using the Wireless 802.1x RadiusSupport 802.1x AgentEAP-MD5 Using the Wireless 802.1x Agent Page Configuring the Access Point Installing the Device3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 8000 Configuration ManagerClick Configure Using Display help on the contents of thatConfiguration Management SystemSetting Network Properties Setting Data TransmissionProperties Setting Advanced Data TransmissionSetting up Security Setting up a User Access ListSaved passwords on the clients ListSetting up a MAC Address Access ListDefining Radius ServersSetting up a Defining a Tftp ServerSystem Log Upgrading the SystemAdministration PasswordDefaults Resetting the AccessViewing Statistics Viewing System Status Configuring the Access Point Conducting a Site Survey Choosing TrialLocations EnvironmentalSurvey Procedure SummarySetting up Equipment Site Survey ToolLaunching the Tool Interpreting Test ResultsSite Survey Menus LAN Site Survey windowPage Troubleshooting Symptom SolutionsContinue to configure the access point using the old IP Services Technical SupportOnline Technical Country Telephone Number Asia, Pacific Rim Country Telephone Number Europe, Middle East and Africa Europe and South AfricaLatin America North AmericaCountry Telephone Number Fax Number Regulatory Compliance Information European Community CE Index Snmp management

11 Mbps specifications

3Com 11 Mbps was a pivotal product in the evolution of networking technology, paving the way for wireless communications as we know them today. Introduced in the late 1990s, this wireless LAN (Local Area Network) product utilized the IEEE 802.11 standard, which defined the protocols for wireless networking. Operating at a maximum data rate of 11 megabits per second, it offered users a revolutionary means of connecting devices without the constraints of physical cabling.

One of the main features of the 3Com 11 Mbps solution was its simplicity and ease of installation. Unlike traditional wired networks that involved intricate setups of cabling and switches, 3Com facilitated a swift deployment process. Users could set up a wireless network in minutes, allowing organizations to enhance their productivity without extensive infrastructure.

The technology behind 3Com 11 Mbps was based on Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) modulation. This approach spread the signal over a wider frequency range, which improved resistance to interference from other devices. The 2.4 GHz frequency band used by this network supported compatibility with various devices, making it a flexible option for businesses and homes alike.

In terms of security, 3Com incorporated Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which aimed to provide a level of data confidentiality comparable to that found in wired networks. However, WEP was later found to have vulnerabilities, leading to the development of more secure protocols like WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 in subsequent technologies.

Another characteristic that distinguished the 3Com 11 Mbps system was its ability to support multiple devices simultaneously. With the emergence of wireless laptops, printers, and other peripherals, a single access point could service several users without significant performance degradation.

Ultimately, the 3Com 11 Mbps was a significant stepping stone in the development of wireless technology. It showcased the potential of wireless networking and set the standard for future innovations. Although much faster and more secure wireless technologies have since emerged, the legacy of 3Com 11 Mbps resides in the fundamental advancements it brought to the realm of connectivity, making it easier and more accessible for users around the globe.
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