encode data. AES automatically changes the encryption keys after a certain time interval, thus making the wireless network less vulnerable to eavesdropping.

Authentication: Authentication is a wireless network security strategy. On a network with authentication, devices use a shared key as a password and communicate only with devices that know the key. Authentication does not encrypt the data sent between wireless devices. Authentication can be used in conjunction with WEP. Authentication keys and WEP keys can be identical.

AutoIP: A process by which a device on a network automatically assigns an IP address to itself.

b

BOOTP: Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) is an Internet protocol that enables a device to discover its own IP address, the IP address of a BOOTP server on the network, and a file to be loaded into memory to boot the machine. This enables the device to boot without requiring a hard or floppy disk drive.

Broadcast packet: A packet sent from one device on a network to all devices on the network.

c

Channel: One of several pre-set frequencies at which 802.11b-enabled devices communicate in order to reduce interference. The number of channels available varies by country/region.

d

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): A protocol used to automatically assign an IP address to each device on a network.

e

EAP: Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) is a general protocol for authentication that also supports multiple authentication methods, such as token cards, one-time passwords, certificates, and public key authentication. WPA uses EAP.

Encryption: A network security that encodes the data sent across a wireless network making the data unintelligible to eavesdroppers. The printer supports WEP and WPA.

Encryption keys: A sequence of characters or digits that a wireless device uses to encode data. Encryption keys can be static (as they are in WEP) or dynamic (as they are in WPA).

Ethernet: A popular form of wired computer networking for Local Area Networks.

Ethernet cable: There are two types of Ethernet cables. A straight-through cable is the most common and is used to connect devices on a network to a hub or router. A crossover cable is used to connect two devices that have Ethernet ports but that are not hubs or routers. Use a CAT-5 cable with an RJ-45 plug to connect the printer to an Ethernet network.

f

Firewall: A combination of hardware and software tools that protects a network from unwanted entry.

User's guide

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