Instant Wireless™ Series

What is ISM band?

The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.

What is Spread Spectrum?

Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique devel- oped by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communica- tions systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that changes frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver. Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel. To an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data can be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmis- sion, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original data without the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowband receivers.

Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?

WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security fea- ture of scrambling. On the software side, the WLAN series offers the encryp- tion function (WEP) to enhance security and access control. Users can set it up depending upon their needs.

Wireless Network Access Point

Can Instant WirelessTM products support file and printer sharing?

Instant WirelessTM products perform the same function as LAN products. Therefore, Instant WirelessTM products can work with Netware, Windows NT/2000, or other LAN operating systems to support printer or file sharing.

What is WEP?

WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40 bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

What is a MAC Address?

The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique number assigned by the manufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter, that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level. For all practical pur- poses, this number is usually permanent. Unlike IP addresses, which can change every time a computer logs on to the network, the MAC address of a device stays the same, making it a valuable identifier for the network.

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Linksys WAP11 v2.2 manual What is ISM band?, What is Spread Spectrum?, What is WEP?, What is a MAC Address?
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WAP11 v2.2 specifications

The Linksys WAP11 v2.2 is a wireless access point designed for small to medium-sized business and home users looking to expand their network capabilities. This device offers an appealing blend of features and technologies that cater to both ease of use and efficiency.

One of the primary features of the WAP11 v2.2 is its compatibility with the IEEE 802.11b wireless networking standard. Operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, this access point can deliver data rates of up to 11 Mbps under optimal conditions. This makes it well-suited for basic internet browsing, file sharing, and other low to moderate bandwidth applications.

A standout characteristic of the WAP11 v2.2 is its versatility in deployment. It can be easily configured to function in multiple modes, including access point, wireless bridging, or as a wireless repeater. This flexibility allows users to tailor the device to their specific networking needs, whether they are expanding an existing wireless network or creating a new one altogether.

The WAP11 v2.2 also includes robust security features to protect network data. It supports WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption, which, while now considered less secure than modern protocols, was widely used during its time to provide a basic level of wireless security. Additionally, the access point offers MAC address filtering, allowing network administrators to whitelist or blacklist specific devices from accessing the network.

Installation and configuration of the WAP11 v2.2 is facilitated by a user-friendly web interface, making it accessible to users of all technical skill levels. The device can be set up quickly through a standard web browser, allowing users to easily manage settings like SSID, security options, and IP addressing.

In terms of physical characteristics, the WAP11 v2.2 features a compact design that allows for flexible placement in various environments. It includes a reset button for easy troubleshooting and recovery from erroneous settings, ensuring minimal downtime.

Overall, the Linksys WAP11 v2.2 is a solid choice for users looking to enhance their wireless network. Its combination of multiple operating modes, basic security features, and ease of use makes it a practical option for home offices or small business applications. Despite being an older model, it laid the groundwork for future advancements in wireless networking, reflecting the evolution of connectivity solutions over time.
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