Establishing Wi-Fi Connections
Mode
This column displays two possible entries:
Indicates that this network is in infrastructure mode. You will be
connecting to a network through a dedicated wireless access
point.
Indicates that this network is in ad hoc mode. You will be
connecting directly to another PC through its wireless network
interface card.
BSSID
This is the MAC address of the Access Point’s Wireless Network Interface
Card.
Channel
The channel on which the wireless network is broadcasting.
AP Vendor
The manufacturer of the wireless access point.
Encryption
Networks that are encrypted will have the icon in this column. The
accompanying text indicates the encryption method. See How to access an
encrypted network for instructions on connecting to encrypted networks.
Signal Strength
Displays the strength of the signal being broadcast from each network.
Stronger signals tend to produce more reliable connections.
Beacon Period
Wireless access points periodically broadcast a packet called a "beacon"
which helps to synchronize communications with connected systems. The
number in this column indicates how often (in milliseconds) the beacon is
transmitted.
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