NETGEAR WGR614 v6 Authentication and WEP Data Encryption, Ad Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer Workgroup

Reference Manual for the 54 Mbps Wireless Router WGR614 v6

Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)

In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed points to the network - each node can generally communicate with any other node. There is no Access Point involved in this configuration. This mode enables you to quickly set up a small wireless workgroup and allows workgroup members to exchange data or share printers as supported by Microsoft networking in the various Windows operating systems. Some vendors also refer to ad hoc networking as peer-to-peer group networking.

In this configuration, network packets are directly sent and received by the intended transmitting and receiving stations. As long as the stations are within range of one another, this is the easiest and least expensive way to set up a wireless network.

Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)

The Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) is one of two types of Service Set Identification (SSID). In an ad hoc wireless network with no access points, the Basic Service Set Identification (BSSID) is used. In an infrastructure wireless network that includes an access point, the ESSID is used, but may still be referred to as SSID.

An SSID is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key identifying the name of the wireless local area network. Some vendors refer to the SSID as network name. For the wireless devices in a network to communicate with each other, all devices must be configured with the same SSID.

The ESSID is usually broadcast in the air from an access point. The wireless station sometimes can be configured with the ESSID ANY. This means the wireless station will try to associate with whichever access point has the stronger radio frequency (RF) signal, providing that both the access point and wireless station use Open System authentication.

Authentication and WEP Data Encryption

The absence of a physical connection between nodes makes the wireless links vulnerable to eavesdropping and information theft. To provide a certain level of security, the IEEE 802.11 standard has defined these two types of authentication methods:

•Open System. With Open System authentication, a wireless computer can join any network and receive any messages that are not encrypted.

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202-10099-01, April 2005