Chapter 12 Wireless LAN

•Use the Advanced screen (Section 12.6 on page 109) to allow wireless advanced features, such as intra-BSS networking and set the RTS/CTS Threshold.

•Use the QoS screen (Section 12.7 on page 111) to set priority levels to services, such as e-mail, VoIP, chat, and so on.

•Use the WPS screen (Section 12.8 on page 112) to quickly set up a wireless network with strong security, without having to configure security settings manually.

•Use the WPS Station screen (Section 12.9 on page 113) to add a wireless station using WPS.

•Use the Scheduling screen (Section 12.10 on page 114) to set the times your wireless LAN is turned on and off.

•Use the WDS screen (Section 12.11 on page 115) to configure Wireless Distribution System on your Router.

12.3What You Should Know

Every wireless network must follow these basic guidelines.

•Every wireless client in the same wireless network must use the same SSID. The SSID is the name of the wireless network. It stands for Service Set IDentity.

•If two wireless networks overlap, they should use different channels.

Like radio stations or television channels, each wireless network uses a specific channel, or frequency, to send and receive information.

•Every wireless client in the same wireless network must use security compatible with the AP.

Security stops unauthorized devices from using the wireless network. It can also protect the information that is sent in the wireless network.

12.3.1Wireless Security Overview

The following sections introduce different types of wireless security you can set up in the wireless network.

12.3.1.1 SSID

Normally, the AP acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID in the area. You can hide the SSID instead, in which case the AP does not broadcast the SSID. In addition, you should change the default SSID to something that is difficult to guess.

This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for unauthorized devices to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network.

12.3.1.2 MAC Address Filter

Every wireless client has a unique identification number, called a MAC address.1 A MAC address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters2; for example, 00A0C5000002 or

1.Some wireless devices, such as scanners, can detect wireless networks but cannot use wireless networks. These kinds of wireless devices might not have MAC addresses.

2.Hexadecimal characters are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

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NBG-419N v2 User’s Guide