1

Introducing the NWA

Note: This User’s Guide includes the NWA-3500 and the NWA-3550. Illustrations used throughout this book are based on the NWA-3500 (unless otherwise stated). The Web Configuration screens are based on the NWA-3500 (unless otherwise stated).

1.1 Overview

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the NWA. It also introduces the ways you can manage the NWA.

Your NWA extends the range of your existing wired network without additional wiring, providing easy network access to mobile users.

It is highly versatile, featuring dual wireless modules and supporting up to eight Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSID) simultaneously. The Quality of Service (QoS) features allow you to prioritize time-sensitive or highly important applications such as VoIP.

Multiple security profiles allow you to easily assign different types of security to groups of users. The NWA controls network access with MAC address filtering, rogue AP detection, layer 2 isolation and an internal authentication server. It also provides a high level of network traffic security, supporting IEEE 802.1x, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), WPA2 and WEP data encryption.

Your NWA is easy to install, configure and use. The embedded Web-based configurator enables simple, straightforward management and maintenance.

See the Quick Start Guide for instructions on how to make hardware connections.

 

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NWA-3500/NWA-3550 User’s Guide