ZyXEL X-550 User’s Guide

Chapter 2Wireless LAN Networking

This chapter provides background information on general wireless LAN networking technology and terminology.

THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. CHANGING NETWORK SETTINGS AND PARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATOR.

2.1Overview

This section introduces the wireless LAN(WLAN) and some basic scenarios.

2.2SSID

The SSID (Service Set Identity) is a unique name shared among all wireless devices in a wireless network. Wireless devices must have the same SSID to communicate with each other.

2.3Channel

A radio frequency used by a wireless device is called a channel.

2.4Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate)

The X-550 provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options available are: Best (Auto), 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 22 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, 54 Mbps, and 108Mbps. In most networking scenarios, the factory default setting, Best (Auto) provides the most efficient and optimal performance. This setting allows your X-550 to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate at any given time. When the communication quality drops below a certain level, the X-550 automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate. The X-550 will gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again when communication levels improve and will keep on doing so until reaching the highest available transmission (data) rate.

2.5Wireless Network Application

Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two methodologies: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In infrastructure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each access point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set (ESS) is two or more BSSs in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as peer-to-peer mode), wireless devices communicate with each other directly and do not use an access point. This is an Independent BSS (IBSS).

To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using access points, set the X-550 operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an access point, use Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode.

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