ZyXEL AG-220 User’s Guide

•Every device in the same wireless network must use security compatible with the AP or peer computer.

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

3.2Wireless LAN Security

Wireless LAN security is vital to your network to protect wireless communications.

Configure the wireless LAN security using the Configuration or the Profile Security Setting screen. If you do not enable any wireless security on your AG-220, the AG-220’s wireless communications are accessible to any wireless networking device that is in the coverage area.

Note: You can only use WEP encryption if you set the AG-220 to Ad-hoc or AP mode.

See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless security.

3.2.1 Hide SSID

Normally, the AG-220 in AP mode acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID in the area. You can hide the SSID instead, in which case the AG-220 in AP mode 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 wireless devices to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized wireless devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network.

3.2.2 MAC Address Filter

Every device that can use a wireless network has a unique identification number, called a MAC address.1 A MAC address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters2; for example, 00A0C5000002 or 00:A0:C5:00:00:02.

To get the MAC address for each device in the wireless network, see the device’s User’s Guide or other documentation. You can find the MAC address of the AG-220 by looking at the sticker on the bottom of the device. Alternatively, use the utility in AP mode and look at the Link Info screen. See Section 5.2 on page 74 for more details. You can also use the Association List in the Link Info screen (in AP mode) to get the MAC addresses of other wireless devices connected to the AG-220.

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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Chapter 3 Wireless LAN Network