47
◆
Network Name (SSID)
– preset to a number unique to your unit. You can either leave it as is, or change it by
entering a freeform name of up to 32 characters, for example “Hercule’s Wireless LAN”. On client PCs’ soft-
ware, this might also be called the Network Name. The Wireless ID is used to identify this particular wireless
LAN. Depending on their operating system or client wireless card, users must either:
• select from a list of available wireless LANs that appear in a scanned list on their client
• or enter this name on their clients in order to join this wireless LAN.
◆
Hide SSID
– If enabled, this mode hides the wireless network from the scanning features of wireless client
computers. Unless both the wireless clients and the Gateway share the same Network Name (SSID) in hidden
mode, the Gateway’s wireless LAN will not appear as an available network when scanned for by wireless-
enabled computers. Members of the hidden WLAN must log onto the Gateway’s wireless network with the
identical SSID as that configured in the Gateway.
Closed System mode is an ideal way to increase wireless security and to prevent casual detection by
unwanted neighbors, office users, or malicious users such as hackers.
If you do not enable Hide SSID, it is
more convenient, but potentially less secure, for clients to access your WLAN by scanning available
access points. You must decide based on your own network requirements.
◆
Security, WPA Version
,
WEP Key Length
,
Key
– see
“
Wireless Security
” on page
48
.
◆
Mode
– The pull-down menu allows you to select and lock the Gateway into the wireless transmission mode
you want:
B/G/N
,
B-only
,
B/G
,
G-only
, or
N-only.
For compatibility with clients using 802.11b (up to 11 Mbps transmission), 802.11g (up to 20+ Mbps), 802.11a
(up to 54 Mbit/s using the 5 GHz band), or 802.11n (from 54 Mbit/s to 600 Mbit/s with the use of four spatial
streams at a channel width of 40 MHz), select
B/G/N
. To limit your wireless LAN to one mode or the other,
select
G-only
,
N-only
, or
B-only
, or some combination that applies to your setup.
☛
NOTE:
If you choose to limit the operating mode to 802.11b or 802.11g only, clients using the mode you
excluded will not be able to connect.
◆
Bandwidth
– May only be selected if mode is some combination of 802.11
n
(from 54 Mbit/s to 600 Mbit/s
with the use of four spatial streams at a channel width of 40 MHz). Measure of the width of a range of frequen-
cies, in megahertz.
◆
Channel
(1 through 11, for North America) on which the network will broadcast. This is a frequency range
within the 2.4Ghz band. Channel selection depends on government regulated radio frequencies that vary from
region to region. Channel selection can have a significant impact on performance, depending on other wireless
activity close to this Wireless Access Point. You need not select a channel at any of the computers on your
wireless network. They will automatically scan available channels seeking a Gateway broadcasting on the
SSID for which they are configured.
The
Automatic
setting allows the Wireless Access Point to determine the best channel to broadcast automati-
cally.
◆
Power Level
– Sets the wireless transmit power, scaling down the Wireless Access Point’s wireless transmit
coverage by lowering its radio power output. Default is
100%
power. Transmit power settings are useful in
large venues with multiple wireless routers where you want to reuse channels. Since there are only three non-
overlapping channels in the 802.11 spectrum, it helps to size the Wireless Access Point’s cell to match the
location. This allows you to install a router to cover a small “hole” without conflicting with other routers nearby.
◆
Wireless Protected Setup (WPS)
is a not a new security protocol. It is simply an easier way to use existing
protocols to provide greater security for your wireless network connections.
By default, Privacy is set to Wireless Protected Access (WPA-PSK). WPS allows you to automatically
generate a new strong WPA key for your Gateway and any client devices on your wireless network.
Not all client wireless devices support WPS. Refer to their documentation.
Enter your all digit
WPS PIN
and click the
Submit
button.
Follow the instructions that came with your wireless client.