HP RSVLD-0608 User Manual

Contents: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

Introduction Completing the Setup Utility Functions Specifications Regulatory Information Glossary

Company Copyright Statement

Company Trademark Statement. Microsoft® and Windows® are trademarks owned by Microsoft Corporation. All other

trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

802.11g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual, Model: RSVLD-0608

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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

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Features and Requirements

Enterprise Users

Introduction:

The 802.11g WLAN Solution Using the 802.11g WLAN

The 802.11g WLAN Solution

The 802.11g WLAN solution accesses wireless local area networks (LANs), enables the sharing of a local printer and files with others in the network, accesses the Internet, and enables roaming about the office—wire-free. This wireless LAN solution is designed for both the home user and small businesses—and it is scalable so that users can be added and new network features can be enabled as networking needs grow.

WEP is a security protocol for wireless local area networks (defined in IEEE Std 802.11, 1999 Edition) that encrypts data sent over radio waves. The use of the WEP key is optional and can be enabled or disabled. If the network being connecting to has enabled WEP, WEP must also be enabled in the network profile and the WEP key must be set to match the WEP key used by the network. Otherwise, it is impossible to connect to the network.

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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

Obtain the following information from the network administrator:

● Network names (SSID) of the specific wireless networks to connect to

● WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key information (if any) for the networks to connect to

● For Microsoft® Windows® networking, the customer name and workgroup name

● For a network account, a user name and password

● An IP address (if not using a DHCP server)

Features and Requirements

An IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN includes the following features:

● Support for IEEE 802.11g draft specification

● Support for IEEE 802.11b standard

● 2.4-GHz band operation

● Network data rate of up to 54 Mbit/s

● Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption

Using the 802.11g WLAN

The 802.11g enabled device is an IEEE 802.11g based wireless LAN device. A LAN is composed of two or more computers that are connected to each other to share files or common equipment such as a printer or an Internet connection. A wireless LAN provides the same functionality of a wired network, but it eliminates the need to install networking cables and other networking equipment. Not only is a wireless LAN easier to deploy, but it also allows for roaming.

The 802.11g enabled device works with any Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® base station or wireless client adapter.

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Ccopyright and Trademark Information.

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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

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Modes of Operation

A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of operation: infrastructure network and computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network. Whereas each mode has its advantages, one mode may be more appropriate than the other, depending on the location and type of network connection.

Infrastructure Mode

The key difference between the infrastructure type of network and an ad hoc network is that the infrastructure network includes a base station (host) computer that has a built-in wireless network adapter and is connected to a wireless access point (AP). This functionality allows computers on the infrastructure wireless LAN to access the resources and tools of the wired LAN, including Internet access, e-mail, file transfers, and printer sharing.

Characteristics

Networked computers communicate with each other through a dedicated AP. All data transmitted between the computers on this wireless LAN passes through the AP.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Because the infrastructure mode offers more features, it requires additional components and setup time to deploy.

Completing the Setup:

NOTE—Before starting, obtain the required network information from the network administrator or the wireless access point installer (see The Company 802.11g WLAN Solution in Introduction).

● Extended range. The access point extends the range of the wireless LAN. Each computer can communicate with

other computers equipped by wireless networks that are within the range of the access point.

● Roaming. As the user moves around the home or office, the 802.11g enabled device determines the

best access point to use to ensure continuous communication with the network.

● Network connectivity. An access point can provide wireless LAN access to an existing wired network by bridging

the two networks together. This gives users of the wireless LAN access to all the functions of a wired network—from file server access to e-mail and the Internet.

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