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Chapter 8 Wireless Configuration
NWA-3500/NWA-3550 User’s Guide
122
SSID
The SSID (Service Set IDentifier) identifies the Service Set with which a wireless
station is associated. Wireless stations associating to the access point (AP) must
have the same SSID.
Normally, the ZyXEL Device acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID
in the area. You can hide the SSID instead, in which case the ZyXEL Device 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.
Channel
A channel is the radio frequency(ies) used by IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless devices.
Channels available depend on your geographical area. You may have a choice of
channels (for your region) so you should use a different channel than an adjacent
AP (access point) to reduce interference.
Wireless Mode
The IEEE 802.1x standard was designed to extend the features of IEEE 802.11 to
support extended authentication as well as providing additional accounting and
control features. Your NWA can support 802.11a, 802.11b Only, 802.11g Only
and 802.11b+g.
8.3.2 MBSSID
Traditionally, you needed to use different APs to configure different Basic Service
Sets (BSSs). As well as the cost of buying extra APs, there was also the possibility
of channel interference. The NWA’s MBSSID (Multiple Basic Service Set IDentifier)
function allows you to use one access point to provide several BSSs
simultaneously. You can then assign varying levels of privilege to different SSIDs.
Wireless stations can use different BSSIDs to associate with the same AP.
The following are some notes on multiple BSS.
• A maximum of eight BSSs are allowed on one AP simultaneously.
• You must use different WEP keys for different BSSs. If two stations have
different BSSIDs (they are in different BSSs), but have the same WEP keys,
they may hear each other’s communications (but not communicate with each
other).