CNET CWR-854 - Manual (Page 67)

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also allow considerable flexibility in providing access to different network types, such as different
types of Ethernet, Wireless and Token Ring networks. Such connections are only limited by the
number of slots or interfaces in the computer used for this task.
Further to this the software access point may include significant additional features such as shared
Internet access, web caching or content filtering, providing significant benefits to users and
administrators.
Q5: What is Roaming?
Ans: A wireless computer can "roam" from one access point to another, with the software and
hardware maintaining a steady network connection by monitoring the signal strength from in-range
access points and locking on to the one with the best quality. Usually this is completely transparent
to the user; they are not aware that a different access point is being used from area to area. Some
access point configurations require security authentication when swapping access points, usually
in the form of a password dialog box.
Access points are required to have overlapping wireless areas to achieve this as can be seen in
the following diagram:
Figure A6: Roaming.
A user can move from Area 1 to Area 2 transparently. The Wireless networking hardware
automatically swaps to the Access Point with the best signal.
Not all access points are capable of being configured to support roaming. Also of note is that any
access points for a single vendor should be used when implementing roaming, as there is no
official standard for this feature.
Q6: What about security?
Ans: Wireless communications obviously provide potential security issues, as an intruder does not
need physical access to the traditional wired network in order to gain access to data
communications. However, 802.11 wireless communications cannot be received --much less
decoded-- by simple scanners, short wave receivers etc. This has led to the common
misconception that wireless communications cannot be eavesdropped at all. However,
eavesdropping is possible using special equipment.
To protect against any potential security issues, 802.11 wireless communications have a function
called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), a form of encryption which provides privacy comparable to
that of a traditional wired network. If the wireless network has information that should be secure
then WEP should be used, ensuring the data is protected at traditional wired network levels.
Also it should be noted that traditional Virtual Private Networking (VPN) techniques will work over
wireless networks in the same way as traditional wired networks.
Section Two - Wireless Networking and the Internet
Q7: How can I use a wireless network to share an Internet connection?
Ans: Once you realize that wireless cards are analogous to Ethernet cards and that empty space