CNET CWR-854 - Manual (Page 69)

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produces secure scrambled text. Decryption is the opposite of encryption; it is the mathematical
operation that transforms cipher text to standard text.
Q11: Why do I need a router?
Ans: The increased reliance on computers to store valuable information and the development of
applications that share information over the internet through networked personal computers, in
combination with the advent of computer hacking, has made information and network security an
important issue. Typical analog modems and/or the higher-speed cable/DSL modems do not
provide the necessary security to prevent someone from hacking into a computer. Having a device
that provides network address translation (NAT) capability provides a simple solution to the
hacking issue.
Q12: What is NAT?
Ans: Network Address Translation is used in a router to prevent hacking into the local area
network (LAN). NAT substitutes a "private" IP address of devices located on the LAN side of the
router with a new "public" IP address that is visible on the internet side of the router. By virtue of
this simple implementation, any of up to 253 devices located on the LAN will be hidden from
internet hackers. Only the router's IP address is visible on the internet.
Q13: Isn't NAT the same as "firewall"?
Ans: No. Though the term "firewall" has been used when describing a router's ability to hide the
LAN IP addresses, a true firewall employs a technology called Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI).
Firewalls provide a greater level of security and are generally more expensive than a NAT router.
Firewalls give the administrator the ability to set up specific IP addresses or domain names that
are allowed to be accessed, while refusing any other attempt to access the LAN. This is often
referred to as filtering. Firewalls can also allow remote access to the private network through the
use of secure login procedures and authentication certificates (VPN). Firewalls are used to
prevent Denial of Service (DoS) attacks and can use software to provide content filtering to deny
access to unwanted web sites.
Q14: Can the Access Point act as my DHCP Server?
Ans: No. The Access Point is nothing more than a wireless hub, and as such cannot be configured
to handle DHCP capabilities.
Q15: Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network?
Ans: This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. See
the application's user guide to determine if it supports operation over a network.
Q16: What is Ad-hoc?
Ans: An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as
an independent wireless LAN. An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a
branch or SOHO operation.
Q17: What is Infrastructure?
Ans: An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure
is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to a central database, or wireless application
for mobile workers.
Q18: What is WEP?
Ans: WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40-bit shared-key
algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
Q19: How do I reset the Access Point or Router?
Ans: Press the Reset button on the back of the Access Point for about ten seconds. This will reset
the unit to its default settings.
Q20: Does the Access Point function as a firewall?
Ans: No. The Access Point is only a bridge from wired Ethernet to wireless clients.