ZyXEL Communications 802.11b/g Wireless Access Point NWA-1100 User Manual
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Chapter 6 Wireless Settings Screen
ZyXEL NWA-1100 User’s Guide
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6.3 What You Need To Know About Wireless Settings Screen
BSS
A Basic Service Set (BSS) exists when all communications between wireless clients or
between a wireless client and a wired network client go through one access point (AP). Intra-
BSS traffic is traffic between wireless clients in the BSS.
ESS
An Extended Service Set (ESS) consists of a series of overlapping BSSs, each containing an
access point, with each access point connected together by a wired network. This wired
connection between APs is called a Distribution System (DS).
Operating Mode
The ZyXEL Device can run in four operating modes as follows:
• AP (Access Point). The ZyXEL Device is wireless access point that allows
wireless communication to other devices in the network.
• Wireless Client. The ZyXEL Device acts as a wireless client to access a wireless
network.
• Bridge. The ZyXEL Device acts as a wireless network bridge and establishes
wireless links with other APs. You need to know the MAC address of the peer
device, which also must be in bridge mode. The ZyXEL Device can establish up
to five wireless links with other APs.
• AP+Bridge Mode. The ZyXEL Device functions as a bridge and access point
simultaneously.
for illustrations of these wireless applications.
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.