Apple AirPort Networks - Manual (Page 21)

Chapter 3 AirPort Network Designs 21
Choosing the Radio Mode
Choose 802.11a/n - 802.11b/g from the Radio Mode pop-up menu if computers with
802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11g, or 802.11b wireless cards will join the network. Each client
computer will connect to the network and transmit network traffic at the highest
possible speed.
Choose 802.11n - 802.11b/g if only computers with 802.11n, 802.11b, or 802.11g
compatible wireless cards will join the network.
Note: If you don’t want to use an 802.11n radio mode, hold down the Option key and
chose a radio mode that doesn’t include 802.11n.
Changing the Channel
The “channel” is the radio frequency over which your wireless device communicates.
If you use only one device (for example, at home), you probably won’t need to change
the channel frequency. If you set up several wireless devices in a school or office,
use different channel frequencies for devices that are within approximately 150 feet of
each other.
Adjacent wireless devices should have at least 4 channels between their channel
frequencies. So if device A is set to channel 1, device B should be set to channel 6 or 11.
For best results, use channels 1, 6, or 11 when operating your device in the 2.4 GHz
range.
Choose Manually from the Radio Channel Selection pop-up menu, and then click Edit
to set the channels manually.
AirPort-enabled computers automatically tune to the channel frequency your wireless
device is using when they join the AirPort network. If you change the channel
frequency, AirPort client computers do not need to make any changes.
Password-protect Your Network
To password-protect your network, you can choose from a number of wireless security
options. In the AirPort pane of AirPort Utility, click Wireless and choose one of the
following options from the Wireless Security pop-up menu:
 None: Choosing this option turns off all password protection for the network. Any
computer with a wireless adapter or card can join the network, unless the network is
set up to use access control. See “Setting Up Access Control” on page 47.
 WEP: If your device supports it, choose this option and enter a password to protect
your network with a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) password. Your Apple wireless
device supports 40-bit and 128-bit encryption. To use 40-bit WEP, don’t use an
802.11n radio mode.