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24 CHAPTER 4: SETTING THE WIRELESS CLIENT CONFIGURATION
3 In the Security/Network window, WLAN Service Area displays the name of the
wireless network with which the wireless PC client can associate. You can change
this setting as follows:
Attach to any WLAN Service Area automatically
Check this box to associate the client automatically to the WLAN service area with
the best signal strength. This is recommended.
Specify a WLAN Service Area
First uncheck the Attach to any WLAN Service Area automatically box. Then, you
can either enter the name of a service area (up to 32 characters long), or select
from recently used WLAN service areas or from all available WLAN Service Areas
within the range of the client.
Security Settings You can set the level of security used to protect the network communications
between the client and the access point from interception by unintended
recipients. The security settings must match those that the network administrator
has set up on the network. Some security levels require you to supply encryption
settings. The levels of security are:
To maintain wireless association between clients and access points, follow these
guidelines:
■ The security setting on the client and the access points must match exactly.
■ For 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security, the encryption settings on the client and
the access point must match exactly.
■ For 128-bit Dynamic Security Link security, the user name and password on the
client and the access points must match exactly.
40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) Encryption Settings
40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security requires you to set up encryption keys. Your
network administrator sets up encryption keys for the wireless network and gives
you an encryption string or hexadecimal keys.
■ An encryption string is a string of characters between 8 and 64 characters
long. The string can be any combination of letters and numbers and is case
sensitive. The encryption string can be used only with other 3Com 11 Mbps
wireless PC Cards and access points.
No Security (Open System) No encryption is used. The network communications could
be intercepted by unintended recipients.
40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) This option encrypts the wireless transmissions to protect
your data and is compatible with other Wi-Fi certified
wireless PC clients and access points from other
manufacturers.
128-bit Dynamic Security Link This option can only be used with a 3Com 11 Mbps
Wireless LAN Access Point. It is the highest level of security,
in which you must enter a user name and password. These
must match the user name and password set up by the
administrator on the access points with which you
associate. Each network session automatically creates a
unique, one-time, 128-bit encryption key. You never have
to enter a key.