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ZyXEL X-550 User’s Guide
Chapter 2
Wireless LAN Networking
This chapter provides background information on general wireless LAN networking technology and
terminology.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. CHANGING NETWORK
SETTINGS AND PARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY AN
AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATOR.
2.1 Overview
2.2
2.3 Channel
2.4
2.5
This section introduces the wireless LAN(WLAN) and some basic scenarios.
SSID
The SSID (Service Set Identity) is a unique name shared among all wireless devices in a wireless
network. Wireless devices must have the same SSID to communicate with each other.
A radio frequency used by a wireless device is called a channel.
Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate)
The X-550 provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options available are:
Best (Auto), 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 22 Mbps, 24
Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, 54 Mbps, and 108Mbps. In most networking scenarios, the factory default
setting, Best (Auto) provides the most efficient and optimal performance. This setting allows your
X-550 to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate at any given time. When the communication
quality drops below a certain level, the X-550 automatically switches to a lower transmission (data)
rate. The X-550 will gradually increases the transmission (data) rate again when communication levels
improve and will keep on doing so until reaching the highest available transmission (data) rate.
Wireless Network Application
Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two methodologies: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In
infrastructure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each access
point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set (ESS)
is two or more BSSs in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as peer-to-peer mode), wireless
devices communicate with each other directly and do not use an access point. This is an Independent
BSS (IBSS).
To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using access points, set the X-550 operation
mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an access point,
use Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode.
2-1