User Manual

Table Of Contents
555004.doc
57
Wireless LAN Security
the range of the device,
proper propagation of the signal ((conducting) obstacles,),
interference of other devices
number of users.
Some devices can handle more than one data rate; see the
specifications of your device.
B.5.3 Regulatory Domain
Every region or country has an institution/agency that governs radio
transmissions. Such a region is called a regulatory domain.
A wireless LAN uses a spectrum of radio frequencies for which no end-
user license is needed.
Europe (excluding France and Spain) are governed by the ETSI (the
European Telecommunications Standards Institute). This is a non-profit
making organization whose mission is to
produce telecommunications
standards.
The ETSI regulates the radio channels (see section B.5.4: ‘Radio
Channels’ on page 57) that can be used in your regulatory domain
B.5.4 Radio Channels
Each Access Point in the network forms the centre of a cell, i.e. an area
in which the radio signal of an Access Point is sufficiently good to join
with.
The radio channels that you are allowed to use depend on both the
capabilities of the PC cards you are deploying, as well as the regulations
in your area (see section B.5.3: ‘Regulatory Domain’ on page 57).
For a single Access Point you can choose any of the available channels.
However, when there are more Access Points in the neighborhood, they
must send and receive preferably on different channels for a maximum
throughput. The cells should overlap slightly to guarantee seamless
wireless connectivity everywhere.
B.6 Security
Wired LAN’s require security techniques against unauthorized access to
and management of the network.
Security on a Wireless LAN requires additional techniques to protect
from eavesdroppers that want to listen in on the Wireless LAN traffic.
Every node (Access Point, PC card) in a wireless network must be
secured against eavesdropping.