User's Manual

Getting Started

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Wireless Network Basics:

Signal Strength: The strength of the connection is determined by your proximity to the

Wireless Access Point (or Wireless Router), structural interference, and device interference

(devices such as Microwave ovens or 2.4 GHz cordless phones operate on the same radio

frequency as 802.11b and g and can cause performance degradation on your wireless network).

SSID: Wireless Access Points typically broadcast a name or identifier – called an SSID – so that

the network can easily be identified and selected by wireless device users. Access points can be

configured to not broadcast the SSID so that the network is not easily available to other users. If

your network does not broadcast the SSID, you will be able to enter it manually

Encryption: Wireless Access Points can be configured to encrypt network traffic so that

unauthorized users can’t use the networks. When the Access Point is configured for encryption, a

key will be generated that can be used by wireless devices to access the network. This key is

commonly known as a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key. Only users that know the key will

be able to access the wireless network.

For Fee Hotspots: Some hotspots require the user to pay a fee or have a monthly subscription

in order to access their network. These locations typically expect the user’s device to have a web

browser where the user can enter a pin number or credit card information to pay for using the

network. These networks are not currently supported by Zippy Instant Messenger

DHCP: All networked devices must have an IP address assigned to them which lets them know

where to send and retrieve information in order to attach to the Internet. Most Wireless Access

Points will be configured to automatically provide an IP Address to devices that attempt to connect

to the network. Such devices have DHCP enabled - which allows the access point to dynamically

assign IP addresses to devices as they connect. An access point can be configured such that DHCP

is disabled and devices can only attach to the network if they know the (static) IP address required

by the Access Point.