User's Manual

The SSID, a human-assigned name, defines the WLAN. It is sometimes called the network
(or domain) name (or ID). Groups of devices using different SSIDs in the same area are
considered to make up different WLANs. Your computer must be set to use the same SSID as
all other machines on the WLAN. A “detectable” WLAN is one that broadcasts its SSID.
SSID broadcasts (often called “beacons”) enable the utility to show the WLAN in the Site
Survey listing and automatically fill in the correct SSID when creating a profile.
The BSSID is a numeric, factory-set identifier identical to the medium access control (MAC)
address (also called the MAC ID) of one of the devices on the WLAN. On an infrastructure
WLAN, it is usually the MAC address of the access point; on an ad-hoc WLAN, it is usually
the MAC address of one of the members. BSSIDs are shown in hexadecimal (base 16)
notation.
The BSSID can change as you move between cells of a roamable infrastructure WLAN. On
an ad-hoc WLAN, it may change as different stations take on the role of “coordinator” (this
change is automatic).
Current Channel display: A channel is one of 14 groups of adjacent frequencies in the radio
band used for wireless networking. The channel can change as you move between cells of a
roamable infrastructure WLAN; the adapter automatically detects and uses the channel used
by the access point with the best signal. An ad-hoc WLAN always uses a single, fixed
channel decided on by its users.
Current Tx Rate display: The Tx (transmission) rate is the communication speed in megabits
per second (Mbps). If the
Transmission Rate setting in the current profile is Auto, the figure
shown here can vary as the adapter adjusts to changing interference levels, distance, etc.
When the adapter is operating in 4X mode,
+4X appears after the transmission rate. 4X mode
uses larger packets to reduce overhead and increase throughput; it does not change the
number of bits transmitted per second.
Link Quality and Signal Strength display: Link quality can be compared to the clarity, and
signal strength to the volume, of audible speech. Radio-frequency interference, reflection, and
obstructions can reduce link quality even when signal strength is high. These figures are often
useful in diagnosing problems on a wireless network.
IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway display: This information is obtained from
the operating system, and can be of use to technicians in diagnosing network problems. It can
also help non-technical users determine when they are “on the Internet.”
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