User's Manual

User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111
Wireless
Networking Basics B-7
202-10026-01
Note: Whatever keys you enter for an AP, you must also enter the same keys for the client adapter
in the same order. In other words, WEP key 1 on the AP must match WEP key 1 on the client
adapt
er, WEP key 2 on the AP must match WEP key 2 on the client adapter, etc.
Note: Th
e AP and the client adapters can have different default WEP Keys as long as the keys are
in
the same order. In other words, the AP can use WEP key 2 as its default key to transmit while a
client
adapter can use WEP key 3 as its default key to transmit. The two devices will communicate
as
long as the AP’s WEP key 2 is the same as the client’s WEP key 2 and the AP’s WEP key 3 is
the same as the client’s WEP key 3.
Wireless Channels
IEEE 802.11b and g wireless nodes communicate with each other using radio frequency signals in
the
ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Neighboring
channels
are 5 MHz apart. However, due to spread spectrum effect of the signals, a node sending
signals
using a particular channel will utilize frequency spectrum 12.5 MHz above and below the
ce
nter channel frequency. As a result, two separate wireless networks using neighboring channels
(for e
xample, channel 1 and channel 2) in the same general vicinity will interfere with each other.
Apply
ing two channels that allow the maximum channel separation will decrease the amount of
channel
cross-talk, and provide a noticeable performance increase over networks with minimal
channel
separation.
The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used for communication.
- Access Points use a fixed Channel. You can select the Channel used. This allows you to
choose a Channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA
and Canada, 11 channel are available. If using multiple Access Points, it is better if adjacent
Access Points use different Channels to reduce interference.
- In "Infrastructure" mode, Wireless Stations normally scan all Channels, looking for an
Access Point. If more than one Access Point can be used, the one with the strongest
signal is used. (This can only happen within an ESS.)
- If using "Ad-hoc" mode (no Access Point), all Wireless stations should be set to use the
same Channel. However, most Wireless stations will still scan all Channels to see if there
is an existing "Ad-hoc" group they can join.