Glossary for Wireless LAN terms and concepts
Access point
An access point is a device that typically serves as a bridge or gateway between wireless devices and the devices
on a cabled network. An access point must be able to receive and forward network traffic between wireless and
cabled network devices. Multiple access points can act as repeaters to extend the range of a wireless network.
Connecting via an access point is called infrastructure mode. On Apple networks, this is called AirPort network
mode.
Channels
IEEE standards for 802. 1 1 wireless LANs specify a spectrum of radio waves for wireless communications. The
allowed spectrum is divided into channels. 802. 1 1b uses 22 MHz channels, 802. 1 1g uses 20 MHz channels, and
802. 1 1n can use either 20 MHz or 40 MHz channels (because of channel bonding). The number of available
channels authorized for use might be restricted based on your location.
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If the print server is powered on and discovers a wireless network whose SSID (network name) is also
it automatically adjusts its channel to match that network.
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If the print server is reconfigured for infrastructure mode, it automatically adjusts its channel to match the
access point.
Encryption
Wireless networks use radio signals for network communications, which can be easily monitored by someone
eavesdropping on the network. To deter eavesdropping and to help ensure data privacy, encryption of wireless
communications should be used.
For HP Jetdirect print servers in their factory-default state, encryption of wireless communications is disabled.
However, the print servers support wi-fi protected access (WPA/WPA2) and other popular dynamic encryption
protocols.
NOTE:
Wireless performance might be reduced when using encryption keys due to the additional processing
time required.
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Static encryption: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption protocols were developed to provide a basic level
of data privacy. WEP protocols use static encryption keys to encrypt and decrypt wireless communications.
NOTE:
WEP encryption levels are sometimes called 40-bit, 64-bit, 104-bit, or 128-bit encryption. Forty-bit and
64-bit encryption are really the same, as are 104-bit and 128-bit encryption. When entering WEP keys, the user
specifies 40 bits for 64-bit encryption, or 104 bits for 128-bit encryption. An additional 24 initialization vector
(IV) bits are automatically added for a total of 64 bits and 128 bits, respectively. In this setup guide, 40/64-bit
and 104/128bit are used to specify these WEP encryption levels.
For basic encryption, static WEP keys are configured on each device on the wireless network. WEP keys are
considered static because they remain the same unless manually reconfigured. For example, on a typical
infrastructure mode network that uses static WEP encryption, a change to the WEP key on an access point
requires a manual change to the WEP key on each wireless device.
Glossary for Wireless LAN terms and concepts
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