Messid And Ssid; Chapter 8 Messid And Ssid; Wireless Lan Infrastructures; Messid - ZyXEL Communications G-3000 User Manual

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This chapter describes how to configure and use your ZyXEL Device's MESSID mode and
configure SSID profiles.

8.1 Wireless LAN Infrastructures

See the Wireless LAN chapter for some basic WLAN scenarios and terminology.

8.1.1 MESSID

Traditionally, you needed to use different APs to configure different Extended Service Sets
(ESSs). As well as the cost of buying extra APs, there was also the possibility of channel
interference. The ZyXEL Device's MESSID (Multiple Extended Service Set IDentifier)
function allows you to use one access point to provide several ESSs simultaneously. You can
then assign varying levels of privilege to different SSIDs.
Wireless stations can use different ESSIDs to associate with the same AP.
You can assign different wireless and security settings to each SSID profile. This allows you
to compartmentalize groups of users, set varying access privileges, and prioritize network
traffic to and from certain ESSs.
To the wireless clients in the network, each SSID appears to be a different access point. As in
any wireless network, clients can associate only with the SSIDs for which they have the
correct security settings.

8.1.2 Notes on Multiple ESS

• Configure up to 16 ESSs on the ZyXEL Device.
• A maximum of eight ESSs can operate simultaneously on the ZyXEL Device.
• Use different security settings for different ESSs. For example, if two stations connect to
different ESSIDs (they are in different ESSs), but have the same WEP keys, they may hear
each other's communications (but not communicate with each other).
• You can hide or broadcast ESS IDs (so site survey tools can or cannot find them by
scanning).
• Multi-ESS should not replace but rather be used in conjunction with 802.1x security.

8.1.3 Multiple ESS Example

Refer to the applications section for more information.
G-3000 Series User's Guide

MESSID and SSID

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