NETGEAR ProSafe WG302 Reference Manual page 38

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
• Wireless Network Name (SSID). The SSID is also known as the wireless network name. The
SSID separates network traffic from different wireless networks. To connect any wireless
device to a wireless network, you need to use the SSID. The WG302 default SSID is:
NETGEAR-0 for the first profile, NETGEAR-1 for the second, and so on. You can enter a
value of up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Some concepts regarding the SSID are explained
below:
– Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs cannot communicate with
each other. However, some access points allow connections from wireless stations that
have their SSID set to "any" or whose SSID is blank (null).
– A Basic Service Set (BSS) is a group of wireless stations and a single access point, all
using the same SSID.
– An Extended Service Set (ESS) is a group of wireless stations and multiple access points,
all using the same ID (ESSID).
– Different access points within an ESS can use different channels. To reduce interference,
adjacent access points should use different channels.
– Roaming is the ability of wireless stations to connect wirelessly when they physically
move from one ESS to another. The wireless station automatically changes to the access
point with the least interference or best performance.
Note: The AutoCell Auto RF Management option enhances the roaming,
• Broadcast Wireless Network Name (SSID). This field lets you turn off the SSID broadcast.
If you do so, then only stations that know the SSID can connect. Disabling the SSID broadcast
somewhat hampers the wireless network 'discovery' feature of some products. The default is
to enable SSID broadcast.
Note: Broadcast Wireless Network Name (SSID) is turned off if you enable the
AutoCell Enhanced RF Security option (disabled by default).
Network Authentication
The WG302 Wireless Access Point is set by default as an open system with no authentication.
When setting up Network Authentication, bear in mind the following:
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interference, and channel selection of an extended wireless network.
v0.1, December 2005
Basic Installation and Configuration