Network Type - ZyXEL Communications ZYAIR 200 User Manual

ZyAIR 200 Wireless LAN USB Adapter

Network Type

To connect your wireless station to a local network infrastructure, set the station operation mode to
Infrastructure (with Access Point as default setting). In case you do not wish to connect to a network
infrastructure, but prefer to set up a small wireless workgroup, you can enable the Ad-hoc (without Access
Point). When the Ad-hoc mode is selected, be sure to set your wireless stations with the same channel.
ZyAIR 200 works with any IEEE 802.11 and 802.11(b)-compliant Access Points.
Channel
Channel allows you to choose the radio channels depending on your geographical area. When your
Network Type is set to Ad-Hoc mode, be sure to select your wireless computer with the same channel.
SS ID
The SSID is a unique ID given to the Access Point. Wireless clients associating to any Access Point must
have the same SSID. Select SSID and enter a specific SSID (Access Point) you desire to connect with.
Alternatively, you may enter ANY (default setting). This allows your wireless adapter to automatically
associate to any Access Point that gives the fastest response. It is recommended that you select the SSID
option. This will prevent your computer from accidentally connecting to a different wireless network.
Tx(Transmission) Rate
ZyAIR 200 provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Transmission Rate options
include Fully Auto, Fixed 1 Mb/s, Fixed 2 Mb/s, Auto Select 1M or 2M, Fixed 5.5Mb/s and Fixed
11Mb/s. In most networking scenarios, you will see that the factory default Fully Auto will prove the most
efficient. This setting allows your ZyAIR 200 to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the
communication quality drops below a certain level, ZyAIR 200 will automatically switch to a lower
transmission (data) rate. Transmission at lower data speeds are usually more reliable. However, when the
communication quality improves again, ZyAIR 200 will gradually increase the transmission (data) rate
again until it reaches the highest available transmission rate.
If you wish to balance speed versus reliability, you can select any of the above options. Fixed 11Mb/s or
Fixed 5.5Mb/s is used in a networking environment where you are certain that all wireless devices can
communicate at the highest transmission (data) rate. Fixed 1Mb/s, Fixed 2Mb/s, Auto Select 1M or 2M
are used often in networking environments where the range of the wireless connection is more important
than speed.
Preamble Type
This field allows two different selections: Long and Short. The default setting is set to Long.
Long – The mandatory supported "Long preamble as well as header" as specified in IEEE802.11 that
allows interoperation with the current 1Mbit/sec and 2Mbit/sec DSSS specification.
Utility Setup and Configuration 4-7