NETGEAR WG302 - 802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point Reference Manual page 31

– Different access points within an ESS can use different channels. To reduce interference, it
is recommended that adjacent access points should use different channels.
– As wireless stations physically move through the area covered by an ESS, they will
automatically change to the access point which has the least interference or best
performance. This capability is called roaming.
• Broadcast Wireless Network Name (SSID). This field lets you turn off the SSID broadcast.
If you turn off the SSID broadcast, only stations that know the SSID will connect. Disabling
SSID broadcast somewhat hampers the wireless network 'discovery' feature of some products.
The default is to enable SSID broadcast.
• Country/Region. This field identifies the region where the WG302 can be used. It may not be
legal to operate the wireless features of the wireless access point in a region other than one of
those identified in this field. There is no default country domain, and the channel is set to 11.
Unless a country domain is selected, the channel cannot be changed.
• Operating Mode. Select the desired wireless operating mode. The options are:
– Auto (11g and 11b) – Both 802.11g and 802.11b wireless stations can be used. This is the
default
– 11g Only - Only 802.11g wireless stations can be used. This is required for 108 Mbps data
rate operation.
– 11b Only - All 802.11b wireless stations can be used. 802.11g wireless stations can still be
used if they can operate in 802.11b mode.
• Channel. This field identifies which operating frequency will be used. It should not be
necessary to change the wireless channel unless you notice interference problems or setting up
the WG302 near another access point. See
information on wireless channels.
– 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 channels are available.
Note: Channel 6 is required for 108 Mbps data rate.
– If using multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different channels
to reduce interference. The recommended channel spacing between adjacent access points
is 5 channels (for example, use channels 1 and 6, or 6 and 11).
– 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 when the various access points are using the same SSID.
Basic Installation and Configuration
Reference Manual for the WG302 802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point
December 2003
"Wireless Channels" on page B-7 for more
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