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6 Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station User's Guide
Wireless Range Table
The following table shows the interaction between wireless
coverage area and transmission speed for Microsoft wireless
components under typical installation circumstances.
Data Rate
Open Environment
11 Mbps
up to 900 feet
5.5 Mbps
up to 1300 feet
2 or 1 Mbps
up to 1500 feet
Understanding Wireless Security (WEP)
Anyone within wireless range who knows your wireless network
name will be able to access the network and any data that is being
transmitted over it, unless you enable wireless security. Microsoft
wireless components use wireless security called Wireless
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) to prevent unauthorized users from
accessing your network. A network key—called a WEP key—
encrypts, or codes, data so that it is readable only by other
computers that have the key. The WEP key is stored on each
networked computer, so that data can be encrypted and decrypted
as it is transmitted over the network.
It is recommended that you enable WEP during base station setup.
You can simply choose to enable WEP security and allow the Setup
Wizard to assign your network a WEP key, or you can set your own
WEP key and choose other advanced options. For more information
about WEP and security, see "Securing Your Network" in Chapter 5
and "Security Settings" in Chapter 6.
Understanding Ethernet Connections
In most cases, the Microsoft Wireless Base Station uses Ethernet
to connect to your broadband modem and at least one computer.
You can also connect up to three additional Ethernet devices, such
as the Microsoft Broadband Networking 10/100 Ethernet PCI
Adapter and the Microsoft Broadband Networking 10/100
Ethernet 5-Port Switch, to the Microsoft Wireless Base Station. By
using hubs or switches, you can connect many more Ethernet
devices to your base station.
Ethernet is the most common and one of the fastest wired network
protocols, with connection speeds of 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or
higher. Although power outlets, fluorescent lights, power supplies,
and coiled or overlong cables can interfere with Ethernet
transmission, interference is seldom a problem in Ethernet
networks.
To connect to your base station through Ethernet, a computer or
other device must have an Ethernet network interface card, which
provides an external port for an Ethernet cable.
Closed Environment
up to 160 feet
up to 200 feet
up to 300 feet
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