2
definitions
The
Configuration Guide
also uses the
following terms:
•
access point
—
a
bridge that links the
wireless LAN to the wired LAN.
•
DHCP
— dynamic host configuration
protocol. A protocol that provides
dynamic IP address allocation.
•
passphrase
— a string of characters
or words used to generate the WEP
key.
•
SSID
—
service set identifier
.
A
wireless LAN naming convention that
provides access control by logically
segmenting the LAN; also known as
Electronic System Identifier (ESSID)
and WLAN Service Area ID.
•
WEP
—
Wired Equivalent Privacy. A
security protocol for WLANs defined
in the IEEE 802.11b standard,
provides security by encrypting data
over radio waves.
•
WEP key
—
a shared key algorithm for
encrypting data.
•
WLAN
—
wireless local area network.
symbols
The > symbol guides you through a
series of software steps. For example:
Click
Apple
>
Control Panels
to view the
active control panels.
WLAN concepts: the
802.11b standard
The print server supports the IEEE
802.11b standard to provide standards-
based compatibility with a wide range
of products.
IEEE 802.11b standardizes wireless
communications on layers one and two
of the ISO OSI model (the physical layer
and data link layer).
An 802.11b WLAN:
• communicates using radio waves that
penetrate many indoor structures and
can reflect around obstacles.
Throughput depends on several
factors including the number of users,
microcell range, interference,
multipath propagation, standards
support, and hardware type.
• operates within the 2.4 GHz ISM
band
• divides the 2.4 GHz band into 14
channels using direct-sequence
spread spectrum (DSSS)
• uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access
with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/
CA) to avoid packet collisions
The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility
Alliance (WECA) tests 802.11b systems
for compliance and interoperability.
WECA certified products carry the Wi-Fi
(Wireless / Fidelity) logo. Hewlett-
Packard is a member of WECA.
