Every wireless local area network (WLAN) uses a unique network name to identify the network. This name is also
called the Service Set Identifier (SSID). When you set up your WiFi adapter, you specify the SSID. If you want to
connect to an existing WLAN, you must use the name for that network. If you set up your own WLAN, you can
make up your own name and use it on each computer. The name can be up to 32 characters long and contain
letters and numbers. The SSID or network name is assigned at the access point or wireless router.
Profiles
A profile is used to manage your computer's connection to a WLAN. A profile is a collection of settings that
determines how your computer connects to the WLAN. These settings (the profile) are saved on your computer
and are used each time you connect to that WLAN. The profile includes all of the network information and security
settings. Different profiles are created for different WLANs. For your computer, each WLAN will have its own profile
to manage connection to that WLAN. Using the Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software, the profiles for your
computer are displayed in the Profiles list. With the utility, you can create, edit, and remove profiles.
Security
Some WLANs are open or unsecure networks, and some are secure networks. A secure WLAN limits who can
access the network. There are different levels methods of security. The WiFi connection utility can easily help you
set up a security method for your WLAN.
Common security methods for WLANs use keys or passwords, where the computer requesting access must provide
the key or password to get access. WLANs can also use encryption to encode the data. With encryption, before a
computer transmits data it uses a secret encryption key to scramble the data. The receiving computer uses this
same key to unscramble the data. If you connect to an existing network, use the encryption key provided by the
administrator of the wireless network. If you set up your own network, you can make up your own key and use it
on each computer. The WiFi connection utility can help you do this. The security method used by your computer to
get WLAN access is stored in the profile. See
Security
for more helpful information.
Identify a Wireless Network
Depending on the size and components of a wireless network, there are different ways to identify a wireless
network:
The Network Name or Service Set Identifier (SSID)
: Identifies a wireless network. All wireless devices
on the network must use the same SSID. This is probably the most common method.
Basic Service Set (BSS)
: Consists of two or more wireless nodes, or stations, which have recognized each
other and have established communications.
Broadcast SSID
: An access point can respond to computers sending probe packets with the broadcast
SSID. If this feature is enabled on the access point, any wireless user can associate with the access point by
using a blank (null) SSID.
Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID)
: A unique identifier for each wireless device. The BSSID is the
Ethernet MAC address of the device.
Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID)
: A special case of SSID used to identify a wireless network that
includes access points.
Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)
: A mode of operation in an 802.11 system that allows direct
communication between 802.11 devices without the need to set up a communication session with an access
point.
Independent Basic Service Set Identifier (IBSSID)
: A special case of SSID used to identify a network of
wireless computers configured to communicate directly with one another without using an access point.
Select a Wireless Network Mode
Wireless networks can operate with or without access points, depending on the number of users in the network.
Infrastructure mode uses access points to allow wireless computers to send and receive information. Wireless
computers transmit to the access point, the access point receives the information and rebroadcasts it to other
computers. The access point can also connect to a wired network or to the Internet. Multiple access points can
work together to provide coverage over a wide area.
Device-to-Device mode, also called ad hoc mode, works without access points and allows wireless computers to
Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility User's Guide
