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Using Your VAIO Computer
Using Wireless LAN (WLAN)
Using the Sony Wireless LAN (WLAN), all your digital devices with built-in WLAN functionality communicate freely with each
other through a powerful network. A WLAN is a network in which a user can connect to a local area network (LAN) through
a wireless (radio) connection. So there is no need anymore to pull cables or wires through walls and ceilings.
The Sony WLAN supports all normal Ethernet activities, but with the added benefits of mobility and roaming. You can still
access information, internet/intranet and network resources, even in the middle of a meeting, or as you move from one place
to another.
You can communicate without an access point, which means that you can communicate between a limited number of
computers (ad-hoc). Or you can communicate through an access point, which allows you to create a full infrastructure
network (infrastructure).
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In some countries, using WLAN products may be restricted by the local regulations (e.g. limited number of channels). Therefore, before activating the
WLAN functionality, read the Regulations Guide carefully. Channel selection is explained further in this manual (see Wireless LAN Channel Selection
WLAN uses the IEEE 802.11b/g standard, which specifies the used technology. The standard includes the encryption method: Wired Equivalent Privacy
(WEP), which is a security protocol and WiFi Protected Access (WPA - Proposed jointly by the IEEE and Wi-Fi Alliance, WiFi Protected Access is a
specification of standards based, interoperable security enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing WiFi
networks. WPA has been designed to be forward compatible with the IEEE 802.11i specification. It utilizes the enhanced data encryption TKIP (Temporal
