ZyXEL Communications P-660W-T1 v2, User Manual

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Chapter 6 Wireless LAN
P-660W-Tx v2 User’s Guide
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When you select WPA2 or WPA2-PSK in your ZyXEL Device, you can also select an option
( WPA Compatible ) to support WPA as well. In this case, if some wireless clients support
WPA and some support WPA2, you should set up WPA2-PSK or WPA2 (depending on the
type of wireless network login) and select the WPA Compatible option in the ZyXEL Device.
Many types of encryption use a key to protect the information in the wireless network. The
longer the key, the stronger the encryption. Every wireless client in the wireless network must
have the same key.
6.6.3 Signal Problems
Because wireless networks are radio networks, their signals are subject to limitations of
distance, interference, and absorption.
Problems with distance occur when the two radios are too far apart. Problems with
interference occur when other radio waves interrupt the data signal. Interference may come
from other radio transmissions, such as military or air traffic control communications, or from
machines that are coincidental emitters such as electric motors or microwaves. Problems with
absorption occur when physical objects (such as thick walls) are between the two radios,
muffling the signal.
6.6.4 Additional Wireless Terms
The following table describes wireless network terms and acronyms used in the ZyXEL
Device’s Web Configurator.
Table 24 Additional Wireless Terms
TERM DESCRIPTION
RTS/CTS Threshold In a wireless network which covers a large area, wireless devices are
sometimes not aware of each other’s presence. This may cause them to send
information to the AP at the same time and result in information colliding and
not getting through.
By setting this value lower than the default value, the wireless devices must
sometimes get permission to send information to the ZyXEL Device. The
lower the value, the more often the devices must get permission.
If this value is greater than the fragmentation threshold value (see below),
then wireless devices never have to get permission to send information to the
ZyXEL Device.
Authentication The process of verifying whether a wireless device is allowed to use the
wireless network.
Fragmentation
Threshold
A small fragmentation threshold is recommended for busy networks, while a
larger threshold provides faster performance if the network is not very busy.