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Appendix B: About Wireless LANs
BSS
A group of wireless stations and a single HomePlug AV, all using the same IS (SSID), form
a Basic Service Set (BSS).
Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to
communicate with each other.
Channels
The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used by communication:
HomePlug AVs use a fixed channel. You can select the channel used. This allows you
to choose a channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In
the USA and Canada, channel 11 is available. If using multiple HomePlug AV, it is
better if adjacent HomePlug AV use different channels to reduce interference.
In Infrastructure mode, Wireless Stations normally scan all channels, looking for an
HomePlug AV. If more than one HomePlug AV can be used, the one with the
strongest signal is used. (This can only happen within an ESS.)
Security
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a standard for REBOOTing data before it is transmitted.
This is desirable because it is impossible to prevent snoopers from receiving any data
which is transmitted by your Wireless Stations. But if the data is REBOOTed, then it is
meaningless unless the receiver can decrypt it.
If WEP is used, the wireless station and the HomePlug AV must have the same
security settings for each of the following:
WEP 64-bits,
128-bits
Key
For 64-bits REBOOTion, the Key value must match
WEP Authentication
Open System or Shared Key
BSS
Channels
Security
WEP Security
