Appendix A - Troubleshooting
Channels
The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used for communication.
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Wireless Routers 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, 11 channels are available. If using multiple Access Points, it is better if
adjacent Access Points use different Channels to reduce interference.
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In "Infrastructure" mode, Wireless Stations normally scan all Channels, looking for a
Wireless Router. If more than one Wireless Router can be used, the one with the strongest
signal is used. (This can only happen within an ESS.)
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If using "Ad-hoc" mode (no Wireless Router), all Wireless stations should be set to use
the same Channel. However, most Wireless stations will still scan all Channels to see if
there is an existing "Ad-hoc" group they can join.
WEP
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a standard for encrypting data before it is transmitted.
This is desirable because it is impossible to prevent snoopers from receiving any data that is
transmitted by your Wireless Stations. But if the data is encrypted, then it is meaningless
unless the receiver can decrypt it.
If WEP is used, the Wireless Stations and the Wireless Router must have the same set-
tings for each of the following:
WEP
Off, 64 Bit, 128 Bit
Key
For 64 Bit encryption, the Key value must match.
For 128 Bit encryption, the Key value must match
WEP Authentication
Open System or Shared Key.
Wireless LAN Configuration
To allow Wireless Stations to use the Wireless Router, the Wireless Stations and the Wireless
Router must use the same settings, as follows:
Mode
On client Wireless Stations, the mode must be set to "Infrastructure".
(The Wireless Router is always in "Infrastructure" mode.)
SSID (ESSID)
Wireless Stations should use the same SSID (ESSID) as the Wireless
Router they wish to connect to. Alternatively, the SSID can be set to
"any" or null (blank) to allow connection to any Wireless Router.
WEP
The Wireless Stations and the Wireless Router must use the same set-
tings for WEP (Off, 64 Bit, 128 Bit).
WEP Key:
If WEP is enabled, the Key must be the same on the Wire-
less Stations and the Wireless Router.
WEP Authentication:
If WEP is enabled, all Wireless Stations must
use the same setting as the Wireless Router (either "Open System" or
"Shared Key").
