NETWORK BASICS
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Signal Strength: The strength of the connection is determined by your proximity to the Wireless Access Point
(or Wireless Router), structural interference, and device interference (devices such as Microwave ovens or 2.4
GHz cordless phones operate on the same radio frequency as 802.11b and g and can cause performance
degradation on your wireless network).
SSID: Wireless Access Points typically broadcast a name or identifier – called an SSID – so that the network
can easily be identified and selected by wireless device users. Access points can be configured to not
broadcast the SSID so that the network is not easily available to other users. If your network does not
broadcast the SSID, you will be able to enter the SSID manually on Zipit Wireless Messenger.
Encryption: Wireless Access Points can be configured to encrypt network traffic so that unauthorized users
can’t use the networks. When the Access Point is configured for encryption, a key will be generated that can
be used by wireless devices to access the network. This key is commonly known as a WEP (Wired
Equivalent Privacy) key. Only users that know the key will be able to access the wireless network.
For Fee Hotspots: Some hotspots require the user to pay a fee or have a monthly subscription in order to
access their network. These locations typically expect the user’s device to have a web browser where the user
can enter a pin number or credit card information to pay for using the network. These networks are not
currently supported by Zipit Wireless Messenger
DHCP: All networked devices must have an IP address assigned to them which lets them know where to send
and retrieve information in order to attach to the Internet. Most Wireless Access Points will be configured to
automatically provide an IP Address to devices that attempt to connect to the network. Such devices have
DHCP enabled - which allows the access point to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices as they connect.
An access point can be configured such that DHCP is disabled and devices can only attach to the network if
they know the (static) IP address required by the Access Point.
