User Manual

19
•
The
operating mode
of the network. This can be 802.11 ad-hoc, infrastructure, or high-
speed ad-hoc. The
Site Survey
display will show you if a network is in ad-hoc or
infrastructure mode.
o
If the mode is ad hoc (either 802.11 or high-speed), you will need to know the
radio frequency channel the network is operating on. This is displayed in the
Site
Survey
listing.
o
High-speed ad-hoc mode can be used only with wireless devices from the same
product family as your adapter. The network installer or operator can tell you if
the network is in high-speed ad-hoc mode.
•
The
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
settings that are used on the network. WEP
increases network security by encrypting transmissions on the basis of a “key” known
only to authorized users. The
Site Survey
section will show you if WEP is enabled or
disabled; if it is enabled, the network installer or operator can tell you the type and
content of the key.
o
A key can be 64, 128, or 256 bits long. (A 64-bit key is sometimes called a “40-
bit” key.) 256-bit keys can be used only with wireless devices from the same
product family as your adapter.
o
A key may be given to you in the form of a text string, a series of numeric values
in “hex” (hexadecimal, that is, base 16) notation, or a “passphrase.”
!"
A text string must be converted to hex notation and typed in value by
value. Appendix A contains conversion charts to help you do this.
!"
In hex notation, the characters 0 through 9 and A through F are all
considered digits. The letters represent the values we usually write as 10
through 15. (BSSIDs are always shown in hex.) When typing a value into
a hex input box, you must type two hex digits.
!"
A passphrase is a text string from which the utility will generate a key or
keys. For this method to work, the device or devices you connect to must
be from the same manufacturer as your adapter.
SSID, network mode (and possibly radio channel), and WEP settings (possibly including key
length and content or generation method) — that is all you need to know to connect to any IEEE
802.11b-compliant wireless network.
The utility lets you adjust other settings that can conserve battery power and improve link
performance. These are explained in chapter 7, “Utility Command Reference.” For now we will
concentrate on getting connected.
6.2.2 Connection Steps
It is assumed here that you are within range of a wireless network that you are authorized to join.
Join it as follows:
1. Start the Wireless Adapter Utility and open the
Settings
panel.