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User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card WG511 v2
Note: The available channels supported by the wireless products in various countries are different.
The preferred channel separation between the channels in neighboring wireless networks is 25
MHz (5 channels). This means that you can apply up to three different channels within your
wireless network. There are only 11 usable wireless channels in the United States. It is
recommended that you start using channel 1 and grow to use channel 6, and 11 when necessary, as
these three channels do not overlap.
WPA Wireless Security
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a specification of standards-based, interoperable security
enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future
wireless LAN systems.
The IEEE introduced the WEP as an optional security measure to secure 802.11b (Wi-Fi) WLANs,
but inherent weaknesses in the standard soon became obvious. In response to this situation, the
Wi-Fi Alliance announced a new security architecture in October 2002 that remedies the
shortcomings of WEP. This standard, formerly known as Safe Secure Network (SSN), is designed
to work with existing 802.11 products and offers forward compatibility with 802.11i, the new
wireless security architecture being defined in the IEEE.
WPA offers the following benefits:
•
Enhanced data privacy
•
Robust key management
•
Data origin authentication
•
Data integrity protection
The Wi-Fi Alliance is now performing interoperability certification testing on Wi-Fi Protected
Access products. Starting August of 2003, all new Wi-Fi certified products will have to support
WPA. NETGEAR will implement WPA on client and access point products and make this
available in the second half of 2003. Existing Wi-Fi certified products will have one year to add
WPA support or they will lose their Wi-Fi certification.
The 802.11i standard is currently in draft form, with ratification due at the end of 2003. While the
new IEEE 802.11i standard is being ratified, wireless vendors have agreed on WPA as an
interoperable interim standard.
B-8
June 2005
Wireless Networking Basics
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