ZyXEL Communications zyair g-300 User Manual

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ZyAIR G-300 User’s Guide 
2-4 
 
Using the ZyAIR Utility 
2.1.6 Profile 
The Profile function allows you to save the wireless network settings in this screen, use one of the pre-
configured network profiles or reset the settings in this screen to the factory default values. 
2.1.7 Threshold Controls 
Fragmentation Threshold 
A fragmentation threshold is the maximum data fragment size (between 256 and 2432 bytes) that can be 
sent in the wireless network before the ZyAIR will fragment the packet into smaller data frames. 
A large fragmentation threshold is recommended for networks not prone to interference while you should 
set a smaller threshold for busy networks or networks that are prone to interference. 
If the fragmentation threshold value is smaller than the RTS Threshold value (see previously) you set then 
the RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake will never occur as data frames will be 
fragmented before they reach RTS Threshold size. 
RTS Threshold 
A hidden node occurs when two stations are within range of the same access point, but are not within range 
of each other. The following figure illustrates a hidden node. Both stations are within range of the access 
point (AP) or wireless gateway, but out-of-range of each other, so they cannot “hear” each other, that is 
they do not know if the channel is currently being used. Therefore, they are considered hidden from each 
other. 
  
Figure 2-5 RTS Threshold 
When station A sends data to the AP, it might not know that the station B is already using the channel. If 
these two stations send data at the same time, collisions may occur when both sets of data arrive at the AP 
at the same time, resulting in a loss of messages for both stations. 
RTS Threshold is designed to prevent collisions due to hidden nodes. An RTS Threshold defines the 
biggest size data frame you can send before an RTS (Request To Send)/CTS (Clear to Send) handshake is 
invoked.  
When a data frame exceeds the RTS Threshold value you set (between 0 to 2432 bytes), the station that 
wants to transmit this frame must first send an RTS (Request To Send) message to the AP for permission to