Netgear wgt624v3 User Manual

Page of 92
Reference Manual for the 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router WGR624v3
D-2
Wireless Networking Basics
June 2004 202-10036-01
Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)
In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed 
points to the network - each node can generally communicate with any other node. There is no 
access point involved in this configuration. This mode enables you to quickly set up a small 
wireless workgroup and allows workgroup members to exchange data or share printers as 
supported by Microsoft networking in the various Windows operating systems. Some vendors also 
refer to ad hoc networking as peer-to-peer group networking.
In this configuration, network packets are directly sent and received by the intended transmitting 
and receiving stations. As long as the stations are within range of one another, this is the easiest 
and least expensive way to set up a wireless network. 
Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)
The Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) is one of two types of Service Set Identification 
(SSID). In an ad hoc wireless network with no access points, the Basic Service Set Identification 
(BSSID) is used. In an infrastructure wireless network that includes an access point, the ESSID is 
used, but may still be referred to as SSID.
An SSID is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key identifying the name of the 
wireless local area network. Some vendors refer to the SSID as network name. For the wireless 
devices in a network to communicate with each other, all devices must be configured with the 
same SSID.
Wireless Channels
IEEE 802.11g/b wireless nodes communicate with each other using radio frequency signals in the 
ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Neighboring 
channels are 5 MHz apart. However, due to spread spectrum effect of the signals, a node sending 
signals using a particular channel will utilize frequency spectrum 12.5 MHz above and below the 
center channel frequency. As a result, two separate wireless networks using neighboring channels 
(for example, channel 1 and channel 2) in the same general vicinity will interfere with each other. 
Applying two channels that allow the maximum channel separation will decrease the amount of 
channel cross-talk, and provide a noticeable performance increase over networks with minimal 
channel separation.