Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
UpgradingtoWPAorWPA2mayalsorequireupdatestoyourOS.Forexample,Windows
XP Service Pack 2 includes support for WPA encryption. However, to use WPA2 with
Windows XP Service Pack 2, you must also download the Wireless Client Update for
Windows XP with Service Pack 2, or install Service Pack 3. At the
ht-
tp://support.microsoft.com
website, look up Knowledge Base article 917021. You should
match the encryption level and encryption type used on both the access points and the
NICs for best security. Remember that if some of your network supports WPA but other
parts support only WEP, your network must use the lesser of the two security standards
(WEP). If you want to use the more robust WPA or WPA2 security, you must ensure that
allthedevicesonyourwirelessnetworksupportWPA.BecauseWEPiseasilybrokenand
the specific WEP implementations vary among manufacturers, I recommend using only
devices that support WPA or WPA2.
Management and DHCP Support
Mostwirelessaccesspointscanbemanagedviaawebbrowserandprovidediagnosticand
monitoring toolstohelpyouoptimize thepositioning ofaccess points.Mostproductsfea-
ture support for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), allowing a user to move
from one subnet to another without difficulties.
Figure 17.20
illustrates how a typical IEEE 802.11 wireless network uses multiple access
points.
Figure 17.20
A typical wireless network with multiple access points.
