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Chapter 11—Networking
Wireless Network Configuration and Selection Issues
Wireless NICs require an IRQ and I/O port address range, just as
conventional NICs do. Other configuration and product selection
issues include the following:
• NIC Card Type—With most wireless networks, you can
choose PCI-based NICs for desktop computers and PC Card—
based NICs for notebook computers. Although the speed of
current wireless networks also permits the use of ISA cards,
you should avoid these because this 16-bit card design is
obsolete.
• Network Security and Encryption—For maximum security,
select wireless network products that support either of
these features:
• A seven-digit security code called an ESSID; wireless
devices without this code can’t access the network
• A list of authorized MAC numbers (each NIC has a
unique MAC); a wireless device not on the MAC list
can’t access the network
These features must be enabled to be effective. Also, use the
strongest data encryption your network supports. Many of the early
versions of IEEE 802.11b network devices supported only the
“weak” 40-bit encryption when introduced, but installable updates
to “strong” 128-bit encryption should be available later. You should
switch to strong encryption as soon as possible to provide another
layer of network security.
TCP/IP Network Protocol Settings
TCP/IP is taking over the computing world, replacing the hodgepodge
of competing protocols used earlier in networking
(NetBIOS, NetBEUI, and IPX/SPX). TCP/IP is the standard protocol
of the World Wide Web, as well as of the latest network operating
systems from Novell (NetWare 5) and Microsoft (Windows 2000).
Even though it’s used by both dial-up (modem) users and LAN
workstations, the typical configurations in these situations have
virtually nothing in common. Use Table 11.13 as a guide to what
must be set, and remember to record the settings your TCP/IP connections
use.