Windows XP system wireless network technology is completely detailed

        802.1x wireless network, it sounds very complicated, to know what it is, first of all to understand what is a wireless network. The term wireless network has only become popular in recent years. It is involved in a wide range of fields, such as mobile communications. So what is a wireless network?

Wireless Network Overview

Wireless Network Technology
A wide range of applications, from global voice and data networks that allow users to establish long-range wireless connections, to infrared and optimized for close-range wireless connections Radio frequency technology
. Devices commonly used in wireless networks include portable computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, personal digital devices (PDAs), mobile phones, pen computers, and pagers. Wireless Technology
is used for a variety of practical purposes. For example, a mobile phone user can access an email using a mobile phone. Passengers using laptops can connect to the Internet through base stations installed at airports, stations and other public places. At home, users can connect to desktop devices to sync data and send files.

I. Defining Standards

In order to reduce costs, ensure collaborative work, and improve the widespread use of wireless technology, many organizations (eg, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) are involved in several major standardization efforts. For example, the IEEE Working Group is defining how information can be transferred from one device to another (using radio waves or infrared light waves), and how and when to use the transmission medium for communication. In developing wireless networking standards, some organizations such as IEEE focus on power management, bandwidth, security, and other projects with wireless networking features.

II. Wireless Network Types

Like wired networks, wireless networks can be divided into several different types depending on the distance the data is sent.

1. Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs)

WWAN Technology
enables users to establish wireless network connections over remote public or private networks. By using several antenna base stations or satellite systems maintained by wireless service providers, these connections can cover a wide geographic area, such as many cities or countries. The current WWAN technology
is known as the second generation (2G) system. The main 2G systems include Global Digital Mobile Telephony (GSM), Network Digital Packet Data (CDPD) and Multiple Access Code Partition Access (CDMA). Efforts are under way to transition from 2G networks, some of which have features that limit roaming and incompatibility, and third-generation (3G) technologies will enforce global standards and provide global roaming capabilities. The ITU is actively promoting the development of 3G global standards.

2. Wireless Urban Network (WMANs)

WMAN Technology
enables users to create wireless connections between multiple locations in major urban areas (for example, between a city and a university campus building) ), without having to pay high cost to lay fiber optic cables, cables and leased lines. In addition, WMANs can be used as an alternate network for wired networks if the primary leased line of the wired network is not available. WMANs can use either radio waves or infrared light waves to transmit data. The demand for wireless access network bandwidth that provides users with high-speed access to the Internet is growing. The IEEE 802.16 Broadband Wireless Access Standards Working Group is still developing specifications to standardize these, although various technologies, such as Multiple Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) and Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), are being used. Technology
The development.

3. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)

WLAN Technology
allows users to create wireless connections locally (for example, in a corporate or campus building, or in a public place such as an airport). WLANs can be used in temporary offices or other places where cable installation is limited, or to enhance existing LANs, allowing users to work in different parts of the office at different times. WLANs can operate in two different ways. In basic WLANs, a wireless station (a device with a radio wave network card or an external modem) connects to a wireless access point, which acts as a bridge between the wireless station and the existing network backbone. For a peer-to-peer special WLANS, if several users in a limited area (such as a conference room) do not need to access the network resources, the temporary network can be established without using the access point.

The IEEE approved the 802.11 WLANs standard in 1997, which specifies a data transfer speed of 1 to 2 megabytes per second (Mbps). In 802.11b, which is becoming the new major standard, the maximum speed of data transmission over the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) band is 11 Mbps. Another updated standard is 802.11a, which specifies a maximum speed of 54 Mbps for data transmission over the 5 GHz band.

4. Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)

WPAN Technology
enables users to create special wireless communications for devices used in personal operating space (POS) such as PDAs, mobile phones and laptops. POS is the space around the individual, within 10 meters. Currently, the two main WPAN technologies are Bluetooth and infrared light. Bluetooth is an alternative technology
that can transmit data using radio waves within 30 feet. Bluetooth data transmission can penetrate walls, pockets and briefcases. Bluetooth Technology
was developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The group released the 1.0 version of the Bluetooth specification in 1999. However, to connect devices at close range (within one meter), users can also create infrared links.

In order to standardize the development of WPAN technology
, IEEE has established the 802.15 working group. The working group is developing a WPAN standard based on the 1.0 version of the Bluetooth specification. The main objectives of the draft standard are low complexity, low power consumption, strong interactivity, and compatibility with 802.11 networks.

Wireless Network Configuration

The above is an overview of wireless networks. Win XP's wireless network function is unprecedentedly powerful. How to configure wireless network in Win XP?

1. Open "Network Connections" (to open "Network Connections", click "Start", point to "Settings", then double-click "Control Panel", click "Network and Internet Connections", and then click "Network Connections".

2. Right-click "Wireless Network Connections" and then click "Properties."

3. On the Wireless Networks tab, do one of the following:

*To enable automatic wireless network configuration, select the "Configure my wireless network settings using Windows" checkbox. This check box is selected by default.

*To disable automatic wireless network configuration, clear the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" checkbox.

4. To connect to an existing wireless network, do one of the following:

*Access Point (Basic)

To connect to an existing access point (base) network, please select Under Network, click the network name, and then click Configure.

In "Wireless Network Properties", specify the wireless network key (WEP) settings, or if you have automatically provided you with a network key (for example, the key is stored on the wireless network adapter that the administrator gave you) ), please select the "Automatically provide me a key" checkbox. If you are unsure whether you need a network key or which network key you need to enter, contact your network administrator or wireless network adapter manufacturer. It should be noted here that if the network does not broadcast its network name, it will not appear under "Available Network". To connect to an access point (base) network that you know is available but does not appear under "Available Networks", under "Preferred Networks", click "Add." Under "Wireless Network Properties", specify the network name (service set identifier) ​​and, if necessary, the wireless network key settings.

*Computer to Computer (Special)

To connect to an existing computer to computer (special) network, under "Available Networks" click the network name and then click "Configure" ".

Specify the wireless network key (WEP) settings in "Wireless Network Properties" or if you have been automatically provided with a network key (for example, the key is stored on the wireless network adapter that the administrator gave you) , select the "Automatically provide me a key" checkbox. If you are unsure whether you need a key or which network key you need to enter, contact your network administrator or wireless network adapter manufacturer.

If you want to connect to a computer-to-computer (special) network, and the computer-to-computer network and access point (base) network are all within your computer, click "Advanced" and then click Computer only to computer (special) network."

5. To configure a new wireless network connection, click "Add" and do the following:

*Under "Wireless Network Properties", specify the network name (service set identifier), if needed, at the same time Specify the wireless network key settings.

* If the network connection being configured is connected to a computer-to-computer (special) network, select the "This is a computer-to-computer (special) network, so do not use wireless access points" check box.

6. To change the order of connection attempts to access your preferred network, under Preferred networks, click the wireless network you want to move to the new location on the list, and then click Move Up or Move Down.

7. To change the wireless network connection settings listed in a Preferred Network, click the wireless network whose settings you want to change, click Properties, and change the settings as needed.

8. To remove a wireless network from the preferred network list, under Preferred networks, click the wireless network you want to remove, and then click Remove.

9. To update your computer-wide list of available networks, click Refresh.

10. To automatically connect to an available network that does not appear in the Preferred Networks list, click Advanced and select the Automatically connect to non-preferred networks check box.

There are the following points in the configuration:

1. When automatic wireless network configuration is enabled, you can connect to an existing wireless network, change wireless network connection settings, configure a new wireless network connection, and specify a preferred wireless network. You will be notified when a new network is available. After selecting a wireless network, your wireless network adapter is automatically configured to match the settings for that network and will attempt a network connection.

2. To configure settings on the Wireless Network tab, you must be logged in as an administrator and you must use a wireless network adapter that supports the Wireless Zero Configuration service. If you are not sure if your wireless network adapter supports the Wireless Zero Configuration service, contact your network administrator or wireless network adapter manufacturer.

3. If you are using third-party wireless networking software, clear the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" checkbox.

4. If you are unable to connect to an existing wireless network and the name of the network you are connecting to appears under the Preferred Networks list, click the preferred network name, and then click Properties. In "Wireless Network Properties", check the settings and make sure they are correct. If you are not sure if the settings are correct, contact your network administrator or wireless network adapter manufacturer.

5. If the Preferred Network list contains both an access point (base) and a computer-to-computer (special) network, you cannot move the computer-to-computer network to a higher location than the access point network in the list.

6. To enhance the security of 802.11 wireless networks and wired Ethernet networks, enable IEEE 802.1x authentication to be enabled by default.

802.1x Authentication

The above describes the wireless network. Let's start with the 802.1x wireless network. To know the 802.1x wireless network, we must first understand what is 802.1x authentication. 802.1x Authentication IEEE 802.1x is a draft standard for port-based network access control that provides network access to 802.11 wireless networks and authentication to wired Ethernet networks. Port-based network access control uses the physical characteristics of the switched LAN infrastructure to authenticate devices connected to the LAN port and prevents access to the authentication process already