ZyXEL Communications NWA3550 - Manual (Page 92)

Chapter 7 Wireless Configuration
NWA3550 User’s Guide
92
Like radio stations or television channels, each wireless network uses a specific channel,
or frequency, to send and receive information.
• Every device in the same wireless network must use security compatible with the AP.
Security stops unauthorized devices from using the wireless network. It can also protect
the information that is sent in the wireless network.
7.2 Wireless LAN Basics
See the Wireless LANs Appendix for information on the following:
• Wireless LAN Topologies
• Channel
• RTS/CTS
• Fragmentation Threshold
• IEEE 802.1x
• RADIUS
• Types of Authentication
• WPA
• Security Parameters Summary
7.3 Quality of Service
This section discusses the Quality of Service (QoS) features available on the ZyXEL Device.
7.3.1 WMM QoS
WMM (Wi-Fi MultiMedia) QoS (Quality of Service) ensures quality of service in wireless
networks. It controls WLAN transmission priority on packets to be transmitted over the
wireless network.
WMM QoS prioritizes wireless traffic according to the delivery requirements of the individual
and applications. WMM QoS is a part of the IEEE 802.11e QoS enhancement to certified Wi-
Fi wireless networks.
On APs without WMM QoS, all traffic streams are given the same access priority to the
wireless network. If the introduction of another traffic stream creates a data transmission
demand that exceeds the current network capacity, then the new traffic stream reduces the
throughput of the other traffic streams.
The ZyXEL Device uses WMM QoS to prioritize traffic streams according to the IEEE 802.1q
or DSCP information in each packet’s header. The ZyXEL Device automatically determines
the priority to use for an individual traffic stream. This prevents reductions in data
transmission for applications that are sensitive to latency and jitter (variations in delay).