Windows XP Networking Guide : Wireless Network Setup Wizard
Before using the Wireless Network Setup Wizard, you must make sure
the compatibility of your hardware, namely the access point and
the network adapters. Learn what wireless LAN standard and security
(encryption) scheme
they support:
- The 802.11g standard is backward compatible with the
802.11b. An 802.11g network adapter can work with an 802.11b access
point and an 802.11b network adapter can work with an 802.11g access
point. However, in a mixed environment you can't expect the
maximum
performance of 802.11g standard.
- Older wireless LAN hardware (typically 802.11b) installed in
many existing wireless networks supports WEP encryption. Newer hardware supports WPA which gives stronger wireless security
than WEP. Your network adapter
must support the same encryption standard with the wireless access
point to which your computer will connect. If say, your network
adapter supports WPA but the access point only supports WEP, your
wireless LAN connection will end up "only" with WEP encryption.
Wireless Provisioning Services (WPS) is additional wireless
networking feature in Windows XP that simplifies sign-up and
configuration process and enables a more secure access to wireless network
resources. If you try to connect to a wireless network that
supports WPS, you will be asked to download configuration files. When the files are
downloaded, the Wireless Network Registration Wizard will require
you to supply some information, sign an agreement to the network policy,
or make a payment.
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