WiFi Adapter Software Settings Explained
Contents
RTS Threshold
RTS stands for "Request to Send". This parameter controls what size data packet the low level RF protocol issues to an RTS packet. Using a small value causes RTS packets to be sent more often, consuming more of the available bandwidth, therefore reducing the apparent throughput of the network packet. However, the more RTS packets that are sent, the quicker the system can recover from interference or collisions; as would be the case in a heavily loaded network, or a wireless network with much electromagnetic interference.
Fragment Threshold
The Fragment Threshold value must be larger than the RTS Threshold value.
Preamble Mode
Default is Long. Long Preamble allows extra time for the Digital Decoder to process the packets.
IBSS / Ad Hoc
Independent Basic Service Set, also known as an ad hoc network. This is a direct connection between one PC and another, with no AP (Access Point) involved.
Infrastructure Mode
This is a setup with an AP (Access Point) and one or more clients connected to the AP. From the client side this is what you select if you wish to connect to an AP. This is the most common wireless configuration.
Open System
No encryption is being used in the wireless connection. This means that no WEP or WAP is in use. An open system allows any unsecured wireless connection.
WEP
WEP Encryption - 64 and 128 bit. Easy to hack and impossible to secure. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. WEP is easily broken, and has been replaced by WPA on newer Wi-Fi products.
