XCSpec Products are IEEE 802 b/g/n compatible with any IEEE 802 b/g/n approved off-the-shelf Wi-Fi router. XCSpec Products only operates in the 2.4GHz band. Currently, we do not support the 5 GHz, which is targeted for use with Video. XCSpec products will automatically set up the unit for the highest speed and security based on the Wi-Fi it attaches to.

Below is a description of the differences between the b/g/n bands.

When setting up your router, we recommend using the “AUTO” mode. This allows the router and XCSpec devices to negotiate the best operating band and security based on the capabilities mutually shared by the units.

802.11b

In 1995, the Federal Communications Commission allocated several wireless spectrum bands for use without a license. The FCC stipulated that spread spectrum technology would be required in any device. In 1990, the IEEE began exploring a standard. In 1997, the 802.11 standard was ratified and is now obsolete. Then, in July 1999, the 802.11b standard was ratified. The 802.11 standard provides a maximum theoretical 11 Megabits per second (Mbps) data rate in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band.

802.11g

In 2003, the IEEE ratified the 802.11g standard with a maximum theoretical data rate of 54 megabits per second (Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. As signal strength weakens due to increased distance, attenuation (signal loss) through obstacles, or high noise in the frequency band, the data rate automatically adjusts to lower rates (54/48/36/24/12/9/6 Mbps) to maintain the connection.

When 802.11b and 802.11g clients are connected to an 802.11g router, the 802.11g clients will have a lower data rate. Many routers provide the option of allowing mixed 802.11b/g clients or they may be set to either 802.11b or 802.11g clients only.

To illustrate 54 Mbps, if you have DSL or cable modem service, the data rate typically falls from 768 Kbps (less than 1 Mbps) to 6 Mbps. Thus, 802.11g offers an attractive data rate for most users. The 802.11g standard is backward compatible with the 802.11b standard. Today, 802.11g is still the most commonly deployed standard.

802.11n

In January 2004, the IEEE 802.11 task group initiated work. There have been numerous draft specifications, delays, and a lack of agreement among committee members. Yes, even in the process of standards development, politics are involved. The Proposed amendment has now been pushed back to early 2010. It should be noted it has been delayed many times already. Thu,s 802.11n is only in draft status. Therefore, it is possible that changes could be made to the specifications before final ratification.

The goal of 802.11n is to increase the data throughput rate significantly. While there are several technical changes, one important change is the addition of multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) and spatial multiplexing. Multiple antennas are used in MIMO, which uses various radios and thus more electrical power.

802.11n will operate on 2.4 GHz (802.11b/b) and 5 GHz (802.11a) bands – XCSpec Products do NOT Support 5 GHz. This will require significant site planning when installing 802.11n devices. The 802.11n specifications provide both 20 MHz and 40 MHz channel options versus 20 MHz channels in 802.11a and 802.11b/g standards. By bonding two adjacent 20 MHz channels, 802.11n can provide double the data rate in utilization of 40 MHz channels. However, 40 MHz in the 2.4 GHz band will result in interference and is neither recommended nor likely to inhibit data throughput in the 2.4 GHz band. It is recommended to use 20 MHz channels in the 2.4 GHz spectrum like 802.11b/g utilizes. For best results of 802.11n, the 5 GHz spectrum will be the best option. Deploying 802.11n will require some planning effort regarding frequency and channel selection. Some 5 GHz channels must implement dynamic frequency selection (DFS) technology to utilize those particular channels.

Another consideration of 802.11n is the significantly increased electrical power demand compared to the current 802.11b/g or 802.11a products. This is primarily due to multiple transmitters.

The Wi‐Fi Alliance is testing and certifying the compatibility of 802.11n radio draft 2.0 specifications. There are several realities to consider. They are only testing against some basic criteria and interoperability points. Also, the number of devices being tested against each other is low. This certification does not protect against changes to the 802.11n standard before ratification.

Access to the security options is available on the Network page of the unit’s micro-access point. Please reference the commissioning guide for information to attach to the device micro-AP and read the setup options.

If your router is set up for AUTO mode, the router and devices will negotiate security, resolving the issue to the highest level of security mutually shared by both devices. When you select the network, you will only be asked to input the password – you will not have to choose the security algorithm.

See below:

The following security options on the Network page are available if you enter the network name and security manually.

• NO SECURITY – We do NOT Recommend this.
• WPA SECURITY WITH PSK – WPA uses TKIP as part of the encryption algorithm. TKIP is considered not secure, and we do NOT recommend this.
• WPA2 SECURITY WITH PSK – Recommended. WPA2 uses AES security, which is recommended.
• WPA/WPA2 MIXED SECURITY WITH PSK – Recommended.

See Below:

If you enter a facility with a Radius or other Authentication Server, please get in touch with XCSpec. We will enable this security mode and a method to load radius certificates onto our devices.

Authentication services supported by the XCSpec Devices require these additional steps:

• WPA2 ENTERPRISE EAP-TLS SECURITY
• WPA2 ENTERPRISE PEAP-MSCHAPV2 SECURITY

Once successfully connected to a Wi-Fi network, you will see the device web page indicator go green, and the device will indicate a successful connection. On this same web page, you will be able to “see” the assigned IP address from the router, and you will be able to see the signal strength (RSSI) from the device to the router.

We strongly recommend a signal strength of -75 db or Less.

Additional Site security is available by “hiding” the radio broadcast of the Device’s Service Set Identifier (SSID), which is the device's name. Normally, units broadcast their SSID over Wi-Fi to make this available for users to find, select, and attach to.

After setting up your device, XCSpec devices can be configured to Disable this broadcast. See the figure above that allows a user to turn on a hidden SSID, not broadcasting, or turn off the SSID.

If you are going to hide the SSID, we recommend completing the Device setup first. Also, note the SSID and Password so you can manually enter this to obtain access to the device.

The primary benefit of hiding your SSID is that it reduces the likelihood of an attack by keeping hackers and nosy neighbors from even knowing your network is there. It makes your network less of a “low-hanging fruit” by making it more difficult to find. The theory is that a casual attacker would attack a more obvious, non-hidden network instead.

However, your network is still there and can still be found by determined attackers. The SSID is included in informational data, or data packets, that are transferred on the network. These data packets can be found and examined with readily available network analyzing tools and anyone with the know-how to use them.