The TrueMobile solution accesses wireless local area networks (WLANs),
enables the sharing of a local printer and files with others in the network,
enables Internet connection sharing, and enables roaming about the office—wire-free.
This wireless LAN solution is designed for both the home user and businesses—and
it is scalable so that users can be added and new network features can be enabled
as networking needs grow.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a specification of standards-based, interoperable
security enhancements that strongly increase the level of data protection and
access control for existing and future wireless LAN systems. Designed to run
on existing hardware as a software upgrade, Wi-Fi Protected Access is derived
from and will be forward compatible with the upcoming IEEE 802.11i standard.
When properly installed, it provides wireless LAN users with a high level of
assurance that their data will remain protected and that only authorized network
users can access the network. WPA resolves all known weaknesses of Wired Equivalent
Privacy (WEP). Both protocols require the use of network key information, and
either protocol can be enabled or disabled, depending on the type of network
connection being made.
A network can be set up either to
use or not use a network key for data encryption. WEP is the type of encryption
used. Open WEP is the first-generation basic level security for wireless
networks.
Disabled
No encryption is used.
WEP
A network key is used.
Shared
The network is operating in Shared
Key authentication mode when a network key is used for data encryption.
Data encryption can be enabled or disabled and WEP is the type of encryption
used. The Shared Key authentication mode is the least secure and is very
rarely used.
Disabled
No encryption is used.
WEP
A network key is used.
WPA
The network is operating in IEEE
802.1x authentication mode. This mode is for environments with a Remote
Access Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) infrastructure. This environment requires
heavy technical support to set up and maintain and is intended for use by
large corporations. In a RADIUS implementation, many kinds of Extensible
Authentication Protocols (EAP) are supported. These may include TLS, PEAP,
and LEAP.
WEP
Various types of network key information are
used (least secure).
TKIP
Various types of network key information are
used (more secure).
AES
Various types of network key information are
used (most secure).
WPA-PSK
For infrastructure environments without
the RADIUS infrastructure. WPA-PSK supports the use of a preshared key.
WPA-PSK is the next generation of wireless network security for home and
small office environments.
WEP
A network key is used (least secure).
TKIP
A network key is used (more secure).
AES
A network key is used (most secure).
If the network being connecting to has enabled WPA or WEP, WPA or WEP must
also be enabled in the network profile configured on the notebook. Also, the
network key information used to configure a network on the notebook must be
set to match the network key information used by the network being connected
to. Otherwise, it is impossible for the notebook to connect to the network.
The TrueMobile enabled notebook makes a wireless connection to a network,
as illustrated on Figure 1. Figure 1 illustrates the two types of wireless networks.
Networks 1 and 2 are infrastructure types of networks. The two notebook computers
connected by radio waves form an ad hoc type of network.
Figure 1: Network Types
Upon startup, the enabled notebook detects certain WLANs (wireless networks)
that are within range. Before connecting to these and other wireless networks,
a user must configure a profile for each network (see Completing
the Setup).
NOTE—If you are using a Dell TrueMobile WLAN PC Card
(see Figure 2) to enable wireless networking on your
notebook, first see Installing the WLAN PC Card for
instructions.
Figure 2: Dell TrueMobile WLAN
PC Card
Enterprise Users
Obtain the following information from the network administrator:
Network names (SSID) of the specific wireless networks to connect to
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) wireless network key information (may include
network authentication type, encryption type, network key) for any WPA enabled
networks you want to connect to
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) wireless network key information (network
key) for any WEP enabled networks you want to connect to
For Microsoft Windows networking, the customer name and workgroup name
For a network account, the domain name, a user name and password
An IP address (if not using a DHCP server)
If any of the networks are connected to an authentication server
Small Office/Home Office Users
The AP (access point) that communicates with the TrueMobile enabled
notebook has a preassigned network name (SSID) that the notebook recognizes
upon startup. If you are setting up a new wireless network, to enable WEP security,
use any string of characters for the network key. If you are connecting to an
existing WEP enabled network, obtain the network key from the AP installer.
If you are connecting to a WPA enabled AP, obtain the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
wireless network key information (network authentication type, encryption type,
network key) from the AP installer.
Using the TrueMobile Enabled Notebook
The TrueMobile enabled notebook is a wireless LAN device based on the
IEEE 802.11 standard. A LAN is composed of two or more computers that are connected
to each other to share files or common equipment such as a printer or an Internet
connection. A wireless LAN provides the same functionality of a wired network,
but it eliminates the need to install networking cables and other networking
equipment. Not only is a wireless LAN easier to deploy, but it also allows for
roaming. For example, when using the TrueMobile enabled notebook, it
is possible to roam from one room in the house to another, or from a conference
room to an office without being disconnected from the network.
Features
The TrueMobile solution is an IEEE 802.11 standard-based wireless LAN
that includes the following features:
Support for IEEE 802.11g standard
Support for IEEE 802.11a standard
Support for IEEE 802.11b standard
2.4-GHz band operation (TrueMobile1180 and TrueMobile1300)
5-GHz band operation (TrueMobile1400)
Network data rate of up to 54 Mbit/s
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption (only for Windows XP environment)
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption
The TrueMobile enabled notebook works with any IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi CERTIFIED®
or IEEE 802.11g access point or wireless client network adapter.
