D-Link DWL-G520+ [4/43] Introduction

Introduction

The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ DWL-G520+ Wireless PCI Adapter is a 802.11g high-

performance, wireless adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking at home, at

work or in public places.

Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G520+ provides data transfers at up to 8X (compared

to the standard 11 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ products. The

802.11g standard is backwards compatible with 802.11b products.This means that you

do not need to change your entire network to maintain connectivity. You may sacrifice

some of 802.11g’s speed when you mix 802.11b and 802.11g devices, but you will not

lose the ability to communicate when you incorporate the 802.11g standard into your

802.11b network. You may choose to slowly change your network by gradually replacing

the 802.11b devices with 802.11g devices .

In addition to offering faster data transfer speeds when used with other 802.11g products,

the DWL-G520+ has the newest, strongest, most advanced security features available

today. When used with other 802.11g WPA (WiFi Protected Access) and 802.1x

compatible products in a network with a radius server, the security features include:

WPA*: A new security feature, Wi-Fi Protected Access authorizes and identifies users

based on a secret key that changes automatically at a regular interval.

WPA uses TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) to change the temporal

key every 10,000 packets (a packet is a kind of message transmitted over a

network.) This insures much greater security than the standard WEP security.

(By contrast, the older WEP encryption required the keys to be changed

manually.)

802.1x*:Authentication is a first line of defense against intrusion. In the Authentication

process the server verifies the identity of the client attempting to connect to the

network. Unfamiliar clients would be denied access.

For home users that will not incorporate a RADIUS server in their network, the security

for the DWL-G520+, used in conjunction with other 802.11g products, will still be much

stronger than ever before. Utilizing the Pre Shared Key mode of WPA, the DWL-G520+

will obtain a new security key every time it connects to the 802.11g network. You only

need to input your encryption information once in the configuration menu. No longer will

you have to manually input a new WEP key frequently to ensure security, with the DWL-

G520+, you will automatically receive a new key every time you connect, vastly increasing

the safety of your communications.

* Available Q4 2003 as a free download