VAIO User Guide VPCEG1/VPCEH1/VPCEJ1/VPCEL1 Series

Reference

# Notes on Using the Wireless LAN Function

Before using the wireless LAN function, read the following precautions for correct use.

- In some countries or regions, using the Wireless LAN products may be restricted by the local regulations.

- Wireless LAN devices work on the 2.4 GHz band, which is used by a variety of devices. Wireless LAN devices use the technology to minimize radio interference from other devices that use the same band; however, radio interference may still slow communication speeds, reduce communication range, or cause communication failure.

- If both the BLUETOOTH function and the 2.4 GHz wireless LAN function of your VAIO computer are enabled, interference may occur and cause slower communication speeds or other problems.

- To communicate via a wireless LAN while you are on the road, you may need to contract with a wireless LAN connection service provider.

- If your VAIO computer is equipped with the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standard, outdoor use of the 5 GHz wireless LAN function is prohibited by law.

- The communication speed and range may vary depending on the following conditions:

- Distance between devices

- Existence of obstacles between devices

- Device configuration

- Radio conditions

- Ambient environment (including wall material, etc.)

- Software in use
  Communications may be cut off depending on radio conditions.

- The data transfer rate specified in the specification is the theoretical maximum, and may not reflect actual data transfer rate.

- Actual communication speed may not be as fast as the one displayed on your VAIO computer.

- The 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN and 5 GHz Wireless LAN frequency bands are not communicable with one another.

- The data transfer rate of IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n (2.4 GHz) may be affected by interference when used with an IEEE 802.11b product. Also, IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n automatically lower the transfer rate to maintain compatibility with an IEEE 802.11b product. The transfer rate may be regained by changing the channel settings of your access point.

- The IEEE 802.11a standard and the IEEE 802.11n standard are not available on ad-hoc networks.

- To stop the wireless LAN function abruptly, set the WIRELESS switch to OFF.

- The WLAN standard includes the encryption methods: Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which is a security protocol, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). Proposed jointly by the IEEE and Wi-Fi Alliance, both WPA2 and WPA are specifications of standards based on interoperable security enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing Wi-Fi networks. WPA is designed to be forward compatible with the IEEE 802.11i specification. It utilizes the enhanced data encryption Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) in addition to user authentication using 802.1X and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). Data encryption protects the vulnerable wireless link between clients and access points. Besides that, there are other typical LAN security mechanisms to ensure privacy, such as: password protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks, and authentication. WPA2, the second generation of WPA, provides stronger data protection and network access control and is also designed to secure all versions of 802.11 devices, including 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11n standards, multi-band and multi-mode. In addition, based on the ratified IEEE 802.11i standard, WPA2 provides government grade security by implementing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FIPS 140-2 compliant AES encryption algorithm and 802.1X-based authentication. WPA2 is backward compatible with WPA.

Related Topic
About the Wireless LAN Standards
Before Using the Wireless LAN
Starting Wireless LAN Communications
Stopping Wireless LAN Communications
Notes on Using the BLUETOOTH(R) Function <BLUETOOTH equipped models>