Windows 8 : Configuring networking (part 7) - Managing network settings - Managing a wireless network

Managing a wireless network

You can manage the wireless network by using the options presented in the shortcut menu that you opened in the previous procedure and that was shown in Figure 17:

• Hide Estimated Data Usage Hides the statistics that you see about estimated usage.

• Set As Metered Connection Instructs Windows to use the data connectivity of this device sparingly.
  

• Forget This Network Disconnect from this network and forget it. This erases the network from Windows memory. If you want to reconnect to this network later, you need to go through the connection process again.

• Turn Sharing On Or Off Enable or disable the sharing option on this connection.

• View Connection Properties Opens a traditional Windows dialog box with additional configuration options for this network (Figure 18).

Figure 18. Available new wireless networking management options

There are two tabs on the properties page for this network, and each has a number of options that you can configure or view.

Connection Properties

The Connection Properties page provides you with general information about the configuration of the network adapter:

• Name This field displays the name of the network as Windows has it stored.

• SSID The service set identification (SSID) is the identifier that the wireless access point broadcasts when it advertises itself as available for connections.

• Network Type Most often, you will connect to an access point–type network. In this configuration, your computer is connected to a wireless access point, which acts as the doorway to the network. Sometimes, you might participate in an ad hoc network, which provides direct, computer-to-computer wireless communication without an access point present.

• Network Availability This network is available to all users of this Windows 8–based computer.

• Connect Automatically When This Network Is In Range When selected, if the Windows 8 device enters the range of this network, the device will automatically connect to the network.

• Look For Other Wireless Networks While Connected To This Network When selected, Windows 8 continues to look for other wireless networks, even if the current one is usable.

• Connect Even If The Network Is Not Broadcasting Its Name (SSID) For security reasons, some wireless network operators hide their SSID. Windows 8 can still connect to these networks as long as the SSID is already known.

Security Properties

The Security Properties page provides options for securing the wireless network by using one of a number of options:

• Security Type Choose from a number of security options.

  • No security This is a wireless network that has no security built in. It is considered dangerous computing to use a wireless network that has no security.

  • WPA2-Personal Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2 for personal use. This security option uses a pre-shared key—a password—to enable access to the network.

  • WPA-Personal Wi-Fi Protected Access version 1 for personal use. This version is not nearly as attack resistant as WPA2.

  • WPA2-Enterprise Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2 for enterprise use. Enterprise-grade WPA and WPA2 use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates to secure communication between clients and the wireless network. WPA2 Enterprise is the most secure wireless option currently available.

  • WPA-Enterprise Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2 for enterprise use.

  • 802.1X An authentication method that is used in some enterprises.

• Encryption Type There are different kinds of encryption that can be used to secure wireless communication.

• Network Security Key If you’ve selected a Personal option, this is the password for the network.

• Show Characters Display the actual Network Security Key instead of dots.