Are you ready for the convenience that comes from sending your Ethernet packets over the air instead of through a wire? Wireless is not for everyone, but if your application uses mobile equipment that is controlled over a TCP/IP network, or the cost of installing wire conduits at your work site is prohibitive, then consider setting up a wireless local area network (WLAN). The IEEE802.11 standardestablished a way to use radio frequency (RF) technology to send Ethernet packets over the air. Applications that include TCP/IP will run on 802.11-compliant WLANs the same as they do over Ethernet. By common agreement between regulatory agencies around the world (FCC, ETSI, etc.), a WLAN transmits over unlicensed spectrums, with only minor variations from country to country.

A wireless LAN is configured for either Ad-hoc mode or Infrastructure mode. In Ad-hoc mode, stations use peer-to-peer transmission to send information from station to station, without requiring an AP
(Access Point) to connect to a wired network. This is the easiest and least expensive way to set up a wireless network. Alternatively,Infrastructure mode requires using an AP. The AP can be used by itself
to set up a WLAN, or can be used to connect the WLAN to a wired network. In either case, all wireless communication goes through the AP.

• Flexibility: Wireless networks work anywhere, anytime.
• Easy Deployment: Wireless networks are ideal for those hard to wire areas.
• High Performance: Wireless networks have the bandwidth and safeguards needed to keep essential applications running continuously.
• Cost Effective: Wireless networks can be installed quickly, and help reduce the cost of cabling and maintenance.

One of the biggest concerns raised by potential users of WLAN technology is safety. Since data is transmitted by radio waves, how can users guarantee the confidentiality of their information? To
provide secure transmission over wireless networks, MOXA provides Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security specifications to overcome weaknesses in Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). In addition, MOXAswireless products incorporate several important features to meet the stringent demands of industrial applications, including redundant power inputs, operating temperature range from 0 to 60XC, and DINRail mounting capability. The enhanced reliability of these products makes them a great choice for your wireless industrial applications.

AWK-1200/1100 series support the WPA standard proposed by the Wi-Fi Alliance (http://www.wi-fi.org). Both WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key) mode and full WPA mode are supported. WPA is composed of TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) and IEEE802.1X and serves as a successor to WEP for better WLAN security.

When configured for AP/Bridge mode, the AWK-1200/1100 series authenticate wireless users and istribute encryption keys dynamically by IEEE802.1X Port-Based Network Access Control and RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service). The following authentication methods are supported: EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAPTTLS, and PEAP.

The AWK-1100 provides two power inputs that can be connected simultaneously to live DC power sources. If one of the power inputs fails, the other live source acts as a backup to provide the AWK-1100's power needs automatically.