Wireless Zero Configuration
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Wireless Zero Configuration, a product of the Microsoft Windows operating system, provides automatic wireless network configuration and 802.1x authentication for users with wireless-enabled devices.
When the service is enabled on a Windows desktop computer, the user can roam between different WLANs without having to reconfigure the network connection settings for each location.
The name stems from the simplicity of the service. When enabled, the services requires 'Zero Configuration' in order to be able to connect to any number of wireless networks in range.
Zero configuration is a client-based user identification method. Zero configuration allows wireless devices to work in different modes without the need for configuration changes after the initial configuration. The zero configuration initiative automatically provides the IP address, the network prefix, the gateway router location, the DNS server address, the address of a RADIUS or IAS server, and all other necessary settings for the wireless device. It also provides security features for the client.
Zero configuration allows a wireless device to function in different environments, such as work, the airport, and home, without any user intervention. Zero configuration uses the Windows XP Professional user interface when attempting to connect wireless devices. The order of preference for zero configuration IEEE 802.11 connection using IEEE 802.1x authentication is infrastructure before ad hoc mode, and computer authentication before user authentication. You can change the default settings to allow, for example, guest access, which is not enabled by default.
WEP authentication attempts to perform an IEEE 802.11 shared key authentication if the network adapter has been preconfigured with a WEP shared key. In the event that authentication fails or the network adapter is not preconfigured with a WEP shared key, the network adapter reverts to the open system authentication. The IEEE 802.1x security enhancements are available in Windows XP Professional. Wireless network adapters and access points must also be compatible with IEEE 802.1x for an IEEE 802.1x deployment.
