The
Wi-Fi
Alliance has certified the first products that comply with its new
simplified method for configuring home wireless networks.
The group's "optional" certification is dubbed Wi-Fi Protected Setup, and is
based on a specification developed by Alliance member companies to make it
easier for home users to set up secure Wi-Fi networks.
The first release of the programme supports the use of a push-button
technique or entry of a Pin to network Wi-Fi devices.
Support for methods using Near-Field Communication, in which a user touches a
token or card to a device, as well as USB Flash drives, is planned for later in
the first half of 2007.
"Wi-Fi has quickly become one of the most pervasive wireless technologies,
but consumers have told us they want it to be easier to set up and protect,"
said Wi-Fi Alliance managing director Frank Hanzlik.
"Wi-Fi Protected Setup reduces by half the number of user steps required to
set up a network, enabling Wi-Fi to be more easily installed across a range of
consumer devices."
Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst at research firm
Parks
Associates, added: "Having an industry-standard approach to simplified
network set-up will be a big help, as new users adopt Wi-Fi and more experienced
users want to connect a wider array of devices.
"We expect 90 per cent of networked homes to include Wi-Fi by 2010, so it is
critical that manufacturers make it as easy as possible to configure."
The first products to become certified for Wi-Fi Protected Setup are:
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