Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies

This security setting allows you to create or change a wireless network policy.

Location

GPO_name\Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies\

Default Values

Server Type or GPO	Default Value
Default Domain Policy	Not defined
Default Domain Controller Policy	Not defined
Stand-Alone Server Default Settings	Not defined
DC Effective Default Settings	Not defined
Member Server Effective Default Settings	Not defined

Discussion

When you create a wireless network policy, you can restrict computers from accessing some kinds of wireless networks.

You can choose to permit:

1. Wireless access to any available network. With this choice, the policy client computer will preferentially connect to infrastructure in the form of fixed Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 transmitter/receivers. The policy client will make ad-hoc connections to wireless-enabled computers if there is no access point available.

2. Access point (infrastructure) networks only.

3. Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only.

A wireless network policy can also designate preferred networks, and key types for encryption and authentication. You can employ Smart Cards or certificates, if you enable access control through IEEE 802.1x.

You can create at most one wireless network policy per Group Policy object (GPO). It is recommended that you use a domain-linked GPO.

This security setting does not appear in the local GPO.