A wireless network is identified by what?

A wireless network is identified by its SSID, which stands for Service Set Identifier. The SSID is essentially a name assigned to a wireless network, allowing devices to differentiate between multiple networks in the same vicinity. When a user attempts to connect to a wireless network, they typically select from a list of available networks that are identified by their SSIDs.

The SSID can be visible or hidden; visible SSIDs appear in the list of available networks, while hidden SSIDs require the user to manually enter the network name to connect. This name is crucial for establishing a connection to the network, as it serves as the primary method for devices to recognize and connect to a specific wireless network.

Other options like the IP address and MAC address refer to network-level identifiers for devices. The IP address is used for communication between devices on the network, and the MAC address is meant for identifying a device on a local area network. While an encryption key is important for securing the network, it does not serve the purpose of identifying the network itself. Therefore, the SSID is the correct and primary means of identifying a wireless network.