(
Service
Set
IDentifier) The name assigned to a Wi-Fi (wireless) network. All devices in the network must use this case-sensitive name to communicate over Wi-Fi, which is a text string up to 32 bytes long. Out of the box, wireless routers and access points have a default SSID, which may be the manufacturer's name, such as "linksys" or "netgear" or simply "default." Some devices use their model number as the SSID. Using a Web browser, the SSID (and password) can be manually changed in the device's configuration settings. See
WPA.
The SSID Normally Broadcasts Itself
Computers identify all the wireless networks they find when they boot up, because Wi-Fi networks normally broadcast their SSID identity (see
SSID broadcast). Even if the SSID is hidden to the general public, the name can be entered permanently into the users' machines in order to reconnect at start up. See
wireless LAN and
access point.
For Wireless Access - Not For Sharing
The SSID is the name used to connect to a wireless network. A workgroup or domain name is the name used for user groups to share files over any network, wired or wireless. In short, Wi-Fi is accessed by SSID; files are accessed by workgroup or domain name. See
workgroup-based network and
domain-based network.