Conceptronic C300BRS4

User Manual

6

Radio Transmission

Wireless LAN devices use electromagnetic waves within a broad, unlicensed range of the radio

spectrum to transmit and receive radio signals. When a wireless access point is present, it becomes

a base station for the Wireless LAN nodes in its broadcast range. Wireless LAN nodes transmit digital

data using FM (frequency modulation) radio signals. Wireless LAN devices generate a carrier wave

and modulate this signal using various techniques. In this way, digital data can then be

superimposed onto the carrier signal. This radio signal carries data to Wireless LAN devices within

range of the transmitting device. The antennae of Wireless LAN devices listen for and receive the

signal.

Range

Range should not be a problem in most homes or small offices. If you experience low or no signal

strength in some areas, consider positioning the device in a location between the Wireless LAN

devices maintaining a roughly equal straight-line distance to all devices that need to access the

Wireless Broadband Router through the wireless interface. Adding more 802.11n access points to

rooms where the signal is weak can improve signal strength.

SSID

Wireless networks use an SSID (Service Set Identifier) to allow wireless devices to roam within the

range of the network. Wireless devices that wish to communicate with each other must use the

same SSID. Several Wireless Broadband Routers or access points can be set up using the same SSID so

that wireless stations can move from one location to another without losing connection to the

wireless network.

The Wireless Broadband Router operates in Infrastructure mode. It controls network access on the

wireless interface in its broadcast area. It will allow access to the wireless network to devices using

the correct SSID after a negotiation process takes place. The Conceptronic C300BRS4 broadcasts its

SSID so that any wireless station in range can learn the SSID and ask permission to associate with it.

Many wireless adapters are able to survey or scan the wireless environment for access points. An

access point in Infrastructure mode allows wireless devices to survey that network and select an

access point with which to associate.

Conceptronic C300BRS4

User Manual

7

Front Panel LED Display

Place the Router in a location where the LED indicators on the front panel can be viewed.

The LED indicators on the front panel include the Power, Status, WAN, WLAN and WPS indicators.

Each Ethernet LAN port displays an indicator for monitoring link status and activity (Link/Act).

Nr

Description

Status

Status Explanation

1

Power LED

OFF

The device is turned off

ON

The device is turned on

2

Status LED

OFF

The device is turned off / System Failure*

BLINK

The device is turned on and ready for use

3

WAN LED

OFF

No WAN Connection is created

ON - STEADY

A WAN Connection is created

ON - BLINK

Data is sent or received through the WAN Port

4

WLAN LED

OFF

Wireless interface is disabled

BLINK

Wireless interface enabled and active

5

LAN LED’s

OFF

No Network Link is created to the LAN Port

(1,2,3,4)

ON - STEADY

A Network Link is created on the LAN Port

ON - BLINK

Data is sent or received through the LAN Port

6

WPS LED

ON – BLINK

When the WPS Button is pressed, the WPS LED will

blink for 120 seconds while searching for WPS

Clients. **

7

WPS Button

Press the WPS Button to activate the WPS feature. The router will

search for WS Clients for 120 seconds. **

*

In normal use, the Status LED will turn on and blink within 45 seconds after the device is

turned on or restarted. When a system failure happens with the device, the Status LED will not

turn on.

You can use the following options to solve the system failure:

a.

Power down the device, wait 10 seconds and reconnect the power to the device.

b.

Reset the device to factory defaults by pressing the reset button on the back of the

device for +/- 15 seconds.

If the Status LED does not turn on after you tried above options, please contact Conceptronic

Support at: [email protected]

**

For more information about the WPS feature, see the chapter ‘

Configuring Router Settings

’ of

this Manual.

1

4

3

2

5

7

6

Conceptronic C300BRS4

User Manual

8

Rear Panel Cable Connections

Connect the power adapter cord and network cables on the rear panel. The power switch and reset

button are also located on the back of the device. Connect the antennas to the antenna posts.

Nr

Description

Explanation

1

Antenna Connection

Reverse-SMA Connector for Wireless Antenna

2

LAN Ports

Connect your Computer(s) to the router

3

Antenna Connection

Reverse-SMA Connector for Wireless Antenna

4

WAN Port

Connect your Broadband connection to the router

5

Reset Button

Reset the router to the Factory Default Settings

6

Power Connection

Connect the Power Supply to the router

7

Antenna Connection

Reverse-SMA Connector for Wireless Antenna

2

1

4

6

5

3

7

Conceptronic C300BRS4

User Manual

9

Hardware Installation

Place the Wireless Broadband Router in a location where it can be easily connected to the wired

interface (Ethernet link to a broadband modem, for example) as well as function effectively as a

Wireless LAN access point. Make sure the Wireless Broadband Router is near a suitable power

source.

Connect the bundled power supply to the power connection on the back of the C300BRS4 and to a

free wall power outlet. The Power LED of the C300BRS4 will turn on.

Wireless LAN Performance and Environment

Many environmental factors can affect the effective wireless function of the Wireless Broadband

Router. If this is your first time setting up a wireless network device, read and consider the points

listed below.

The Wireless Broadband Router can be placed on a shelf or desktop, ideally you should be able to

see the LED indicators on the front if you need to view them for troubleshooting.

The Wireless Broadband Router lets you access your network within range of the device. However,

walls, ceilings, or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through can limit signal range.

Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF noise in your home or

business. For maximum range and signal strength, use these basic guidelines:

1.

Keep the number of walls and ceilings to a minimum:

The signal emitted from Wireless LAN devices can penetrate through ceilings and walls.

However, each wall or ceiling can reduce the range Wireless LAN devices from 1 to 30M.

Position your wireless devices so that the number of walls or ceilings obstructing the signal

path is minimized.

2.

Consider the direct line between access points and workstations:

A wall that is 0.5 meters thick, at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 1 meter thick. At a

2-degree angle, it is over 14 meters thick. Be careful to position access points and client

adapters so the signal can travel straight through (90º angle) a wall or ceiling for better

reception.

3.

Building Materials make a difference:

Buildings constructed using metal framing or doors can reduce effective range of the device. If

possible, position wireless devices so that their signal can pass through drywall or open

doorways, avoid positioning them so that their signal must pass through metallic materials.

Poured concrete walls are reinforced with steel while cinderblock walls may have little or no

structural steel.

4.

Keep the Wireless Broadband Router away (at least 1-2 meters) from electrical devices:

Position wireless devices away from electrical devices that generate RF noise such as micro-

wave ovens, monitors, electric motors, etc.

Conceptronic C300BRS4

User Manual

10

5.

Position antenna for best reception:

Adjust the antenna position to see if the signal strength improves. Some adapters or access

points allow the user to judge the strength of the signal. Use this method, if available, to test

signal strength.

WAN Connection

Use a LAN Cable to connect the C300BRS4 to your Broadband Gateway (Cable Modem, DSL Modem,

Fiber Gateway, etc.)

The WAN LED on the front side of the C300BRS4 will turn on.

Note:

If the WAN LED on the front side does not turn on, make sure that:

-

The C300BRS4 is powered (the Power LED should burn).

-

The Broadband Gateway is turned on.

-

The LAN cable between both devices is connected correctly.

LAN / Wireless LAN Connection

For LAN Cable Users:

Connect the LAN Cable to 1 of the 4 LAN ports on the back panel of the C300BRS4 and to the

Network Card in your computer.

The LAN LED of the used LAN port will turn on, indicating that the computer is connected. (Your

LAN Connection must be enabled and your computer turned ON).

For Wireless Users:

You can connect wireless to the C300BRS4 in 2 different ways:

-

Manually, without encryption.

-

Automatically with the WPS feature, with encryption.

If you have 1 or more clients which do not support WPS, it is advised to manually connect to the

C300BRS4, or secure the wireless connection manually before you connect to the C300BRS4.

You can secure your connection manually with the configuration wizard, explained in the chapter

‘

Configuring Router Settings’

.

In this chapter you will find the steps how to connect manually to your unsecured network.

For more information about the WPS feature and the configuration steps, see the chapter

‘

Configuring Router Settings’

of this Manual.