Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG302

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–

A group of Wireless Stations and a single access point, all using the same ID (SSID), form

a Basic Service Set (BSS).

–

Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to

communicate with each other. However, some access points allow connections from

wireless stations which have their SSID set to “any” or whose SSID is blank (null).

–

A group of wireless stations and multiple access points, all using the same ID (ESSID),

form an Extended Service Set (ESS).

–

Different access points within an ESS can use different channels. To reduce interference, it

is recommended that adjacent access points

should

use different channels.

–

As wireless stations physically move through the area covered by an ESS, they will

automatically change to the access point which has the least interference or best

performance. This capability is called roaming.

Note

: The AutoCell feature enhances the roaming, interference, and channel selection of

an extended wireless network.

•

Broadcast Wireless Network Name (SSID)

: If set to Yes, the Wireless Access Point will

broadcast its SSID, allowing Wireless Stations which have a "null" (blank) SSID to adopt the

correct SSID. If set to No, the SSID is not broadcast. The default is NETGEAR_11a.

•

Operating Mode

: Select the desired wireless operating mode. The options are:

–

11a Only – Only 802.11a wireless stations can be used. This is the default.

•

Channel/Frequency

: Select the channel you wish to use on your wireless LAN. The default is

channel 52.

It should not be necessary to change the wireless channel unless you experience interference

(shown by lost connections and/or slow data transfers). Should this happen, you may need to

experiment with different channels to see which is the best. See

“Wireless Channels” on

page B-7

for more information on wireless channels.

Note

: This feature will be disabled if AutoCell is enabled. Channel selection is automatically

adjusted by AutoCell when the Auto RF Management option is enabled. The default setting is

for the AutoCell Auto RF Management option to be enabled.

–

Access points use a fixed channel. You can select the channel used. This allows you to

choose a channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA

and Canada, 13 channels are available.

–

If using multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different channels

to reduce interference. The recommended channel spacing between adjacent access points

is 8 channels (for example, use channels 36 and 44, or 44 and 52).

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG302

Basic Installation and Configuration

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–

In “Infrastructure” mode, wireless stations normally scan all channels, looking for an

access point. If more than one access point can be used, the one with the strongest signal is

used. This can only happen when the various access points are using the same SSID.

•

Data Rate

: Shows the available transmit data rate of the wireless network. The possible data

rates supported are: 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, and 54

Mbps. The default is Best.

•

Output Power

: Shows the available transmit power of the access point. The possible Tx

power options are: Full, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, and minimum. The transmit power may varies

depends on the local regulatory regulations. Note that this feature will be disabled if AutoCell

is enabled. The default is Full.

Wireless Settings 11b/g

To configure the wireless settings of your wireless access point, click the Wireless Settings 11b/g

link in the Basic section of the main menu of the browser interface. The Wireless Settings 11b/g

menu will appear, as shown below.

Figure 3-9: Wireless Settings 11b/g menu

Note:

Output power is automatically adjusted by AutoCell when the Auto RF

Management option is enabled. The default setting is for the AutoCell Auto RF

Management option to be enabled.

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG302

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The Wireless Settings 11b/g menu options are discussed below:

•

Turn Radio On

. On by default, you can also turn off the radio to disable access through this

device. This can be helpful for configuration, network tuning, or troubleshooting activities.

•

Wireless Network Name (SSID)

: The SSID is also known as the wireless network name.

Enter a 32-character (maximum) service set ID in this field; the characters are case sensitive.

The default is NETGEA_11g.

In a setting where there is more than one wireless network, different wireless network names

provide a means for separating the traffic. Any device you want to participate in a particular

wireless network will need to use the SSID.

When in infrastructure mode, this field defines the service set ID (SSID). The SSID assigned

to the wireless node is required to match the access point SSID in order for the wireless node

to communicate with the access point.

Note

: Broadcast Wireless Network Name (SSID) is automatically turned off when you select

the AutoCell Enhanced RF Security option in the advanced wireless settings page.

–

A group of Wireless Stations and a single access point, all using the same ID (SSID), form

a Basic Service Set (BSS).

–

Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to

communicate with each other. However, some access points allow connections from

wireless stations which have their SSID set to “any” or whose SSID is blank (null).

–

A group of wireless stations and multiple access points, all using the same ID (ESSID),

form an Extended Service Set (ESS).

–

Different access points within an ESS can use different channels. To reduce interference, it

is recommended that adjacent access points

should

use different channels.

–

As wireless stations physically move through the area covered by an ESS, they will

automatically change to the access point which has the least interference or best

performance. This capability is called roaming.

Note

: The AutoCell feature enhances the roaming, interference, and channel selection of

an extended wireless network.

•

Broadcast Wireless Network Name (SSID)

: If set to Yes, the Wireless Access Point will

broadcast its SSID, allowing Wireless Stations which have a "null" (blank) SSID to adopt the

correct SSID. If set to No, the SSID is not broadcast. The default is Yes.

•

Operating Mode

: Select the desired wireless operating mode. The options are:

–

Auto (11g/11b) – Both 802.11g and 802.11b wireless stations can be supported. This is the

default.

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG302

Basic Installation and Configuration

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–

11g Only – Only 802.11g wireless stations can be used.

–

11b Only – All 802.11b wireless stations can be used. 802.11g wireless stations can still be

used if they can operate in 802.11b mode.

•

Channel/Frequency

: Select the channel you wish to use on your wireless LAN. The wireless

channel in use will be between 1 to 11 for US and Canada, 1 to 13 for Europe and Australia.

The default is channel 11.

It should not be necessary to change the wireless channel unless you experience interference

(shown by lost connections and/or slow data transfers). Should this happen, you may need to

experiment with different channels to see which is the best. See

“Wireless Channels” on

page B-7

for more information on wireless channels.

Note

: This feature will be disabled if AutoCell is enabled. Channel selection is automatically

adjusted by AutoCell when the Auto RF Management option is enabled. The default setting is

for the AutoCell Auto RF Management option to be enabled.

–

Access points use a fixed channel. You can select the channel used. This allows you to

choose a channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA

and Canada, 11 channels are available.

Note

: Channel 6 is required for 108 Mbps data rate.

–

If using multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different channels

to reduce interference. The recommended channel spacing between adjacent access points

is 5 channels (for example, use channels 1 and 6, or 6 and 11).

–

In “Infrastructure” mode, wireless stations normally scan all channels, looking for an

access point. If more than one access point can be used, the one with the strongest signal is

used. This can only happen when the various access points are using the same SSID.

•

Data Rate

: Shows the available transmit data rate of the wireless network. The possible data

rates supported are: 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48

Mbps, 54 Mbps and 108 Mbps.

Note

: The 108 Mbps option is available when the Channel/Frequency is set to channel 6 and

the operating mode is set to 11g Only. The default is Best.

•

Output Power

: Shows the available transmit power of the access point. The possible Tx

power options are: Full, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, and minimum. The transmit power may varies

depends on the local regulatory regulations. Note that this feature will be disabled if AutoCell

is enabled. The default is Full.

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Understanding WEP/WPA Security Options

The figure below identifies the various WEP/WPA security options. A full explanation of these

standards is available in

Appendix B, “Wireless Networking Basics

.

Figure 3-10:

WEP/WPA Settings menus for 11a and 11b/g

The WEP/WPA Settings for 11a and 11b/g are explained as follows:

•

WEP

: Enable or Disable the Wired Equivalent Privacy for data encryption.

•

Network Authentication

: Specifies the Authentication type used:

Open System

,

Shared

Key

,

Legacy 802.1x

,

WPA with Radius

, or

WPA-PSK

. The default is

Open System

.

If

Shared Key

is selected, you need to enable WEP and enter at least one shared key.

Note:

Output power is automatically adjusted by AutoCell when the Auto RF

Management option is enabled. The default setting is for the AutoCell Auto RF

Management option to be enabled.

WEP/WPA Settings 11a menu

WEP/WPA Settings 11b/g menu