Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102

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Introduction

202-10064-02, February 2005

Key Features

The WG102 Access Point is easy-to-use and provides solid wireless and networking support.

Supported Standards and Conventions

The following standards and conventions are supported:

•

Standards Compliant

.

The Wireless Access Point complies with the IEEE 802.11g for

Wireless LANs.

•

WEP support.

Support for WEP is included. 64-bit, 128-bit, and 152-bit keys are supported.

•

Full WPA and WPA2 support.

WPA and WPA2 enterprise class strong security with

RADIUS and certificate authentication as well as dynamic encryption key generation.

WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK pre-shared key authentication without the overhead of RADIUS

servers but with all of the strong security of WPA.

•

DHCP Client Support.

DHCP provides a dynamic IP address to PCs and other devices upon

request. The WG102 can act as a client and obtain information from your DHPC server.

•

SNMP Support.

Support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management

Information Base (MIB) management.

Key Features

The NETGEAR WG102 provides solid functionality, including these features

•

Multiple Operating Modes

–

Wireless Access Point.

Operates as a standard 802.11g.

–

Point-to-Point Bridge.

In this mode, the WG102 only communicates with another

bridge-mode wireless station. You must enter the MAC address (physical address) of the

other bridge-mode wireless station in the field provided. WEP should be used to protect

this communication.

–

Point-to-Multi-Point Bridge.

Select this only if this WG102 is the “Master” for a group

of bridge-mode wireless stations. The other bridge-mode wireless stations must be set to

Point-to-Point Bridge mode, using this WG102's MAC address. They then send all traffic

to this “Master”, rather than communicate directly with each other. WEP should be used to

protect this traffic.

–

Wireless Repeater.

In this half-duplex mode, the WG102 only communicates with

another repeater-mode wireless station. You must enter the MAC address of both adjacent

repeater-mode wireless stations in the fields provided. WEP should be used to protect this

communication.

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102

Introduction

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•

AutoCell RF Management.

AutoCell provides advanced automated RF management that

improves performance and enhances security.

•

Upgradeable Firmware.

Firmware is stored in a flash memory and can be upgraded easily,

using only your Web browser, and can be upgraded remotely.

•

Access Control.

The Access Control MAC address filtering feature can ensure that only

trusted wireless stations can use the WG102 to gain access to your LAN.

•

Simple Configuration.

If the default settings are unsuitable, they are easy to change.

•

Hidden Mode.

The SSID is not broadcast, assuring only clients configured with the correct

SSID can connect.

•

Configuration Backup.

Configuration settings can be backed up to a file and restored.

•

Power over Ethernet.

Power can be supplied to the WG102 over the Ethernet port from any

802.3af compliant mid-span or end-span source such as the NETGEAR FSM7326P Managed

Power over Ethernet Layer 3 managed switch.

•

Autosensing Ethernet Connection with

Auto Uplink

I

nterface.

Connects to 10/100 Mbps

IEEE 802.3 Ethernet networks.

•

LED Indicators.

Power, test, LAN speed, LAN activity, and wireless activity are easily

identified.

802.11g Standards-based Wireless Networking

The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point provides a bridge between

Ethernet wired LANs and 802.11g compatible wireless LAN networks. It provides connectivity

between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop

systems, print servers, and other devices. Additionally, the WG102 supports the following wireless

features:

•

Distributed coordinated function (CSMA/CA, Back off procedure, ACK procedure,

retransmission of unacknowledged frames)

•

RTS/CTS handshake

•

Beacon generation

•

Packet fragmentation and reassembly

•

Short or long preamble

•

Roaming among access points on the same subnet

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102

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Introduction

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Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

The WG102 can connect to a standard Ethernet network. The LAN interface is autosensing and

capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.

The wireless access point incorporates Auto Uplink

TM

technology. The Ethernet port will

automatically sense whether the Ethernet cable plugged into the port should have a ‘normal’

connection such as to a computer or an ‘uplink’ connection such as to a switch or hub. That port

will then configure itself to the correct configuration. This feature also eliminates any concerns

about crossover cables, as Auto Uplink will accommodate either type of cable to make the right

connection.

Wireless Multimedia (WMM) Support

WMM (Wireless Multimedia) is a subset of the 802.11e standard. WMM allows wireless traffic to

have a range of priorities, depending on the kind of data. Time-dependent information, like video

or audio, will have a higher priority than normal traffic. For WMM to function correctly, Wireless

clients must also support WMM.

Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products

For a list of compatible products from other manufacturers, see the Wireless Ethernet

Compatibility Alliance Web site (WECA, see

).

The following NETGEAR products work with the WG102 Access Point:

•

WAG511 ProSafe 108 Mbps Dual Band PC Card

•

WAG311 ProSafe 108 Mbps Dual Band PCI Card

•

WG311T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

•

WG511T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter

•

WG511 802.11g 54 Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter

•

WG111 801.11g 54 Mbps Wireless Bridge

System Requirements

Before installing the WG102, make sure your system meets these requirements:

•

A 10/100 Mbps Local Area Network device such as a hub or switch

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•

The Category 5 UTP straight through Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connector included in the

package, or one like it

•

A 100-240 V, 50-60 HZ AC power source

•

A Web browser for configuration such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or above, or

Netscape Navigator 4.78 or above

•

At least one computer with the TCP/IP protocol installed

•

802.11g or 802.11b-compliant devices, such as the NETGEAR WG511 Wireless Adapter

What’s In the Box?

The product package should contain the following items:

•

NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point

•

Power adapter and cord (

12V DC, 1 A

)

•

Straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable

•

802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point Installation Guide WG102

•

Resource CD for the NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point

This Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102

(202-10064-02).

•

Support Registration card

Contact your reseller or customer support in your area if there are any missing or damaged parts.

You can refer to the Support Information Card for the telephone number of customer support in

your area. You should keep the Support Information card, along with the original packing

materials, and use the packing materials to repack the WG102 if you need to return it for repair. To

qualify for product updates and product warranty registrations, we encourage you to register on the

NETGEAR Web site at:

.

Hardware Description

The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point front and rear hardware functions

are described below.

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102

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Introduction

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Front Panel

Figure 2-1:

WG102 front panel

Viewed from left to right, the WG102 Access Point provides these four status LEDs: PWR, TEST,

LAN, and WLAN. The following table explains these LED indicators:

LED

DESCRIPTION

PWR

Power Indicator

Off

No power. If this LED does not come on with the power adapter and cord correctly

installed, see Chapter 4,

Troubleshooting

.

On

Power is on.

TEST

Self Test Indicator

Blink

Indicates self test, loading software, or system fault (if continues).

Note:

This LED may blink for a minute before going off.

LAN

Ethernet link indicator

Off

No connection detected on the Ethernet link

Amber On

Indicates 10 Mbps Ethernet link detected

Amber Flashing

Data is being transmitted or received on the 10 Mbps Ethernet link

Green On

100 Mbps Fast Ethernet link detected.

Green Flashing

Data is being transmitted or received on the 100 Mbps Ethernet link

WLAN

Wireless LAN Link Activity Indicator

Off

Indicates no wireless link activity.

Green Blink

Wireless link activity.