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

3-4

Basic Installation and Configuration

202-10064-02, June 2005

Understanding WG102 Wireless Security Options

Your wireless data transmissions can be received well beyond your walls by anyone with a

compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of your wireless equipment. The

WG102 Access Point provides highly effective security features which are covered in detail in this

chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.

Figure 3-1: WG102 wireless data security options

There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network:

•

Restrict Access Based on MAC address.

You can restrict access to only trusted PCs so that

unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the WG102. MAC address filtering adds an

obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over the wireless link

is fully exposed.

•

Turn Off the Broadcast of the Wireless Network Name (SSID).

If you disable broadcast of

the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies the wireless

network ‘discovery’ feature of some products such as Windows XP, but the data is still fully

exposed to a determined snoop using specialized test equipment like wireless sniffers.

•

Use WEP.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP

Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption will block all but the most determined

eavesdropper.

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

Basic Installation and Configuration

3-5

202-10064-02, June 2005

•

Use WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, or WPA2-PSK.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2)

data encryption provides data security. The very strong authentication along with dynamic per

frame rekeying of WPA make it virtually impossible to compromise. Because this is a new

standard, wireless device driver and software availability may be limited.

•

Use AutoCell Enhanced RF Security.

In addition to standard encryption and security

mechanisms such as WEP and WPA, the WG102 AutoCell feature provides self-organizing

micro cells for an additional level of privacy for enterprises. In this mode, AutoCell shrinks

the size of coverage to the minimum to reach clients but also shrinks the size of the beacons

that access points use to announce their presence. This mode makes an enterprise wireless

LAN nearly invisible to users outside an office building. AutoCell clients such as the

NETGEAR WAG511 are highly-recommended for Enhanced RF Security.

Installing the WG102 Access Point

Before installing the NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point, you should

make sure that your Ethernet network is up and working. You will be connecting the access point

to the Ethernet network so that computers with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapters will be able

to communicate with computers on the Ethernet network. In order for this to work correctly, verify

that you have met all of the system requirements, shown on

page 2-4

.

1

S

ET

UP

THE

WG102 A

CCESS

P

OINT

Tip:

Before mounting the WG102 in a high location, first set up and test the WG102 to verify

wireless network connectivity.

a.

Prepare a computer with an Ethernet adapter. If this computer is already part of your

network, record its TCP/IP configuration settings.

b.

Configure the computer with a static IP address of 192.168.0.210 and 255.255.255.0 for

the Subnet Mask.

c.

Connect an Ethernet cable from the WG102 to the computer.

d.

Turn on your computer, connect the power adapter to the WG102 and verify the following:

–

The PWR power light goes on.

–

The LAN light of the wireless access point is lit when connected to a powered on

computer.

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

3-6

Basic Installation and Configuration

202-10064-02, June 2005

2

C

ONFIGURE

LAN

AND

W

IRELESS

A

CCESS

a.

Configure the WG102 Ethernet port for LAN access.

•

Connect to the WG102 by opening your browser and entering

http://192.168.0.229

in

the address field. A login window opens. When prompted, enter

admin

for the user

name and

password

for the password, both in lower case letters.

Figure 3-2: Login window

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

Basic Installation and Configuration

3-7

202-10064-02, June 2005

•

The Web browser will then display the WG102 settings page.

Figure 3-3: Login result: WG102 home page

–

When the wireless access point is connected to the Internet, click the Knowledge

Base or the Documentation link under the Web Support menu to view support

information or the documentation for the wireless access point.

–

If you do not click Logout, the wireless access point will wait 5 minutes after

there is no activity before it automatically logs you out.

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

3-8

Basic Installation and Configuration

202-10064-02, June 2005

•

Click the Basic Settings link to view the Basic Settings menu.

Figure 3-4: Basic Settings menu

•

Configure the settings appropriate for your network.

b.

Click the Wireless Settings link in the Setup section of the main menu to view the Wireless

Settings menu.

Figure 3-5: Basic Wireless Settings menu