NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2 Reference Manual

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About This Manual

v1.0, May 2006

Introduction

1-1

v1.0, May 2006

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter introduces the NETGEAR

®

ProSafe™ 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2.

The WG302v2 is the basic building block of a wireless LAN infrastructure. It provides

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

desktop systems, print servers, and other devices.

The wireless access point provides wireless connectivity within about a 300-foot radius. The

wireless access point can support up to 40 users simultaneously.

The WG302v2 acts as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. You can connect

multiple wireless access points via a wired Ethernet backbone to add more wireless network

coverage. As a wireless device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range

of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one access point to another and still

maintain seamless connection to the network.

The auto-sensing capability of the ProSafe 802.11g

allows packet transmission at up to 108 Mbps,

or at reduced speeds to compensate for distance or electromagnetic interference.

Key Features

The ProSafe 802.11g Wireless 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 IEEE 802.11b/g standards

for Wireless LANs.

•

WEP support.

Includes support for 64-bit, 128-bit, and 152-bit WEP keys.

•

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.

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Multiple BSSIDs.

Support for multiple BSSIDs. When one AP is connected to a wired

network and a set of wireless stations, it is referred to as a Basic Service Set (BSS). The Basic

Service Set Identifier (BSSID) is a 32-character unique identifier attached to the header of

packets sent over a WLAN that differentiates one WLAN from another when a mobile device

tries to connect to the network.

•

DHCP Client and Server Support.

DHCP provides a dynamic IP address to PCs and other

devices upon request. The WG302v2 can obtain network information from a DHCP server on

your network. The AP can also act as a DHCP server and provide network information for

wireless clients.

•

SNMP Support.

Support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management

Information Base (MIB) management.

WG302v2 Key Features

The WG302v2

provides solid functionality, including these features:

•

Multiple Operating Modes

–

Wireless Access Point.

Operates as a standard 802.11b/g wireless access point.

–

Point-to-Point Bridge.

In this mode, the WG302v2 communicates with another

bridge-mode wireless station.

–

Point-to-Multi-Point Bridge.

This mode allows the WG302v2 to bridge to several other

access points at the same time.

–

Wireless Repeater.

In this mode, the WG302v2 operates as both a wireless access point

and a wireless bridge.

•

Rogue Access Point

Detection.

For enhanced security, you can scan the wireless network to

detect rogue access points.

•

Hotspot Settings.

You can allow all HTTP (TCP, port 80) requests to be captured and

re-directed to the URL you specify.

•

Upgradeable Firmware.

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

using only your Web browser, and can be upgraded remotely. You can also upgrade firmware

from the command line interface (CLI) by using TFTP.

•

Access Control.

The Access Control MAC address filtering feature can ensure that only

trusted wireless stations can use the WG302v2 to gain access to your LAN.

•

Security Profiles.

When using multiple BSSIDs, you can configure unique security settings

(encryption, SSID, etc.) for each BSSID.

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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.

•

Secure and Economical Operation.

Adjustable power output allows more secure or

economical operation.

•

Power over Ethernet.

Power can be supplied to the WG302v2 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™ Interface.

Connects to 10/100

Mbps IEEE 802.3 Ethernet networks.

•

LED Indicators.

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

identified.

•

Wireless Virtual LAN (VLAN) Support.

VLANs enable a network of computers to behave

as if they are connected to the same network even though they might actually be physically

located on different segments of a LAN. VLANs are configured through software rather than

hardware, which makes them extremely flexible. VLANs are very useful for user/host

management, bandwidth allocation, and resource optimization.

•

Wireless Multimedia (WMM) Support.

WMM 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, has a higher priority than normal traffic. For

WMM to function correctly, Wireless clients must also support WMM.

•

Quality of Service (QoS) Support.

You can configure parameters that affect traffic flowing

from the access point to the client station and traffic flowing from the client station to the

access point. The QoS feature allows you to prioritize traffic, such as voice and video traffic,

so that packets do not get dropped.

Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products

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

Compatibility Alliance Web site (WECA):

.

The following NETGEAR products work with the ProSafe 802.11g :

•

WAG511 ProSafe 108 Mbps Dual Band PC Card

•

WAG311 ProSafe 108 Mbps Dual Band PCI Card

•

WG311T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

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WG511T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter

•

WG511 802.11g 54 Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter

•

WG111 801.11g 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter

What’s In the Box?

The product package should contain the following items:

•

ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2.

•

Power adapter and cord.

•

Straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable.

•

Resource CD for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302

.

•

Support Registration card.

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

See 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 WG302v2 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:

.