NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2 Reference Manual

Introduction

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v1.0, May 2006

Hardware Description

This section describes the WG302v2 front and rear hardware functions.

Front Panel

Viewed from left to right, the WG302v2 has these status LEDs: PWR, TEST, LAN, and 802.11g

WLAN.

Figure 0-1

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 5, “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

10 Mbps Ethernet link detected

Amber Blink

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

Green On

100 Mbps Fast Ethernet link detected.

Green Blink

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

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Introduction

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Rear Panel

The numbers in

Figure 0-2

correspond to the following features on the back of the WG302v2:

1.

Primary and Secondary 2.4 GHz detachable antennas.

2.

Reset button. This restores the default factory settings.

3.

Serial Console Port. Use the male DB-9 serial port for serial DTE connections.

4.

RJ-45 Ethernet LAN/POE Port. Use the WG302v2 Ethernet RJ-45 port to connect to an

Ethernet LAN through a device such as a hub, switch, router, or Power Over Ethernet (POE)

switch.

5.

Power socket. This connects to the WG302v2 power adapter.

802.11g WLAN

Wireless LAN Link Activity Indicator (2.4 MHz)

Off

No wireless link activity.

Green Blink

Wireless link activity.

Figure 0-2

LED

Description

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3

4

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Basic Installation and Configuration

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Chapter 2

Basic Installation and Configuration

This chapter describes how to set up your ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302v2 for

wireless connectivity to your LAN. This basic configuration enables computers with 802.11b/g

wireless adapters to do such things as connect to the Internet or access printers and files on your

LAN.

You need to prepare the following three things before you can establish a connection through your

wireless access point:

•

A location for the WG302v2 that conforms to the

Wireless Equipment Placement and Range

Guidelines

described in this chapter.

•

A wired connection from the WG302v2 to your LAN through a device such as a hub, switch,

router, or Cable/DSL gateway.

•

One or more computers with properly configured 802.11b/g wireless adapters.

System Requirements

Before you install the WG302v2, make sure you have the following equipment and that your

system meets these requirements:

•

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

•

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.

Note:

Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11b/g wireless networks at ranges of

several hundred feet or more. This distance can allow others outside your area to

access your network. It is important to take appropriate steps to secure your

network from unauthorized access. The ProSafe 802.11g

provides highly effective

security features which are covered in detail on the NETGEAR Web site. For more

information, see

Appendix A, “Related Documents

. Deploy the security features

appropriate to your needs.

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•

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.

The WG302v2 can connect to you LAN via twisted-pair Category 5 Ethernet cable with RJ-45

connectors. The LAN interface is autosensing and capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.

The wireless access point uses Auto Uplink™ technology. The Ethernet port automatically senses

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

correctly. This feature eliminates any concerns about crossover cables, as Auto Uplink™ will

accommodate either type of cable to make the right connection.

Wireless Equipment Placement and Range Guidelines

The range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the location of the wireless

access point. The latency, data throughput performance, and notebook power consumption of

wireless adapters also vary depending on your configuration choices.

For best results, place your wireless access point:

•

Near the center of the area in which your PCs operate.

•

In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected PCs have

line-of-sight access (even if through walls).

•

Away from sources of interference, such as PCs, microwaves, and 2.4 GHz cordless phones.

•

Away from large metal surfaces.

Putting the antenna in a vertical position provides best side-to-side coverage. Putting the antenna

in a horizontal position provides best up-and-down coverage.

If you use multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different radio frequency

Channels to reduce interference. The recommended Channel spacing between adjacent access

points is five Channels (for example, use Channels 1 and 6, or 6 and 11).

Note:

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation

or inability to wirelessly connect to the WG302v2. For complete performance

specifications, see

“Specifications for the WG302v2” in Appendix B

.

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The time it takes to establish a wireless connection can vary depending on both your security

settings and placement.

Installing the ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point

Before you install the Wireless Access Point, make sure that your Ethernet network is up and

working. You will be connecting the access point to the Ethernet network. Then computers with

802.11b/g wireless adapters will be able to communicate with the Ethernet network. In order for

this to work correctly, verify that you have met all of the network and system requirements

described in

“System Requirements” on page 2-1

.

To set up and install your WG302v2 Wireless Access Point:

1.

Set up the WG302v2.

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 WG302v2 to the computer.

d.

Connect the power adapter to the WG302v2 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.

2.

Configure LAN and wireless access.

a.

Use your Web browser to connect to the WG302v2.

Note:

To view a list of the factory default settings, see

“Default Factory Settings” in

Appendix B

.

Tip:

Before mounting the WG302v2 in a high location, first set up and test the

WG302v2 to verify wireless network connectivity.