User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

2-6

Introduction

User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

Basic Setup

3-1

Chapter 3

Basic Setup

This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter and set

up basic connectivity on your Local Area Network (LAN).

Preparing to Install Your WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

The NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter is plug-and-go so that you can set it up

immediately without configuration. The following scenarios are presented in this chapter:

•

“Game Console Plug-and-Go Scenario” on page 3-4

•

“Personal Computer Plug-and-Go Scenario” on page 3-5

If you need to change the default IP address or set wireless security, you can use the Smart Wizard

configuration assistant to identify your network configuration settings. After you have used the

Smart Wizard, you can access the WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter configuration from a Web

browser using the TCP/IP address of the WGE111.

1.

First, determine your network configuration. See

“Planning the WGE111 Wireless Game

Adapter Configuration” on page 3-6

.

2.

Second, use the Smart Wizard configuration assistant to configure your initial settings. See

“Using the NETGEAR Smart Wizard Configuration Assistant” on page 3-9

.

3.

If you would like to use the Web configuration interface, see

Chapter 4, “Web Configuration”

.

User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

3-2

Basic Setup

System Requirements

Before installing the WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter, please make sure that these minimum

requirements have been met:

•

For connecting into a wired network, you must have the network set up and working with an

access point or wireless router.

•

For creating an Ad-Hoc network without an access point, all devices must have a receiver/

transmitter. (The receiver/transmitter may be another WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

adapter.)

If the default settings do not work, you will need to configure the WGE111 Wireless Game

Adapter. Also, if you have more than one WGE111 in the network, only one can use the default IP

address. You'll have to configure the others with unique IP addresses. To configure the WGE111

Wireless Game Adapter, you must have a personal computer with Internet browser software

installed, such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.0 (or later) or Netscape® 6.0 (or later).

Placement and Range Guidelines

Computers and other Ethernet-enabled devices can connect over wireless networks indoors at

more than 500 feet. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary

significantly based on the physical location of the WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter. For best

results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as:

•

Large metal surfaces

•

Microwaves

•

2.4 GHz cordless phones

In general, wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are constructed

with concrete or have metal (or metal mesh), the effective range will decrease if such materials are

between the wireless devices.

User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

Basic Setup

3-3

Switch Operating Modes

The WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter operates in either Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc mode.

Note:

The WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter is factory-shipped with the switch on the rear panel

set to the left, which indicates Infrastructure (labeled Internet) mode. The wireless game adapter

can be plugged into a game console or computer directly without configuration.

Figure 3-1:

NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

Set the switch to the left for Infrastructure mode (labeled Internet) or to the right for Ad-Hoc

mode.

Warning:

The WGE111 must be rebooted if you change the switch position!

Table 3-1.

Switch Operating Modes.

Note:

If you are using Ad-Hoc mode and have more than one NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless

Game Adapter, you need to use the Smart Wizard configuration assistant to change the IP settings

and ensure unique IP addresses. Each WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter is set by default to use the

IP address 192.168.0.202. See

“Using the NETGEAR Smart Wizard Configuration Assistant” on

page 3-9

for information on changing the IP addresses of the wireless game adapter.

Mode

Switch Position

Your System

Infrastructure mode

(labeled Internet)

Left position, which is

the factory shipped

default

Access point or wireless router con-

nected to a wired network

Ad-Hoc mode

Right position (must be

changed from default

left position)

Small, wireless-only network and all

devices have wireless transmitters/

receivers.

User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

3-4

Basic Setup

Game Console Plug-and-Go Scenario

Figure 3-2:

Internet Game Console Scenario

What you need.

•

Broadband Internet access through a router with an 802.11b or 802.11g wireless access point

(built in to the router or separate) without any security features enabled.

Note:

If you enabled security features (like WEP, SSID broadcast off, MAC filtering, etc.) you

need to follow the instructions given in

“Using the NETGEAR Smart Wizard Configuration

Assistant” on page 3-9

.

•

A network-enabled game console.

What you do.

1.

Connect the Ethernet cable from your WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter (

A

) to the Ethernet

port (

B

) in the game console.

2.

Make sure that the switch on the back of the WGE111 is set to the left side (labeled Internet),

which corresponds to Infrastructure Mode.

3.

Connect the power adapter to the WGE111 and verify the following:

•

The power light goes on.

•

The Internet light is lit.

•

The Ethernet light is lit when connected to a network-enabled game console.

WGE111 Wireless

Game Adapter

Gaming Console or other

Ethernet-enabled device