6

Wireless Basics

D-Link

wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and

compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or public access

wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you access to the data you want,

when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking

brings.

A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits

and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly in

both home and office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and

universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and

communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other

fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.

Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless

adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same protocols as

Ethernet adapter cards.

People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:

Mobility

-

Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location

within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time

information can significantly improve worker efficiency.

Low Implementation Costs

–

WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and

relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease of

implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be

impractical.

Installation and Network Expansion

-

Installing a WLAN system can be fast

and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless

technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even outside the home or

office.

Scalability

–

WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of

specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range

from Peer-to-Peer networks suitable for a small number of users to larger infrastructure

networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the number

of wireless devices deployed.

Inexpensive Solution

-

Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as

conventional Ethernet network devices.

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Installation Considerations

The number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other objects that the wireless

signals must pass through, may limit the range. Typical ranges vary depending on the

types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or business.

The key to maximizing wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:

Wireless Basics

(continued)

Building Materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door or aluminum

studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position wireless devices and

computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes

through drywall or

open doorways and not other materials.

3

Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5 feet thick

(.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At

a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Position devices so that

the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for

better reception.

2

Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-700AP and

other network devices

to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce

your D-Link

Air

Wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.)

Position your devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.

1

Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical

devices or appliances that generate RF noise.

4

8

Please remember that

D-Link Air

wireless devices are pre-configured to connect

together, right out of the box, with their default settings.

You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into

your home or office).

Consult with your Cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the modem.

Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broadband router (see the

Quick

Installation Guide

included with your router.)

If you are connecting a desktop computer in your network, you can install the

D-Link

Air

DWL-520

Wireless PCI Adapter into an available PCI slot on your

desktop computer.

(See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the DWL-520.)

Install the

D-Link

Air

DWL-650

Wireless Cardbus Adapter into a laptop com-

puter.

(See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the DWL-650.)

Setting up a Wireless

Infrastructure Network

6

2

1

3

4

Getting Started

Connect the router to the

D-Link

Air

DWL-700AP.

(See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the DWL-520.)

For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the following:

5

9

Whenever you want to configure your network or the DWL-700AP, you can access the

Configuration Utility by opening the web-browser and typing in the IP address of the

DWL-700AP. The DWL-700AP’s default IP address is shown below:

Open the web browser

Type in the

IP address

of the access point

(The IP address shown in the example above is the default setting. Use this IP address

when connecting to a network consisting of other D-Link devices set to their default

settings. If you have changed the IP address of the DWL-700AP to conform to a net-

work other than one with D-Link devices, then input that IP address in the web browser,

instead of the default IP address shown.)

Type

admin

in the

User name

field

Leave the

Password

blank

Click

OK

!

admin

!

!

!

!

Using the Configuration Utility

If you wish to change the default settings or optimize the performance of the

DWL-700AP, D-Link has included a configuration utility for this purpose.

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Home > Wizard

Clicking

Apply

will save changes made to the page.

Apply

Clicking

Cancel

will clear changes made to the page.

Clicking

Help

will bring up helpful information regarding the page.

Help

Clicking

Restart

will restart the router..(Necessary for some changes.)

Restart

Cancel

After logging in, the screen below will appear. Click on the tabs in the screen to access

different segments of the Configuration Utility. If you choose to use the web-based con-

figuration menu, please configure the DWL-700AP from a computer with an ethernet con-

nection to the DWL-700AP.

Using the Configuration Utility (continued)