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 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.

7

Installation Considerations

Keep in mind, that 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)

Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G730AP and other

network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DWL-

G730AP’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that

the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.

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

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

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

devices

or appliances that generate RF noise.

4

1

8

Hardware Overview

Receptor for

Power Adapter

Top Panel

Rear Panel

LAN LED:

Solid indicates an

Ethernet connection. Blinking

indicates activity on the

Ethernet network.

WLAN LED:

A solid light

indicates that the wireless

segment is ready. This LED

blinks during wireless data

transmission.

Reset Button:

Used to restore

default settings.

9

Please remember that D-Link Air

Plus G

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

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

D-Link

Air

Plus G DWL-G510 wireless PCI adapter into an available PCI slot

on your desktop computer.

(See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the DWL-G510.)

Install the drivers for the wireless Cardbus adapter into a laptop computer.

(

e.g, the DWL-G630; See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the

DWL-G630.

)

2

1

3

4

Getting Started - in AP mode

Connect the router to the D-Link

Air

Plus G DWL-G730AP (in access point

mode).

(See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the DWL-G730AP.)

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

5

Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broadband router (

see the

Quick

Installation Guide

included with your router.

)

6

An Example of a Wireless Infrastructure Network

10

Please remember that D-Link Air

Plus G

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

An Example of a Wireless Infrastructure Network

2

1

3

4

Getting Started - in Client mode

Connect the D-Link

Air

Plus G DWL-G730AP (in client mode) to your laptop.

(See the

Quick Installation Guide

included with the DWL-G730AP.)

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

Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broadband router (

see the

Quick

Installation Guide

included with your router.

)