Wireless-G Access Point

Figure B-1: The WEP Screen

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Figure B-2: The WPA Pre-Shared Key Screen

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Figure B-3: The WPA Radius Screen

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Figure B-4: The Radius Screen

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Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Wireless-G Access Point

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Access Point. This Access Point will allow you to network wirelessly better

than ever.

How does the Access Point do all of this? An access point allows for greater range and mobility within your

wireless network while also allowing you to connect the wireless network to a wired environment. Being a dual-

band access point, not only does the Access Point bring you these benefits, it also allows two wireless standards,

802.11g and 802.11b, to communicate with each other. This means that PCs with different wireless standards

can communicate with each other and with a wired network.

But what does all of this mean?

Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers

and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video

games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.

PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is

why the network is called "wired".

PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the

same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is sometimes called

a WLAN, or Wired Local Area Network. The Access Point bridges wireless networks of both 802.11g and 802.11b

standards and wired networks.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Access Point, set it up, and configure it to bridge your

different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Access Point.

802.11b:

a wireless networking standard that specifies

a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an

operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g:

a wireless networking standard that

specifies a maximum data transfer rate of

54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and

backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

adapter:

a device that adds network functionality to your PC

ethernet:

network protocol that specifies how data is placed

on and retrieved from a common transmission medium

lan (local area network):

the computers and networking

products that make up your local network

network:

a series of computers or devices

connected together

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Chapter 1: Introduction

What’s in this Guide?

Wireless-G Access Point

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Access Point.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter describes the Wireless-G Access Point’s applications and this User Guide.

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Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network

This chapter describes the basics of wireless networking.

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Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Access Point

This chapter describes the physical features of the Access Point.

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Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Access Point

This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Access Point to your network.

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Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Access Point

This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on the Access Point.

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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point

This chapter explains the use of the Access Point’s Web-based Utility.

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This appendix describes some frequently asked questions regarding installation and use of the Wireless-G

Access Point.

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Appendix B: Wireless Security

This appendix explains the risks of wireless networking and some solutions to reduce the risks.

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Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware

This appendix instructs you on how to upgrade the Access Point’s firmware.

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Appendix D: Windows Help.

This appendix describes some of the ways Windows can help you with wireless networking.

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Appendix E: Glossary

This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.

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Appendix F: Specifications

This appendix provides the Access Point’s technical specifications.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

What’s in this Guide?

Wireless-G Access Point

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Appendix G: Warranty Information

This appendix supplies the Access Point’s warranty information.

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Appendix H: Regulatory Information

This appendix supplies the Access Point’s regulatory information.

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Appendix I: Contact Information

This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

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Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network

Network Topology

Wireless-G Access Point

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter.

Computers in a wireless

network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or

adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.

Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point, such as the

Wireless-G Access Point, or wireless router.

An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure

network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network

infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may double the

effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs.

Since an access point is able to forward data

within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be doubled.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your

wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they

both share the same channel and SSID.

Before enabling you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position.

Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

infrastructure

: a wireless network

that is bridged to a wired network via

an access point.

ad-hoc

: a group of wireless devices

communicating directly with each other (peer-

to-peer) without the use of an access point.

roaming

: the ability to take a wireless device

from one access point's range to another

without losing the connection.

ssid

: your wireless network's name