32

Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point

The Help Tab

Wireless-G Access Point

The Help Tab

For help on the various tabs in this Web-based Utility, along with upgrading the Access Point’s firmware and

viewing this User Guide, click the

Help

tab.

The help files for the various tabs in this Web-based Utility are listed by tab name on the lefthand side of the

screen.

Click the

Linksys Website

link to connect to the Linksys homepage for Knowledgebase help files and information

about other Linksys products, provided you have an active Internet connection.

For an Online manual in PDF format, click that text link. The User Guide will appear in Adobe pdf format. If you do

not have the Adobe PDF Reader installed on your computer, click the

Adobe Website

link or go to the Setup

Wizard CD-ROM to download this software. (To access the Adobe website, you will need an active Internet

connection.) To download from the CD-ROM, click the

Start

button and select

Run

. Type

D:\Acrobat

(if “D” is the

letter of your CD-ROM drive).

New firmware versions are posted at www.linksys.com and can be downloaded for free. If the Access Point is not

experiencing difficulties, then there is no need to download a more recent firmware version, unless that version

has a new feature that you want to use. Loading new firmware does not always enhance the speed or quality of

your Internet connection.

To upgrade the Access Point’s firmware:

1.

Download the firmware upgrade file from the Linksys website.

2.

Extract the firmware upgrade file.

3.

Click the

Upgrade Firmware

button on the Help screen.

4.

Enter the location of the firmware upgrade file in the File Path field, or click the

Browse

button to find the

firmware upgrade file.

5.

Double-click the firmware upgrade file.

6.

Click the

Upgrade

button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Figure 6-17: The Help screen

download:

to receive a file transmitted over a network

upgrade:

to replace existing software or

firmware with a newer version

33

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-G Access Point

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the

Wireless-G Access Point. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here,

check the Linksys website at

www.linksys.com

.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Access Point act as my DHCP Server?

No.

The Access Point is nothing more than a wireless hub, and as such cannot be configured to handle DHCP

capabilities.

Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network?

This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the

application’s user guide to determine if it supports operation over a network.

Can I play multiplayer games with other users of the wireless network?

Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area network). Refer to the game’s user

guide for more information.

What IEEE 802.11b features are supported?

The product supports the following IEEE 802.11 functions:

•CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol

•Multi-Channel Roaming

•Automatic Rate Selection

•RTS/CTS feature

•Fragmentation

•Power Management

What is Ad-hoc?

An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as an independent

wireless LAN. An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.

What is Infrastructure?

An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is applicable to

enterprise scale for wireless access to a central database, or wireless application for mobile workers.

34

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-G Access Point

What is Roaming?

Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user to communicate continuously while moving freely

throughout an area greater than that covered by a single Access Point. Before using the roaming function, the

workstation must make sure that it is the same channel number as the Access Point of the dedicated

coverage area.

To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless LAN must incorporate a number of different functions.

Each node and Access Point, for example, must always acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node

must maintain contact with the wireless network even when not actually transmitting data. Achieving these

functions simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technology that links Access Points and nodes. In

such a system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it

evaluates such factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currently being carried by

each Access Point and the distance of each Access Point to the wired backbone. Based on that information,

the node next selects the right Access Point and registers its address. Communications between end node

and host computer can then be transmitted up and down the backbone.

As the user moves on, the end node’s RF transmitter regularly checks the system to determine whether it is in

touch with the original Access Point or whether it should seek a new one. When a node no longer receives

acknowledgment from its original Access Point, it undertakes a new search. Upon finding a new Access

Point, it then re-registers, and the communication process continues.

What is ISM band?

The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM

(Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made

available worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high speed wireless

capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.

What is Spread Spectrum?

Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique developed by the military for use in

reliable, secure, mission-critical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for

reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the case of

narrowband transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to

detect, provided that the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a

receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise. There are

two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

(FHSS).

35

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-G Access Point

What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that changes frequency in a pattern

that is known to both transmitter and receiver. Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single

logical channel. To an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise. Direct

Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern for each bit to be transmitted. This bit

pattern is called a chip (or chipping code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original

data can be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmission, statistical

techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original data without the need for retransmission. To an

unintended receiver, DSSS appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most

narrowband receivers.

Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?

WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread

Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling. On the software side, the WLAN

series offers the encryption function (WEP) to enhance security and access control. Users can set it up

depending upon their needs.

Can Linksys Wireless products support file and printer sharing?

Linksys Wireless products perform the same function as LAN products. Therefore, Linksys Wireless products

can work with Netware, Windows NT/2000, or other LAN operating systems to support printer or file sharing.

What is WEP?

WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40-bit shared-key algorithm, as

described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

What is a MAC Address?

The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique number assigned by the manufacturer to any Ethernet

networking device, such as a network adapter, that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level.

For all practical purposes, this number is usually permanent.

Unlike IP addresses, which can change every

time a computer logs on to the network, the MAC address of a device stays the same, making it a valuable

identifier for the network.

How do I avoid interference?

Using multiple Access Points on the same channel and in close proximity to one another will generate

interference.

When employing multiple Access Points, be sure to operate each one on a different channel

(frequency).

How do I reset the Access Point?

Press the Reset button on the back of the Access Point for about ten seconds. This will reset the unit to its

default settings.

36

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-G Access Point

How do I resolve issues with signal loss?

There is no way to know the exact range of your wireless network without testing. Every obstacle placed

between an Access Point and wireless PC will create signal loss.

Leaded glass, metal, concrete floors, water

and walls will inhibit the signal and reduce range.

Start with your Access Point and your wireless PC in the

same room and move it away in small increments to determine the maximum range in your environment.

You may also try using different channels, as this may eliminate

interference affecting only one channel.

Also, due to FCC regulations, more power may be transmitted, using 802.11a, on channels 52, 56, 60 and 64,

than on the lower channels.

Lastly, check the Advanced tab of the Web-Based Utility and make sure that

FULL is selected in the Transmission Rate field.

Does the Access Point function as a firewall?

No. The Access Point is only a bridge from wired Ethernet to wireless clients.

I have excellent signal strength, but I cannot see my network.

WEP is probably enabled on the Access Point, but not on your wireless adapter (or vice versa).

Verify that the

same WEP Keys and levels (64 or 128) are being used on all nodes on your wireless network.

What is the maximum number of users the Access Point facilitates?

No more than 65, but this depends on the volume of data and may be less if many users create a large

amount of network traffic.

How many channels/frequencies are available with the Access Point?

Using 802.11b or draft 802.11g, there are eleven available channels, ranging from 1 to 11.