17

Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander

The Setup Tab

Wireless-G Range Expander

Password

The Password screen allows you to change the Range Expander's password and restore factory defaults.

Changing the sign-on password for the Range Expander is as easy as typing the password into the

Password

field. Then, type it again into the second field to confirm.

To restore the Range Expander's factory default settings, click the

Yes

button beside Restore Factory

Defaults.Then, click the

Save Settings

button.

To back up your Range Expander configuration, click the

Backup

button. A File Download screen will appear and

you can click Save to backup the file to your PC. To

restore the backed-up configuration, click the

Restore

button

and select it from the same location.

Click the

Save Settings

button to apply your changes or

Cancel Changes

to cancel your changes. If you require

online help, click the

Help

button.

IMPORTANT:

Restoring the Range Expander's

factory default settings will erase all of your

Wireless and WEP settings, and replace them with

the factory defaults. Do not reset the Range

Expander if you want to retain these settings.

Figure 6-4: Setup Tab - Password

Figure 6-5: File Download

download:

to receive a file transmitted over a network

18

Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander

The Setup Tab

Wireless-G Range Expander

Help

For help on the various tabs in this Web-based Utility, along with upgrading the Range Expander’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 left hand 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. (You’re viewing it right now!) 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 Range Expander 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 Range Expander’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.

Click the

Upgrade

button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Figure 6-6: Setup Tab - Help

Figure 6-7: Firmware Upgrade

upgrade:

to replace existing software or

firmware with a newer version.

19

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Common Problems and Solutions

Wireless-G Range Expander

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” This

appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Wireless-G

Range Expander. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here, check the

Linksys website at

www.linksys.com

.

Common Problems and Solutions

1.

The Wireless-G Range Expander will not connect to my Wireless-G network.

Go through this checklist:

•

Verify that your PC can communicate with your wireless network.

•

Press the Range Expander’s reset button (with a pin or a pen) for five seconds. This should reset the

Range Expander’s settings back to their default.

•

Disconnect the Range Expander’s power for 30 seconds. Then, connect the power again.

•

Press the Auto configuration button on the side of the Range Expander. As long as it is within range of an

access point or wireless router that has disabled WEP, it should communicate with it.

2.

The Setup Wizard does not detect the Range Expander.

Go through this checklist:

•

Press the Range Expander’s reset button (with a pin or a pen) for five seconds. This should reset the

Range Expander’s settings back to their default.

•

Disconnect the Range Expander’s power for 30 seconds. Then, connect the power again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 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

20

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-G Range Expander

•Multi-Channel Roaming

•Automatic Rate Selection

•RTS/CTS feature

•Fragmentation

•Power Management

What is Ad-hoc?

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

independent wireless network. An Ad-hoc wireless network is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch

or SOHO operation.

What is Infrastructure?

An integrated wireless and wired network is called an Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is

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

workers.

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 network within the coverage area.

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

Each node, 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 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 in the network. 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.

21

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-G Range Expander

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).

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?

Wireless networks feature two-fold protection. On the hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread

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

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 can work with Netware, Windows NT/2000, or other 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 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.