65

Appendix B: Wireless Security

Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

Wireless-N Home Router

PSK-Enterprise and PSK2-Enterprise use a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server for

authentication. RADIUS uses a RADIUS server and WEP encryption.

PSK/PSK2-Personal

. Select the type of algorithm,

TKIP

or

AES

, and enter a password in the

Pre-shared Key

field of 8-63 characters. Enter a Key Renewal period time between 0 and 99,999 seconds, which instructs the

Router or other device how often it should change the encryption keys.

PSK/PSK2-Enterprise

. This method is PSK or PSK2 used in coordination with a RADIUS server. Enter the IP

address and port number of the RADIUS server. Then enter the key shared between the Router and its RADIUS

server. Then enter a Key Renewal period, which instructs the Router or other device how often it should

change the encryption keys.

RADIUS

. This method is WEP used in coordination with a RADIUS server. Enter the IP address and port

number of the RADIUS server. Then enter the key shared between the Router and its RADIUS server. Enter the

WEP settings.

Implementing encryption may have a negative impact on your network’s performance, but if you are transmitting

sensitive data over your network, encryption should be used.

These security recommendations should help keep your mind at ease while you are enjoying the most flexible

and convenient technology Linksys has to offer.

66

Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware

Wireless-N Home Router

Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware

The Router's firmware is upgraded through the Web-based Utility's Administration tab. Follow these instructions:

1.

Download the firmware from Linksys’s website at

www.linksys.com

.

2.

Extract the firmware file on your computer.

3.

Open the Router’s Web-based Utility, and click the

Administration

tab.

4.

Click the

Firmware Upgrade

tab, and the

Firmware Upgrade

screen will appear.

5.

Enter the location of the firmware's file, or click the

Browse

button to find the file.

6.

Click the

Start to Upgrade

button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Figure C-1: Firmware Upgrade

67

Appendix D: Windows Help

Wireless-N Home Router

Appendix D: Windows Help

Almost all Linksys wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in

the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed

through Windows Help and are described in this appendix.

TCP/IP

Before a computer can communicate with the Router, TCP/IP must be enabled. TCP/IP is a set of instructions, or

protocol, all PCs follow to communicate over a network. This is true for wireless networks as well. Your PCs will

not be able to utilize wireless networking without having TCP/IP enabled. Windows Help provides complete

instructions on enabling TCP/IP.

Shared Resources

If you wish to share printers, folder, or files over your network, Windows Help provides complete instructions on

utilizing shared resources.

Network Neighborhood/My Network Places

Other PCs on your network will appear under Network Neighborhood or My Network Places (depending upon the

version of Windows you're running). Windows Help provides complete instructions on adding PCs to your

network.

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Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter

Windows 98SE or Me Instructions

Wireless-N Home Router

Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for

Your Ethernet Adapter

This section describes how to find the MAC address for your computer’s Ethernet adapter so you can use the MAC

filtering and/or MAC address cloning feature of the Router. You can also find the IP address of your computer’s

Ethernet adapter. This IP address is used for the Router’s filtering, forwarding, and/or DMZ features. Follow the

steps in this appendix to find the adapter’s MAC or IP address in Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP.

Windows 98SE or Me Instructions

1.

Click

Start

and

Run

. In the

Open

field, enter

winipcfg

. Then press the

Enter

key or the

OK

button.

2.

When the

IP Configuration

screen appears, select the Ethernet adapter you have connected to the Router via a

CAT 5 Ethernet network cable. See Figure E-1.

3.

Write down the Adapter Address as shown on your computer screen (see Figure E-2). This is the MAC address

for your Ethernet adapter and is shown as a series of numbers and letters.

The MAC address/Adapter Address is what you will use for MAC address cloning or MAC filtering.

The example in Figure E-3 shows the Ethernet adapter’s IP address as 192.168.1.100. Your computer may

show something different.

Figure E-2: MAC Address/Adapter Address

Figure E-1: IP Configuration Screen

NOTE:

The MAC address is also called the Adapter Address.

Figure E-3: MAC Address/Physical Address

69

Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter

Windows 2000 or XP Instructions

Wireless-N Home Router

Windows 2000 or XP Instructions

1.

Click

Start

and

Run

. In the

Open

field, enter

cmd

. Press the

Enter

key or click the

OK

button.

2.

At the command prompt, enter

ipconfig /all

. Then press the

Enter

key.

3.

Write down the Physical Address as shown on your computer screen (Figure E-3); it is the MAC address for

your Ethernet adapter. This appears as a series of numbers and letters.

The MAC address/Physical Address is what you will use for MAC address cloning or MAC filtering.

The example in Figure E-3 shows the Ethernet adapter’s IP address as 192.168.1.100. Your computer may

show something different.

For the Router’s Web-based Utility

For MAC filtering, enter the 12-digit MAC address in the appropriate

MAC

field on the

Wireless MAC Filter

screen.

For MAC address cloning, enter the MAC address in the

MAC Address

fields on the

MAC Address Clone

screen.

For more information, refer to “Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-N Home Router.”

Figure E-4: Wireless MAC Filter

NOTE:

The MAC address is also called the Physical Address.

Figure E-5: MAC Address Cloning