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Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless local area network is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each computer in the

wireless network uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a wireless network share the

same frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name shared by the wireless devices belonging to

the same wireless network.

Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they may be set up: infrastructure

and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configuration is a wireless and wired network communicating to each other

through an access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with

each other. Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share

data or peripherals with a wired network or not.

If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired network or need to share a peripheral,

such as a printer, with the wired network computers, the wireless network should be set up in Infrastructure

mode. The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around a wireless router or an access point, which serves as the

main point of communications in a wireless network. The Router transmits data to PCs equipped with wireless

network adapters, which can roam within a certain radial range of the Router.

You can arrange the Router and

multiple access points to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and you can set up your wireless

network to communicate with your Ethernet hardware as well.

If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only with the other computers on the

wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless

transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for a wireless router or

access point. The drawback of this mode is that in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to

communicate with computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the wireless-

equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference directly between them.

Network Layout

The Wireless-G Broadband Router has been specifically designed for use with both your 802.11b and 802.11g

products. Now, products using these standards can communicate with each other.

Infrastructure

: a wireless network

that is bridged to a wired network via

an access point.

ssid

: your wireless network’s name.

ad-hoc

: a group of wireless devices

communicating directly to each other

(peer-to-peer) without the use of an

access point.

access point

: a device that allows wireless-

equipped computers and other devices to

communicate with a wired network. Also used

to expand the range of a wireless network.

adpater

: a device that adds

network functionality to your PC

ethernet

: IEEE standard network protocol that

specifies how data is placed on and retrieved

from a common transmission medium

network

: a series of computers or devices

connected for the purpose of data sharing,

storage, and/or transmission between users.

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Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Layout

Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

The Wireless-G Broadband Router is compatible with all 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such as the Notebook

Adapters (WPC54G, WPC11) for your laptop computers, PCI Adapter (WMP54G, WMP11) for your desktop PC, and

USB Adapter (WUSB54G, WUSB11) when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. The Router will also communicate

with the Wireless PrintServer (WPS54GU2, WPS11) and Wireless Ethernet Bridges (WET54G, WET11).

When you wish to connect your wireless network with your wired network, you can use the Wireless-G

Broadband Router’s four LAN ports. To add more ports, any of the Wireless-G Broadband Router's LAN ports can

be connected to any of Linksys's switches (such as the EZXS55W or EZXS88W).

With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at

www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Wireless-G Broadband Router.

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Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Back Panel

Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Back Panel

The Router's ports, where the cables are connected, are located on the back panel.

Reset Button

There are two ways to reset the Router's factory defaults. Either press the

Reset Button

, for

approximately five seconds, or restore the defaults from the Administration tab - Factory

Defaults in the Router's Web-based Utility.

Internet

The

Internet

port is where you will connect your broadband Internet connection.

1, 2, 3, 4

These ports (1, 2, 3, 4) connect the Router to PCs on your wired network and other Ethernet

network devices.

Power

The

Power

port is where you will connect the power adapter.

Important:

Resetting the Router will erase all

of your settings (WEP Encryption, network

settings, etc.) and replace them with the

factory defaults. Do not reset the Router if you

want to retain these settings.

Figure 3-1: The Router’s Back Panel

broadband

: an always-on, fast Internet connection

port

: the connection point on a computer or networking

device used for plugging in cables or adapters

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Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Front Panel

Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

The Front Panel

The Router’s LEDs, where information about network activity is displayed, are located on the front panel.

Power

Green. The

Power

LED lights up and will stay on while the Router is powered on. When the

Router goes through its self-diagnostic mode during every boot-up, this LED will flash. When

the diagnostic is complete, the LED will be solidly lit.

DMZ

Green. The

DMZ

LED indicates when the DMZ function is being used. This LED will remain lit

as long as DMZ is enabled.

WLAN

Green. The

WLAN

LED lights up whenever there is a successful wireless connection. If the LED

is flashing, the Router is actively sending or receiving data over the network.

1, 2, 3, 4

Green. These numbered LEDs, corresponding with the numbered ports on the Router’s back

panel, serve two purposes. If the LED is continuously lit, the Router is successfully connected

to a device through that port. A flashing LED indicates network activity over that port.

Internet

Green. The

Internet

LED lights up when there is a connection made through the Internet port.

Figure 3-2: The Router’s Front Panel

dmz

: removes the Router's firewall protection from

one PC, allowing it to be "seen" from the Internet

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Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router

Overview

Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router

Overview

This chapter includes two sets of instructions. If the Wireless-G Broadband Router will be the only router in your

network, follow the instructions in “Hardware Installation for Connection to Your Broadband Modem.” You may

wish to run some applications, such as Parental Control, for only certain PCs on your network and will need to run

the Wireless-G Broadband Router behind another router to do this. If you want to install the Wireless-G

Broadband Router behind another router in your network, follow the instructions in “Connecting One Router to

Another.”

Hardware Installation for Connection to Your Broadband Modem

1.

Power down your network devices.

2.

Locate an optimum location for the Router. The best place for the Router is usually at the center of your

wireless network, with line of sight to all of your mobile stations.

3.

Fix the direction of the antennas. Try to place the Router in a position that will best cover your wireless

network. Normally, the higher you place the antenna, the better the performance will be.

4.

Connect a standard Ethernet network cable to the Router’s Internet port. Then, connect the other end of the

Ethernet cable to your cable or DSL broadband modem.

Figure 4-1: Connecting Your Modem

dsl

: an always-on broadband

connection over traditional phone lines

hardware

: the physical aspect of

computers, telecommunications, and

other information technology devices

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