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Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

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

computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN 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 WLAN and wired LAN 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, such as the

Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster, 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 Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster has been specifically designed for use with both

your 802.11b and 802.11g products. The Router is compatible with all 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such as the

infrastructure

: a wireless network that is bridged

to a wired network via an access point.

ssid

(service set identifier): 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.

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Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Layout

Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster

Notebook Adapters for your laptop computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB Adapters when you

want to enjoy USB connectivity. The Router will also communicate with the Wireless PrintServer and Wireless

Ethernet Bridges.

When you wish to connect your wireless network with your wired network, you can use the Router’s four Ethernet

LAN ports. To add more ports, any of the Router's Ethernet LAN ports can be connected to any of Linksys's

switches.

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 Media Storage Link Router

with SpeedBooster.

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Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router

The Back Panel

Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Media Storage Link

Router

The Back Panel

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

USB

The

USB

port is where you will connect a USB flash disk or hard drive. You can attach a disk

containing media files, so you can stream music, video, or pictures to a media adapter without

using a computer.

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 your networked PCs and other Ethernet network

devices.

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.

Power

The

Power

port is where you will connect the power adapter.

IMPORTANT:

Resetting the Router will erase

all of your settings (Internet connection,

wireless security, and other settings) 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

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Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router

The Front Panel

Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster

The Front Panel

The Router’s SecureEasySetup button and LEDs are located on the front panel.

SecureEasySetup

Orange/White. SecureEasySetup configures the Router with a wireless network name (also

called an SSID) and wireless security settings using a method called WPA-Personal.

The Router’s SecureEasySetup button lights up and will stay orange when the Router is

powered on. The color orange indicates that the Router is not using SecureEasySetup, while

the color white indicates that the Router is using SecureEasySetup. When the Router enters

SecureEasySetup mode, the button will turn white and start flashing. After the Router has

generated new wireless settings, the button will stop flashing and stay white.

To clear the SecureEasySetup settings, press and hold down the SecureEasySetup button for

five seconds. The button will flash slowly as the Router resets its wireless settings to the

factory defaults. The button will turn orange to indicate a successful reset.

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.

USB

Green. The

USB

LED lights up when a USB drive is connected through the USB port. If the LED

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

DMZ

Green. The

DMZ

LED lights up and will stay on while the DMZ function is being used.

G

Green. The

G

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

NOTE:

SecureEasySetup is a feature that makes it

easy to set up your wireless network. If you have

SecureEasySetup devices, run the Router’s Setup

Wizard CD-ROM and follow the on-screen

instructions to use SecureEasySetup.

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Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router

Instructions for Connecting the Router

Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Media Storage Link

Router

Instructions for Connecting the Router

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 antenna. 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 USB cable to the Router’s USB port. Then, connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB hard

disk. (If you have a USB flash drive, you can connect it directly to the Router.)

Figure 4-1: Connect the USB Disk

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