4

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

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 Broadband Router, 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

(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.

Downloaded from

www.Manualslib.com

manuals search engine

5

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Layout

Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

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 Broadband Router will also

communicate with the Wireless PrintServer (WPS54G) 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 SD205 or SD208).

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.

Downloaded from

www.Manualslib.com

manuals search engine

6

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

The Back Panel

Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

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.

Internet

The

Internet

port is where you will connect your broadband Internet connection.

Ethernet 1-4

These ports (1-4) connect the Router to your networked PCs and other Ethernet network

devices.

Phone1 /Phone2

You can connect a phone in each of these ports.

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

Downloaded from

www.Manualslib.com

manuals search engine

7

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

The Front Panel

Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

The Front Panel

The Router’s LEDs 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.

Ethernet 1-4

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.

Wireless

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.

Phone1/Phone2

Blue. This LED lights up blue when a SIM card is correctly installed and registered. It will blink

when you have new voicemail.

Internet

Green. The

Internet

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

The LED flashes when there is traffic.

Pairing

Green. The LED lights up green when wireless security is enabled. When the Pairing button is

pushed, the Pairing LED flashes amber, then when the pairing is done, the LED lights up green.

Figure 3-2: The Router’s Front Panel

Downloaded from

www.Manualslib.com

manuals search engine

8

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

Overview

Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router

with 2 Phone Ports

Overview

This chapter includes two sets of connection instructions. If the Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

will be the only router in your network, follow the instructions in “Hardware Installation for Connection to Your

Broadband Modem.” If you want to install the Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports behind an existing

router in your network, then follow the instructions in “Hardware Installation for Connection to an existing

Router.” Also included are Placement instructions, and SIM Card Installation instructions.

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 Internet Connection

Downloaded from

www.Manualslib.com

manuals search engine