Chapter 3.

Wireless Settings

|

31

N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router DGN2200

Disable SSID Broadcast

By default, the modem router broadcasts its Wi-Fi network name (SSID) so devices can find

it. If you change this setting to not allow the broadcast, wireless devices will not find your

modem router unless they are configured with the same SSID. See

Wireless Access Point

Settings

on page

35 for the procedure.

Note:

Turning off SSID broadcast nullifies the wireless network discovery

feature of some products such as Windows XP, but the data is still

fully exposed to a determined snoop using specialized test

equipment like wireless sniffers. If you allow the broadcast, be sure

to keep wireless security enabled.

Restrict Access by MAC Address

You can enhance your network security by allowing access to only specific PCs based on

their Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. You can restrict access to only trusted PCs so

that unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the modem router. The Wireless Station

MAC address filtering adds additional security protection to the wireless security option that

you have in force. The Access list determines which wireless hardware devices are allowed

to connect to the modem router by MAC address. See

Advanced Wireless Settings

on

page

79 for the procedure.

Wireless Security Options

A security option is the type of security protocol applied to your wireless network. The

security protocol encrypts data transmissions and ensures that only trusted devices receive

authorization to connect to your network. There are several types of encryption: Wi-Fi

Protected Access II (WPA2), WPA, and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA2 is the latest

and most secure, and is recommended if your equipment supports it. WPA has several

options including pre-shared key (PSK) encryption and 802.1x encryption for enterprises.

Note that it is also possible to disable wireless security. NETGEAR does

not

recommend this.

You can view or change the wireless security options in the Wireless Settings screen. See

Wireless Settings Screen

on page

33.

Add Clients (Computers or Devices) to Your Network

Choose either the manual or the WPS method to add wireless computers or devices to your

wireless network.

32

|

Chapter 3.

Wireless Settings

N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router DGN2200

Manual Method

1.

Open the software that manages your wireless connections on the wireless device

(laptop computer, gaming device, iPhone) that you want to connect to your modem

router. This software scans for all wireless networks in your area.

2.

Look for your network and select it. If you did not change the name of your network during

the setup process, look for the default Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and select it. The default

Wi-Fi network name (SSID) is located on the product label on the bottom of the modem

router.

3.

Enter the modem router passphrase and click

Connect

. The default modem router

passphrase is located on the product label on the bottom of the modem router.

4.

Repeat steps 1–3 to add other wireless devices.

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Method

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a standard that lets you easily join a secure wireless network

with WPA or WPA2 wireless security. The modem router automatically sets security for each

computer or device that uses WPS to join the wireless network. To use WPS, make sure that

your wireless devices are Wi-Fi certified and support WPS. NETGEAR products that use

WPS call it Push 'N' Connect.

1

Note:

If the wireless network name (SSID) changes each time you add a

WPS client, the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box on the

Advanced Wireless Settings screen has been cleared. See

WPS

Settings

on page

80 for more information about this setting.

You can use a WPS button or the modem router interface method to add wireless computers

and devices to your wireless network.

WPS Button Method

1.

Press the

WPS

button on the modem router front panel.

2.

Within 2 minutes, press the

WPS

button on your wireless computer or device, or follow the

WPS instructions that came with the computer. The device is now connected to your modem

router.

3.

Repeat steps 1–2 to add other WPS wireless computers or devices.

Modem Router Interface Method

1.

Select

Add WPS Client

at the top of the modem router menus.

1. For a list of other Wi-Fi-certified products available from NETGEAR, go to

.

Chapter 3.

Wireless Settings

|

33

N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router DGN2200

2.

Click

Next

. The following screen lets you select the method for adding the WPS client.

WPS Push

b

utton method

3.

Select either

Push Button

or

PIN Number

. With either method, the modem router tries to

communicate with the computer or wireless device, set the wireless security for wireless

device, and allow it to join the wireless network.

The PIN method displays this screen so you can enter the client security PIN number:

WPS PIN method

While the modem router attempts to connect, the WPS LED on the front of the modem

router blinks green. When the modem router establishes a WPS connection, the LED is

solid green and the modem router WPS screen displays a confirmation message.

4.

Repeat to add another WPS client to your network.

Wireless Settings Screen

The Wireless Settings screen lets you view or change the wireless network settings. Note

that your preset modem router has a unique network name and password, located on the

product label. NETGEAR recommends that you use these settings. If you decide to change

them, note the new settings and save them in a secure location.

Note:

If you use a wireless computer to change the wireless network

name (SSID) or security options, you are disconnected when you

click Apply. To avoid this problem, use a computer with a wired

connection to access the modem router.

34

|

Chapter 3.

Wireless Settings

N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router DGN2200

Consider Every Device on Your Network

Before you begin, check the following:

•

Every wireless computer has to be able to obtain an IP address by DHCP from the

modem router as described in

Use Standard TCP/IP Properties for DHCP

on page

18.

•

Each computer or wireless adapter in your network must have the same SSID and

wireless mode (bandwidth/data rate) as the modem router. Check that the wireless

adapter on each computer can support the mode and security option you want to use.

•

The security option on each wireless device in the network must match the modem router.

For example, if you select a security option that requires a passphrase, be sure to use

same passphrase for each wireless computer in the network.

View or Change Wireless Settings

Your preset modem router comes set up with a unique wireless network name (SSID) and

network password. This information is printed on the label for your modem router. You view or

change these settings in the Wireless Settings screen. You can also use this screen to set up

guest wireless networks.

To view or change wireless settings:

1.

Select

Setup > Wireless Settings

to display the following screen.

2.

Select the wireless network that you want to configure.

3.

Make any changes that are needed, and click

Apply

when done to save your settings.

Chapter 3.

Wireless Settings

|

35

N300 Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router DGN2200

Note:

The screen sections, settings, and procedures are explained in the

following sections.

4.

Set up and test your computers for wireless connectivity:

a.

Use your wireless computer or device to join your network. When prompted, enter the

network password.

b.

From the wirelessly connected computer, make sure that you can access the

Internet.

Wireless Settings Screen Fields

Wireless Network

The primary network is the one that you usually use. You can set up guest networks too. You

can customize access so that people who use their computers to access your guest network

can use the Internet, but they do not have access to the rest of your home network.

•

Name (SSID)

. The SSID is also known as the wireless network name. Enter a

32-character (maximum) name in this field. This field is case-sensitive. The default SSID

for your primary network is randomly generated, and there is typically no need to change

it. If you want to set up guest networks, NETGEAR does recommend that you customize

the default guest network names (SSIDs).

•

Region

. The location where the modem router is used. It might not be legal to operate the

modem router in a region other than the regions listed.

•

Channel

. The wireless channel used by the gateway: 1 through 13. Do not change the

channel unless you experience interference (shown by lost connections or slow data

transfers). If this happens, experiment with different channels to see which is the best.

•

Mode

. Up to 150 Mbps is the default and allows 802.11n and 802.11g wireless devices to

join the network. g & b

supports up to 54 Mbps. Up to 65 Mbps supports up to 65 Mbps.

Wireless Access Point Settings

•

Enable this wireless network

. When this check box is selected, the modem router

accepts wireless clients for the network. By default, this check box is selected for your

primary network. If you clear this check box, the modem router accepts wired clients only.

•

Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID)

. This setting allows the modem router to broadcast its

SSID so that a wireless station can display this wireless name (SSID) in its scanned

network list. This check box is selected by default. To turn off the SSID broadcast, clear

the

Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID)

check box and click

Apply

.

•

Wireless Isolation

. When this check box is selected, wireless stations cannot

communicate with each other or with stations on the wired network. By default, this check

box is not selected.