Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

Basic Installation and Configuration

3-10

August 2003

How to Log In to the ME103 Using Its Default IP Address

1.

192.168.0.224 is the default IP address of your access point. However, the ME103 is also set,

by default, to be a DHCP client. So, if the ME103 has not yet been installed, and there is no

DHCP server on the network, you can log in to the ME103 using its default IP address.

Otherwise, you should use either the NetBIOS login described in

“How to Log In to the

ME103 Using Its Default NetBIOS Name” on page 3-8

or the procedure described in

“Set up

the ME103 Access Point” on page 3-5

” which uses a static IP configuration.

Note:

The computer you are using to connect to the ME103 should be configured with an IP

address that starts with 192.168.0.x and a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0.

2.

Open a Web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

3.

Connect to the ME103 by entering its default address of

into your

browser.

4.

A login window like the one shown below opens:

Figure 3-7: Login window

Log in use the default user name of

admin

and default password of

password

.

Once you have entered your access point name, your Web browser should automatically find

the ME103 Access Point and display the home page, as shown in

“Login result: ME103 home

page” on page 3-9

.

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

3-11

Basic Installation and Configuration

August 2003

Understanding Basic Wireless Settings

To configure the wireless settings of your wireless access point, click the Wireless Settings link in

the Basic section of the main menu of the browser interface. The Basic Wireless Settings menu

will appear, as shown below.

Figure 3-8: Basic Wireless Settings menu

The Basic Wireless Settings menu options are discussed below:

•

Country Domain.

This field identifies the region where the ME103 can be used. It may not be

legal to operate the wireless features of the wireless access point in a region other than one of

those identified in this field. There is no default country domain, and the channel is set to 11.

Unless a country domain is selected, the channel cannot be changed.

•

Channel.

This field identifies which operating frequency will be used. It should not be

necessary to change the wireless channel unless you notice interference problems or setting up

the ME103 near another access point. See

“Wireless Channels” on page B-7

for more

information on wireless channels.

–

Access points use a fixed channel. You can select the channel used. This allows you to

choose a channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA

and Canada, 11 channels are available.

–

If using multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different channels

to reduce interference. The recommended channel spacing between adjacent access points

is 5 channels (for example, use channels 1 and 6, or 6 and 11).

–

In "Infrastructure" mode, wireless stations normally scan all channels, looking for an

access point. If more than one access point can be used, the one with the strongest signal is

used. This can only happen when the various access points are using the same SSID.

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

Basic Installation and Configuration

3-12

August 2003

•

Wireless Network Name (SSID).

The SSID is also known as the wireless network name.

Enter a value of up to 32 alphanumeric characters. In a setting where there is more than one

wireless network, different wireless network names provide a means for separating the traffic.

Any device you want to participate in a particular wireless network will need to use the SSID.

The ME103 default SSID is:

NETGEAR

.

–

A group of Wireless Stations and a single access point, all using the same ID (SSID), form

a Basic Service Set (BSS).

–

Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to

communicate with each other. However, some access points allow connections from

wireless stations which have their SSID set to “any” or whose SSID is blank (null).

–

A group of wireless stations and multiple access points, all using the same ID (ESSID),

form an Extended Service Set (ESS).

–

Different access points within an ESS can use different channels. To reduce interference, it

is recommended that adjacent access points

should

use different channels.

–

As wireless stations physically move through the area covered by an ESS, they will

automatically change to the access point which has the least interference or best

performance. This capability is called roaming.

Understanding Basic Wireless Security Options

The table below identifies the various basic wireless security options. A full explanation of these

standards is available in

Appendix B, “Wireless Networking Basics”

.

Figure 3-9: Basic Wireless Security options

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

3-13

Basic Installation and Configuration

August 2003

Table 3-1.

Basic Wireless Security Options

Field

Description

Network

Authentication

You can select the following network authentication options:

•

Open: the ME103 does not perform any authentication. However, if the 802.1x

option is configured, authentication of connections can be performed by a

RADIUS server.

•

Shared: this is for shared key authentication. The SSID and data are encrypted.

Data Encryption

You can select the following data encryption options:

• Disabled

•

64- or 128-bit WEP

With Open Network Authentication and 64- or 128-bit WEP Data Encryption, the

ME103

does

perform 64- or 128-bit data encryption but

does not

perform any

authentication. However, if the 802.1x option is configured, authentication of

connections will be performed by a RADIUS server.

Network Key

If WEP is enabled, you can manually or automatically program the four data

encryption keys. These values must be identical on all PCs and access points in

your network (key 1 must be the same for all, key 2 must be the same for all, etc.)

There are two methods for creating WEP encryption keys:

• Passphrase.

These characters

are

case sensitive.

Enter a word or group of printable characters in the Passphrase box and click the

Generate button.

Note

: Not all wireless adapters support passphrase key generation.

• Manual.

These values

are not

case sensitive.

64-bit WEP: enter 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f, or A-F).

128-bit WEP: enter 26 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, a-f, or A-F).

Configure 802.1x

WEP security can be compromised by a determined snoop. If you require the kind

of strong security that is extremely difficult to compromise, use 802.1x RADIUS

authentication as explained in

“Configuring Advanced Security 802.1x Options” on

page 5-1

. For an explanation of 802.1x security, please see

“Understanding 802.1x

Port Based Network Access Control” on page B-9

.

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

Basic Installation and Configuration

3-14

August 2003

Information to Gather Before Changing Basic Wireless Settings

Before customizing your wireless settings, print this form and record the following information. If

you are working with an existing wireless network, the person who set up or is responsible for the

network will be able to provide this information. Otherwise, you will choose the settings for your

wireless network. Either way, record the settings for your wireless network in the spaces below.

•

Wireless Network Name (SSID)

:

______________________________

The SSID, identifies

the wireless network. You can use up to 32 alphanumeric characters. The SSID is case

sensitive.

Note:

The SSID in the wireless adapter card must match the SSID of the wireless access point.

In some configuration utilities (such as in Windows XP), the term “wireless network name” is

used instead of SSID.

•

Authentication.

Circle one:

Open System

or

Shared Key

.

Authentication is unrelated to encryption of data transmissions. Shared Key provides more

network access security.

Note:

If you select Shared Key, the other devices in the network will not connect unless they

are set to Shared Key as well and are configured with the correct key.

•

WEP Encryption key size

. Choose one:

64-bit

or

128-bit

. 128-bit provides stronger data

security. Again, the encryption key size must be the same for the wireless adapters and the

wireless access point.

•

Data Encryption (WEP) Keys

.

There are two methods for creating WEP data encryption keys. Whichever method you use,

record the key values in the spaces below.

–

Passphrase method

. ______________________________

These characters

are

case

sensitive. Enter a word or group of printable characters. When you enter the Passphrase

and click the Generate Key button on the ME103, the keys will be generated.

–

Manual method

. These values

are not

case sensitive. For 64-bit WEP, enter 10 hex digits

(any combination of 0-9 or a-f). For 128-bit WEP, enter 26 hex digits.

Key 1: ___________________________________

Key 2: ___________________________________

Key 3: ___________________________________

Key 4: ___________________________________

Use the procedures described in the following sections to configure the ME103. Store this

information in a safe place.