Reference Manual for the 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router WGT634U

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Introduction

April 2004, 202-10018-02

Key Features of the WGT634U Wireless Media Router

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router provides the following features:

•

ICSA (International Computer Security Association) standards-compliant 802.11g wireless

networking, with the ability to operate in 802.11g-only, 802.11-turbo-g-only, or 802.11b+g

modes

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Built-in 4-port 10/100 Mbps switch

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Ethernet connection to a wide area network (WAN) device, such as a cable modem or DSL

modem

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Extensive protocol support

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Enhanced security and privacy features:

•

Double firewall with both Network Address Translation (NAT) and Stateful Packet

Inspection (SPI) support

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64- and 128- WEP encryption

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WPA PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) support

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Multiple VPN pass-through support

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Intrusion detection

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Security logging with e-mail alerts

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URL content filtering and site blocking security:

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Guards against DOS (Denial of Service) attacks

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Advanced access policy control based upon time window and user groups

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Support for DMZ network

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Flash memory for firmware upgrades

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Integrated USB 2.0 port allows plug-in storage device with:

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Data transfer speeds that are double that of 802.11g equipment

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Long-range wireless transfer of bandwidth-intensive multimedia applications including

digital images, videos and MP3 files

•

Easy, Web-based setup for installation and management, including a Smart Wizard install

assistant, an interactive tutorial for ease of set-up, a Smart Wizard setup of the client devices

and the external USB disk, and an assisted firmware update feature

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Introduction

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USB Storage Device for File Sharing

The 802.11g-compliant WGT634U is a secure, easy-to-use wireless networking solution that takes

home networking to the next level. The fast wireless speeds and enhanced range enable the

WGT634U to stream video to distances of more than 200 feet.

Delivering data transfer speeds that are double that of 802.11g equipment, the WGT634U Super

Wireless Media Router provides multiple simultaneous users with high-speed, extended range

wireless connectivity to support the long-range wireless data transfer. In addition, the integration

of a USB 2.0-compliant interface makes the WGT634U the industry’s first home networking

product to enable the connection of an external storage device, such as a high-capacity disk drive

or other USB memory device, for centralized network backup or storage and sharing of files and

multimedia content.

DMZ Support

DMZ stands for Demilitarized Zone. This feature allows one IP Address to be exposed to the

Internet. DMZ allows only one computer to be exposed when multiple TCP/IP ports need to be

open. If you want to use DMZ, it is recommended that you set up a computer with a static IP.

When DMZ is used, all specific requests are forwarded to the DMZ host. The exposed user’s

computer does not share the public IP with the router.

802.11g Wireless Networking

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router includes an 802.11g wireless access point, providing

continuous, high-speed 54 Mbps access between your wireless and Ethernet devices. The access

point provides:

•

802.11g wireless networking at up to 108 Mbps.

•

802.11g wireless networking, with the ability to operate in 802.11g-only, 802.11-turbo-g-only,

or 802.11b+g modes, providing backwards compatibility with 802.11b devices or dedicating

the wireless network to the higher bandwidth 802.11g devices.

•

64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption security.

•

WEP keys can be generated manually or by passphrase.

•

Wireless access can be restricted by MAC address.

•

Wireless network name broadcast can be turned off so that only devices that have the network

name (SSID) can connect.

Reference Manual for the 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router WGT634U

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Introduction

April 2004, 202-10018-02

A Powerful, True Firewall with Content Filtering

Unlike simple Internet sharing NAT routers, the WGT634U is a true firewall, using stateful packet

inspection to defend against hacker attacks. Its firewall features include:

•

Denial of Service (DoS) protection. Automatically detects and thwarts DoS attacks such as

Ping of Death, SYN Flood, LAND Attack, and IP Spoofing.

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Blocks unwanted traffic from the Internet to your LAN.

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Blocks access from your LAN to Internet locations or services that you specify as off-limits.

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The WGT634U blocks objectionable content from reaching your computers. The router allows

you to control access to Internet content by screening for keywords within Web addresses. You

can configure the router to log and report attempts to access objectionable Internet sites.

Security

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router is equipped with several features designed to maintain

security, as described in this section.

•

PCs Hidden by NAT

NAT opens a temporary path to the Internet for requests originating from the local network.

Requests originating from outside the LAN are discarded, preventing users outside the LAN

from finding and directly accessing the computers on the LAN.

•

Port Forwarding with NAT

Although NAT prevents Internet locations from directly accessing the computers on the LAN,

the router allows you to direct incoming traffic to specific computers based on the service port

number of the incoming request, or to one designated “DMZ” host computer. You can specify

forwarding of single ports or ranges of ports.

•

Logs security incidents.

The WGT634U will log security events such as blocked incoming traffic, port scans, attacks,

and administrator logins. You can configure the router to e-mail the log to you at specified

intervals. You can also configure the router to send immediate alert messages to your e-mail

address or e-mail pager whenever a significant event occurs.

Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

With its internal 8-port 10/100 switch, the WGT634U can connect to either a 10 Mbps standard

Ethernet network or a 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet network. Both the LAN and WAN interfaces are

autosensing and capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.

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Introduction

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The router incorporates Auto Uplink

TM

technology. Each Ethernet port will automatically sense

whether the Ethernet cable plugged into the port should have a ‘normal’ connection such as to a

computer or an ‘uplink’ connection such as to a switch or hub. That port will then configure itself

to the correct configuration. This feature also eliminates the need to worry about crossover cables,

as Auto Uplink will accommodate either type of cable to make the right connection.

Extensive Protocol Support

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router supports the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet

Protocol

(TCP/IP) and Routing Information Protocol (RIP). For further information about TCP/IP, refer to

Appendix B, “Network, Routing, Firewall, and Basics”

.

•

IP Address Sharing by NAT

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router allows several networked computers to share an

Internet account using only a single IP address, which may be statically or dynamically

assigned by your Internet service provider (ISP). This technique, known as NAT, allows the

use of an inexpensive single-user ISP account.

•

Automatic Configuration of Attached PCs by DHCP

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router dynamically assigns network configuration

information, including IP, gateway, and domain name server (DNS) addresses to attached PCs

on the LAN using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This feature greatly

simplifies configuration of computers on your local network.

•

DNS Proxy

When DHCP is enabled and no DNS addresses are specified, the router provides its own

address as a DNS server to the attached computers. The router obtains actual DNS addresses

from the ISP during connection setup and forwards DNS requests from the LAN.

•

PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)

PPPoE is a protocol for connecting remote hosts to the Internet over a DSL connection by

simulating a dial-up connection. This feature eliminates the need to run a login program such

as Entersys or WinPOET on your PC.

Easy Installation and Management

You can install, configure and operate the 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router WGT634U within

minutes after connecting it to the network. The following features simplify installation and

management tasks:

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Introduction

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Browser-based management

Browser-based configuration allows you to easily configure your router from almost any type

of personal computer, such as Windows, Macintosh, or Linux. A user-friendly Setup Wizard is

provided and online help documentation is built into the browser-based Web Management

Interface.

•

Smart Wizard Internet Connection Setup

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router Smart Wizard automatically senses the type of Internet

connection, asking you only for the information required for your type of ISP account.

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Smart Wizard External USB Disk Setup

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router Smart Wizard automatically senses the addition of a

plug-in USB device and assists in the configuration.

•

Firmware Auto-Update

When you log in to the WGT634U Wireless Media Router, the menu asks if you want to check

the Internet to see if a newer version of firmware is available. If so, the configuration screen

asks if you want to install the upgrade. This lets you take advantage of product enhancements

for your WGT634U as soon as they become available.

•

Visual monitoring

The WGT634U Wireless Media Router’s front panel LEDs provide an easy way to monitor its

status and activity.

Maintenance and Support

NETGEAR offers the following features to help you maximize your use of the WGT634U

Wireless Media Router:

•

Flash memory for firmware upgrades

•

Free technical support seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day