Wireless Configuration

3-1

v1.3, May 2006

Chapter 3

Wireless Configuration

This chapter describes how to configure the wireless features of your WNR834M router. In

planning your wireless network, you should consider the level of security required. You should

also select the physical placement of your firewall in order to maximize the network speed. For

further information on wireless networking, see

“Wireless Communications” in Appendix B

.

Observing Performance, Placement, and Range Guidelines

The operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the

physical placement of the wireless firewall. The latency, data throughput performance, and

notebook power consumption of wireless adapters also vary depending on your configuration

choices.

For best results, place your firewall:

•

Near the center of the area in which your computers will operate.

•

In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected computers have

line-of-sight access (even if through walls).

•

Away from sources of interference, such as computers, microwaves, and 2.4 GHz cordless

phones.

•

Away from large metal surfaces.

The time it takes to establish a wireless connection can vary depending on both your security

settings and placement. WEP connections can take slightly longer to establish. Also, WEP, WPA-

PSK and WPA2-PSK encryption can consume more battery power on a notebook computer.

Note:

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation

or inability to wirelessly connect to the router. For complete range and

performance specifications, please see

“General Specifications” on page A-3

.

NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless Router WNR834M Reference Manual

3-2

Wireless Configuration

v1.3, May 2006

Implementing Appropriate Wireless Security

Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can be received well beyond your

walls by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of your

wireless equipment. The WNR834M router provides highly effective security features which are

covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.

There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network.

•

Restrict Access Based on MAC address.

You can restrict access to only trusted computers so

that unknown computers cannot wirelessly connect to the WNR834M. MAC address filtering

adds an obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over the

wireless link is fully exposed.

•

Turn Off the Broadcast of the Wireless Network Name SSID.

If you disable broadcast of

the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This 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.

•

WEP.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP Shared

Key authentication and WEP data encryption block all but the most determined eavesdropper.

Note:

Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11b/g wireless networks at ranges of up

to 300 feet. Such distances can allow for others outside of your immediate area to

access your network.

Figure 3-1

NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless Router WNR834M Reference Manual

Wireless Configuration

3-3

v1.3, May 2006

•

WPA-PSK

and

WPA2-PSK.

Wi-Fi Protected Access, Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK and

WPA2-PSK) data encryption provide strong data security. WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK block

eavesdropping. Because these are new standards, wireless device driver and software

availability may be limited.

•

Turn Off the Wireless LAN.

If you disable the wireless LAN, wireless devices cannot

communicate with the router at all. You might choose to turn off the wireless LAN when you

are away and other users of your network all use wired connections.

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 must 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. The SSID in the wireless adapter card must match the SSID of the wireless router. In

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

used instead of SSID.

•

If WEP Authentication is Used,

circle one:

Open System

,

Shared Key, or Auto

.

–

WEP Encryption key size

. Choose one:

64-bit

or

128-bit

. Again, the encryption key size

must be the same for the wireless adapters and the wireless router.

–

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 and click the

Generate Keys

button. Not all wireless devices support the passphrase method.

•

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: ___________________________________

Note:

If you select

Shared Key

, the other devices in the network will not connect

unless they are also set to Shared Key and are configured with the correct key.

NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless Router WNR834M Reference Manual

3-4

Wireless Configuration

v1.3, May 2006

Key 3: ___________________________________

Key 4: ___________________________________

•

If WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK Authentication is Used:

–

Passphrase

: ______________________________

These characters

are

case sensitive.

Enter a word or group of printable characters. When you use WPA-PSK, the other devices

in the network will not connect unless they are set to WPA-PSK as well and are configured

with the correct Passphrase. Similarly, when you use WPA2-PSK, the other devices in the

network will not connect unless they are also set to WPA2-PSK and are configured with

the correct Passphrase.

Use the procedures described in the following sections to configure the WNR834M. Store this

information in a safe place.

Default Factory Settings

When you first receive your WNR834M, the default factory settings are in effect, as shown below.

You can restore these defaults with the Factory Default Restore button on the rear panel. After you

install the WNR834M router, use the procedures below to customize any of the settings to better

meet your networking needs.

FEATURE

DEFAULT FACTORY SETTINGS

Wireless Router Radio

Enabled

Wireless Access List (MAC Filtering)

All wireless stations allowed

SSID broadcast

Enabled

SSID

NETGEAR

802.11b/g RF Channel

Auto

Mode

Up to 300 Mbps

Security

None

NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless Router WNR834M Reference Manual

Wireless Configuration

3-5

v1.3, May 2006

Understanding Wireless Settings

To configure the Wireless settings of your firewall, click the

Wireless

link in the main menu of the

browser interface. The Wireless Settings menu appears, as shown below.

•

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 this SSID for that network.

The WNR834M default SSID is:

NETGEAR

.

•

Region.

This field identifies the region where the WNR834M can be used. It may not be legal

to operate the wireless features of the wireless router in a region other than one of those

identified in this field.

•

Channel.

This field determines which operating frequency is used. It should not be necessary

to change the wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby

access point. For more information on the wireless channel frequencies, see

“Wireless

Communications” in Appendix B

.

Figure 3-2

Note:

The region selection feature may not be available in all countries.