Reference Manual for the RangeMax Wireless Router WPN824

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Connecting the Router to the Internet

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Wireless Configuration

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v1.0, November 2005

Chapter 4

Wireless Configuration

This chapter describes how to configure the wireless features of your WPN824 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 operates.

•

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. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) connections can take slightly longer to

establish. Also, WEP and Wi-Fi Protected Access, Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK)

encryption can consume more battery power on a notebook computer.

When used on a metallic surface,

Multiple Input, Multiple Output (

MIMO) units must be

oriented vertically to ensure proper operation:

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

Appendix A, “Technical Specifications”

.

Reference Manual for the RangeMax Wireless Router WPN824

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Wireless Configuration

v1.0, November 2005

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 WPN824 router provides highly effective security features which are

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

Figure 4-1

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.

Reference Manual for the RangeMax Wireless Router WPN824

Wireless Configuration

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v1.0, November 2005

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 WPN824. 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.

Provides data security. WEP Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption will

block all but the most determined eavesdropper.

•

WPA-PSK

and

WPA2-PSK.

Provides strong data security. WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK will

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 others on the network all use wired connections.

Figure 4-2

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Reference Manual for the RangeMax Wireless Router WPN824

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Wireless Configuration

v1.0, November 2005

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 WPN824 default SSID is:

NETGEAR

.

Figure 4-3