Reference Manual for the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834

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Introduction

v1.0, November 2005

•

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.

Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

With its internal 4-port 10/100 switch, the WPNT834 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.

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 WPNT834 router supports the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

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

“Wireless Communications” in Appendix B

.

•

IP Address Sharing by NAT.

The WPNT834 router allows several networked computers to share an Internet account using

only a single IP address, which your Internet service provider (ISP) may statically or

dynamically assign. This technique, known as NAT, allows the use of an inexpensive single-

user ISP account.

•

Automatic Configuration of Attached Computers by DHCP.

The WPNT834 router dynamically assigns network configuration information, including

IP, gateway, and domain name server (DNS) addresses, to attached computers 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.

Reference Manual for the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834

Introduction

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v1.0, November 2005

•

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 computer.

Easy Installation and Management

You can install, configure, and operate the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834 within

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

management tasks:

•

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.

The WPNT834 router Smart Wizard automatically senses the type of Internet connection,

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

•

Firmware Update.

The WPNT834 router can be updated if a newer version of firmware is available. This lets you

take advantage of product enhancements for your WPNT834 as soon as they become

available.

•

Visual monitoring.

The WPNT834 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 WPNT834 router:

•

Flash memory for firmware upgrades.

•

Free technical support seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, for 90 days from the date

of purchase.

Reference Manual for the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834

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Introduction

v1.0, November 2005

NETGEAR Related Products

NETGEAR products related to the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834 are as follows:

•

RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (WPN111)

•

RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter (WPN311)

•

RangeMax Wireless PC Card (WPN511)

Package Contents

The product package should contain the following items:

•

RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834.

•

AC power adapter.

•

Vertical stand.

•

Category 5 (CAT5) Ethernet cable.

•

NETGEAR RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834 Resource CD

, including:

—

This manual.

—

Application Notes and other helpful information.

•

Wireless Home Router Setup Guide.

•

Warranty and Support Information Card.

If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the

carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the router for repair.

Reference Manual for the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834

Introduction

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v1.0, November 2005

The Router’s Front Panel

The front panel of the WPNT834 router contains the status lights described below.

You can use the status lights to verify connections. Viewed from left to right, the table below

describes the lights on the front panel of the router.

Figure 2-1

Table 2-1. Status Light Descriptions

Item

Function

Activity

Description

1

Power

On Green Solid

Off

Power is supplied and the router has passed its diagnostic test.

Power is not supplied to the router.

2

Test

On

Off

The unit is performing the power on self test diagnostic.

The unit successfully completed the power on self test diagnostic.

3

Wireless

On

Off

The Wireless port is initialized and the wireless feature is enabled.

The wireless feature is turned off or there is a problem.

4

Internet

On

Blink

The Internet port has detected a link with an attached device.

Data is being transmitted or received by the Internet port.

5

LAN

On (Green)

Blink (Green)

On (Amber)

Blink (Amber)

Off

The LAN (local area network) port has detected a link with a 100

Mbps device.

Data is being transmitted or received at 100 Mbps.

The Local port has detected a link with a 10 Mbps device.

Data is being transmitted or received at 10 Mbps.

No link is detected on this port.

1

2

3

4

5

Reference Manual for the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834

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Introduction

v1.0, November 2005

The Router’s Rear Panel

The rear panel of the WPNT834 router contains the items listed below.

Viewed from left to right, the rear panel contains the following features:

1.

Four Local (LAN) 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the router to the local

computers.

2.

Internet (WAN) Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable or DSL modem.

3.

Factory Default Reset push button for

“Restoring the Default Configuration and Password” on

page 7-7

.

4.

AC power adapter outlet for

12V DC @ 1A output, 22W maximum

.

5.

Antennae.

Figure 2-2

2

1

4

3

5