9

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN

Wired local area network (Ethernet)

In a wired local area network, PCs communicate with one another via an Ethernet cable.

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN establishes the connection between the PCs, which you can

connect to the four Ethernet LAN ports. The PCs must be equipped with a network

socket (Ethernet). New PCs frequently already have this socket. For older PCs you will

need to install an Ethernet network card. An Ethernet cable (CAT5) is used to connect

the PC to the Ethernet LAN socket on the Gigaset SE361 WLAN. One cable is supplied

with the device; you can obtain additional Ethernet cables from your retailer.

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN allows all PCs to access the Internet simultaneously.

Internet

Gigaset SE361 WLAN

10

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN

Wireless local area network (WLAN)

In a wireless local area network (WLAN) PCs are linked without wires or cables. For this

the PCs have to be equipped with a wireless network adapter (WLAN adapter) such as a

Gigaset USB Stick 54 or you can use a PC with a wireless option built in.

We generally differentiate between two types of wireless network:

u

Infrastructure mode

u

Ad-hoc mode

Infrastructure mode

Infrastructure mode connects wireless and wired networks with one another. In addi-

tion to the mobile stations, the infrastructure mode needs an access point such as the

Gigaset SE361 WLAN. In infrastructure mode the stations in the network always com-

municate via this access point. Each station that wants to be part of a wireless network

must first be registered with the access point before it can exchange data.

The access point establishes the connection between the mobile stations of a wireless

network and a wired LAN (Ethernet) or the Internet. This is described as the device's

router functionality. The router sends data packets that are not addressed to stations

within the network "outside," and forwards data packets originating from "outside" to

the appropriate station within the network.

You can use the Gigaset SE361 WLAN to connect

u

wirelessly networked PCs to the Internet and

u

wirelessly networked PCs to an Ethernet network.

Infrastructure mode is the default configuration of the Gigaset SE361 WLAN. This con-

figuration is described in the quick guide that comes with the device.

Ad-hoc mode

An ad-hoc network is a wireless network that has been configured without an access

point or a router. The mobile network components that communicate with each other

directly and wirelessly form the network on an "ad-hoc" basis, i.e. as and when required.

All the stations in the network have the same rights. Ad-hoc networks are used wher-

ever communications networks have to be set up quickly and without any existing net-

work infrastructure, and where participants are on the move.

11

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN

Linking wireless networks with the Internet

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN has a

WAN

port that permits all stations within its local area

network to access the Internet simultaneously. To be able to use this functionality you

need a DSL or cable connection and a suitable modem. You can usually obtain the line

and a modem from an Internet service provider.

This illustration shows the commonest method of application. One or more PCs com-

municate wirelessly with the Gigaset SE361 WLAN in infrastructure mode. The Gigaset

SE361 WLAN forwards the data to the Internet via a DSL or cable modem. Data from the

Internet flows back to the PC along the same route.

Internet

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(((

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DSL modem

Gigaset SE361 WLAN

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The Gigaset SE361 WLAN

Linking a wireless network (WLAN) to an Ethernet (LAN)

Wireless local area networks can work easily together with existing Ethernet networks.

If you wish to connect mobile stations to an existing wired network, you must group all

the mobile stations into a wireless network in infrastructure mode.

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN has four Ethernet interfaces (LAN ports). Up to four PCs can

be connected directly to these LAN ports.

All PCs can access the Internet via the Gigaset SE361 WLAN.

Note:

You can also connect an Ethernet router or switch to a LAN port to access a larger Eth-

ernet. If you want to link the Gigaset WLAN network to an existing network, a large

number of settings have to be applied. It is therefore not possible for us to provide a

general example for this use; configuration must be defined separately for each indi-

vidual case. We advise having such networks configured by a specialist.

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Wireless local area network (WLAN)

Ethernet

Access point

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13

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN

Features and applications

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN's wide range of features make it ideal for a large number of

applications, e.g.:

u

Internet access

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN gives several users access to the Internet when a DSL or

cable modem is connected.

–

As many DSL providers set up Internet access via the

PPPoE

protocol, the Gigaset

SE361 WLAN contains an integrated PPPoE

Client

, which means you no longer

need to set up this service on your PC yourself.

–

Shared Internet access

If your Internet provider permits this, the Gigaset SE361 WLAN supports Internet

access for up to 252 users. In practice, multiple users in your network can surf the

Internet simultaneously using just one Internet access.

u

Setting up a local network

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN permits connections

–

for four devices via

Ethernet

ports with a transmission speed of 10 or 100

Mbps

(with automatic recognition).

–

for up to 32 mobile terminals via a radio interface with a transmission speed of

up to 54 Mbps. It complies with the

IEEE 802.11g

standard and can work with all

products that satisfy the IEEE 802.11g or 802.11b standard.

Using a Gigaset SE361 WLAN makes it easy to set up a network at home or in small

offices. For example, users can exchange data or share resources in the network,

e.g. a file server or printer.

u

Security functions

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN offers comprehensive security measures:

–

Firewall

protection against unauthorised access from the Internet

All PCs in the local area network use the

Public IP address

of the Gigaset SE361

WLAN for their Internet connections, which makes them 'invisible' on the Inter-

net. The Gigaset SE361 WLAN only allows access from the Internet if this has

been requested from within the local area network.

With the firewall the Gigaset SE361 WLAN also offers comprehensive protection

against hacker attacks.

–

Service filtering and URL filtering

The Gigaset SE361 WLAN can filter Internet access. Here you determine which

PCs may access which Internet services.

In addition, you can deactivate access to certain Internet domains and sites (URL

filtering).

–

Access control and encryption for the local wireless network

You can use various encryption methods and authentication methods (WEP, WPA/

WPA2-PSK, MAC access control) to prevent unauthorised access to your wireless

LAN or make data illegible to unauthorised parties.