Bridge Mode

2-3

Figure 2-2.

Bridge Mode Connection

To connect the wireless AP/Router for use as an access point, follow these steps:

1.

Using Ethernet cable connect the wireless AP/Router’s LAN and WAN ports to

PCs or a LAN switch.

2.

Power on the wireless AP/Router by connecting the AC power adapter and

plugging it into a power source.

Caution:

Use ONLY the power adapter supplied with the wireless AP/Router. Otherwise,

the product may be damaged.

When you power on the wireless AP/Router, verify that the Power LED turns on

and that the other LED indicators start functioning as described under “LED

Indicators” on page 1-3.

3.

Set up wireless devices by pressing the WPS button on the wireless AP/Router

or by using the web interface. See “Initial Configuration” on page 4-1 for more

information on accessing the web interface.

Installation

2-4

3-1

Chapter 3: Network Planning

The wireless AP/Router is designed to be very flexible in its deployment options. It

can be used as an Internet gateway for a small network, or as an access point to

extend an existing wired network to support wireless users. It also supports use as a

wireless bridge to connect two wired LANs.

This chapter explains some of the basic features of the wireless AP/Router and

shows some network topology examples in which the device is implemented.

Internet Gateway Router

The wireless AP/Router can connect directly to a cable or DSL modem to provide an

Internet connection for multiple users through a single service provider account.

Users connect to the wireless AP/Router either through a wired connection to a LAN

port, or though the device’s own wireless network. The wireless AP/Router functions

as an Internet gateway when set to Gateway Mode.

An Internet gateway employs several functions that essentially create two separate

Internet Protocol (IP) subnetworks; a private internal network with wired and

wireless users, and a public external network that connects to the Internet. Network

traffic is forwarded, or routed, between the two subnetworks.

Figure 3-1.

Operating as an Internet Gateway Router

Wireless AP/Router

Server

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

Desktop PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

Cable/DSL

Modem

Internet

Service

Provider

Notebook PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

LAN Switch

Network Planning

3-2

The private local network, connected to the LAN port or wireless interface, provides

a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server for allocating IP addresses to

local PCs and wireless clients, and Network Address Translation (NAT) for mapping

the multiple "internal" IP addresses to one "external" IP address.

The public external network, connected to the WAN port, supports DHCP client,

Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), static IP for connection, L2TP and

PPTP to an Internet service provider (ISP) through a cable or DSL modem.

LAN Access Point

The wireless AP/Router can provide an access point service for an existing wired

LAN, creating a wireless extension to the local network. The wireless AP/Router

functions as purely an access point when set to Bridge Mode. When used in this

mode, there are no gateway functions between the WAN port and the LAN and

wireless interface.

A Wi-Fi wireless network is defined by its Service Set Identifier (SSID) or network

name. Wireless clients that want to connect to a network must set their SSID to the

same SSID of the network service. The wireless AP/Router supports two separate

wireless interfaces, that is two SSIDs or Virtual Access Points (VAPs). The two VAP

interfaces can be configured separately to support different security settings or other

wireless functions.

Figure 3-2.

Operating as an Access Point

Server

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

Desktop PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

LAN Switch

Notebook PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

SSID 1

(public)

Notebook PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

SSID 2

(private)

Wireless AP/Router

Wireless Bridge

3-3

Wireless Bridge

The IEEE 802.11 standard defines a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) for bridge

connections between access points. The wireless AP/Router can use WDS to

forward traffic on links between units.

A single WDS bridge link can be specified for the WLAN1 interface. One end of a

link must be configured as the “WDS Parent” and the other as the “WDS Child.”

Note:

The network domain of WDS child has to be the same as WDS parent.

Figure 3-3.

Operating as a Wireless Bridge

Wireless AP/Router

(Gateway Mode)

Server

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

Desktop PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

Cable/DSL

Modem

Internet

Service

Provider

LAN Switch

Desktop PC

(IP: 192.168.2.x)

WDS Child

WDS Parent

Wireless AP/Router

(Bridge Mode)