Linksys WRE54G Cisco WAP54GP Wireless-G Exterior Access Point User Guide - Page 7

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Wireless-G Exterior Access Point

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point. This Access Point will allow you to network

wirelessly better than ever.

How does the Access Point do all of this? An access point allows for greater range and mobility within your

wireless network while also allowing you to connect the wireless network to a wired environment. In fact,

the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point can support communications on up to eight wireless networks, using

Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) technology.

The Wireless-G Exterior Access Point also offers the convenience of Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability,

so it can receive data and power over a single Ethernet network cable. And with the advantage of its weather-

resistant housing, you can mount the Access Point outside to extend your wireless networking range and

mobility to the outdoors. You can even connect wired networks in two different buildings, by using two

Access Points set to Wireless Bridge mode.

But what does all of this mean?

Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different

computers and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing

multiplayer video games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.

PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables,

which is why the network is called "wired".

PCs equipped with wireless client cards or adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By

sharing the same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is

sometimes called a WLAN, or Wireless Local Area Network. The Access Point bridges wireless networks of

both 802.11g and 802.11b standards and wired networks.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Access Point, set it up, and configure it to bridge

your different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Access Point.

802.11b:

a wireless networking standard that specifies a

maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating

frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g:

a wireless networking standard that specifies a

maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating

frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with

802.11b devices.

adapter:

a device that adds network functionality to your

PC.

ethernet:

network protocol defined in IEEE 802.3

standard that specifies how data is placed on and

retrieved from a common transmission medium.

lan

(local area network): the computers and networking

devices that make up your local network.

network:

a series of computers or devices connected

together.

poe

(power over ethernet): a technology enabling an

Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.

access point

: a device that allows wireless-equipped

computers and other devices to communicate with each

other and with devices on a wired network. Also used to

expand the range of a wireless network.

Section	Page
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 43	4
Appendix B: Wireless Security 47	4
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 50	4
Appendix D: Windows Help 51	4
Appendix E: Glossary 52	4
Appendix F: Specifications 57	4
Appendix G: Warranty Information 59	4
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 60	4
Appendix I: Contact Information 66	4
List of Figures	5
Figure 2-1: Example of a Simple Wireless Network 5	5
Figure 3-1: Front Panel 6	5
Figure 3-2: Bottom Panel 7	5
Figure 3-3: Top Panel 7	5
Figure 3-4: Back Panel 8	5
Figure 3-5: Internal Antenna Pattern (Horizontal Plane) 9	5
Figure 3-6: Radio Coverage of the Access Point to Client Devices 10	5
Figure 3-7: Access Point to Access Point (bridging) Radio Coverage 11	5
Figure 4-1: Mark the Locations of the Two Wall-Mount Slots 12	5
Figure 4-2: Attach the Mounting Plate 12	5
Figure 4-3: Ground the Access Point 13	5
Figure 4-4: Attach the Access Point to the Wall 13	5
Figure 5-1: Login Screen 14	5
Figure 6-1: Setup - Static IP Address 17	5
Figure 6-2: Setup - Automatic Configuration - DHCP 18	5
Figure 6-3: Setup - Time 18	5
Figure 6-4: Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings 19	5
Figure 6-5: Wireless - Wireless Security (Disabled) 21	5
Figure 6-6: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA-Personal) 21	5
Figure 6-7: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA2-Personal) 22	5
Figure 6-8: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA2-Personal Mixed) 22	5
Figure 6-9: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA-Enterprise) 23	5
Figure 6-10: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA2-Enterprise) 23	5
Figure 6-11: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA2 - Enterprise Mixed) 24	5
Figure 6-12: Wireless Security - RADIUS 25	5
Figure 6-13: Wireless Settings - WEP 25	5
Figure 6-14: Wireless - Wireless Connection Control 26	5
Figure 6-1: Select MAC Address from Client Association Table 26	5
Figure 6-15: Wireless - Advanced Wireless 27	6
Figure 6-16: AP Mode 29	6
Figure 6-17: Wireless Repeater 30	6
Figure 6-18: Site Survey 31	6
Figure 6-19: Administration - Management 32	6
Figure 6-20: The Administration - Log 34	6
Figure 6-21: Administration - Factory Default 36	6
Figure 6-22: Administration - Firmware Upgrade 36	6
Figure 6-23: Administration - Reboot 37	6
Figure 6-24: Administration - Config Management 38	6
Figure 6-25: Status - Local Network 39	6
Figure 6-26: Status - Wireless 40	6
Figure 6-27: Status - System Performance 41	6
Figure C-1: Firmware Upgrade 50	6
Chapter 1: Introduction	7
Welcome	7
What’s in this User Guide?	8
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network	10
Network Topology	10
Roaming	10
Network Layout	10
Example of a Simple Wireless Network	11
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point	13
The LEDs	13
The Ports	14
The Reset Button and Ground	15
The Antenna Pattern	16
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point	19
Overview	19
Hardware Installation	19
Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point	21
Overview	21
Accessing the Utility	21
Navigating the Utility	22
Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point	24
The Setup Tab	24
The Setup - Time Tab	25
The Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings Tab	26
The Wireless - Wireless Security Tab	28
The Wireless - Wireless Connection Control Tab	33
The Wireless - Advanced Wireless Settings Tab	34
The AP Mode Tab	36
The Administration - Management Tab	39
The Administration - Log Tab	41
The Administration - Factory Default Tab	43
The Administration - Firmware Upgrade Tab	43
The Administration - Reboot Tab	44
The Administration - Config Management Tab	45
The Status - Local Network Tab	46
The Status - Wireless Tab	47
The Status - System Performance Tab	48
Appendix A: Troubleshooting	50
Frequently Asked Questions	50
Appendix B: Wireless Security	56
Security Precautions	56
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks	56
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware	59
Appendix D: Windows Help	60
Appendix E: Glossary	61
Appendix F: Specifications	66
Appendix G: Warranty Information	68
Appendix H: Regulatory Information	70

Linksys WRE54G Cisco WAP54GP Wireless-G Exterior Access Point User Guide - Page 7

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