Netgear WG302 WG302v1 Reference Manual - Page 17

Chapter 1 Introduction This chapter introduces the NETGEAR® ProSafe™ Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 and gives an overview of some of the key features contained in this product. The minimum installation prerequisites are presented in "System Requirements" on page 1-5. What's is the box is listed in "Package Contents" on page 1-5, followed by a description of the hardware functionality in "Hardware Description" on page 1-6. About the ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point The ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point is the basic building block of a wireless LAN infrastructure. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices. The WG302 provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed range or area of coverage, interacting with a wireless network interface card (NIC) via an antenna. Typically, an individual in-building access point provides a maximum connectivity area with about a 300 foot radius. The ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point can support a small group of users in a range of several hundred feet. Most access points are rated between 30-70 users, simultaneously. The ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point acts as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple ProSafe 802.11gs via a wired Ethernet backbone can further lengthen the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one Access Point to another and still maintain seamless connection to the network. The auto-sensing capability of the ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point allows packet transmission at up to 108 Mbps, or at reduced speeds to compensate for distance or electromagnetic interference. 1-1 v4.0, April 2006