Netgear WGM124 WGM124 Setup Manual - Page 5

Contents

v

December 2004

Contents

Chapter 1

About This Guide

Audience, Conventions, and Formats

............................................................................

1-1

How to Use This Manual

................................................................................................

1-2

How to Print this Manual

.................................................................................................

1-3

Chapter 2

Getting to Know Your NETGEAR Wireless Router

Package Contents

..........................................................................................................

2-1

The Front Panel

.......................................................................................................

2-2

The Rear Panel

........................................................................................................

2-2

Chapter 3

Connecting the Router to the Internet

Prepare to Install Your Wireless Router

..........................................................................

3-1

Connect the Wireless Router to Your Network

...............................................................

3-1

Troubleshooting Tips

......................................................................................................

3-2

How to Manually Configure Your Internet Connection

....................................................

3-3

NETGEAR Product Registration, Support, and Documentation

.....................................

3-5

Chapter 4

Optimizing Wireless Connectivity and Security

Observe Performance, Placement, and Range Guidelines

............................................

4-1

Implement Appropriate Wireless Security

......................................................................

4-2

Understanding Wireless Settings

...................................................................................

4-3

Information to Gather Before Changing Basic Wireless Settings

.............................

4-5

Default Factory Settings

...........................................................................................

4-6

Chapter 5

Doing Basic Router Housekeeping

Changing the Administrator Password

...........................................................................

5-1

Configuration File Management

.....................................................................................

5-2

Restoring and Backing Up the Configuration

...........................................................

5-2

Section	Page
NETGEAR Wireless Router Setup Manual	1
Product and Publication Details	4
Contents	5
Chapter 1 About This Guide	9
Audience, Conventions, and Formats	9
How to Use This Manual	10
How to Print this Manual	11
Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your NETGEAR Wireless Router	13
Package Contents	13
The Front Panel	14
The Rear Panel	14
Chapter 3 Connecting the Router to the Internet	15
Prepare to Install Your Wireless Router	15
Connect the Wireless Router to Your Network	15
Troubleshooting Tips	16
How to Manually Configure Your Internet Connection	17
NETGEAR Product Registration, Support, and Documentation	19
Chapter 4 Optimizing Wireless Connectivity and Security	21
Observe Performance, Placement, and Range Guidelines	21
Implement Appropriate Wireless Security	22
Understanding Wireless Settings	23
Information to Gather Before Changing Basic Wireless Settings	25
Default Factory Settings	26
Chapter 5 Doing Basic Router Housekeeping	27
Changing the Administrator Password	27
Configuration File Management	28
Restoring and Backing Up the Configuration	28
Erasing the Configuration	29
Upgrading the Wireless Router Software	29
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting Common Problems	31
Basic Functioning	31
Power Light Not On	31
Lights Never Turn Off	32
LAN or Internet (WAN) Port Lights Not On	32
Troubleshooting the Web Configuration Interface	32
Troubleshooting the ISP Connection	33
Troubleshooting a TCP/IP Network Using a Ping Utility	35
Testing the LAN Path to Your Router	35
Testing the Path from Your Computer to a Remote Device	36
Restoring the Default Configuration and Password	37
Appendix A Technical Specifications	39
Appendix B Network, Routing, and Firewall Basics	41
Related Publications	41
Basic Router Concepts	41
What is a Router?	41
Routing Information Protocol	42
IP Addresses and the Internet	42
Netmask	44
Subnet Addressing	44
Private IP Addresses	47
Single IP Address Operation Using NAT	47
MAC Addresses and Address Resolution Protocol	48
Related Documents	49
Domain Name Server	49
IP Configuration by DHCP	50
Internet Security and Firewalls	50
What is a Firewall?	50
Stateful Packet Inspection	51
Denial of Service Attack	51
Ethernet Cabling	51
Category 5 Cable Quality	52
Inside Twisted Pair Cables	53
Uplink Switches, Crossover Cables, and MDI/MDIX Switching	54
Appendix C Preparing Your Network	57
What You Need To Use a Router with a Broadband Modem	57
Cabling and Computer Hardware	57
Computer Network Configuration Requirements	57
Internet Configuration Requirements	58
Where Do I Get the Internet Configuration Parameters?	58
Record Your Internet Connection Information	59
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking	59
Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP Networking	60
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components	60
Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 95B, 98, and Me	62
Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method	64
Verifying TCP/IP Properties	64
Configuring Windows NT4, 2000 or XP for IP Networking	65
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components	65
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4	66
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP	66
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000	68
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4	71
Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP, 2000, and NT4	73
Configuring the Macintosh for TCP/IP Networking	74
MacOS 8.6 or 9.x	74
MacOS X	74
Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Macintosh Computers	75
Verifying the Readiness of Your Internet Account	76
Are Login Protocols Used?	76
What Is Your Configuration Information?	76
Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Windows Computers	77
Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Macintosh Computers	78
Restarting the Network	79
Appendix D Wireless Networking Basics	81
Wireless Networking Overview	81
Infrastructure Mode	81
Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)	82
Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)	82
Wireless Channels	82
WEP Wireless Security	84
WEP Authentication	84
WEP Open System Authentication	85
WEP Shared Key Authentication	86
Key Size and Configuration	87
How to Use WEP Parameters	88
WPA Wireless Security	88
How Does WPA Compare to WEP?	89
How Does WPA Compare to IEEE 802.11i?	90
What are the Key Features of WPA Security?	90
WPA Authentication: Enterprise-level User Authentication via 802.1x/EAP and RADIUS	92
WPA Data Encryption Key Management	94
Is WPA Perfect?	96
Product Support for WPA	96
Supporting a Mixture of WPA and WEP Wireless Clients	96
Changes to Wireless Access Points	96
Changes to Wireless Network Adapters	97
Changes to Wireless Client Programs	98
Glossary	99
List of Glossary Terms	99

Netgear WGM124 WGM124 Setup Manual - Page 5

Contents, Getting to Know Your NETGEAR Wireless Router - manual

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