Linksys WRE54G Cisco WAP54GP Wireless-G Exterior Access Point User Guide - Page 10

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Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

Wireless-G Exterior Access Point

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one or more wireless adapters. Computers

in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel to talk to each other. Several PCs

equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with each other to form an ad-hoc network

without the use of an access point.

Linksys wireless adapters also provide access to a wired network when using an access point, such as the

Wireless-G Exterior Access Point, or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an

infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired or

wireless network via the access point or wireless router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may

double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able

to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be

doubled (depending on antenna characteristics).

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move

your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing

that they both share the same wireless channel and SSID.

Before you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper

access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

Note that Spanning Tree Protocol should be disabled on the switches connecting to the APs to allow roaming

to work without disruption.

Network Layout

The Wireless-G Exterior Access Point has been designed for use with 802.11g and 802.11b products. The

Access Point is compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b adapters, such as the Notebook Adapters for your

laptop computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB

connectivity. These wireless products can also communicate with a 802.11g or 802.11b Wireless PrintServer.

infrastructure

: a wireless network that is bridged to a

wired network via an access point.

ad-hoc

: a group of wireless devices communicating

directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of

an access point.

roaming

: the ability to take a wireless device from one

access point's range to another without losing the

connection.

ssid

: your wireless network's name

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 10

Planning Your Wireless Network - wireless g range extender

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