Belkin F5D8236V3 N Wireless Router User Manual Manual part 1

Belkin International, Inc. N Wireless Router Manual part 1

Manual part 1

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INTRODUCTION
1
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin N Wireless Router (the Router). Following are two short sections—the first discusses
the benefits of home networking, and the other outlines best practices that maximize your wireless home network range and
performance. Please be sure to read through this User Manual completely, and pay special attention to the section entitled
“Placement of your N Wireless Router” on the next page. By following our simple setup instructions you will be able to use your
Belkin Home Network to:
• Share one high-speed Internet connection
with all the computers in your home
• Share resources, such as files and hard drives among
all the connected computers in your home
• Share a single printer with the entire family
• Share documents, music, video, and digital pictures
• Store, retrieve, and copy files from one computer to another
• Simultaneously play games online, check Internet email, and chat
Advantages of a Wireless Network
Here are some of the advantages of setting up a Belkin Wireless Network:
• Mobility – you’ll no longer need a dedicated “computer
room”—now you can work on a networked laptop or
desktop computer anywhere within your wireless range
• Easy installation – Belkin’s Setup Assistant makes setup simple
• Flexibility – set up and access printers, computers, and
other networking devices from anywhere in your home
• Easy expansion – the wide range of Belkin networking
products let you expand your network to include
devices such as printers and gaming consoles
• No cabling required – you can spare the expense and hassle
of retrofitting Ethernet cabling throughout the home or office
• Widespread industry acceptance – choose from a
wide range of interoperable networking products
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INTRODUCTION
superhighway in this example. The rate of traffic flow is multiplied by the
number of lanes that are opened.
Placement of your N Wireless Router
Important Factors for Placement and Setup
Your wireless connection will be stronger the closer your computer is
to your Router. Typical indoor operating range for wireless devices is
between 100 and 200 feet.
In the same way, your wireless connection and performance will
degrade somewhat as the distance between your Router and connected
devices increases. This may or may not be noticeable to you. As you
move further from your Router, connection speed may decrease. Factors
that can weaken signals simply by getting in the way of your network’s
radio waves are metal appliances or obstructions, and walls.
If you have concerns about your network’s performance that might
be related to range or obstruction factors, try moving the computer to
a position between five and 10 feet from the Router in order to see if
distance is the problem. If difficulties persist even at close range, please
contact Belkin Technical Support.
Note: While some of the items listed below can affect network
performance, they will not prohibit your wireless network from
functioning; if you are concerned that your network is not operating at
its maximum effectiveness, this checklist may help.
Revolutionary N Wireless Technology with MIMO
(N MIMO)
Your Belkin N Wireless Router uses a new smart-antenna technology
called Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). N MIMO complies with the
IEEE draft 802.11n specification. It increases speed, range, reliability,
and spectral efficiency for wireless networking systems.
The element that makes Belkin’s N MIMO technology different
from a conventional radio is the use of multiple antennas and two
simultaneous data streams to deliver wireless transfers around your
home or office. A conventional radio uses one antenna to transmit a
data stream. Belkin’s N MIMO, on the other hand, uses two antennas.
This design helps combat distortion and interference. Belkin’s N MIMO
is multidimensional. It builds on one-dimensional smart-antenna
technology by simultaneously transmitting two data streams through the
same channel, which increases wireless capacity.
Another element that enhances Belkin’s N MIMO is the use of
aggregation as specified in the draft 802.11n specification. By shortening
the space between packets and combining multiple smaller packets
into one larger packet, Belkin’s N MIMO can transmit more data through
available bandwidth.
Think of conventional radio transmission as a two-lane highway.
The speed limit governs the maximum allowable flow of traffic through
that lane. Compared with conventional radios, one-dimensional smart
antenna systems help move traffic through that lane faster and more
reliably—analogous to a four-lane road on which traffic consistently
moves at a rate closer to the speed limit. Belkin’s N MIMO helps
traffic move at the speed limit and opens more lanes—to become the
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INTRODUCTION
3. Cordless Phones
If the performance of your wireless network is impaired after attending to
the above issues, and you have a cordless phone:
• Try moving cordless phones away from your Router
and your wireless-enabled computers.
• Unplug and remove the battery from any cordless phone that
operates on the 2.4GHz band (check manufacturer’s information).
If this fixes the problem, your phone may be interfering.
• If your phone supports channel selection, change the channel on
the phone to the farthest channel from your wireless network. For
example, change the phone to channel 1 and move your Router to
channel 11. See your phone’s user manual for detailed instructions.
• If necessary, consider switching to a 900MHz cordless phone.
1. Router Placement
Place your Router, the central connection point of your network, as close
as possible to the center of your wireless network devices.
To achieve the best wireless network coverage for your “wireless clients”
(i.e., computers enabled by Belkin Wireless Notebook Network Cards,
Wireless Desktop Network Cards, and Wireless USB Adapters):
• EnsurethatyourRouter’snetworkingantennasareparalleltoeach
other, and are positioned vertically (toward the ceiling).
• Inmultistoryhomes,placetheRouteronafloorthatisasclosetothe
center of the home as possible. This may mean placing the Router on
an upper floor.
• TrynottoplacetheRouternearacordless2.4GHzphone.
2. Avoid Obstacles and Interference
Avoid placing your Router near devices that may emit radio “noise,”
such as microwave ovens. Dense objects that can inhibit wireless
communication include:
• Refrigerators
• Washers and/or dryers
• Metal cabinets
• Large aquariums
• Metallic-based UV tinted windows
If your wireless signal seems weak in some spots, make sure that objects
such as these are not blocking the signal’s path (between your computers
and Router).
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4. Choose the “Quietest” Channel for your Wireless Network
In locations where homes or offices are close together, such as apartment
buildings or office complexes, there may be wireless networks nearby that
can conflict with yours.
Use the Site Survey capabilities found in the Wireless Utility of your
wireless adapter to locate any other wireless networks that are available
(see your wireless adapter’s user manual), and move your Router and
computers to a channel as far away from other networks as possible.
• Experiment with more than one of the available channels, in order
to find the clearest connection and avoid interference from
neighboring cordless phones or other wireless devices.
• For Belkin wireless networking products, use the
detailed Site Survey and wireless channel information
included with your wireless network card. See your
network card’s user guide for more information.
These guidelines should allow you to cover the maximum possible area
with your Router. Should you need to cover an even wider area, we
suggest the Belkin Wireless Range Extender/Access Point.
5. Secure Connections, VPNs, and AOL
Secure connections typically require a user name and password, and are
used where security is important. Secure connections include:
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections, often
used to connect remotely to an office network
• The “Bring Your Own Access” program from America
Online (AOL), which lets you use AOL through broadband
provided by another cable or DSL service
• Most online banking websites
• Many commercial websites that require a user
name and password to access your account
Secure connections can be interrupted by a computer’s power
management setting, which causes it to “go to sleep.” The simplest
solution to avoid this is to simply reconnect by rerunning the VPN or AOL
software, or by re-logging into the secure website.
A second alternative is to change your computer’s power management
settings so it does not go to sleep; however, this may not be appropriate
for portable computers. To change your power management setting under
Windows, see the “Power Options” item in the Control Panel.
If you continue to have difficulty with Secure Connections, VPNs, and AOL,
please review the steps above to be sure you have addressed these issues.
For more information regarding our networking products, visit our website
at www.belkin.com/networking or call Belkin Technical Support at:
US: 877-736-5771
UK: 0845 607 77 87
Australia: 1800 235 546
New Zealand: 0800 235 546
Singapore: 65 64857620
Europe: www.belkin.com/support
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PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Product Features
In minutes you will be able to share your Internet connection and
network your computers. The following is a list of features that make
your new Belkin N Wireless Router an ideal solution for your home or
small office network.
Works with Both PCs and Mac® Computers
The Router supports a variety of networking environments including
Mac OS® 8.x, 9.x, X v10.x, Linux®, Windows® 98, Me, NT®, 2000, XP,
Vista®, and others. All that is needed is an Internet browser and a
network adapter that supports TCP/IP (the standard language of
the Internet).
Patent-Pending Network Status Display
Lighted LEDs on the front of the Router indicate which functions are in
operation. You’ll know at-a-glance whether your Router is connected to
the Internet. This feature eliminates the need for advanced software and
status-monitoring procedures.
Web-Based Advanced User Interface
You can set up the Router’s advanced functions easily through your web
browser, without having to install additional software onto the computer.
There are no disks to install or keep track of and, best of all, you can
make changes and perform setup functions from any computer on the
network quickly and easily.
NAT IP Address Sharing
Your Router employs Network Address Translation (NAT) to share the
single IP address assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider
while saving the cost of adding additional IP addresses to your Internet
service account.
SPI Firewall
Your Router is equipped with a firewall that will protect your network
from a wide array of common hacker attacks including IP Spoofing, Land
Attack, Ping of Death (PoD), Denial of Service (DoS), IP with zero length,
Smurf Attack, TCP Null Scan, SYN flood, UDP flooding, Tear Drop
Attack, ICMP defect, RIP defect, and fragment flooding.
Integrated 10/100 4-Port Switch
The Router has a built-in, four-port network switch to allow your wired
computers to share printers, data and MP3 files, digital photos, and
much more. The switch features automatic detection so it will adjust to
the speed of connected devices. The switch will transfer data between
computers and the Internet simultaneously without interrupting or
consuming resources.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
UPnP is a technology that offers seamless operation of voice messaging,
video messaging, games, and other applications that are UPnP-
compliant.
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PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Support for VPN Pass-Through
If you connect to your office network from home using a VPN
connection, your Router will allow your VPN-equipped computer to pass
through the Router and to your office network.
Built-In Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Built-In Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) on-board makes
for the easiest possible connection of a network. The DHCP server will
assign IP addresses to each computer automatically so there is no need
for a complicated networking setup.
Setup Assistant
The Setup Assistant, second generation of Belkin’s renowned Easy
Install Wizard, takes the guesswork out of setting up your Router. This
automatic software determines your network settings for you and sets
up the Router for connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). In a
matter of minutes, your Router will be up and running on the Internet.
Note: Setup Assistant software is compatible with Windows 2000,
XP, and Vista; and Mac OS X v10.x. If you are using another operating
system, the Router can be set up using the Alternate Setup Method
described in this User Manual (see page 25).
Integrated N Wireless Access Point
N MIMO is an exciting new wireless technology based on the draft IEEE
802.11n specification. It employs MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)
smart-antenna technology that achieves data rates of up to 300Mbps.*
*NOTE: The standard transmission rate—300Mbps—is the physical data
rate. Actual data throughput will be lower.
MAC Address Filtering
For added security, you can set up a list of MAC addresses (unique
client identifiers) that are allowed access to your network. Every
computer has its own MAC address. Simply enter these MAC addresses
into a list using the Web-Based Advanced User Interface and you can
control access to your network.
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KNOWING YOUR ROUTER
3
The Router has been designed to be placed on a desktop. All of the
cables exit from the rear of the Router for better organization and utility.
The Network Status Display is easily visible on the FRONT of the Router
to provide you with information about network activity and status.
Package Contents
• Belkin N Wireless Router
• Quick Installation Guide
• Belkin Setup Assistant Software CD
• RJ45 Ethernet Networking Cable
• Power Supply
• User Manual on the Setup Assistant CD
System Requirements
• Broadband Internet connection such as a cable or
DSL modem with RJ45 (Ethernet) connection
• At least one computer with an installed network interface adapter
• TCP/IP networking protocol installed on each computer
• RJ45 Ethernet networking cable
• Internet browserr
Setup Assistant Software System Requirements
• A computer running Windows® 2000, XP,
or Vista®; or Mac OS® X v10.x
• Minimum 1GHz processor and 128MB RAM
• Internet browser
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
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KNOWING YOUR ROUTER
D. Wired-Computer Status
OFF Wired computer is not present
Solid Blue Wired computer is connected to
the Router
Blinking Amber Problem with wired computer
connecting properly to the Router
E. Router/Power Status
When you apply power to the Router or restart it, a short period of time
elapses while the Router boots up. During this time, the “router” icon
blinks. When the Router has completely booted up, the “router” icon
becomes a solid light, indicating the Router is ready for use.
OFF Router is off
Blinking Blue Router is booting up
Solid Blue Router is on and ready
A. Wireless Security
OFF Wireless security is off
Solid Blue Wireless security is on
B. Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button
WPS
This button is used for the Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature. Please refer to
the “Changing the Wireless Security Settings” section.
C. Wireless-Computer Status
OFF Wireless computer is not present
Solid Blue Wireless computer is connected
to the Router
Blinking Amber Problem with wireless computer
connecting properly to the Router
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F. Modem Status
This icon lights in blue to indicate that your modem is connected
properly to the Router. It turns amber when problem is detected.
OFF Router is NOT connected to
modem
Solid Blue Router is connected to modem
and functioning properly
Blinking Amber Problem with modem
G. Internet Status
This unique icon shows you when the Router is connected to the
Internet. When the light is off, the Router is NOT connected to the
Internet. When the light is blinking amber, the Router is attempting
to connect to the Internet. When the light is solid blue, the Router is
connected to the Internet. When using the “Disconnect after x minutes”
feature, this icon becomes extremely useful in monitoring the status of
your Router’s connection.
OFF Router is NOT connected to
the Internet
Blinking Amber Router is attempting to connect
to the Internet
Solid Blue Router is connected to the
Internet
(H)
(I)
(J)
(K)
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H. Connections to Wired Computers – Gray
Connect your wired (non-wireless) computers to these ports. These
ports are RJ45, 10/100 auto-negotiation, auto-uplinking ports for
standard UTP category 5 or 6 Ethernet cable. The ports are labeled 1
through 4.
I. Connection to Modem – Yellow
This port is for connection to your cable or DSL modem. Use the cable
that was provided with the modem to connect the modem to this port.
Use of a cable other than the one supplied with the cable modem may
not work properly.
J. Power Jack – Black
Connect the included 12V/1A DC power supply to this jack.
K. Reset Button – Red
The “Reset” button is used in rare cases when the Router may function
improperly. Resetting the Router will restore the Router’s normal
operation while maintaining the programmed settings. You can also
restore the factory default settings by using the “Reset” button. Use the
restore option in instances where you may have forgotten your custom
password.
i. Resetting the Router
Push and release the “Reset” button. The lights on the Router will
momentarily flash. The “Power/Ready” light will begin to blink. When
the “Power/Ready” light becomes solid again, the reset is complete.
ii. Restoring the Factory Defaults
Press and hold the “Reset” button for at least 10 seconds, then
release it. The lights on the Router will momentarily flash. The
“Power/Ready” light will begin to blink. When the “Power/Ready”
light becomes solid again, the restore is complete.
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4
Verify the contents of your box. You should have the following:
• Belkin N Wireless Router
• RJ45 Ethernet Networking Cable
• Power Supply
• Belkin Setup Assistant Software CD
• User Manual on the Setup Assistant CD
Modem Requirements
Your cable or DSL modem must be equipped with an RJ45 Ethernet
port. Many modems have both an RJ45 Ethernet port and a USB
connection. If you have a modem with both Ethernet and USB, and are
using the USB connection at this time, you will be instructed to use the
RJ45 Ethernet port during the installation procedure. If your modem has
only a USB port, you can request a different type of modem from your
ISP, or you can, in some cases, purchase a modem that has an RJ45
Ethernet port on it.
Setup Assistant
Belkin has provided our Setup Assistant software to make installing your
Router a simple and easy task. You can use it to get your Router up and
running in minutes. The Setup Assistant requires that your computer be
connected directly to your Router and that the Internet connection is
active and working at the time of installation. If it is not, you must use
the “Alternate Setup Method” section of this User Manual to configure
your Router. Additionally, if you are using an operating system other than
Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, or Mac OS X v10.x, you must set up the
Router using the “Alternate Setup Method” section of this User Manual.
Ethernet USB
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Step 1: Hardware Connections – Follow the Quick Installation Guide (QIG)
LAN
WAN
Setup CD
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1. Unplug your existing modem’s power supply.
Find the cable connecting your modem and computer. Unplug it
from the modem and plug it into the gray port on the Belkin Router.
If you are replacing an existing router, find the cable connecting the
computer and old router. Disconnect it from the old router and plug
it into the gray port on the new router.
2. Connect the new cable (provided in the box) to the yellow port on
the Router. Plug the other end into the modem.
3. Plug in your modem’s power supply. Wait 60 seconds for the
modem to start up.
Plug the Router’s power supply into a wall outlet, and the other end
into the black port on the Belkin Router. As the Router wakes up,
lights will come on; recheck your connections if the “router” and
the “wired” lights are not a steady blue after 20 seconds.
4. Locate the CD in this guide and insert it into your computer. The
Setup Assistant should appear automatically. If it doesn’t, open
the CD in My Computer (Windows®) or the Finder (Mac OS® X) and
double-click on the “Setup Assistant” icon.
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Step 2: Set Up the Router – Run the Setup Assistant Software
A. Shut down any programs that are running on your
computer at this time. Turn off any firewall or Internet-
connection-sharing software on your computer.
B. Insert the CD into your computer. The Setup Assistant
will automatically appear on your computer’s screen
within 15 seconds. Click on “Go” to run the Setup
Assistant. Follow the instructions there.
IMPORTANT Run the Setup Assistant from the computer that is
directly connected to the Router from Step 1 – B.
Note for Windows Users: If the Setup Assistant does not start up
automatically, select your CD-ROM drive from “My Computer” and
double-click on the file named “SetupAssistant” to start
the Setup Assistant.
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Select Country
Select your country from the drop-down box. Click “Begin” to continue.
Confirmation Screen
Verify that you have completed all QIG steps by checking the box to the
right of the arrow. Click “Next” to continue.
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2.1 Checking Settings
The Setup Assistant will now examine your computer’s network settings
and gather information needed to complete the Router’s connection to
the Internet.
Progress Screen
Setup Assistant will show you a progress screen each time a step in the
setup has been completed.
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2.3 Naming your Wireless Network
The Setup Assistant will display the default wireless network name or
Service Set Identifier (SSID). This is the name of your wireless network
to which your computers or devices with wireless network adapters
will connect. You can either use the default or change it to something
unique. Write down this name for future reference.
2.2 Verifying Hardware Connections
The Setup Assistant will now verify your hardware connection.
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If your Internet account requires a login and password, you will be
prompted with a screen similar to the illustration below. Click “Next”
to continue.
2.4 Requesting Internet Account Info (if needed)
Select your ISP from the drop-down boxes.
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2.5 Configuring the Router
The Setup Assistant will now configure your Router by sending data to
the Router and restarting it. Wait for the on-screen instructions.
Note: Do not disconnect any cable or power off the Router while the
Router is rebooting. Doing so will render your Router inoperable.
2.6 Checking Internet Connection
We are almost done. The Setup Assistant will now check your
connection to the Internet.
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Congratulations
You have finished installing your new Belkin Router. You will see
the Congratulations screen when your Router can connect to the
Internet. You can begin surfing by opening your browser and going to
any website.
You can use the Setup Assistant to set up your other wired and wireless
computers to connect to the Internet by clicking “Next”. If you decide
to add computers to your Router later, select “Finish—return to Main
Menu” and then click “Next”.
Troubleshooting
If the Setup Assistant is not able to connect to the Internet, you will see
the following screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to go through the
troubleshooting steps.
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2.7 Optional: Assistance Connecting Other Computers
This optional step will help you to connect additional wired and wireless
computers to your network. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Once you have verified that your other wired and wireless computers are
properly connected, your network is set up and working. You can now
surf the Internet. Click “Next” to return to the main menu.
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Step 3: Set Up Wireless Security – Run the Security Assistant Software
Now that your network is set up and working, it is recommended that
you turn on wireless security to prevent unauthorized access to your
network from neighboring wireless-enabled computers. The Security
Assistant will guide you through the process. Click “Security Assistant”
and follow the on-screen instructions.
IMPORTANT: Run the Setup Assistant from the computer that is
directly connected to the Router from Steps 1 - B.
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3.1 Picking the Security Type
Select the security type for your wireless network and click “Next”
to continue.
Progress Screen
The Security Assistant will show you a progress screen each time a step
has been completed.
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3.3 Transferring the Key
After setting up your wireless security, you will have to transfer the
network key to each of your wireless computers. Click on “Transfer Key”
if you have a USB flash drive. Follow the on-screen instructions, or click
on “Print” to print the information. Manually enter it to each wireless
computer. Then, click “Next” to continue.
3.2 Creating a Network Key
Enter a network key (PSK) for your wireless network and click “Next”
to continue.
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Congratulations
Once you have verified that your wireless computers are properly
connected, your wireless network is set up and secured. You now can
run your network wirelessly and securely. Click “Finish” to take you back
to the main menu.
3.4 Verifying the Connection
If all your wireless computers are able to connect to the Router, click
“Next”. If you are having trouble, select “I had problem with at least one
computer” and click “Next”. Then, follow on-screen instructions.

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