Cisco Linksys WAP51AB Dual-Band Wireless Access Point User Manual wap51ab User Guide

Cisco-Linksys, LLC Dual-Band Wireless Access Point wap51ab User Guide

Contents

Revised Users Manual

Instant WirelessTM Series Dual-Band WirelessAccess PointUse this guide to install: WAP51AB User Guide
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Linksys is a registered trademark ofLinksys. Instant Wireless is a trademark of Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and theWindows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarksand brand names are the property of their respective proprietors. LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys guarantees that every Instant Wireless™ Dual-Band Wireless Access Point is freefrom physical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one year fromthe date of purchase. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, callLinksys Technical Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization Number. BE SURETO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT’SPACKAGING ON HAND WHEN CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BEPROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. When returning a product, mark theReturn Authorization Number clearly on the outside of the package and include a copyof your original proof of purchase. All customers located outside of the United States ofAmerica and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’ LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PROD-UCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM-AGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFT-WARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANYPRODUCT. Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statuto-ry, with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and allaccompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, performance, mer-chantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves the right to revise orupdate its products, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any individ-ual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623. FCC STATEMENTThis product has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digitaldevice, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea-sonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equip-ment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed andused according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communi-cations. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particularinstallation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or televisionreception, which is found by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged totry to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistanceFCC Radiation Exposure StatementThis equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolledenvironment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance20cm between the radiator and your body.UG-WAP51AB-073102NC KL
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointChapter 1: IntroductionThe Instant WirelessTM Dual-Band Wireless Access PointInstall an access point that protects your infrastructure investment without lim-iting you to a single type of wireless technology. The Instant Wireless™ Dual-Band Wireless Access Point works simultaneously with both 802.11a and802.11b wireless standards to bring you the ultimate in wireless freedom. Thismeans you can enjoy the broadest spectrum of wireless networking now with-out the worry of a costly upgrade later.The Dual-Band Wireless Access Point's antennas enhance reception and pro-vide seamless roaming through your wireless networks. An advanced userauthentication feature and security encryption of up to 152 bits give you thehighest level of network security. It's both easy to install and easy to use. WithInternet browser-based configuration and Windows-Based Setup Wizard,you're always in control.Compact, lightweight, and power-efficient, the Dual-Band Wireless AccessPoint is the perfect wireless networking solution, no matter which wireless net-working standard you choose to use.• High Speed Wireless Networking• Protection for Your Wireless Investment - Supports Both 2.4GHz and 5GHzWireless Technology• Wireless Security with WEP Encryption of up to 152-bits and MACAddress Filtering• Quick and Easy to Use with Web-Based Management and Windows-BasedSetup Wizard• Operates in Both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz Bands• Wi-Fi Compatibility with 802.11a and 802.11b Technology• Supports up to 64 Simultaneous Wireless Users• Free Technical Support - 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, Toll-Free U.S.Calls• 1-Year Limited WarrantyTable of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction 1The Instant WirelessTM Dual-Band Wireless Access Point 1Features 1Package Contents 2System Requirements 2Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 3Network Topology 3Roaming 3Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point 4The Dual-Band Wireless Access Point’s Back Panel 4The Dual-Band Wireless Access Point’s Front Panel 5Chapter 4: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point 6Chapter 5: Setting Up the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point 7Chapter 6: Configuring the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point 16The Setup Tab 16The Password Tab 20The Status Tab 21The Help Tab 22The Filter Tab 23The Wireless Tab 24Appendix A:Troubleshooting 27Frequently Asked Questions 27Appendix B: Setting Up the TCP/IP and IPX Protocols 32Setting Up TCP/IP in Windows 32TCP/IP Setup for Windows 95, 98, and Millennium 33IPX Setup for Windows 95, 98, and Millennium 33TCP/IP Setup for Windows NT 4.0 34IPX Setup for Windows NT 4.0 34TCP/IP Setup for Windows 2000 35IPX Setup for Windows 2000 35TCP/IP Setup for Windows XP 36Appendix C: Glossary 37Appendix D: Specifications 45Environmental 46Appendix E:Warranty Information 47Appendix F: Contact Information 481Instant WirelessTM SeriesFeatures
Dual-Band Wireless Access Point3Chapter 2: Planning YourWireless NetworkA wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one InstantWireless™ Series adapter. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configuredto share the same radio channel.The Instant Wireless™ Series adapters provide access to a wired LAN for wire-less workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an infra-structure configuration. A group of Instant Wireless™ Series adapter users andan Instant Wireless™ Dual-Band Wireless Access Point compose a BasicService Set (BSS). Each Instant Wireless™ Series adapter PC in a BSS cantalk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Dual-Band WirelessAccess Point.An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an InstantWireless™ Series adapter PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wire-less transmission range for two Instant Wireless™ Series adapter PCs. Sincethe Dual-Band Wireless Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, theeffective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled.Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Morethan one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). This con-tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All PCs equippedwith an Instant Wireless™ Series adapter within one ESS must be configuredwith the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, choosing a feasible radiochannel and optimum Dual-Band Wireless Access Point position is recom-mended. Proper Access Point positioning combined with a clear radio signalwill greatly enhance performance.Instant WirelessTM Series• One Dual-Band Wireless Access Point • One Setup CD-ROM with User Guide• One Power Adapter• One Quick Installation guide• One Registration CardOne Pentium Class PC (200MHz or Faster Processor) with:• 64MB RAM,• Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.7 or Higher for Web-basedconfiguration,• one CD-ROM Drive, and• 802.11a or 802.11b Wireless Adapter with TCP/IP Protocol Installed• a Network Adapter with Category 5 Ethernet Network Cabling andTCP/IP protocol installed2RoamingFigure 1-1Network TopologyPackage ContentsSystem Requirements
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointInstant WirelessTM SeriesChapter 3: Getting to Know theDual-Band Wireless Access PointThe Access Point’s ports, where a network cable is connected, are located onthe Access Point’s back panel.LAN This LAN (Local Area Network) port connects toEthernet network devices, such as a hub, switch, orrouter.Power The Power port is where you will connect the poweradapter.Power Switch The Power Switch is where you will turn the AccessPoint on and off.Reset Button There are two ways to Reset the Access Point’s factorydefaults. Either press the Reset Button, for approximate-ly ten seconds, or restore the defaults from the passwordtab in the Access Point’s Web-Based Utility.4The Dual-Band Wireless Access Point’s Back PanelFigure 3-1TPower Green. The Power LED lights up when the Access Point ispowered on.Diag Red. The Diag LED indicates the Access Point’s self-diagnosismode during boot-up and restart. It will turn off upon com-pleting the diagnosis. If this LED stays on for an abnormallylong period of time, refer to the Troubleshooting Appendix.WLAN Act Green. If the WLAN’s Act LED is flickering, the Access Pointis actively sending or receiving data to or from one of thedevices on the network.WLAN Link Green. The WLAN’s Link LED lights whenever there is a suc-cessful wireless connection.LAN Act/Link Green. The LAN’s LINK LED serves two purposes. If theLED is continuously lit, the Access Point is successfully con-nected to a device through the LAN port. If the LED is flick-ering, it is an indication of any network activity.LAN Full/Col Green. The LAN’s Full/Col LED also serves two purposes.When this LED is continuously lit, the connection madethrough the corresponding port is running in Full Duplexmode. A flickering LED indicates that the connection is expe-riencing collisions. Infrequent collisions are normal. If thisLED blinks too often, there may be a problem with your con-nection. Refer to the Troubleshooting Appendix if you thinkthere is a problem.LAN 100 Orange. The LAN’s 100 LED indicates when a successful100Mbps connection is made through the LAN port.The Dual-Band Wireless Access Point’s Front PanelFigure 3-2Important: Resetting the Access Point will erase all of your settings(WEP Encryption, Wireless and LAN settings, etc.) and replacethem with the factory defaults. Do not reset the Access Point if youwant to retain these settings5
Chapter 5: Setting Up the Dual-Band Wireless Access PointNow that you’ve connected the Access Point to your wired network, you areready to begin setting it up. This Setup Wizard will take you through all thesteps necessary to configure the Access Point.1. Insert the Setup Wizard CD into your PC’s CD-ROM drive. Your PC mustbe on your wired network to set up the Access Point. 2. The screen in Figure 5-1 should appear on your monitor. If it does not, thismeans the autorun is not functioning. Start the Setup Wizard manually byclicking the Start button, selecting Run, and typing d:\setup.exe (where“D” is your PC’s CD-ROM drive). Click the Setup button to continue thisSetup Wizard. Clicking the User Guide button opened this User Guide. Toaccess the Linksys web site on an active Internet connection, click theLinksys Web button or to exit this Setup Wizard, click the Exit button.Chapter 4: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point 1. Locate an optimum location for the Access Point. The best place for theAccess Point is usually at the center of your wireless network, with line ofsight to all of your mobile stations.2. Fix the direction of the antenna. Try to place it in a position which canbest cover your wireless network. Normally, the higher you place the anten-na, the better the performance will be. The antenna’s position enhances thereceiving sensitivity.3. Connect a standard Ethernet network cable to the Access Point. Then,connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to a switch or hub. The AccessPoint will then be connected to your 10/100 Network.4. Connect the AC Power Adapter to the Access Point’s Power Socket.Only use the power adapter supplied with the Access Point. Use of a differ-ent adapter may result in product damage.Now that the hardware installation is complete, proceed to Chapter 5: SettingUp the Dual-Band Wireless Access Point for directions on how to set up theAccess Point.6Dual-Band Wireless Access PointInstant WirelessTM SeriesHave You: Connected the Access Point to a hub, switch or routeron your wired network as shown in Chapter 4: Connecting theDual-Band Wireless Access Point? The Access Point can only beset up through your wired network.Note: While the Access Point has been designed to work correctlyright out of the box, setting it up on a wireless computer will requireyou to use the Linksys default settings. These settings can then bechanged with the Setup Wizard or Web-based Browser Utility.Note: In order for all other wireless devices to communicate withthe Access Point, those devices must be operating in theInfrastructure Mode. If any wireless devices are configured inthe Ad Hoc Mode, they will not be recognized by the Access Point.7Important Note: This device is restricted to indoor operations in comply withFCC 15.407 (e).
93. The following screen, shown in Figure 5-2, displays how the Access Pointis configured in this Setup Wizard. Optimally, you should perform thissetup through a PC on your wired network. Click the Next button to con-tinue or Exit to exit the Setup Wizard.84. The next screen to appear, shown in Figure 5-3, will display a list of accesspoints on your network along with the status information for each accesspoint. If this is the only access point on your network, it will be the only onedisplayed. If there are more than one displayed, select the Access Point byclicking on it and click the Yes button to continue or No to exit the SetupWizard.5. You will be asked to sign onto theAccess Point you’ve selected, asshown in Figure 5-4. Enter thePassword you’ve assigned. Ifnone has been assigned, enter thedefault password: admin. Then,click the OK button. (This pass-word can be changed from theWeb-based Utility’s Passwordtab.)6. As shown in Figure 5-5, the IP Settings screen will appear next. Enter anIP Address, Subnet Mask, and enter a unique access point name for theAccess Point appropriate to your network. Then, click the Next button tocontinue or Back to return to the previous page.• IP Address. This IP address must be unique to your network. (Thedefault IP address is 192.168.1.250.) Dual-Band Wireless Access PointInstant WirelessTM SeriesFigure 5-2Figure 5-3Figure 5-1Figure 5-4
The WEP key can consist of the letters “A” through “F” and the numbers“0” through “9” and should be 10 characters in length for 64-bit encryption,26 characters in length for 128-bit encryption, or 32 characters in length for152-bit encryption. All points in your wireless network must use the sameWEP key to utilize WEP encryption.Then, click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previouspage.11• Subnet Mask. The Access Point’s Subnet Mask must be the same as yourEthernet network.• Access Point Name. Assign a name to the Access Point. Unique, mem-orable names are helpful, especially if you are employing multiple accesspoints on the same network.7. As shown in Figure 5-6, the Basic Settings screen for your 5 GHz/802.11awireless products will appear. Enter your wireless network’s SSID andselect the channel at which the network broadcasts its wireless signal. Then,click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous page.• SSID. The SSID is the unique name shared among all points in a wire-less network. The SSID must be identical for all points in the wirelessnetwork. It is case sensitive and must not exceed 32 characters, whichmay be any keyboard character. Make sure this setting is the same for allpoints in your wireless network.• Channel. Select the appropriate channel from the list provided to corre-spond with your network settings, between 36 and 64. All points in yourwireless network must use the same channel in order to function correct-ly.8. The Security Settings screen (Figure 5-7) for your 5 GHz/802.11a wirelessproducts will appear next. From this screen, you will set the WiredEquivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, 64-bit/128-bit/152-bit, for yourwireless network. Select a WEP configuration method and a WEP key.10Dual-Band Wireless Access PointInstant WirelessTM SeriesFigure 5-6Figure 5-5Figure 5-7
9. As shown in Figure 5-8, the Basic Settings screen for your 2.4GHz/802.11b wireless products will appear. Enter your wireless network’sSSID and select the channel at which the network broadcasts its wirelesssignal. Then, click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the pre-vious page.• SSID. The SSID is the unique name shared among all points in a wire-less network. The SSID must be identical for all points in the wirelessnetwork. It is case sensitive and must not exceed 32 characters, whichmay be any keyboard character. Make sure this setting is the same for allpoints in your wireless network.• Channel. Select the appropriate channel from the list provided to corre-spond with your network settings, between 1 and 11 (in North America).All points in your wireless network must use the same channel in orderto function correctly.12Instant WirelessTM Series Dual-Band Wireless Access Point10. The Security Settings screen (Figure 5-9) for your 2.4 GHz/802.11b wire-less products will appear next. From this screen, you will set the WiredEquivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, 64-bit/128-bit, for your wirelessnetwork. Select a WEP configuration method and a WEP passphrase.• WEP (Disable/64-bit WEP/128-bit WEP). In order to utilize WEPencryption, select the WEP setting from the pull-down menu. If you donot wish to utilize WEP encryption, make sure Disable is selected.• Passphrase. This is a text string with a maximum of 16 alphanumericcharacters used for generating a WEP Key. Type the passphrase here.This passphrase may not work with non-Linksys products due to possibleincompatibility with other vendors’passphrase generators. If you’d rathernot use a passphrase and would rather enter the WEP Key manually, clickthe Next button.Click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous page.13Figure 5-8Figure 5-9Note: WEP encryption should be used whenever communicatingover a wireless network. Wireless transmissions, by their verynature, are unprotected and WEP encryption helps to close thishole in security and make your wireless network safer to use.Note: The Access Point’s passphrase function when mixing prod-ucts from other manufacturers into your wireless network. Linksysproducts should always be used for optimum functionality. Ifanother company’s wireless product is used, however, the WEP keyshould be set manually.
Dual-Band Wireless Access Point13. At this point, the configuration performed with the Setup Wizard is com-plete, as shown in Figure 5-12. To configure any other Access Points in yournetwork, you can run this Setup Wizard again. Click the Exit button to exitthe Setup Wizard.15Instant Wireless™ Series11. The following Security screen, shown in Figure 5-7, will allow you to enteryour WEP key. Each point in your wireless network must use the same WEPkey for the network to function properly. Verify that the appropriate key isentered and click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the pre-vious page.The WEP key can consist of the letters “A” through “F” and the numbers“0” through “9” and should be 10 characters in length for 64-bit encryptionor 26 characters in length for 128-bit encryption. All points in your wirelessnetwork must use the same WEP key to utilize WEP encryption.12. You should now review the settings you’ve chosen, as shown in Figure 5-11. If these settings are correct, click the Yes button to save these settings.If you wish to change any of the settings, click the No button. You will exitthe Setup Wizard and can start it again to revise your settings.14Figure 5-12Figure 5-11Figure 5-10
16• Static IP Address. This IP address must be unique to your network. (Thedefault IP address is 192.168.1.250. As this is a private IP address, there isno need to purchase a separate IP address from your service provider.)Verify the address and click the Apply button to save changes.• Subnet Mask. The Access Point’s Subnet Mask (or IP Mask) must be thesame as your Ethernet (wired) network. Verify this is correct and click theApply button to set it.The following entries are for both 5GHz/802.11a and 2.4GHz/802.11b:• SSID. The SSID is the unique name shared among all points in a wire-less network. The SSID must be identical for all points in the wirelessnetwork. It is case sensitive and must not exceed 32 alphanumeric char-acters, which may be any keyboard character. Make sure this setting is thesame for all points in your wireless network.17Dual-Band Wireless Access PointInstant WirelessTM SeriesChapter 6: Configuring the Dual-Band Wireless Access PointThe Access Point has been designed to be functional right out of the box, withthe default settings in the Setup Wizard. However, if you’d like to change thesesettings, the Access Point can be configured through your web browser with theWeb-Based Utility. This chapter explains how to configure the Access Point inthis manner.Open your web browser and type theIP Address you entered in the SetupWizard. (The default IP address is192.168.1.250.) (Should you need tolearn what IP Address the AccessPoint presently uses, run the SetupWizard again. It will scan the AccessPoint and give you its IP Address.)Press the Enter key and the follow-ing screen, shown in Figure 6-1, willappear. Leave the User Name fieldblank. The first time you open theWeb-Based Utility, use the defaultpassword admin. You can set a newpassword from the Password tab.The first screen that appears, shown in Figure 6-2, is the “Setup” tab. Thisallows you to change the Access Point’s general settings. Change these settingsas described here and click the Apply button to apply your changes or Cancelto cancel your changes. If you require online help, click the Help button.• Firmware. This will display the Access Point’s current firmware version.Firmware can be upgraded from the Help tab.• Access Point Name. You may assign any name to the Access Point.Unique, memorable names are helpful, especially if you are employingmultiple access points on the same network. Verify this is the name youwish to use and click the Apply button to set it.Figure 6-1Figure 6-2The Setup TabNote: The Access Point is designed to function properly afterusing the Setup Wizard. This chapter is provided solely for thosewho wish to perform more advanced configuration or monitoring.
From the pull-down menu, select the type of WEP encryption you wish to use.If you are using 5GHz/802.11a wireless technology, you will need to enter thekey manually. If you are using 2.4GHz/802.11b wireless technology and wish to use a WEPPassphrase, it can be a maximum of 16 alphanumeric characters. Thispassphrase may not work with non-Linksys products due to possible incom-patibility with other vendors’passphrase generators. The WEP Key can be gen-erated using your Passphrase or you can enter it manually. Type that here. The WEP key must consist of the letters “A” through “F” and the numbers “0”through “9” and should be 10 characters in length for 64-bit encryption or 26characters in length for 128-bit encryption. (When using 5GHz/802.11a wire-less technology, 152-bit encryption is also available. The WEP key under thissetting should be 32 characters in length.) All points in your wireless networkmust use the same WEP key to utilize WEP encryption.Once the Passphrase is entered, click the Generate key to generate a WEP key.Click the Apply button to apply your changes and return to the Setup tab orCancel to cancel your changes. To clear any of the information you’ve typedbut not yet applied, click the Clear button.Dual-Band Wireless Access Point19• Channel. Select the appropriate channel from the list provided to corre-spond with your network settings. This should be between 1 and 11 (inNorth America) for 2.4GHz/802.11b devices and 36 and 64 (in NorthAmerica) for 5GHz/802.11a devices. All points in your wireless networkmust use the same channel in order to function correctly.• WEP. The WEP Encryption method is Disabled by default. To enableWEP, click the WEP Key Setting button.Click the Apply button to apply your changes or Cancel to cancel yourchanges. If you require online help, click the Help button.SETTING WEP ENCRYPTION:Setting WEP Encryption through the Web-based Browser Utility is done byclicking the WEP Key Setting button on the Setup Screen as shown in Figure6-2. This will open the WEP Key Setting screen. This screen is shown in Figure 6-3 for 5GHz/802.11a or Figure 6-4 for 2.4GHz/802.11b. Select the WEPencryption for the type(s) of wireless technology you are using. From thisscreen, you can select the type of WEP encryption to use as well as set the WEPKey for that encryption.Instant WirelessTM Series18Important: Always remember that each point in your wireless net-work MUST use the same WEP Encryption method and encryptionkey or your wireless network will not function properly. Figure 6-4Figure 6-3
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointThe “Status” tab, shown in Figure 6-8, will display current information on theAccess Point, its settings and performance.• Firmware Version. This displays the current version of the Access Point’sfirmware. Firmware should only be upgraded if you experience problemswith the Access Point and can be upgraded from the Help tab.• IP Address. This IP address is the unique address to your network.• Subnet Mask. The Access Point’s Subnet Mask, which is the same as yourEthernet network.• SSID. The SSID is the unique name shared among all points in a wirelessnetwork.• Encryption Function. The encryption method you chose in the SetupWizard or changed from the Setup Tab of this Web-based Utility is dis-played here.• Channel. This is the channel at which your wireless network broadcasts.All points in your wireless network must use the same channel in order tofunction correctly.21Instant Wireless™ SeriesThe “Password” tab, shown in Figure 6-7, allows you to change the AccessPoint’s password and restore factory defaults.Changing the sign-on password for the Access Point is as easy as typing thepassword into the AP Password field. Then, type it again into the second fieldto confirm.To restore the Access Point’s factory default settings, click the Yes buttonbeside Restore Factory Defaults.Click the Apply button to apply your changes or Cancel to cancel yourchanges. If you require online help, click the Help button.20Figure 6-7The Status TabThe Password TabImportant: Restoring the Access Point’s facory defaults will eraseall of your settings (WEP Encryption, Wireless and LAN settings,etc.), and replace them with the factory defaults. Do not reset theAccess Point if you want to retain these settingsFigure 6-8
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointUPGRADING FIRMWARE:Before upgrading the Access Point’s firmware, be sure to download thefirmware from Linksys’s website at www.linksys.com.Once that is done, click the Upgrade Firmware link on the Help Tab. This willbring up the screen shown in Figure 6-10.Type in the location ofthe firmware’s file orclick the Browse but-ton to find the file.Then, click theUpgrade button toupgrade the firmware.The “Filter” tab, shown in Figure 6-11, allows you to block and allow certaincomputers, by their MAC Address, from communicating with the Access Point.To enable filtering of computers by their MAC Addresses, click the Enableradio button. To disable this feature, click the radio button by Disable.Type the MAC Addresses for those PCs you wish to allow access to the AccessPoint in the MAC Address fields. As long as Filtering is enabled, PCs withMAC Addresses not entered in the MAC Address field will not be allowed tocommunicate with the Access Point.23Instant Wireless™ SeriesFor help on the various tabs in this Web-based Utility, along with upgrading theAccess Point’s firmware and viewing this User Guide, click the “Help” tab,shown in Figure 6-9.The help files for the various tabs in this Web-based Utility are listed by tabname on the left-hand side of the screen.The following resources require an Internet connection in order to access them.Click the Linksys Website link to connect to the Linksys homepage forKnowledgebase help files and information about other Linksys products.For an Online Manual in PDF format, click that text link. The manual will appearin Adobe pdf format. If you do not have the Adobe PDF Reader installed on yourcomputer, click the Adobe Website link to download this software.Firmware can be upgraded by clicking the Upgrade Firmware link. Do not upgradeyour firmware unless you are experiencing problems with the Access Point.22The Help TabFigure 6-9Figure 6-10The Filter Tab
Dual-Band Wireless Access Point• Fragmentation Length. This specifies the maximum size a data packetwill be before splitting and creating a new packet and should remain at itsdefault setting of 2,346. A smaller setting means smaller packets, whichwill create more packets for each transmission. If you have decreased thisvalue and experience high packet error rates, you can increase it again, butit will likely decrease overall network performance. Only minor modifica-tions of this value are recommended.• Data Beacon Rate. (5GHz/802.11a only) This value, between 1 and16384, indicates the interval of the Delivery Traffic Indication Message. AData Beacon Rate field is a countdown field informing clients of the nextwindow for listening to broadcast and multicast messages. When the AccessPoint has buffered broadcast or multicast messages for associated clients, itsends the next message with a rate value. Access Point Clients hear the bea-cons and awaken to receive the broadcast and multicast messages.25Instant Wireless™ SeriesWhen you’ve completed making any changes on this tab, click the Apply button tosave those changes or Cancel to exit the Web-based Utility without saving changes.To clear any of the information you’ve typed by not yet applied, click the Clear but-ton. For more information on this tab, you can click the Help button.Before making any changes to the Wireless tab, shown in Figure 6-12, please checkyour wireless settings on other systems, as these changes will alter the effectivenessof the Access Point. In most cases, these settings do not need to be changed.• Beacon Interval. This value indicates the frequency interval of the beacon. Abeacon is a packet broadcast by the Access Point to keep the network synchro-nized. A beacon includes the wireless LAN service area, the AP address, theBroadcast destination addresses, a time stamp, Delivery Traffic Indicator Maps,and the Traffic Indicator Message (TIM).• RTS Threshold. This value should remain at its default setting of 2,346. Shouldyou encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor modifications are recom-mended.24Figure 6-11The Wireless TabFigure 6-12
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointAppendix A: TroubleshootingThis chapter provides solutions to problems usually encountered during theinstallation and operation of the Access Point. Read the description below tosolve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys web-site at www.linksys.com.Can the Access Point act as my DHCP Server?No. The Access Point is nothing more than a wireless hub, and as such cannotbe configured to handle DHCP capabilities.Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless net-work?This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used overa network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports oper-ation over a network.Can I play multiplayer games with other users of the wireless network?Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area net-work). Refer to the game’s user guide for more information.What IEEE 802.11a features are supported?The product supports the following IEEE 802.11a functions: • OFDM protocol • Multi-Channel Roaming • Automatic Rate Selection • RTS/CTS feature • Fragmentation What IEEE 802.11b features are supported?The product supports the following IEEE 802.11 functions: • CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol • Multi-Channel Roaming • Automatic Rate Selection • RTS/CTS feature • Fragmentation • Power Management 27Frequently Asked QuestionsInstant Wireless™ Series• DTIM Interval. (2.4GHz/802.11b only) This value indicates the intervalof the Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM). A DTIM field is acountdown field informing clients of the next window for listening tobroadcast and multicast messages. When the Access Point has bufferedbroadcast or multicast messages for associated clients, it sends the nextDTIM with a DTIM Interval value. Access Point Clients hear the beaconsand awaken to receive the broadcast and multicast messages. • Transmission Rates. The basic transfer rates should be set depending onthe speed of your wireless network. You can select from a range of trans-mission speeds or select Best to have the Access Point automatically engagethe network’s optimum speed.• Preamble Type. (2.4GHz/802.11b only) The preamble defines the lengthof the CRC block for communication between the Access Point and a roam-ing Network Card. (High network traffic areas should use the shorter pre-amble type.) Select the appropriate preamble type and click the Apply but-ton to set it.• Authentication Type. You may choose between Open System or SharedKey. The Authentication Type default is set to Open System, in which thesender and the recipient do NOT share a secret key. Each party generatesits own key-pair and asks the receiver to accept the randomly-generated key.Once accepted, this key is used for a short time only. Then a new key isgenerated and agreed upon. Shared Key is when both the sender and therecipient share a secret key. When you’ve completed making any changes on this tab, click the Apply but-ton to save those changes or Cancel to exit the Web-based Utility without sav-ing changes. For more information on this tab, you can click the Help button.26
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointWhat is ESSID?An Infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability formobile workers. More than one BSS can be configured as an Extended ServiceSet (ESS). Users within an ESS could roam freely between BSSs while main-taining a continuous connection to the wireless network stations and AccessPoints.What is ISM band?The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidthfor unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band.Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made availableworldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenienthigh speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe. What is Spread Spectrum?Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique devel-oped by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communica-tions systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability,integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in thecase of narrowband transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that is, ineffect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver knows theparameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is nottuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like backgroundnoise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum(DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier thatchanges frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver.Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel. Toan unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise.Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern foreach bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code).The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data can berecovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmis-sion, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original datawithout the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appearsas low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowbandreceivers. 29Instant Wireless™ SeriesWhat is Ad-hoc?An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter,connected as an independent wireless LAN. An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is appli-cable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.What is Infrastructure?An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configura-tion. Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to a cen-tral database, or wireless application for mobile workers.What is Roaming?Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user to communicate continu-ously while moving freely throughout an area greater than that covered by asingle Access Point. Before using the roaming function, the workstation mustmake sure that it is the same channel number as the Access Point of the dedi-cated coverage area. To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless LAN must incorporate anumber of different functions. Each node and Access Point, for example, mustalways acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node must maintain contactwith the wireless network even when not actually transmitting data. Achievingthese functions simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technologythat links Access Points and nodes. In such a system, the user’s end node under-takes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates suchfactors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currentlybeing carried by each Access Point and the distance of each Access Point to thewired backbone. Based on that information, the node next selects the rightAccess Point and registers its address. Communications between end node andhost computer can then be transmitted up and down the backbone.As the user moves on, the end node’s RF transmitter regularly checks the sys-tem to determine whether it is in touch with the original Access Point orwhether it should seek a new one. When a node no longer receives acknowl-edgment from its original Access Point, it undertakes a new search. Upon find-ing a new Access Point, it then re-registers, and the communication processcontinues.What is BSS ID?A specific Ad-hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in aBSS must be configured with the same BSS ID.28
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointYou may also try using different channels, as this may eliminate interferenceaffecting only one channel. Also, due to FCC regulations, more power may betransmitted, using 802.11a, on channels 52, 56, 60 and 64, than on the lowerchannels. Lastly, check the Advanced tab of the Web-Based Utility and makesure that FULL is selected in the Transmission Rate field.Does the Turbo Mode work with Windows XP PCs?No. The Turbo Mode does not work with Windows XP PCs.Does the Access Point function as a firewall?No. The Access Point is only a bridge from wired Ethernet to wireless clients. I have excellent signal strength, but I cannot see my network.WEP is probably enabled on the Access Point, but not on your wireless adapter(or vice versa). Verify that the same WEP Keys and levels (64, 128 or 152) arebeing used on all nodes on your wireless network. What is the maximum number of users the Access Point facilitates?No more than 65, but this depends on the volume of data and may be less ifmany users create a large amount of network traffic. How many channels/frequencies are available with the Access Point?Using 802.11a, there are eight available frequencies, ranging from 5.15GHz to5.32GHz. Using 802.11b, there are eleven available channels, ranging from 1to 11. What is Turbo mode?Turbo mode allows high-speed connections, but severely limits range. Turbomode must be enabled on both the Access Point and the wireless PCs to func-tion. Turbo mode is not compatible with Windows XP and may only functionwith Linksys 5GHz wireless adapters.What is the difference in rangebetween 802.11a and 802.11bproducts?Overall, range will be a littleless in a typical environment,while higher speeds may beachieved with 802.11a, through-put degrades more quickly. (SeeFigure A-1.)31Instant Wireless™ SeriesWould the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as withDirect Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security fea-ture of scrambling. On the software side, the WLAN series offers the encryp-tion function (WEP) to enhance security and access control. Users can set it updepending upon their needs.Can Instant WirelessTM products support file and printer sharing?Instant WirelessTM products perform the same function as LAN products.Therefore, Instant WirelessTM products can work with Netware, WindowsNT/2000, or other LAN operating systems to support printer or file sharing.What is WEP?WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40-bitshared-key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard. What is a MAC Address?The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique number assigned by themanufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter,that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level. For all practical pur-poses, this number is usually permanent. Unlike IP addresses, which canchange every time a computer logs on to the network, the MAC address of adevice stays the same, making it a valuable identifier for the network.How do I avoid interference?Using multiple Access Points on the same channel and in close proximity toone another will generate interference. When employing multiple AccessPoints, be sure to operate each one on a different channel (frequency).How do I reset the Access Point?Press the Reset button on the back of the Access Point for about ten seconds.This will reset the unit to its default settings.How do I resolve issues with signal loss?There is no way to know the exact range of your wireless network without test-ing. Every obstacle placed between an Access Point and wireless PC will cre-ate signal loss. Leaded glass, metal, concrete floors, water and walls will inhib-it the signal and reduce range. Start with your Access Point and your wirelessPC in the same room and move it away in small increments to determine themaximum range in your environment. 30Figure A-1
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointThe following instructions are provided as examples for reference only. Forcomplete instructions on installing and troubleshooting TCP/IP and IPX, con-sult your Windows operating system documentation.1. Click the Start button, select Settings, and open the Control Panel. Insidethe Control Panel, double-click the Network icon.2. If the TCP/IP Protocol is listed for your network adapter, go to step five.Otherwise, click the Add button.3. When the Component Type window appears, select Protocol and click theAdd button.4. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturers list and choose TCP/IP in theNetwork Protocols list. Then, click the OK button.5. When the Network window reappears, click TCP/IP. Then, click theProperties button.6. Select Specify an IP Address. 7. Enter an IP Address for the computer, along with a Subnet Mask. Click theOK button. If you do not have these values, consult your network adminis-trator.8. When the Network window reappears, click the OK button. Restart yourmachine. TCP/IP has now been successfully installed.1. Click the Start button, select Settings, and open the Control Panel. Insidethe Control Panel, double-click the Network icon.2. If the TCP/IP Protocol is listed for your network adapter, go to step four.Otherwise, click the Add button.3. When the Component Type window appears, select Protocol and click theAdd button.4. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturers list and choose IPX/SPX protocolin the Network Protocols list. Then, click the OK button.33Instant Wireless™ SeriesAppendix B: Setting Up the TCP/IP andIPX ProtocolsBefore a computer can communicate with the Access Point, it must be config-ured with the TCP/IP protocol. If you know how to set up TCP/IP on your com-puters, do so now. Otherwise, use the guidelines below to help get TCP/IPinstalled on all of the computers that need to communicate with the AccessPoint. If you are unable to successfully install TCP/IP on one or more comput-ers after following the directions, contact the manufacturer of your computers'network operating system for further assistance. Check with your networkadministrator for your TCP/IP settings. The directions below provide general guidelines for coming up with IP address-es and subnet masks. Check with your network administrator to see if you needto use specific IP addresses or DHCP settings.First, each computer on the network will require an IP address, which is a seriesof numbers, separated by periods, identifying the PC on the network. To makethings simple, you should use the following numbering scheme: 192.168.1.X In this example, X is a unique, arbitrarily assigned number from 1 to 254. Eachcomputer must have its own unique X number. Note: Never use 0, 250 or 255for X. These numbers are reserved by TCP/IP for other uses. For example, if you have three computers, you could number them as follows: 192.168.1.17192.168.1.44192.168.1.126In this case, 17, 44, and 126 are arbitrary numbers between 1 and 254. Each computer will also require a subnet mask, which is a numerical “filter”that tells a computer what kinds of TCP/IP data packets to accept. If you’re notsure which mask to use, the following mask is recommended:255.255.255.0 32TCP/IP Setup for Windows 95, 98, and MillenniumIPX Setup for Windows 95, 98, and MillenniumSetting Up TCP/IP in Windows
Dual-Band Wireless Access Point2. When the Network window appears, click the Protocols tab. Then, clickthe Add button.3. Find the IPX/SPX protocol in the Select Network Protocol field. Click itonce and click the OK button.1. At the Windows 2000 desktop, right click My Network Places and selectProperties. Then, right click Local Area Connection. Choose Properties.2. If the TCP/IP Protocol is listed for your network adapter, go to step five.Otherwise, click the Install button.3. When the Component Type window appears, select Protocol, and click theAdd button.4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list and click the OK button.5. When the Local Area Connection Properties window reappears, selectTCP/IP, and click the Properties button.6. Select Use the following IP Address. 7. Enter an IP Address for the computer, along with a Subnet Mask andDefault Gateway. Then, click the OK button. If you do not have these val-ues, consult your network administrator.8. When the Local Area Connection Properties window reappears, click theOK button. TCP/IP has now been successfully installed.1. At the Windows 2000 desktop, right click My Network Places. Then rightclick Local Area Connection. Choose Properties.2. If the NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol is listedfor your network adapter, click the Cancel button. Otherwise, click theInstall button.3. When the Component Type window appears, select Protocol and click theInstall button.35Instant Wireless™ Series1. Click the Start button, select Settings, and open the Control Panel. Insidethe Control Panel, double-click the Network icon.2. When the Network window appears, click the Protocols tab. Then, clickthe Add button.3. Find the TCP/IP protocol in the Select Network Protocol field. Click itonce and then click the OK button.4. When asked if you want to use DHCP, choose No.5. If asked to supply your Windows NT CD, do so. NT will copy the neces-sary files to your system. You may have to switch between the AccessPoint’s Setup CD and the NT CD.6. When TCP/IP appears in the Network Protocols window, click theBindings tab. Windows will store your new bindings. 7. Click the Protocols tab. Then, select TCP/IP.8. Click the Properties button. Select the type of network adapter you havefrom the Adapters box and select Specify an IP Address. 9. Enter the computer’s IP Address and Subnet Mask. Check with your net-work administrator for your settings.10. Enter your Default Gateway if you have one.11. When you finish, click the OK button. If NT asks about WINS, ignore it. 12. When the Network window reappears, click the Close button. Restart yourcomputer when prompted. TCP/IP has now been successfully installed. 1. Click the Start button, select Settings, and open the Control Panel. Insidethe Control Panel, double-click the Network icon.34TCP/IP Setup for Windows 2000IPX Setup for Windows 2000TCP/IP Setup for Windows NT 4.0NNoottee::a Default Gateway is not required. Check with your network administrator.IPX Setup for Windows NT 4.0
Instant Wireless™ Series4. Select NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocolfrom the list and click the OK button. 5. When the Network window reappears, click the OK button. Restart yourcomputer. NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol hasnow been successfully installed.1. Click the Start button and open the Control Panel.2. Double click the Network and Internet Connections icon.3. Double click the Network Connections icon.4. Right click the Local Area Connection icon and select Properties.5. If the TCP/IP Protocol is listed for your network adapter, go to step five.Otherwise, click the Install button.6. When the Component Type window appears, select Protocol, and click theAdd button.7. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list and click the OK button.8. When the Local Area Connection Properties window reappears, selectTCP/IP, and click the Properties button.9. Select Use the following IP Address. 10. Enter an IP Address for the computer, along with a Subnet Mask andDefault Gateway. Then, click the OK button. If you do not have these val-ues, consult your network administrator.11. When the Local Area Connection Properties window reappears, click theOK button. TCP/IP has now been successfully installed..36Appendix C: GlossaryAdapter - Printed circuit board that plugs into a PC to add to capabilities orconnectivity to a PC. In a networked environment, a network interface card isthe typical adapter that allows the PC or server to connect to the intranet and/orInternet.Ad-hoc Network - An ad-hoc network is a wireless network or other small net-work in which some of the network devices are part of the network only for theduration of a communications session while in some close proximity to the restof the network.Backbone - The part of a network that connects most of the systems and net-works together and handles the most data.Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of a given facility, in terms of howmuch data the facility can transmit in a fixed amount of time; expressed in bitsper second (bps).Beacon Interval - A beacon is a packet broadcast by the Access Point to keepthe network synchronized. A beacon includes the wireless LAN service area,the AP address, the Broadcast destination addresses, a time stamp, DeliveryTraffic Indicator Maps, and the Traffic Indicator Message (TIM).Bit - A binary digit. The value - 0 or 1-used in the binary numbering system.Also, the smallest form of data.Browser - A browser is an application program that provides a way to look atand interact with all the information on the World Wide Web or PC. The word"browser" seems to have originated prior to the Web as a generic term for userinterfaces that let you browse text files online. BSS (Basic Service Set) - A group of wireless Network PC Card users and anAccess Point.Buffer - A buffer is a shared or assigned memory area used by hardwaredevices or program processes that operate at different speeds or with differentsets of priorities. The buffer allows each device or process to operate withoutbeing held up by the other. In order for a buffer to be effective, the size of thebuffer and the algorithms for moving data into and out of the buffer need to beDual-Band Wireless Access Point37TCP/IP Setup for Windows XP
quently. Using very short leases, DHCP can dynamically reconfigure networksin which there are more computers than there are available IP addresses. DHCP supports static addresses for computers containing Web servers thatneed a permanent IP address. Download - To receive a file transmitted over a network. In a communicationssession, download means receive, upload means transmit. Driver - A workstation or server software module that provides an interfacebetween a device and the upper-layer protocol software running in the comput-er; it is designed for a specific device, and is installed during the initial instal-lation of a network-compatible client or server operating system.DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum) - DSSS generates a redundant bitpattern for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chip-ping code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original datacan be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged duringtransmission, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the orig-inal data without -the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSSappears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most nar-rowband receivers. DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message) - A DTIM field is a countdownfield informing clients of the next window for listening to broadcast and mul-ticast messages. When the AP has buffered broadcast or multicast messages forassociated clients, it sends the next DTIM with a DTIM Interval value. APClients hear the beacons and awaken to receive the broadcast and multicastmessages.Dynamic IP Address - An IP address that is automatically assigned to a clientstation in a TCP/IP network, typically by a DHCP server. Network devices thatserve multiple users, such as servers and printers, are usually assigned static IPaddresses. Encryption - A security method that applies a specific algorithm to data inorder to alter the data's appearance and prevent other devices from reading theinformation. ESS - More than one BSS in a network.Dual-Band Wireless Access Point3938Instant WirelessTM Seriesconsidered by the buffer designer. Like a cache, a buffer is a "midpoint hold-ing place" but exists not so much to accelerate the speed of an activity as tosupport the coordination of separate activities. CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance) - In localarea networking, this is the CSMA technique that combines slotted time-divi-sion multiplexing with carrier sense multiple access/collision detection(CSMA/CD) to avoid having collisions occur a second time. This works best ifthe time allocated is short compared to packet length and if the number of sit-uations is small.CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) - The LANaccess method used in Ethernet. When a device wants to gain access to thenetwork, it checks to see if the network is quiet (senses the carrier). If it is not,it waits a random amount of time before retrying. If the network is quiet andtwo devices access the line at exactly the same time, their signals collide. Whenthe collision is detected, they both back off and each wait a random amount oftime before retrying. CTS (Clear To Send) - An RS-232 signal sent from the receiving station to thetransmitting station that indicates it is ready to accept data.Database - A database is a collection of data that is organized so that its con-tents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A protocol that lets networkadministrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of InternetProtocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network. Using the Internet's set ofprotocol (TCP/IP), each machine that can connect to the Internet needs aunique IP address. When an organization sets up its computer users with a con-nection to the Internet, an IP address must be assigned to each machine.Without DHCP, the IP address must be entered manually at each computer and,if computers move to another location in another part of the network, a new IPaddress must be entered. DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and dis-tribute IP addresses from a central point and automatically sends a new IPaddress when a computer is plugged into a different place in the network. DHCP uses the concept of a "lease" or amount of time that a given IP addresswill be valid for a computer. The lease time can vary depending on how long auser is likely to require the Internet connection at a particular location. It's espe-cially useful in education and other environments where users change fre-
The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national andinternational standards. The organization publishes a number of journals, hasmany local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as theIEEE Computer Society.Infrastructure - An infrastructure network is a wireless network or other smallnetwork in which the wireless network devices are made a part of the networkthrough the Access Point which connects them to the rest of the network.IP Address - In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol(Internet Protocol) today, an IP address is a 32-binary digit number that identi-fies each sender or receiver of information that is sent in packet across theInternet. When you request an HTML page or send e-mail, the InternetProtocol part of TCP/IP includes your IP address in the message (actually, ineach of the packets if more than one is required) and sends it to the IP addressthat is obtained by looking up the domain name in the Uniform ResourceLocator you requested or in the e-mail address you're sending a note to. At theother end, the recipient can see the IP address of the Web page requestor or thee-mail sender and can respond by sending another message using the IP addressit received. ISM band - The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set asidebandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical)band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made avail-able worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place con-venient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.LAN - A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associateddevices that share a common communications line and typically share theresources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (forexample, within an office building). MAC (Media Access Control) Address - A unique number assigned by themanufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter,that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level.Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - One million bits per second; unit of measure-ment for data transmission.Multicasting - Sending data to a group of nodes instead of a single destination.Dual-Band Wireless Access Point41Instant WirelessTM Series40Ethernet - IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placedon and retrieved from a common transmission medium. Has a transfer rate of10 Mbps. Forms the underlying transport vehicle used by several upper-levelprotocols, including TCP/IP and XNS.FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) - FHSS continuously changesthe center frequency of a conventional carrier several times per second accord-ing to a pseudo-random set of channels, while chirp spread spectrum changesthe carrier frequency. Because a fixed frequency is not used, illegal monitoringof spread spectrum signals is extremely difficult, if not downright impossibledepending on the particular method.Firmware - Programming that is inserted into programmable read-only mem-ory (programmable read-only memory), thus becoming a permanent part of acomputing device. Fragmentation - Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting overa network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet. Gateway - A device that interconnects networks with different, incompatiblecommunications protocols. Hardware - Hardware is the physical aspect of computers, telecommunica-tions, and other information technology devices. The term arose as a way to dis-tinguish the "box" and the electronic circuitry and components of a computerfrom the program you put in it to make it do things. The program came to beknown as the software.Hub - The device that serves as the central location for attaching wires fromworkstations. Can be passive, where there is no amplification of the signals; oractive, where the hubs are used like repeaters to provide an extension of thecable that connects to a workstation.IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - The IEEEdescribes itself as "the world's largest technical professional society, promotingthe development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences forthe benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well-beingof our members."
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointServer - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user accessto files, printing, communications, and other services. Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performsa particular task is called a "program." The two major categories of software are"system software" and "application software." System software is made up ofcontrol programs such as the operating system and database management sys-tem (DBMS). Application software is any program that processes data for theuser.A common misconception is that software is data. It is not. Software tells thehardware how to process the data.SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) - Market segment of professionals whowork at home or in small offices.Spread Spectrum - Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequen-cy technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-crit-ical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiencyfor reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is con-sumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade off producesa signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that thereceiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast.If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal lookslike background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct SequenceSpread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).Static IP Address - A permanent IP address that is assigned to a node in an IPor a TCP/IP network. Subnet Mask - The method used for splitting IP networks into a series of sub-groups, or subnets. The mask is a binary pattern that is matched up with the IPaddress to turn part of the host ID address field into a field for subnets. Switch - 1. A data switch connects computing devices to host computers,allowing a large number of devices to share a limited number of ports. 2. Adevice for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical cir-cuit.TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - A method (protocol) used along withthe Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol) to send data in the form of messageunits between computers over the Internet. While IP takes care of handling the43Instant Wireless™ SeriesNetwork - A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or databetween users. Node - A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or workstation.OFDM - OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Muliplexing) works bybreaking one high-speed data stream into a number of lower-speed datastreams, which are then transmitted in parallel. Each lower speed stream is usedto modulate a subcarrier. Essentially, this creates a multi-carrier transmissionby dividing a wide frequency band or channel into a number of narrower fre-quency bands or sub-channels.Packet - A unit of data routed between an origin and a destination in a network.Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEPencryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys forLinksys products.PC Card - A credit-card sized removable module that contains memory, I/O,or a hard disk. Port - A pathway into and out of the computer or a network device such as aswitch or router. For example, the serial and parallel ports on a personal com-puter are external sockets for plugging in communications lines, modems andprinters. RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45) - A connector similar to a telephone connector thatholds up to eight wires, used for connecting Ethernet devices.Roaming - The ability to use a wireless device and be able to move from oneaccess point's range to another without losing the connection.Router - Protocol-dependent device that connects subnetworks together.Routers are useful in breaking down a very large network into smaller subnet-works; they introduce longer delays and typically have much lower throughputrates than bridges. RTS (Request To Send) - An RS-232 signal sent from the transmitting stationto the receiving station requesting permission to transmit. 42
Dual-Band Wireless Access PointAppendix D: SpecificationsStandardsIEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.11a and 802.11bChannels 802.11a 8 Channels (US, Canada)802.11b 11 Channels (US, Canada)13 Channels (Europe)14 Channels (Japan)Ports/Buttons One 10/100 RJ-45 Port, One Power Port,One Reset Button, One Power SwitchCabling Type UTP CAT 5 or betterData RateUp to 54Mbps Transmit Power802.11a10dBm802.11b15dBmLEDsPower, Diag802.11a: Act, Link802.11b: Act, LinkLAN: Link/Act, Full/Col, 10045Instant Wireless™ Seriesactual delivery of the data, TCP takes care of keeping track of the individualunits of data (called packet) that a message is divided into for efficient routingthrough the Internet. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - The basic com-munication language or protocol of the Internet. It can also be used as a com-munications protocol in a private network (either an intranet or an extranet).When you are set up with direct access to the Internet, your computer is pro-vided with a copy of the TCP/IP program just as every other computer that youmay send messages to or get information from also has a copy of TCP/IP.Throughput - The amount of data moved successfully from one place to anoth-er in a given time period.Topology - A network's topology is a logical characterization of how thedevices on the network are connected and the distances between them. Themost common network devices include hubs, switches, routers, and gateways.Most large networks contain several levels of interconnection, the most impor-tant of which include edge connections, backbone connections, and wide-areaconnections.Upgrade - To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version. Upload - To transmit a file over a network. In a communications session,upload means transmit, download means receive. UTP - Unshielded twisted pair is the most common kind of copper telephonewiring. Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and manybusiness computers to the telephone company. To reduce crosstalk or electro-magnetic induction between pairs of wires, two insulated copper wires aretwisted around each other. Each signal on twisted pair requires both wires.Since some telephone sets or desktop locations require multiple connections,twisted pair is sometimes installed in two or more pairs, all within a singlecable. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - A data privacy mechanism based on a 64-bit, 128-bit, or 256-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11standard. 44
Dual-Band Wireless Access Point47Appendix E: Warranty InformationBE SURE TO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODEFROM THE PRODUCT’S PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN CALLING.RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OFPURCHASE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICEPAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCI-DENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THEUSE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITSDOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANYPRODUCT. LINKSYS OFFERS CROSS SHIPMENTS, A FASTER PROCESS FOR PRO-CESSING AND RECEIVING YOUR REPLACEMENT. LINKSYS PAYSFOR UPS GROUND ONLY. ALL CUSTOMERS LOCATED OUTSIDE OFTHE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA SHALL BE HELDRESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES. PLEASECALL LINKSYS FOR MORE DETAILS.Dimensions7.31" x 1.88" x 6.88" (186 mm x 48 mm x 175 mm)Antenna Height4.5" (114 mm)Unit Weight15 oz. (0.42 kg)PowerExternal, 5V DC, 2.5ACertificationsFCC, CanadaOperating Temp.0ºC to 40ºC (32ºF to 104ºF) For Indoor Use OnlyStorage Temp.-20ºC to 70ºC (-4ºF to 158ºF) Operating Humidity10% to 85% Non-CondensingStorage Humidity5% to 90% Non-CondensingEnvironmentalInstant WirelessTM Series46
Appendix F: Contact InformationFor help with the installation or operation of this product, contact LinksysTechnical Support at one of the phone numbers or Internet addresses below.Sales Information 800-546-5797 (LINKSYS)Technical Support 800-326-7114RMA Issues 949-261-1288Fax 949-261-8868Email support@linksys.comWeb http://www.linksys.comFTP Site ftp.linksys.comInstant WirelessTM Series48
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