LINKSYS WAP200E Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with POE User Manual WAP200E User Guide

LINKSYS LLC Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with POE WAP200E User Guide

Manual Part 3

Chapter 6 Advanced Configuration
23
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Subnet Mask This shows the Access Point’s Subnet
Mask.
To update the status information, click the Refresh
button. Help information is available on the right side of
the screen.
Status > Wireless
The Wireless screen displays the Access Point’s current
status information for the wireless network(s).
Status > Wireless
Wireless Network
Mode The Access Point’s wireless network mode is
displayed here.
SSID 1-4 MAC Address The MAC Addresses of the Access
Point’s wireless interfaces are displayed here.
SSID 1-4 The Access Point’s SSIDs that have been
configured are displayed here.
Channel The Access Point’s Channel setting for the SSID
is shown here.
VLAN Trunk The VLAN Trunk Status is displayed here.
Priority Setting The priority setting status is displayed
here.
To update the status information, click the Refresh
button. Help information is available on the right side of
the screen.
Status > System Performance
The System Performance screen displays the Access
Point’s status information for its current settings and data
transmissions.
Status > System Performance
System Performance
Wired
Name This indicates that the statistics are for the wired
network, the LAN.
IP Address The Access Point’s local IP address is displayed
here.
MAC Address This shows the MAC Address of the Access
Point’s wired interface.
Connection This shows the status of the Access Point’s
connection for the wired network.
Packets Received This shows the number of packets
received.
Packets Sent This shows the number of packets sent.
Bytes Received This shows the number of bytes
received.
Bytes Sent This shows the number of bytes sent.
Error Packets Received This shows the number of error
packets received.
Drop Received Packets This shows the number of
packets being dropped after they were received.
Chapter 6 Advanced Configuration
24
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Wireless
Name This indicates the wireless network/SSID to which
the statistics refer.
IP Address The Access Point’s local IP address is displayed
here.
MAC Address This shows the MAC Address of the Access
Point’s wireless interface.
Connection This shows the status of the Access Point’s
wireless networks.
Packets Received This shows the number of packets
received for each wireless network.
Packets Sent This shows the number of packets sent for
each wireless network.
Bytes Received This shows the number of bytes received
for each wireless network.
Bytes Sent This shows the number of bytes sent for each
wireless network.
Error Packets Received This shows the number of error
packets received for each wireless network.
Drop Received Packets This shows the number of
packets being dropped after they were received.
Reset Counter Press this button to reset packet statistic
counters to zeros.
To update the status information, click the Refresh
button. Help information is available on the right side of
the screen.
25
Introduction
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Appendix A
Appendix A:
Troubleshooting
This appendix provides solutions to problems that
may occur during the installation and operation of the
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with Power Over Ethernet.
Read the description below to solve your problems. If you
can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys website 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 cannot be configured to handle DHCP
capabilities.
Can I run an application from a remote computer over
the wireless network?
This will depend on whether or not the application
is designed to be used over a network. Consult the
application’s documentation to determine if it supports
operation 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 network). Refer to the game’s
documentation for more information.
What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?
It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The
802.11b standard allows wireless networking hardware
from different manufacturers to communicate, provided
that the hardware complies with the 802.11b standard.
The 802.11b standard states a maximum data transfer rate
of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
What is the IEEE 802.11g standard?
It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The
802.11g standard allows wireless networking hardware
from different manufacturers to communicate, provided
that the hardware complies with the 802.11g standard.
The 802.11g standard states a maximum data transfer rate
of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
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
What IEEE 802.11g features are supported?
The product supports the following IEEE 802.11g
functions:
CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol
OFDM protocol
Multi-Channel Roaming
Automatic Rate Selection
RTS/CTS feature
Fragmentation
Power Management
What 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 applicable at a
departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
What is Infrastructure?
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an
Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is applicable to
enterprise scale for wireless access to a central database,
or wireless application for mobile workers.
What is roaming?
Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user
to communicate continuously while moving freely
throughout an area greater than that covered by a single
Access Point. Before using the roaming function, the
workstation must make sure that it is set to the same
channel number as the Access Point of the dedicated
coverage area.
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26
Introduction
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Appendix A
To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless
LAN must incorporate a number of different functions.
Each node and Access Point, for example, must always
acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node must
maintain contact with the wireless network even when
not actually transmitting data. Achieving these functions
simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking
technology that links Access Points and nodes. In such
a system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for
the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates
such factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the
message load currently being carried by each Access
Point and the distance of each Access Point to the wired
backbone. Based on that information, the node next
selects the right Access Point and registers its address.
Communications between end node and host computer
can then be transmitted up and down the backbone.
As the user moves on, the end node’s RF transmitter
regularly checks the system to determine whether it
is in touch with the original Access Point or whether
it should seek a new one. When a node no longer
receives acknowledgment from its original Access Point,
it undertakes a new search. Upon finding a new Access
Point, it then re-registers, and the communication process
continues.
What is the ISM band?
The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set
aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial,
Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of
2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available worldwide.
This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place
convenient high speed wireless capabilities in the hands
of users around the globe.
What is Spread Spectrum?
Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio
frequency technique developed by the military for use
in reliable, secure, mission-critical communications
systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency
for reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more
bandwidth is consumed than in the case of narrowband
transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that
is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided
that the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-
spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned
to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks
like background noise. 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 that changes frequency in a pattern
that is known to both transmitter and receiver. Properly
synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical
channel. To an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be
short-duration impulse noise. Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern for
each 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 be recovered.
Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during
transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the
radio can recover the original data without the need for
retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appears
as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by
most narrowband receivers.
Would the information be intercepted while transmitting
on air?
WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the
hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
technology, it has the inherent security feature of
scrambling. On the software side, the WLAN series offers
a variety of wireless security methods to enhance security
and access control. Users can set it up depending upon
their needs.
Can Linksys wireless products support file and printer
sharing?
Linksys wireless products perform the same function as
LAN products. Therefore, Linksys wireless products can
work with NetWare, Windows NT/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-bit shared-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 the manufacturer to any Ethernet
networking device, such as a network adapter, that allows
the network to identify it at the hardware level. For all
practical purposes, this number is usually permanent.
Unlike IP addresses, which can change every time a
computer logs on to the network, the MAC address of a
device stays the same, making it a valuable identifier for
the network.
27
Introduction
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Appendix A
How do I avoid interference?
Using multiple Access Points on the same channel and in
close proximity to one another will generate interference.
When employing multiple Access Points, make 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 testing. Every obstacle placed between
an Access Point and wireless PC will create signal loss.
Leaded glass, metal, concrete floors, water, and walls will
inhibit the signal and reduce range. Start with your Access
Point and your wireless PC in the same room and move
it away in small increments to determine the maximum
range in your environment.
You may also try using different channels, as this may
eliminate interference affecting only one channel. Also,
open the Access Point’s Web-based Utility. Click the
Wireless tab and then the Advanced Wireless tab. Make
sure the Output Power is set to 100%.
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.
Wireless security, such as WEP or WPA, is probably enabled
on the Access Point, but not on your wireless adapter (or
vice versa). Verify that the same wireless security settings
are being used on all devices in your wireless network.
What is the maximum number of users the Access Point
can handle?
No more than 65, but this depends on the volume of data
and may be fewer if many users create a large amount of
network traffic.
WEB: If your questions are not addressed here,
refer to the Linksys website, www.linksys.com

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