LINKSYS WAP54GX Wireless-G Access Point with SRX User Manual Book

LINKSYS LLC Wireless-G Access Point with SRX Book

Contents

Users Manual 2

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Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Using the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
9. The Basic Settings screen will appear next. Enter a descriptive name in the Device Name field. Create a
password that will control access to the Access Point’s Web-based Utility and Setup Wizard.
If your network router will automatically assign an IP address to the Access Point, then select Automatic-
DHCP.
If you want to assign a static or fixed IP address to the Access Point, then select Static IP. Enter the IP
Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway settings. If you are not sure what changes you should make, then
keep the default values.
Then, click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous page.
Device Name - Enter a descriptive name for the Access Point.
Password - Enter a password that will control access to the Utility and Setup Wizard.
IP Address - This IP address must be unique to your network. (The default IP address is 192.168.1.245.)
Subnet Mask - The Access Point's Subnet Mask must be the same as the subnet mask of your Ethernet
network.
Default Gateway - Enter the IP address of your network gateway (usually your router).
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 5-8: Basic Settings Screen
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Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Using the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Configuring the Access Point’s Wireless Settings
1. The Setup Wizard will ask you to enter the SSID, Channel, and Network Mode settings for your wireless
network.
SSID - Enter the name of your wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the network.
The default setting is linksys (all lowercase).
Channel - Select the operating channel for your wireless network. All of your wireless devices will use this
channel to communicate.
Network Mode - Select the wireless standards running on your network. If you have both 802.11g and
802.11b devices in your network, keep the default setting, Mixed Mode. If you have only 802.11g devices,
select G-Only. If you have only 802.11b devices, select B-Only. If you want to disable your wireless network,
select Disable.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 5-9: Wireless Settings Screen
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Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Using the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
2. Select the level of security you want to use: WEP or WPA/WPA2 Personal. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent
Privacy, and WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. Click the Next button and proceed to step 3. If you do not
want to use any wireless security method, select Disabled and then click the Next button. Proceed to step 4..
If you want to use WPA-Enterprise, it is available through the Access Point’s Web-based Utility. Select
Disabled. Click the Next button and proceed to step 4. After you complete the Setup Wizard, refer to the
Wireless Security tab in “Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX.”
3. Proceed to the appropriate section for your security method.
WEP
WEP (64-Bit)
To use 64-bit WEP encryption, select WEP (64-bit). Then enter a passphrase or WEP key.
Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. The
passphrase is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. It must match the
passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If
you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)
WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption,
enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
WEP (128-Bit)
To use 128-bit WEP encryption, select WEP (128-bit). Then enter a passphrase or WEP key.
Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. The
passphrase is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. It must match the
passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If
you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)
WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 128-bit encryption,
enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 5-11: WEP Settings Screen
Figure 5-10: Security Settings Screen
wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of
encrypting network data transmitted on a
wireless network for greater security.
encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network.
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Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Using the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
WPA/WPA2 Personal
WPA Personal
To use WPA Personal security, select WPA Personal from the Security drop-down menu. WPA Personal offers
two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for encryption.
Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-32 characters in length.
Encryption - Select TKIP or AES from the Encryption drop-down menu.
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-32 characters in the Passphrase field.
The longer and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure your network will be.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
WPA2 Personal
To use WPA2 Personal security, select WPA2 Personal from the Security drop-down menu. WPA2 Personal
uses AES encryption with dynamic keys. Enter a Passphrase that is 8-32 characters in length.
Encryption - The default for WPA2 Personal, AES, is automatically selected.
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-32 characters in the Passphrase field.
The longer and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure your network will be.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 5-12: WPA Personal Settings Screen
Figure 5-13: WPA2 Personal Settings Screen
wpa (wi-fi protected access: a wireless security
protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)
encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a
RADIUS server.
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Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Using the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
WPA2 Mixed Mode
To use WPA2 Mixed Mode security, select WPA2 Mixed Mode from the Security drop-down menu. WPA2
Mixed Mode uses TKIP and AES for encryption. Enter a Passphrase that is 8-32 characters in length.
Encryption - The default for WPA2 Personal, TKIP +AES, is automatically selected.
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-32 characters in the Passphrase field.
The longer and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure your network will be.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 5-14: WPA2 Mixed Mode Settings Screen
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Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Using the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
4. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it saves them. Click the Yes button if you are
satisfied with your settings, or click the No button if you do not want to save your new settings.
5. The Congratulations screen will appear. Click the Online Registration button to register the Access Point, or
click the Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.
Congratulations! The installation of the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX is complete.
If you want to make advanced configuration changes, proceed to “Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G
Access Point with SRX.”
Figure 5-15: Confirm New Settings Screen
Figure 5-16: Congratulations Screen
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Overview
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with
SRX
Overview
The Access Point has been designed to be functional right out of the box, with the default settings in the Setup
Wizard. However, if you'd like to change these settings, the Access Point can be configured through your web
browser with the Web-based Utility. This chapter explains how to use the Utility.
The Utility can be accessed via Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator through use of a computer that
is networked with the Access Point.
For a basic network setup, most users only have to use the following screens of the Utility:
• Setup
On the Network Setup screen, enter your basic network settings here.
• Management
Click the Administration tab and then select the Management screen. The Access Point’s default password
is admin. To secure the Access Point, change the AP’s Password from its default.
Navigating the Utility
There are four main tabs: Setup, Wireless, Administration, and Status. Additional screens will be available from
most of the main tabs.
Setup
Enter the network and AP mode settings for the Access Point.
•Network Setup. Enter the settings for the Access Point and your Internet connection on this screen.
•AP Mode. Set up how the Access Point will work with other access points in your network.
HAVE YOU: Enabled TCP/IP on your PCs? PCs
communicate over the network with this
protocol. Refer to “Appendix D: Windows Help”
for more information on TCP/IP.
NOTE: The Access Point is designed to
function properly after using the Setup Wizard.
This chapter is provided solely for those who
wish to perform more advanced configuration
or monitoring.
browser: an application that provides a way to
look at and interact with all the information on the
World Wide Web.
tcp/ip: a set of instructions PCs use to
communicate over a network.
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Navigating the Utility
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Wireless
You will use the Wireless tabs to enter a variety of wireless settings for the Access Point.
•Basic Wireless Settings. Enter the network mode, SSID, and other basic settings on this screen.
•Wireless Security. Use this screen to configure the Access Point’s wireless security settings.
•Wireless MAC Filter. From this screen, you can allow access to your wireless network by MAC address.
•Advanced Wireless Settings. Configure the Access Point’s more advanced wireless settings.
Administration
You will use the Administration tabs to manage the Access Point.
•Management. This screen allows you to customize the password settings, as well as back up or restore the
Access Point’s configuration file.
•Log. Configure the Log settings for the Access Point on this screen.
•Factory Defaults. Use this screen to reset the Access Point to its factory default settings.
•Firmware Upgrade. Upgrade the Access Point’s firmware on this screen.
Status
You will be able to view status information for your local and wireless network.
•Local Network. This screen will display current information on the Access Point and its local network.
•Wireless Network. This screen will display current information on the Access Point and its wireless network.
firmware: the programming code that runs a
networking device.
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Accessing the Utility
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Accessing the Utility
To access the Web-based Utility of the Access Point, launch Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. In the
Address field, enter the Access Point’s default IP address, 192.168.1.245, or the IP address you entered during
the Setup Wizard. (Should you need to learn what IP address the Access Point presently uses, run the Setup
Wizard again. It will scan the Access Point and give you its IP address.) Press the Enter key.
The login screen will appear. Enter admin in the User Name field. The first time you open the Web-based Utility,
use the default password, admin. (You can set a new password from the Administration - Management tab.) Then
click the OK button.
The Setup - Network Setup Tab
The first screen that appears is the Network Setup screen. This allows you to change the Access Point's general
settings.
Network Setup
Device Name
You may assign any Device Name to the Access Point. Unique, memorable names are helpful, especially if you
are employing multiple access points on the same network.
Configuration Type
Select Automatic Configuration - DHCP if your network router will assign an IP address to the Access Point.
The Access Point’s IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway address are displayed here.
Figure 6-1: Login Screen
Figure 6-2: Setup - Automatic Configuration -
DHCP Screen
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Setup - Network Setup Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Select Static IP if you want to assign a static or fixed IP address to the Access Point. Then complete the
following:
IP Address. The IP address must be unique to your network. We suggest you use the default IP address of
192.168.1.245.
Subnet Mask. The Subnet Mask must be the same as that set on your Ethernet network.
Default Gateway. Enter the IP address of your network’s gateway. The gateway is the device that enables
communication between your computers and the Internet. In most cases, your router acts as your gateway.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
Figure 6-3: Setup - Static IP Screen
static ip address: a fixed address assigned to a computer or
device that is connected to a network.
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings Tab
Change the wireless network settings on this screen.
Basic Wireless Settings
Configure the Access Point using the available settings.
Mode. Select Mixed and both Wireless-G and Wireless-B computers will be allowed on the network, but the
speed will be reduced. Select G-Only for maximum speed with Wireless-G products only. The final selection,
B-Only, allows only Wireless-B products on the network. To disable wireless performance, select Disabled.
Network Name (SSID). Enter the name of the Access Point’s wireless network.
Channel. Select the appropriate channel from the list provided; this will be the channel that all of your wireless
devices will use.
SSID Broadcast. This feature allows the SSID to be broadcast by the Access Point. You may want to enable this
function while configuring your network, but make sure that you disable it when you are finished. With this
enabled, someone could easily obtain the SSID information with site survey software and gain unauthorized
access to your main network. Click Enabled to broadcast the SSID to all wireless devices in range. Click
Disabled to increase network security and block the SSID from being seen on networked PCs.
Figure 6-4: Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings Screen
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Wireless Security Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Wireless Security Tab
Change the Access Point’s wireless security settings on this screen.
Wireless Security
Security Mode. Select the security method you want to use, WPA-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Mixed,
WPA-Enterprise, RADIUS, or WEP. (WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access, which is a security standard stronger
than WEP encryption. WPA2 is a stronger version of WPA. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, while RADIUS
stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service.) Refer to the appropriate instructions below. For detailed
instructions on configuring wireless security for the Access Point, turn to “Appendix B: Wireless Security.” To
disable such security, select Disabled.
WPA-Personal
Encryption. WPA offers you two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select the
type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES.
Passphrase. Enter a Passphrase (also called a WPA Shared Key) of 8-32 characters.
Key Renewal. Enter a Key Renewal timeout period, which instructs the Access Point how often it should change
the encryption keys.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
WPA2-Personal
Encryption. AES is automatically selected as the encryption method.
Passphrase. Enter a Passphrase (also called a WPA Shared Key) of 8-32 characters.
Key Renewal. Enter a Key Renewal timeout period, which instructs the Access Point how often it should change
the encryption keys.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network.
Figure 6-5: Wireless - Wireless Security
(WPA-Personal) Screen
Figure 6-6: Wireless Security - WPA2-Personal Screen
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Wireless Security Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
WPA2-Mixed
Encryption. TKIP + AES is automatically selected so both methods can be used.
Passphrase. Enter a Passphrase (also called a WPA Shared Key) of 8-32 characters.
Key Renewal. Enter a Key Renewal timeout period, which instructs the Access Point how often it should change
the encryption keys.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
WPA-Enterprise
This option features WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS
server is connected to the Access Point.)
Encryption. WPA offers you two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select the
type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES.
RADIUS Server. Enter the RADIUS server’s IP address.
RADIUS Port. Enter the port number used by the RADIUS server.
Shared Secret. Enter the Shared Secret key used by the Access Point and RADIUS server.
Key Renewal. Enter a Key Renewal timeout period, which instructs the Access Point how often it should change
the encryption keys.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
Figure 6-8: Wireless Security - WPA-Enterprise Screen
Figure 6-7: Wireless Security - WPA2-Mixed Screen
radius: a protocol that uses an authentication server to
control network access.
server: any computer whose function in a network is to
provide user access to files, printing, communications, and
other services.
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Wireless Security Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
RADIUS
This option features WEP used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS
server is connected to the Access Point.)
RADIUS Server. Enter the RADIUS server’s IP address.
RADIUS Port. Enter the port number used by the RADIUS server.
Shared Secret. Enter the Shared Secret key used by the Access Point and RADIUS server.
Encryption. Select a level of WEP encryption, 40/64 bits (10 hex digits) or 104/128 bits (26 hex digits).
Passphrase. To generate WEP keys using a Passphrase, enter the Passphrase and click the Generate key.
Key 1-4. If you want to manually enter WEP keys, then complete the fields provided. Each WEP key can consist of
the letters “A” through “F” and the numbers “0” through “9”. It should be 10 characters in length for 64-bit
encryption or 26 characters in length for 128-bit encryption.
TX Key. Select which Key to use for data transmissions.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
WEP
Encryption. Select a level of WEP encryption, 40/64 bits (10 hex digits) or 104/128 bits (26 hex digits).
Passphrase. To generate WEP keys using a Passphrase, enter the Passphrase and click the Generate key.
Key 1-4. If you want to manually enter WEP keys, then complete the fields provided. Each WEP key can consist of
the letters “A” through “F” and the numbers “0” through “9”. It should be 10 characters in length for 64-bit
encryption or 26 characters in length for 128-bit encryption.
TX Key. Select which Key to use for data transmissions.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
Figure 6-9: Wireless Security - RADIUS Screen
Figure 6-10: Wireless Security - WEP Screen
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Wireless MAC Filter Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Wireless MAC Filter Tab
This screen allows you to permit or block wireless access for computers with specific MAC addresses.
Wireless MAC Filter
Access Restriction
If you want to allow access to your wireless network, select Enable. Then, click Permit PCs listed below to
access the wireless network.
MAC 1-50. Enter the MAC addresses of the computers whose access you want to allow. To see a list of MAC
addresses for wireless computers or clients, click the Wireless Client Table button.
The Wireless Client List screen will list MAC addresses for your wireless devices. Click the Refresh button to get
the most up-to-date information. To add a specific computer to the Mac Address Filter List, click the Save to
MAC Filter button and then the Add button. Click the Close button to return to the Wireless MAC Address Filter
screen.
Click the Clear button if you want to delete a MAC addresses you have entered.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
Figure 6-11: Wireless - Wireless MAC Filter Screen
mac address: the unique address that a manufacturer
assigns to each networking device.
Figure 6-12: Wireless - Wireless Client Table
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Advanced Wireless Settings Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Advanced Wireless Settings Tab
This screen allows you to configure the advanced settings for the Access Point. In most cases, these settings do
not need to be changed.
Advanced Wireless
You can change the data transmission and output power settings for the Access Point.
Authentication Type. Select the authentication method you want the Access Point to use, Shared Key, Open
System, or Auto. Shared Key is when both the sender and the recipient share a WEP key for authentication.
Open System is when the sender and the recipient do not share a WEP key for authentication. All devices on your
network must use the same authentication type. In most cases, keep the default, Open System, otherwise use
Auto.
CTS Protection Mode. The CTS (Clear-To-Send) Protection Mode function boosts the Access Point’s ability to
catch all Wireless-G transmissions but will severely decrease performance. Select Enable if you want to
permanently enable this feature, or keep the default, Disable, if you want to permanently disable this feature. In
most cases, CTS Protection Mode should remain disabled, unless the Wireless-G products are experiencing
severe problems trying to transmit to the Access Point in an environment with heavy 802.11b traffic.
ACK Mode. This setting prioritizes QoS for users who also have ACK Mode enabled. Users with Immediate ACK
(the default setting) will experience reliable connectivity for normal network use. Burst ACK is faster but less
reliable and may also affect long-range wireless performance. The No ACK setting disables the ACK feature.
Clients utilizing ACK must have their wireless adapter on the same setting as the Router. This is normally used in
a multicast broadcast like video. Do not use this unless you are an advanced user.
Transmission Rates. The range is from 1 to 108Mbps. The rate of data transmission should be set depending on
the speed of your wireless network. You can select from a range of transmission speeds, or you can keep the
default setting, Auto (Default), to have the Access Point automatically use the fastest possible data rate and
enable the Auto-Fallback feature. Auto-Fallback will negotiate the best possible connection speed between the
Access Point and a wireless client.
Preamble Type. The preamble defines the length of the CRC block for communication between the Access Point
and the roaming Network Card. (High network traffic areas should use the shorter preamble type.) Select the
appropriate preamble type, Long Preamble (default) or Short Preamble.
Network Density. This setting is a reflection of the Access Point’s range. Setting the density to Low provides you
with a greater range. Setting the density to High gives you a lower range. The default setting is Low.
Figure 6-13: Wireless - Advanced Wireless
Settings Screen
cts (clear-to-send): a signal sent by a wireless device,
signifying that it is ready to receive data.
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Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
The Wireless - Advanced Wireless Settings Tab
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Beacon Interval. This value indicates the frequency interval of the beacon. A beacon is a packet broadcast by
the Access Point to keep the network synchronized. A beacon includes the wireless networks service area, the
Access Point address, the Broadcast destination addresses, a time stamp, Delivery Traffic Indicator Maps, and
the Traffic Indicator Message (TIM).
DTIM Interval. This value indicates how often the Access Point sends out a Delivery Traffic Indication Message
(DTIM). Lower settings result in more efficient networking, while preventing your PC from dropping into power-
saving sleep mode. Higher settings allow your PC to enter sleep mode, thus saving power, but interferes with
wireless transmissions.
Fragmentation Threshold. This specifies the maximum size a data packet can be before splitting and creating
a new packet. It should remain at its default setting of 2346. A smaller setting means smaller packets, which will
create more packets for each transmission. If you have decreased this value and experience high packet error
rates, you can increase it again, but it will likely decrease overall network performance. Only minor modifications
of this value are recommended.
RTS Threshold. This setting determines how large a packet can be before the Access Point coordinates
transmission and reception to ensure efficient communication. This value should remain at its default setting of
2347. Should you encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor modifications are recommended.
Change these settings as described here and click Save Settings to apply your changes, or click Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Click Help for more information.
fragmentation: breaking a packet into smaller units
when transmitting over a network.
rts (request to send): a networking method of coordinating
large packets through the RTS Threshold setting.
beacon internal: data transmitted on your wireless network
that keeps the network synchronized.
packet: a unit of data sent over a network.
dtim (delivery traffic indication message): a message
included in data packets that can increase wireless
efficiency.

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