NETGEAR WAG102NA manual Chapter Introduction

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter describes some of the key features of the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG102. It also includes the minimum prerequisites for installation (“System Requirements” on page 1-5.), package contents (“What’s In the Box?” on page 1-6) and a description of the front and back panels of the WAG102 (“Hardware Description” on page 1-7).

About the ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG102

The ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG102 is the basic building block of a wireless LAN infrastructure. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio- equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices.

The WAG102 provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed range or area of coverage—interacting with a wireless network interface card (NIC) via an antenna. Typically, an individual in-building access point provides a maximum connectivity area of about a 500 foot radius. Consequently, the ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG102 can support a small group of users in a range of several hundred feet. Most access points can handle between 10 to 30 users simultaneously.

The ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG102 acts as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple WAG102 Wireless Access Points via a wired Ethernet backbone can further lengthen the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one Access Point to another and still maintain seamless connection to the network.

The auto-sensing capability of the ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Wireless Access Point WAG102 allows packet transmission at up to 54 Mbps, or at reduced speeds to compensate for distance or electromagnetic interference.

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v2.0, September 2006