Linksys Network Router specifications Introduction, Welcome

Page 4

Wireless-G Range Expander

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Range Expander. This Range Expander will allow you to expand your network beyond the range of your current access point or wireless router.

How does the Range Expander do this? Once on your network, the Range Expander repeats the signal to all devices within its range. By placing the Range Expander at the furthest edge of your access point or wireless router’s signal, it could conceivably double the area of your network.

But what does all of this mean?

Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.

access point - a device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network.

network - a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users.

router - a networking device that connects multiple networks together.

PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. While access points and wireless routers bridge wireless networks and wired networks, the Range Expander can then take that signal for networks that use the 802.11b and 802.11g standards and extend it beyond its current range.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Range Expander, set it up, and configure it to expand the range of your Wireless-B and Wireless-B networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Range Expander.

Chapter 1: Introduction

adapter - a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

802.11b - an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g - an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

1

Welcome

Image 4

Contents Copyright and Trademarks How to Use this Guideword definition Table of Contents List of Figures Chapter 1 Introduction Welcomerouter - a networking device that connects multiple networks together adapter - a device that adds network functionality to your PCWhat’s in this Guide? Appendix F Warranty Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander’s warranty informationAppendix G Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander’s regulatory informationChapter 2 Planning your Wireless Network SSID your wireless networks nameNetwork Topology RoamingNetwork Layout Chapter 3 Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander Powerwhen there is network activity no network with which to connect, this light will appear redFigure 3-3 The Two Prong Power Plate Figure 3-2 The Power Plate The Power Platewith Cord Chapter 4 Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander tcp/ip a set of instructions PCs use to communicate over a networkWall Mounting Chapter 5 Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Figure 5-2 Connecting to an access point Click the Next button to continue or Exit to exit the Setup Wizard bit - a binary digit Figure 5-11 The Confirm New Settings screen Chapter 6 Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander OverviewThe Setup Tab Basic Setupfirmware the programming code that runs a networking device subnet mask an address code that determines the size of the networkencryption encoding data transmitted in a network Figure 6-3 WEP Security screensoftware instructions for the computer Password download to receive a file transmitted over a networkupgrade to replace existing software or firmware with a newer version HelpAppendix A Troubleshooting Common Problems and SolutionsFrequently Asked Questions What IEEE 802.11b features are supported?What is Ad-hoc? What is Infrastructure?What is Roaming? What is ISM band?What is Spread Spectrum? What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?Can Linksys Wireless products support file and printer sharing? What is WEP?How do I resolve issues with signal loss? How do I reset the Range Expander?How do I avoid interference? Security Precautions Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks SSID. There are several things to keep in mind about the SSID WPA Pre-Shared Key. If you do not have a RADIUS server, select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, enter a password in the Pre-Shared key field of 8-64 characters, and enter a Group Key Renewal period time between 0 and 99,999 seconds, which instructs the Router or other device how often it should change the encryption keys Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows Help TCP/IPShared Resources Network Neighborhood/My Network PlacesAppendix E Glossary Encryption - Encoding data transmitted in a network Router - A networking device that connects multiple networks together Appendix F Specifications Appendix G Warranty Information Appendix H Regulatory Information EN 609 50 Safety An FCC compliant telephone cord and modular plug is provided with this equipment. This equipment is designed to be connected to the telephone network or premises wiring using a compatible modular jack, which is FCC Part 68 compliant. Connection to the telephone network should be made by using the standard modular telephone jack Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix I Contact Information 2.4 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G WIRELESSUser Guide Range Expander