Linksys WRT54G-TM manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Network Layout

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name shared by the wireless devices belonging to the same wireless network.

ssid (service set identifier): your wireless network’s name.

Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configuration is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or peripherals with a wired network or not.

If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired network or need to share a peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network computers, the wireless network should be set up in Infrastructure mode. The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around a wireless router or an access point, such as the Wireless-G Broadband Router, which serves as the main point of communications in a wireless network. The Router transmits data to PCs equipped with wireless network adapters, which can roam within a certain radial range of the Router. You can arrange the Router and multiple access points to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and you can set up your wireless network to communicate with your Ethernet hardware as well.

If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only with the other computers on the wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for a wireless router or access point. The drawback of this mode is that in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the wireless- equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference directly between them.

Network Layout

The Wireless-G Broadband Router has been specifically designed for use with both your 802.11b and 802.11g products. Now, products using these standards can communicate with each other.

infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly to each other (peer-to- peer) without the use of an access point.

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

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Network Topology

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Contents 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G Word definition Copyright and TrademarksTable of Contents Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows Help Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix B Wireless Security Router’s Back Panel List of Figures23 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Wireless-G Broadband Router Welcome IntroductionWhat’s in this User Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Ssid service set identifier your wireless network’s namePlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Back Panel Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband RouterDMZ Front PanelOverview Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband RouterConnecting Your Network Devices Connecting Another Router Hardware Installation for Connection to Another RouterConnecting Your Network Devices Password Screen Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband RouterInternet Setup Setup Tab Basic SetupPPPoE Connection Type Optional Settings Router IP 12 Setup Tab Ddns Setup Tab Ddns13 Setup Tab MAC Address Clone Setup Tab MAC Address Clone14 Setup Tab Advanced Routing Gateway Setup Tab Advanced RoutingWireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings 17 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA Personal Wireless Tab Wireless Security20 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA2 Enterprise 21 Wireless Tab Wireless Security Radius 23 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Wireless Tab Wireless MAC FilterSetting Wireless Tab Advanced Wireless SettingsWireless-G Broadband Router Security Tab VPN Passthrough Security Tab FirewallTo create an Internet Access policy Access Restrictions Tab Internet AccessTo create an Inbound Traffic policy 33 Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range Forward Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardPort Triggering Applications & Gaming Tab Port TriggeringApplications and Gaming Tab QoS Applications and Gaming Tab DMZApplication Port Priority Administration Tab Log Administration Tab Management39 Administration Tab Diagnostics Administration Tab DiagnosticsAdministration Tab Config Management Administration Tab Factory DefaultsAdministration Tab Firmware Upgrade 45 Status Tab Router Status Tab Router46 Status Tab Local Network Status Tab Local Network48 Status Tab Wireless Status Tab WirelessNeed to set a static IP address on a PC Appendix a TroubleshootingCommon Problems and Solutions Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Application Start and End Protocol IP Address Enabled Can’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work Firmware upgrade failed, and/or the Power LED is flashing To start over, I need to set the Router to factory defaultNeed to upgrade the firmware My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnecting Is IPSec Pass-Through supported by the Router? Frequently Asked QuestionsPower LED keeps flashing Where is the Router installed on the network?Does the Router support ICQ send file? What is Network Address Translation and what is it used for?How can I block corrupted FTP downloads? What is the Ieee 802.11b standard? What is DMZ Hosting?What are the advanced features of the Router? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard?What is infrastructure mode? What Ieee 802.11g features are supported?What Ieee 802.11b features are supported? What is ad-hoc mode?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is ISM band?What is Spread Spectrum? How do I resolve issues with signal loss? What is WEP?What is a MAC Address? How do I reset the Router?Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Precautions Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Broadband Router Appendix C Upgrading Firmware TCP/IP Appendix D Windows HelpWindows 2000 or XP Instructions Windows 98SE or Me InstructionsFigure E-4 MAC Address Filter List For the Router’s Web-based UtilityAppendix F Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54G Appendix G SpecificationsOperating Temp Limited Warranty Appendix H Warranty InformationFCC Statement Appendix I Regulatory InformationWireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Dual-Band Wireless Access Point Appendix J Contact Information
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