Linksys WRT54GP2A-AT manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology

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Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

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.

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

ssid: 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 an access point or wireless router, such as the Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports, 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.

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

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

adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC

ethernet: IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium

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

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

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Network Topology

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Contents 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks How to Use this GuideWord definition Table of Contents Appendix B Wireless Security Signing up for AT&T CallVantagesm ServiceAppendix a Troubleshooting Appendix C Windows HelpList of Figures Back Panel18 Wireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Ssid your wireless network’s name Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Network TopologyNetwork Layout Getting to Know the Router Phone2Wlan Connecting the Router to Your Broadband Modem Connecting the RouterOverview Connecting One Router to Another Wired RouterConnect the Other Router Setup Configuring the RouterWireless Security Access RestrictionsAdministration Applications & GamingInternet Setup How to Access the Web-based UtilitySetup Tab Basic Setup StatusStatic IP PPPoEOptional Settings Packet a unit of data sent over a networkNetwork Address Server Settings Dhcp Network SetupRouter IP Time Setting DynDNS.org Setup Tab DdnsTZO.com Setup Tab MAC Address Clone MAC CloneWireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings 10 Wireless Tab Basic Wireless SettingsWireless Tab Wireless Security WPA RadiusRadius Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter 15 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC FilterWireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings Additional Filters Security Tab FirewallFirewall Block WAN RequestsSecurity Tab VPN VPN PassthroughInternet Access Access Restrictions Tab Internet AccessTo create an Internet Access Policy 23 List of PCs Port Range Forward Applications & Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardPort Range Triggered Range Applications & Gaming Tab Port TriggerPort Trigger Forwarded RangeApplications & Gaming Tab UPnP Forward UPnP ForwardBroadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Applications & Gaming Tab DMZ DMZLocal Router Access Administration Tab ManagementRouter Password Remote Router AccessSnmp UPnPAdministration Tab Log LogTraceroute Test Administration Tab DiagnosticsPing Test Ping ParametersAdministration Tab Factory Defaults Factory DefaultsBackup and Restore Administration Tab Backup and RestoreAdministration Tab Reboot RebootRouter Information Configuration TypeStatus Tab Router InternetStatus Tab Local Network Local NetworkStatus Tab Wireless 39 Status Tab WirelessUser1 Status Auto Config StatusStatus Tab Voice User2 StatusSigning up for AT&T CallVantagesm Service InstructionsAppendix a Troubleshooting Common Problems and SolutionsFor Windows 98 and Millennium Need to set a static IP address on a PCFor Windows For Windows XPFor Windows 98 and Millennium Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Am not able to access the Router’s Web-based Utility Setup Need to set up a server behind my RouterApplication Start and End Protocol IP Address Enable TCPCan’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work For Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher To start over, I need to set the Router to factory defaultMy DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnecting For Netscape 4.7 or higherNeed to use port triggering Can I make calls if my Internet connection is down? Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I make calls while I’m browsing the Internet? Is IPSec Passthrough supported by the Router? Where is the Router installed on the network?Does the Router support IPX or AppleTalk? How can I block corrupted FTP downloads? If all else fails in the installation, what can I do?Will the Router function in a Macintosh environment? Is the Router cross-platform compatible? What is DMZ Hosting?What is the Ieee 802.11b standard? How many ports can be simultaneously forwarded?What Ieee 802.11g features are supported? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard?What Ieee 802.11b features are supported? What is ad-hoc mode?What is Spread Spectrum? What is ISM band?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is a MAC Address? What is WEP?What is WPA? How do I reset the Router?Security Precautions Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Shared Resources Appendix C Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Windows 98 or Me Instructions Windows 2000 or XP InstructionsFor the Router’s Web-based Utility Figure D-3 MAC Address/Physical AddressAppendix E Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Model Appendix F SpecificationsButton Reset Cabling Type StandardsRinger Equivalence Number Dimensions 32 x 2.48 x H x DUnit Weight 19.29 oz .55 kg Power 12 V, 1 a Certifications Operating Temp 0ºC to 40ºC 32ºF to 104ºF Storage TempAppendix G Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix H Regulatory Information FCC StatementSafety Notices After you log in, click Help. Then click Email AN Agent Appendix I Contact InformationLinksys Need to contact Linksys?
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