Linksys WRT54GR manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Network Layout

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Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster

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 with RangeBooster, 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 with RangeBooster 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 Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks How to Use This User GuideWord definition Table of Contents Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix B Wireless Security Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows HelpList of Figures Router’s Back Panel27 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this User Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Ssid service set identifier your wireless network’s name Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Network TopologyPlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Back Panel Network devicesFront Panel Router’s LEDs are located on the front panelConnecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Connecting Your Network Devices Password Screen OverviewSetup Tab Basic Setup Internet SetupPPPoE Connection Type Router IP Time Setting Setup Tab Ddns DDNS.comSetup Tab MAC Address Clone 16 Setup Tab MAC Address CloneSetup Tab Advanced Routing 17 Setup Tab Advanced RoutingWireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings Changes to cancel your changesWireless Tab Wireless Security 20 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WEP22 Wireless Tab Wireless Security PSK2 Radius Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Wireless MAC FilterWireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings Advanced WirelessWireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Internet Filter Security Tab FirewallFirewall Web FiltersInternet Access Policy Access Restrictions Tab Internet Access PolicySecurity Tab VPN Passthrough To create an Internet Access policy 33 Internet Policy SummaryApplications and Gaming Tab Single Port Forwarding Single Port ForwardingApplications and Gaming Tab Port Range Forwarding 36 Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardApplications and Gaming Tab DMZ Applications & Gaming Tab Port Range TriggeringPort Triggering Range Administration Tab Management ManagementBackup and Restore Administration Tab Log LogAdministration Tab Diagnostics 42 Administration Tab DiagnosticsAdministration Tab Factory Defaults Administration Tab Firmware UpgradeRouter Information Status Tab RouterInternet Connection Status Tab Wireless Network Status Tab Local NetworkCommon Problems and Solutions Appendix a TroubleshootingNeed to set a static IP address on a PC Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Open a command prompt. For Windows 98SE and Me Application Start and End Protocol IP Address Enabled TCPCan’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster 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 disconnectingPower LED keeps flashing Where is the Router installed on the network? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere is my SecureEasySetup button? Is IPSec Pass-Through supported by the Router?What is Network Address Translation and what is it used for? Does the Router support ICQ send file?How can I block corrupted FTP downloads? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard? What is DMZ Hosting?What are the advanced features of the Router? Is the Router cross-platform compatible?What Ieee 802.11b features are supported? What is the Ieee 802.11b standard?What Ieee 802.11g 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? How do I reset the Router? What is WEP?What is a MAC Address? How do I resolve issues with signal loss?Security Precautions Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Figure C-1 Upgrade Firmware Appendix C Upgrading FirmwareShared Resources Appendix D Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Windows 98SE or Me Instructions Windows 2000 or XP InstructionsFor the Router’s Web-based Utility Figure E-4 MAC Address Filter ListAppendix D Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Model Appendix G SpecificationsStandards Operating Humidity Storage TempStorage Humidity Appendix H Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix G Regulatory Information FCC StatementWireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Appendix J Contact Information
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