Linksys WRT54GR manual Introduction, Welcome

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Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster. The Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster will allow you to network wirelessly better than ever, sharing Internet access, files and fun, easily and securely and with a greater range of up to twice as far as standard Wireless-G.

How does the Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster do all of this? A router is a device that allows access to an Internet connection over a network. With the Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster, this access can be shared over the four switched ports or via the wireless broadcast at up to 11Mbps for Wireless-B or up to 54Mbps for Wireless-G.

Use the WPA standard to secure your wireless network while the whole network is protected through a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall and Network Address Translation (NAT) technology. You can also access the Router’s features through the easy-to-use, browser-based utility.

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.

PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is why the network is called “wired”.

PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is sometimes called a WLAN, or Wireless Local Area Network. The Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster bridges wireless networks of both 802.11b and 802.11g standards and wired networks, allowing them to communicate with each other.

Linksys recommends using the Setup CD-ROM for first-time installation of the Router. If you do not wish to run the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD-ROM, then use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster, set it up, and configure it to bridge your different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster.

wpa (wi-fi protected access): a wireless security protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server.

spi (stateful packet inspection) firewall: a technology that inspects incoming packets of information before allowing them to enter the network.

firewall: Security measures that protect the resources of a local network from intruders.

nat (network address translation): NAT technology translates IP addresses of a local area network to a different IP address for the Internet.

lan (local area network): The computers and networking products that make up the network in your home or office.

Chapter 1: Introduction

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Welcome

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Contents Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks How to Use This User GuideWord definition Table of Contents Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows Help Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix B Wireless Security Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked QuestionsRouter’s Back Panel List of Figures27 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Welcome IntroductionWhat’s in this User Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Ssid service set identifier your wireless network’s namePlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Network devices Back PanelRouter’s LEDs are located on the front panel Front PanelConnecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Connecting Your Network Devices Overview Password ScreenInternet Setup Setup Tab Basic SetupPPPoE Connection Type Router IP Time Setting DDNS.com Setup Tab Ddns16 Setup Tab MAC Address Clone Setup Tab MAC Address Clone17 Setup Tab Advanced Routing Setup Tab Advanced RoutingChanges to cancel your changes Wireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings20 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WEP Wireless Tab Wireless Security22 Wireless Tab Wireless Security PSK2 Radius Wireless MAC Filter Wireless Tab Wireless MAC FilterAdvanced Wireless Wireless Tab Advanced Wireless SettingsWireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster Web Filters Security Tab FirewallFirewall Internet FilterInternet Access Policy Access Restrictions Tab Internet Access PolicySecurity Tab VPN Passthrough 33 Internet Policy Summary To create an Internet Access policySingle Port Forwarding Applications and Gaming Tab Single Port Forwarding36 Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range Forward Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardingApplications and Gaming Tab DMZ Applications & Gaming Tab Port Range TriggeringPort Triggering Range Management Administration Tab ManagementBackup and Restore Log Administration Tab Log42 Administration Tab Diagnostics Administration Tab DiagnosticsAdministration Tab Firmware Upgrade Administration Tab Factory DefaultsRouter Information Status Tab RouterInternet Connection Status Tab Local Network Status Tab Wireless 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 TCP Application Start and End Protocol IP Address EnabledCan’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work Wireless-G Broadband Router with RangeBooster My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnecting To start over, I need to set the Router to factory defaultNeed to upgrade the firmware Firmware upgrade failed, and/or the Power LED is flashingPower LED keeps flashing Is IPSec Pass-Through supported by the Router? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere is my SecureEasySetup button? 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? Is the Router cross-platform compatible? What is DMZ Hosting?What are the advanced features of the Router? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard?What is ad-hoc mode? What is the Ieee 802.11b standard?What Ieee 802.11g features are supported? What Ieee 802.11b features are supported?What is Spread Spectrum? What is ISM band?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? How do I resolve issues with signal loss? What is WEP?What is a MAC Address? 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 RangeBooster Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Figure C-1 Upgrade FirmwareShared Resources Appendix D Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Windows 2000 or XP Instructions Windows 98SE or Me InstructionsFigure E-4 MAC Address Filter List For the Router’s Web-based UtilityAppendix 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 Limited Warranty Appendix H Warranty InformationFCC Statement Appendix G Regulatory InformationWireless-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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