Linksys WRT54GX2 manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Network Layout

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Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

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

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 wireless and wired network 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, 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: 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: 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.

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.

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 HelpRouter’s Side Panel Connect a PC24 Security Tab Firewall Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Ssid your wireless network’s name Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Network TopologyPlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Router’s Ports and Reset Button Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200Broadband an always-on, fast Internet connection Wireless Router’s LEDsConnecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 OverviewStand Option Placement OptionsWall-Mount Option Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router Isp your internet providerInternet Setup Setup Tab Basic SetupInternet Connection Type Static IP Connection Type Pptp Connection Type Router IP Network SetupOptional Settings Packet a unit of data sent over a networkNetwork Address Server Settings Dhcp Time SettingSetup Tab Ddns DdnsSetup Tab MAC Address Clone Mac address the unique address that aAdvanced Routing Setup Tab Advanced RoutingNAT Mode Dynamic Routing16 Setup Tab Advanced Routing NAT Mode Routing Table Wireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings Wireless NetworkWireless Security Wireless Tab Wireless SecurityEncryption encoding data transmitted in a network 20 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WEP Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Wireless MAC FilterWireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings Advanced WirelessWireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 VPN Pass Through Security Tab FirewallFirewall Block WAN RequestInternet Access Access Restrictions Tab Internet AccessTo create an Internet Access policy Ftp a protocol used to transfer files over a TCP/IP network Url the address of a file located on the InternetPort Range Forward Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardPort Range Port Triggering Applications and Gaming Tab Port TriggeringApplications and Gaming Tab DMZ Triggered Range and Forwarded RangeInternet Access Priority QoS Quality of ServiceWireless Applications and Gaming Tab QoSSummary Port RangeCancel Changes button UPnP Administration Tab ManagementRouter Password MulticastURL Filter Log Administration Tab LogSystem Log DoS LogTraceroute Test Administration Tab DiagnosticsPing Test Ping ParametersFactory Defaults Administration Tab Factory DefaultsAdministration Tab Firmware Upgrade Upgrade FirmwareBackup Configuration Administration Tab Config ManagementRestore Configuration Router Information Status Tab RouterInternet Connection Status Tab Local Network Local NetworkStatus Tab Wireless WirelessStatus Tab System Performance Internet/WirelessSystem Performance Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Common Problems and Solutions Appendix a TroubleshootingNeed to set a static IP address on a PC For Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP 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 SRX200 Need to upgrade the firmware To start over, I need to set the Router to factory defaultMy power LED will not stop flashing My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnectingMy wireless-G speed seems to be slow Cannot connect to the InternetHow do I turn on SRX on my router? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere is the Router installed on the network? Is IPSec Pass-Through supported by the Router?Does the Router support ICQ send file? How can I block corrupted FTP downloads?What is DMZ Hosting? What is the Ieee 802.11b standard? What are the advanced features of the Router?What is the Ieee 802.11g standard? Is the Router cross-platform compatible?What is ad-hoc mode? What Ieee 802.11g features are supported?What Ieee 802.11b features are supported? What is infrastructure mode?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is ISM band?What is Spread Spectrum? What is WEP?How do I resolve issues with signal loss? How do I reset the Router?Have excellent signal strength, but I cannot see my network Security Precautions Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Figure C-1 Upgrade Firmware Appendix C Upgrading FirmwareShared Resources Appendix D Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Figure E-1 IP Configuration Screen Windows 98SE or Me InstructionsWindows 2000 or XP Instructions For the Router’s Web-based UtilityAppendix F Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Model Appendix G SpecificationsStandards Appendix H Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix I Regulatory Information FCC StatementWireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200 Need to contact Linksys? Appendix J Contact InformationInformation section in this Guide
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