Linksys WRT54GX manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Network Layout

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Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX

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 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks How to Use This User GuideWord definition Table of Contents Appendix B Wireless Security Appendix a TroubleshootingCommon Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions Router’s Reset Button Router’s Back Panel27 Port Services Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Network LayoutPlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router Back PanelFront Panel DMZConnecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router OverviewConfiguring the Wireless-G Broadband Router Password ScreenSetup Tab Basic Setup Internet SetupStatic IP Connection Type Pptp Connection Type Network Setup Packet a unit of data sent over a networkNetwork Address Server Settings Dhcp Setup Tab Ddns 12 Setup Tab DdnsSetup Tab MAC Address Clone 13 Setup Tab MAC Address CloneSetup Tab Advanced Routing 14 Setup Tab Advanced RoutingWireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings 16 Wireless Tab Basic Wireless SettingsWireless Tab Wireless Security WPA RadiusWEP Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter 20 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC FilterWireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings 22 Wireless Tab Advanced Wireless SettingsSecurity Tab Firewall 23 Security Tab FirewallAccess Restrictions Tab Internet Access To create an Internet Access policyFtp a protocol used to transfer files over a TCP/IP network Url the address of a file located on the InternetApplications and Gaming Tab Port Range Forward Applications and Gaming Tab Port TriggeringApplications and Gaming Tab UPnP Forwarding Applications and Gaming Tab DMZUPnP Forwarding Administration Tab Management SnmpAdministration Tab Diagnostics Administration Tab LogUPnP Administration Tab Factory Defaults Administration Tab Firmware UpgradeStatus Tab Router Administration Tab Config ManagementIsp your internet provider Status Tab Local Network 39 Status Tab Local NetworkStatus Tab Wireless Encryption encoding data transmitted in a networkStatus Tab System Performance System PerformanceWireless-G Broadband Router with SRX 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 SRX Need to upgrade the firmware To start over, I need to set the Router to factory defaultMy power LED will not stop flashing Firmware upgrade failed, and/or the Power LED is flashingCannot connect to the Internet My wireless-G speed seems to be slow How do I turn on SRX on my router?Is IPSec Pass-Through supported by the Router? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere is the Router installed on the network? Does the Router support IPX or AppleTalk?How can I block corrupted FTP downloads? Will the Router function in a Macintosh environment? What is DMZ Hosting?What are the advanced features of the Router? Is the Router cross-platform compatible?What is ad-hoc mode? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard?What Ieee 802.11b features are supported? What is infrastructure 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 SRX 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 SRX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Model Appendix G SpecificationsStandards Storage Temp Appendix H Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix I Regulatory Information FCC StatementFrance Appendix J Contact Information
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