Linksys WRT54GL manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Network Layout

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

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, 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 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 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G How to Use This User Guide Copyright and TrademarksWord definition Table of Contents Appendix a Troubleshooting Appendix B Wireless SecurityCommon Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows HelpList of Figures Router’s Back Panel23 Setup Wizard’s Configure Wireless Settings Screen 19 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA2 Personal Figure E-5 MAC Address Clone Introduction WelcomeWhat’s in this User Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router Planning Your Wireless Network Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure ModeSsid service set identifier your wireless network’s name Network TopologyPlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router Back PanelFront Panel Cisco logoConnecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router OverviewConnecting Your Network Devices Hardware Installation for Connection to Another Router Connecting Another RouterConnecting Your Network Devices Setting up the Wireless-G Broadband Router Using the Setup WizardSetup Wizard’s Disconnect the Modem from PC Screen Setup Wizard’s Connect a Network Cable to a PC Screen Setup Wizard’s Power on the Router Screen Setup Wizard’s Check the Router’s Status Screen Cable or DhcpDSL PPPoE Static IPPptp L2TP 16 Setup Wizard’s Advanced Internet Settings Telstra Screen Telstra18 Setup Wizard’s Configure Wireless Settings Screen Using the Router’s SecureEasySetup Feature 19 Setup Wizard’s SecureEasySetup Screen24 Setup Wizard’s Confirm New Settings Screen 26 Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen Manually Configuring the Router’s Wireless Settings 27 Setup Wizard’s Configure Wireless Settings ScreenWPA-PSK WEP 64-Bit WEP 128-Bit33 Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen Using SecureEasySetup to Configure Your Notebook 34 Setup Wizard’s Welcome Start Wizard Screen37 Configure Wireless Settings #2 Screen 38 Your Wireless Settings Screen Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router Setup Tab Basic Setup Internet SetupPPPoE Connection Type Optional Settings Router IP Setup Tab Ddns 12 Setup Tab DdnsSetup Tab MAC Address Clone 13 Setup Tab MAC Address CloneSetup Tab Advanced Routing 14 Setup Tab Advanced Routing GatewayWireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings Wireless Tab Wireless Security 17 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA Personal20 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA2 Enterprise 21 Wireless Tab Wireless Security Radius Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter 23 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC FilterWireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings SettingWireless-G Broadband Router Security Tab Firewall Security Tab VPN PassthroughAccess Restrictions Tab Internet Access To create an Internet Access policy31 Port Services To create an Inbound Traffic policyApplications and Gaming Tab Port Range Forward 33 Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardApplications & Gaming Tab Port Triggering Port TriggeringApplications and Gaming Tab DMZ Applications and Gaming Tab QoSDevice Priority Ethernet Port PriorityApplication Port Priority Administration Tab Management Administration Tab LogAdministration Tab Diagnostics 39 Administration Tab DiagnosticsAdministration Tab Factory Defaults Administration Tab Firmware UpgradeAdministration Tab Config Management Status Tab Router 45 Status Tab RouterStatus Tab Local Network 46 Status Tab Local NetworkStatus Tab Wireless 48 Status Tab WirelessAppendix a Troubleshooting Common Problems and SolutionsNeed to set a static IP address on a PC Wireless-G Broadband Router 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 To start over, I need to set the Router to factory default Need to upgrade the firmwareFirmware upgrade failed, and/or the Power LED is flashing My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnectingPower LED keeps flashing Frequently Asked Questions 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 DMZ Hosting? What are the advanced features of the Router?What is the Ieee 802.11g standard? Is the Router cross-platform compatible?What is the Ieee 802.11b standard? What Ieee 802.11g features are supported?What Ieee 802.11b features are supported? What is ad-hoc mode?What is ISM band? What is Spread Spectrum?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is WEP? What is a MAC Address?How do I reset the Router? How do I resolve issues with signal loss?Appendix B Wireless Security Security PrecautionsSecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Broadband Router Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows Help Shared ResourcesNetwork 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 F Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Appendix G Specifications Wireless SecurityStandards Operating Temp 0ºC to 40ºC 32ºF to 104ºFStorage Temp Operating HumidityStorage Humidity Appendix H Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix I Regulatory Information FCC StatementSafety Notices Appendix J Contact Information
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