Linksys WGA54G manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Roaming, Network Layout

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Wireless-G Game Adapter

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.

Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, provided that they both share the same channel and SSID.

Choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

Network Layout

Wireless G products offer great flexibility, because they can connect to 802.11g networks, or they can connect to networks with 802.11b devices—depending on the settings you configure on the dual-band products.

The Wireless-G Game Adapter is compatible with all 802.11b and 802.11g routers, as well as access points. It will also communicate with other wireless notebook adapters for your laptop computers, wireless PCI adapters for your desktop PCs, and wireless USB adapters when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with wireless print servers.

topology: the physical layout of a network.

network: a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users

adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer- to-peer) without the use of an access point.

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

infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

ssid: your wireless network's name.

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

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Network Topology

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Contents Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks Word definitionTable of Contents Appendix B Wireless Security List of Figures LedsXbox’s Settings Screen Welcome Introduction Adapter a device that adds network functionality to your PC What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Game Adapter Roaming Planning Your Wireless NetworkNetwork Topology Network LayoutPlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Getting to Know the Wireless-G Game Adapter Game Adapter’s LEDsGame Adapter’s Side Panel Overview Fast Setup for the Wireless-G Game AdapterInstructions Connecting the Game Adapter to Your Computer Starting the Setup Wizard Searching for the Game Adapter ScreenEasy Setup Wizard Configuration for Head-to-Head Play Setup Wizard’s Password ScreenSetup Wizard’s Head to Head Setup Screen Advanced Setup Wizard Configuration for Head-to-Head Play Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen11 Setup Wizard’s Head to Head Setup Screen 13 Setup Wizard’s Security Settings Screen WEP 15 Setup Wizard’s Network Settings Setup Wizard Configuration for Internet Play 17 Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen19 Setup Wizard’s Basic Settings Screen 21 Setup Wizard’s Security Settings Screen WPA Personal Connecting the Game Adapter to Your Game Console 23 Setup Wizard’s Confirmation ScreenSetting up the Wireless-G Game Adapter for Xbox Connecting the Game Adapter to Your XboxSetting up the Game Adapter Using Your Xbox Xbox’s Settings ScreenXbox’s Advanced Screen Xbox’s Wireless Settings Screen Xbox’s Select Network Screen Encryption encoding data transmitted in a network12 Xbox’s Security KEY Screen 14 Xbox’s Wireless Status Screen Wireless-G Game Adapter Using the Wireless-G Game Adapter Web Configuration Utility Accessing the Web Configuration UtilitySetup Tab Utility’s Setup ScreenWEP Encryption Advanced Settings Tab LANSecurity Help Tab Utility’s Help ScreenDon’t know how to change the Game Adapter’s IP address Appendix a TroubleshootingCommon Problems and Solutions Setup Wizard doesn’t seem to work properlyWhat is the Ieee 802.11g standard? Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Ieee 802.11b standard? What Ieee 802.11b features are supported?What is roaming? What is ad-hoc mode?What is infrastructure mode? What is ISM band?What is WEP? What is Spread Spectrum?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is WPA?Security Precautions Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Game Adapter Appendix C Glossary Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Appendix D Specifications WGA54GOperating Humidity Appendix E Warranty Information Limited WarrantyAppendix F Regulatory Information FCC StatementEC Declaration of Conformity Europe Appendix G Contact Information
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