Wireless-N ADSL2+ Gateway

acknowledgment from its original access point, it undertakes a new search. Upon finding a new access point, it then re-registers, and the communication process continues.

What is the ISM band?

The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.

What is Spread Spectrum?

Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?

Frequency-Hopping Spread-Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that changes frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver. Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel. To an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise. Direct-Sequence Spread- Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data can be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original data without the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowband receivers.

Will the information be intercepted while it is being transmitted through the air?

WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling. On the software side, WLAN offers the encryption function (WEP) to enhance security and access control.

What is WEP?

WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 64-bit or 128-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

What is a MAC Address?

The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique number assigned by the manufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter, that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level. For all

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Linksys WAG300N manual What is the ISM band?, What is Spread Spectrum?, What is WEP?, What is a MAC Address?
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WAG300N specifications

The Linksys WAG300N is a highly versatile wireless modem router, designed to meet the needs of both home and small office environments. This device combines multiple functionalities, featuring a Wireless-N access point, a 4-port Ethernet switch, and an integrated DSL modem. Its compatibility with ADSL2+ standards allows for seamless internet connectivity, ensuring that users can experience high-speed internet up to 24 Mbps, depending on their DSL connection.

One of the defining characteristics of the WAG300N is its support for the IEEE 802.11n wireless standard, which provides significantly improved data transfer rates over its predecessors. This technology allows for speeds of up to 300 Mbps, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications such as streaming high-definition videos, online gaming, and large file downloads. The router's MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology enhances wireless coverage, enabling connections at greater distances and through obstacles like walls.

Security is a key concern for Linksys, and the WAG300N addresses this with a variety of robust features. It supports WPA, WPA2, and WEP encryption for secure wireless connection and includes a built-in firewall to protect the network from unwanted intrusions. Parental controls are also available, allowing users to manage internet access, ensuring a safer online environment for children.

The Linksys WAG300N is easy to set up and manage thanks to its web-based interface. Users can quickly configure the device using the installation CD or through a straightforward online setup wizard. Furthermore, firmware updates can be performed easily, allowing users to keep their devices secure and up to date with the latest features.

In terms of design, the WAG300N boasts a sleek black casing with LED indicators for power, internet connectivity, and wireless activity, enabling users to monitor device status at a glance. Its compact size ensures it does not occupy excessive space, making it an attractive addition to any office or home environment.

Overall, the Linksys WAG300N is a powerful networking device that offers great performance, advanced security features, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for users looking to enhance their internet connectivity experience. Whether for casual browsing or resource-intensive tasks, the WAG300N stands out with its blend of speed, reliability, and versatility.
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