Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology | Linksys WAP54G

Wireless-G Access Point

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, such as the Wireless-G 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 may 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 may be doubled.

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly with 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.

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, providing that they both share the same channel and SSID.

Before using the roaming capabilities, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

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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Linksys WAP54G manual Planning Your Wireless Network, Network Topology, Roaming

Contents

802 GHz .11g Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks How to Use this User Guide Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix B Wireless Security Back Panel Front Panel 25 Congratulations Screen Site Survey Screen Welcome Introduction What’s in this User Guide? Wireless-G Access Point Roaming Planning Your Wireless NetworkNetwork Topology Network Layout Cisco logo Getting to Know the Wireless-G Access Point Back Panel LAN Port Overview Connecting the Wireless-G Access PointConnections for Setup Using the Setup Wizard Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point Connect the Network Cable to the Router or Switch Screen Check the Access Point’s Status Screen Password Screen Basic Settings Screen 10 SecureEasySetup Screen Using the Access Point’s SecureEasySetup Feature 15 Confirm New Settings Screen 16 Congratulations Screen Configuring a Non-SecureEasySetup Device 17 Configure Wireless Settings Screen Manually Configuring the Access Point’s Wireless Settings WEP 128-Bit WEP 64-Bit WPA2 Personal WPA Personal WPA Enterprise WPA2 Mixed ModeLinksys Wireless Guard 25 Congratulations Screen 26 Attention Screen Configuring the Linksys Wireless Guard Settings 28 Securing Your Access Point Screen 31 Wireless Guard Congratulations Screen Client Software Installation Using the Linksys Wireless Guard Service Exit Other Applications Destination Location Restart Your Computer Network Access Your Account Accessing your Account Add a Guest 11 Network Administration 12 Modify Access Control Member Registration Add a Member 16 Subscriber Information 18 Credentials Information To secure an unprotected network Securing or Unprotecting Your Wireless Guard NetworkTo unprotect a network Navigating the Utility Configuring the Wireless-G Access PointSetup Status WirelessAdministration Configuration Type Accessing the UtilitySetup Network Setup Tab Network Setup Setup Static IP Screen LAN MAC Address Setup AP Mode TabAP Mode Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point Setup AP Mode Tab Wireless-G Access Point Basic Wireless Settings Wireless Basic Wireless Settings Tab 12 Confirm Reset WPA2-Personal Wireless Wireless Security TabWireless Security WPA-Personal WPA-Enterprise WPA2-Mixed Radius Access Restriction Wireless Wireless MAC Filter TabWireless MAC Filter Advanced Wireless Wireless Advanced Wireless Settings Tab Wireless-G Access Point Management Administration Management TabAP’s Password Backup and Restore Snmp Community Administration Snmp TabSnmp V1/V2c Log Administration Log Tab Factory Defaults Administration Factory Defaults TabAdministration Firmware Upgrade Tab Firmware Upgrade Local Network Status Local Network TabAP’s Information Wireless Network Status Wireless Network Tab Frequently Asked Questions Appendix a Troubleshooting What Ieee 802.11g features are supported? What is the ISM band? Does the Access Point function as a firewall? Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Precautions Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Wireless-G Access Point Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Figure C-1 Firmware Upgrade Network Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix D Windows HelpShared Resources Appendix E Glossary Wireless-G Access Point Wireless-G Access Point Wireless-G Access Point Wireless-G Access Point Wireless-G Access Point Wireless-G Access Point Appendix F Specifications Operating Humidity Limited Warranty Appendix G Warranty Information FCC Statement Appendix H Regulatory Information Information section in this Guide Appendix I Contact InformationNeed to contact Linksys?