Linksys WGA11B manual Appendix a Troubleshooting, Appendix B Glossary, Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

This section provides solutions to potential problems regarding the installation and operation of the Wireless-B Game Adapter. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.

Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network?

This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports oper- ation over a network.

Can I play multiplayer games with other users of the wireless network?

Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN. Refer to the game’s user guide for more information.

What is ad-hoc mode?

When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode, the wireless-equipped com- puters are configured to communicate directly with each other. The ad-hoc wireless network will not communicate with any wired network.

Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?

Instant Wireless products feature two-fold protection in security. On the hard- ware side, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling. On the software side, Instant Wireless products offer the encryption function (WEP) to enhance security and access control. Users can set it up depending upon their needs.

What is WEP?

WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40/64 bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Appendix B: Glossary

802.11b - One of the IEEE standards for wireless networking hardware. Products that adhere to a specific IEEE standard will work with each other, even if they are manufactured by different companies. The 802.11b standard specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and WEP encryption for security. 802.11b networks are also referred to as Wi-Fi networks.

Adapter - Printed circuit board that plugs into a PC to add to capabilities or connectivity to a PC. In a networked environment, a network interface card is the typical adapter that allows the PC or server to connect to the intranet and/or Internet.

Ad-hoc Network - An ad-hoc network is a group of computers, each with a wireless adapter, connected as an independent 802.11 wireless LAN. Ad-hoc wireless computers operate on a peer-to-peer basis, communicating directly with each other without the use of an access point. Ad-hoc mode is also referred to as an Independent Basic Service Set or as peer-to-peer mode.

Bit - A binary digit. The value - 0 or 1-used in the binary numbering system. Also, the smallest form of data.

Cable Modem - A device that connects a computer to the cable television net- work, which in turn connects to the Internet.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A protocol that lets network administrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network. Using the Internet's set of protocol (TCP/IP), each machine that can connect to the Internet needs a unique IP address. When an organization sets up its computer users with a con- nection to the Internet, an IP address must be assigned to each machine. Without DHCP, the IP address must be entered manually at each computer and, if computers move to another location in another part of the network, a new IP address must be entered. DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and dis- tribute IP addresses from a central point and automatically sends a new IP address when a computer is plugged into a different place in the network.

DHCP uses the concept of a "lease" or amount of time that a given IP address will be valid for a computer. The lease time can vary depending on how long a

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