1 Introduction

1.1Overview

The Madge advanced Smart Wireless Access Point (advanced AP) enables IEEE 802.11b client computers to access the resources on an Ethernet network. Because it supports IEEE 802.1x and RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) for user-based authentication and dynamic encryption key distribution, it is suitable for enterprises that need strong data security and WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) that need accounting and billing support.

In Section 2, we describe the steps to install and configure a newly acquired advanced AP. Following the steps, the advanced AP can be quickly set up to work. In Section 3, detailed explanations of each Web management page are given for the user to understand how to fine-tune the settings of an advanced AP to meet his or her specific needs. In addition to using Web-based Network Manager to configure an advanced AP, the Windows-based Wireless Network Manager can also be used to configure and monitor advanced APs. See the on-line help of Wireless Network Manager for more information.

1.2Features

Configuration Reset. Resetting the configuration settings to factory-default values. IEEE 802.11b:

Access point. Bridging packets between the wireless IEEE 802.11b network interface and the wired Ethernet LAN interface.

64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). For authentication and data encryption.

Enabling/disabling SSID broadcasts. The user can enable or disable the SSID (Service Set ID) broadcast functionality for security reasons. When the SSID broadcast functionality is disabled, a wireless client computer cannot connect to the advanced AP with a network name (SSID) of “any”; the correct SSID has to be specified on client computers.

MAC-address-based access control. Blocking unauthorized wireless client computers based on MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.

IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS. User authentication and dynamic encryption key distribution is achieved by IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Network Access Control and RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service).

Replaceable antennas. The factory-supplied antennas can be replaced with high-gain antennas for different purposes. NOTE: High gain antennas must be used in accordance with local regulatory rules.

Management:

Windows-based Wireless Network Manager for configuring, monitoring, and diagnosing the local computer and neighboring advanced APs. The management protocol is MAC-based.

Web-based Network Manager for configuring and monitoring advanced APs. The management protocol is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)-based.

SNMP. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) MIB I, MIB II, IEEE 802.1d, IEEE 802.1x and Enterprise MIB are supported.

UPnP. The advanced AP responds to UPnP discovery messages so that a Windows XP user can locate the AP in My Network Places (the network neighborhood) and use a Web browser to configure it.

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Copyright © 2002 Madge Networks. All rights reserved.

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