NETGEAR WG302 manual Chapter Introduction

Chapter 2

Introduction

This chapter introduces the NETGEAR NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 . Minimal prerequisites for installation are presented in “System Requirements” on page 2-4.

About the NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302

The NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 is the basic building block of a wireless LAN infrastructure. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices.

The WG302 provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed range or area of coverage, interacting with a wireless network interface card (NIC) via an antenna. Typically, an individual in-building access point provides a maximum connectivity area with about a 300 foot radius. The NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 can support a small group of users in a range of several hundred feet. Most access points are rated between 30-70 users simultaneously.

The NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 acts as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple WG302 Access Points via a wired Ethernet backbone can further lengthen the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one Access Point to another and still maintain seamless connection to the network.

The auto-sensing capability of the NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 allows packet transmission at up to 108 Mbps, or at reduced speeds to compensate for distance or electromagnetic interference.

Introduction 2-1

September 2004