NETGEAR WG302 manual 802.11g Standards-based Wireless Networking

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302

802.11g Standards-based Wireless Networking

The NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 provides a bridge between Ethernet wired LANs and 802.11g compatible wireless LAN networks. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices. Additionally, the WG302 supports the following wireless features:

•Distributed coordinated function (CSMA/CA, Back off procedure, ACK procedure, retransmission of unacknowledged frames)

•RTS/CTS handshake

•Beacon generation

•Packet fragmentation and reassembly

•Short or long preamble

•Roaming among access points on the same subnet

Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

The WG302 can connect to a standard Ethernet network. The LAN interface is autosensing and capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.

The wireless access point incorporates Auto UplinkTM technology. The Ethernet port will automatically sense whether the Ethernet cable plugged into the port should have a ‘normal’ connection such as to a computer or an ‘uplink’ connection such as to a switch or hub. That port will then configure itself to the correct configuration. This feature also eliminates any concerns about crossover cables, as Auto Uplink will accommodate either type of cable to make the right connection.

Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products

For a list of compatible products from other manufacturers, see the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance Web site (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net).

The following NETGEAR products work with the WG302 Access Point:

•WAG511 a/b/g 108 Mbps Dual Band Wireless PC Card Adapter

•WAG311 802.11a/g 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

•WG311T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

•WG311 802.11g 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

2-4 Introduction

September 2004