Introduction 2-1
July 2005 v3.0
Chapter 2Introduction
This chapter introduces the NETGEAR NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g
WG302. Minimal prerequisites for installation are presented in “System Requirements” on
page 2-5.

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.