NETGEAR WG302NA manual Chapter Basic Installation and Configuration

Chapter 3

Basic Installation and Configuration

This chapter describes how to set up your NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302 for wireless connectivity to your LAN. This basic configuration will enable computers with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapters to do such things as connect to the Internet, or access printers and files on your LAN.

Note: Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11g wireless networks at ranges of several hundred feet or more. This distance can allow for others outside your area to access your network. It is important to take appropriate steps to secure your network from unauthorized access. The WG302 Access Point provides highly effective security features which are covered in detail in “Understanding WEP/WPA Security Options” on page 3-15. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.

You need to prepare these three things before you can establish a connection through your wireless access point:

•A location for the WG302 that conforms to the Observing Placement and Range Guidelines below.

•The wireless access point connected to your LAN through a device such as a hub, switch, router, or Cable/DSL gateway.

•One or more computers with properly configured 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapters.

Observing Placement and Range Guidelines

The operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the physical placement of the wireless access point. The latency, data throughput performance, and notebook power consumption of wireless adapters also vary depending on your configuration choices.

Basic Installation and Configuration 3-1

July 2005 v3.0