NETGEAR WGM124 manual

December 2004

Version 1.0

December 2004

NETGEAR, Inc.

4500 Great America Parkway

Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

NETGEAR Wireless

Router Setup Manual

Contents

Main Page December 2004 Page Contents Page Page Page Chapter 1 About This Guide Audience, Conventions, and Formats How to Use This Manual How to Print this Manual Page Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your NETGEAR Wireless Router Package Contents The Front Panel The Rear Panel Chapter 3 Connecting the Router to the Internet Prepare to Install Your Wireless Router Connect the Wireless Router to Your Network Troubleshooting Tips How to Manually Configure Your Internet Connection Page NETGEAR Product Registration, Support, and Documentation Page Chapter 4 Optimizing Wireless Connectivity and Security Observe Performance, Placement, and Range Guidelines Implement Appropriate Wireless Security Understanding Wireless Settings NETGEAR Wireless Router Setup Manual 4-4 Optimizing Wireless Connectivity and Security December 2004 Table 4-1. Basic Wireless Security Options Information to Gather Before Changing Basic Wireless Settings Default Factory Settings Chapter 5 Doing Basic Router Housekeeping Changing the Administrator Password Configuration File Management Restoring and Backing Up the Configuration Erasing the Configuration Upgrading the Wireless Router Software Page Chapter 6 Troubleshooting Common Problems Basic Functioning Power Light Not On Lights Never Turn Off LAN or Internet (WAN) Port Lights Not On Troubleshooting the Web Configuration Interface Troubleshooting the ISP Connection Page Troubleshooting a TCP/IP Network Using a Ping Utility Testing the LAN Path to Your Router Testing the Path from Your Computer to a Remote Device Restoring the Default Configuration and Password Page Technical Specifications A-1 December 2004 Appendix A Technical Specifications This appendix provides technical specifications for the Pre-N Wireless Router WGM124. Page Appendix B Network, Routing, and Firewall Basics Related Publications Basic Router Concepts What is a Router? Routing Information Protocol IP Addresses and the Internet Page Netmask Subnet Addressing Page Page Private IP Addresses Single IP Address Operation Using NAT MAC Addresses and Address Resolution Protocol Related Documents Domain Name Server IP Configuration by DHCP Internet Security and Firewalls What is a Firewall? Stateful Packet Inspection Denial of Service Attack Ethernet Cabling Category 5 Cable Quality Inside Twisted Pair Cables Uplink Switches, Crossover Cables, and MDI/MDIX Switching Page Page Appendix C Preparing Your Network What You Need To Use a Router with a Broadband Modem Cabling and Computer Hardware Computer Network Configuration Requirements Internet Configuration Requirements Where Do I Get the Internet Configuration Parameters? Record Your Internet Connection Information Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP Networking Install or Verify Windows Networking Components Page Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 95B, 98, and Me Locate your Network Neighborhood icon. Selecting Windows Internet Access Method Verifying TCP/IP Properties Configuring Windows NT4, 2000 or XP for IP Networking Install or Verify Windows Networking Components DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP Page DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 Page Page DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4 Page Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP, 2000, and NT4 Configuring the Macintosh for TCP/IP Networking MacOS 8.6 or 9.x MacOS X Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Macintosh Computers Verifying the Readiness of Your Internet Account Are Login Protocols Used? What Is Your Configuration Information? Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Windows Computers Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Macintosh Computers Page Page Appendix D Wireless Networking Basics Wireless Networking Overview Infrastructure Mode Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) Wireless Channels Page WEP Wireless Security WEP Authentication WEP Open System Authentication WEP Shared Key Authentication Page How to Use WEP Parameters WPA Wireless Security How Does WPA Compare to WEP? How Does WPA Compare to IEEE 802.11i? What are the Key Features of WPA Security? Page Wired Network with Optional 802.1x Port Based Network Access Control Wireless LAN Page Page Page Is WPA Perfect? Product Support for WPA Page Page Glossary Use the list below to find definitions for technical terms used in this manual. List of Glossary Terms Page Page Page Index Index 1 Numerics A B L M N O P U W