NETGEAR WPN802 802.11g Wireless Networking, Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless Access Point WPN802

RangeMax is an advanced Smart MIMO (Multi-In, Multi-Out) technology that uses seven internal antennas. RangeMax constantly surveys your home environment for physical barriers and interference and adjusts the wireless signal to compensate for these performance blockers.

For example, if you carry your laptop from the family room to the bedroom, RangeMax automatically senses the change and selects from over 100 possible antenna configurations to deliver you the fastest, clearest connection so that everyone can enjoy consistently high-speed connections, everywhere in your house with no drop-outs and no dead spots.

RangeMax is also 100% compatible with your existing 802.11b/g products (i.e., 802.11b, 802.11g, Centrino, and SuperG™ wireless clients) and boosts their range and speed by up to 50%.

802.11g Wireless Networking

The WPN802 Access Point includes an 802.11g wireless access point, providing continuous, high-speed 108 Mbps access between your wireless and Ethernet devices. The access point provides:

•802.11g wireless networking at up to 108 Mbps.

•802.11g wireless networking, with the ability to operate in 802.11g-only, 802.11b-only, or 802.11g and b modes, providing backwards compatibility with 802.11b devices or dedicating the wireless network to the higher bandwidth 802.11g devices.

•64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption security.

•WEP keys can be generated manually or by passphrase.

•WPA-PSK support. Support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) data encryption which provides strong data encryption and authentication based on a pre-shared key.

•Wireless access can be restricted by MAC address.

•Wireless network name broadcast can be turned off so that only devices that have the network name (SSID) can connect.

Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

The WPN802 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 automatically senses 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 the need to worry about crossover cables, as Auto Uplink will accommodate either type of cable to make the right connection.

2-2 Introduction

202-10101-01, May 2005