Wireless-G ADSL Gateway

What is the ISM band?

The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.

What is Spread Spectrum?

Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?

Frequency-Hopping Spread-Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that changes frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver. Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel. To an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise. Direct-Sequence Spread- Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data can be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original data without the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowband receivers.

Will the information be intercepted while it is being transmitted through the air?

WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling. On the software side, WLAN offers the encryption function (WEP) to enhance security and access control.

What is WEP?

WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 64-bit or 128-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

What is a MAC Address?

The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique number assigned by the manufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter, that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level. For all practical purposes, this number is usually permanent. Unlike IP addresses, which can change every time a computer logs onto the network, the MAC address of a device stays the same, making it a valuable identifier for the network.

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Nortel Networks WAG54G manual What is the ISM band?, What is Spread Spectrum?, What is WEP?, What is a MAC Address?
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WAG54G specifications

Nortel Networks WAG54G is a robust and versatile wireless access gateway that has made significant strides in providing seamless connectivity for both home and small business environments. Designed with the intention of integrating both wired and wireless networking, this device bridges the gap between traditional Ethernet connections and the burgeoning needs of modern wireless communication.

One of the key features of the WAG54G is its ability to deliver high-speed Internet access through multiple protocols, including ADSL and DSL. This flexibility allows users to enjoy fast Internet speeds while simultaneously managing their internal network. The device is equipped with advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features that prioritize traffic, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth for optimal performance.

The WAG54G is powered by advanced 802.11g wireless technology, which offers wireless data rates of up to 54 Mbps. This enables users to stream videos, make VoIP calls, and engage in online gaming without significant lag, enhancing the overall user experience. The device supports a range of wireless security protocols, including WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption, ensuring that user data remains secure from potential threats and unauthorized access.

Another noteworthy characteristic of the WAG54G is its straightforward setup process. The unit comes with a user-friendly web interface that simplifies configuration, allowing users to customize their network settings with ease. The WAG54G also features multiple Ethernet ports for wired connections, making it an ideal solution for homes and offices with multiple devices requiring stable Internet connectivity.

In addition to its core functionalities, the WAG54G supports features such as network address translation (NAT) and a built-in firewall that enhances security while allowing multiple devices to share a single Internet connection. The device also incorporates features like DHCP server capabilities and UPnP support, streamlining network management.

Overall, Nortel Networks WAG54G delivers a compelling mix of performance, security, and manageability. Its combination of wired and wireless capabilities, alongside robust security measures, makes it suitable for various networking needs in today’s digital landscape. Users can count on the WAG54G to provide a reliable and efficient solution that supports the demands of modern Internet usage.
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