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Wireless
Broadband Router
Quick Start Guide
Before reading this guide, be sure to read the “Read This First” supplement.
This guide describes the preparations and settings required to connect to the Internet using the Wireless Broadband Router.
The PCWA-AR300 consists of:
• Broadband Router Unit | PCWA-R1 |
• Wireless LAN Access Point | PCWA-A320 |
In this document, we refer to the Broadband Router Unit as the Router Unit and to the Wireless LAN Access Point as the Wireless Unit.
PCWA-AR300
Sony Corporation ©2003 Printed in Japan
Unpacking
When you unpack the unit, make sure that all the following are accounted for.
• Router Unit• Wireless Unit
(Broadband Router Unit PCWA-R1) (Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A320)
* The Wireless Unit has Access Point functions.
• | Read This First | • | Quick Start Guide (this manual) |
• | Troubleshooting Guide | • | Limited Warranty |
•Other documentation
Setup Procedures
Preparation
Procedure Check
1 Perform the necessary preparations and confirmations for connections
Procedure | | Check |
2 | Connect each unit and turn the power on |
Establish wireless connections
Procedure Check
3 Establish communications between a computer and the Access Point
| | Router Functions Setup |
Procedure | | Check |
|
4 | Display the Router Unit Setup Page |
Procedure Check
5
Configure the Router functions
Access Point Functions Setup
Procedure Check
6
Display the Access Point Setup Page
Procedure Check
7
Configure the Access Point functions
Configure the Wireless Communication Settings
Procedure | | Check | on the computer |
|
8 | Configure computer settings |
Each procedure is preceded by a check box. Before proceeding to the next step, | |
confirm that you have completed all necessary tasks by ticking the box. | Check |
Preparation
Procedure | | Check |
1 | Perform the necessary preparations |
| and confirmations for connections |
Obtain the information required to make the computer connections.
The procedure in this guide describes the connection process using the factory default settings.
The factory default settings of the Access Point function are:
Network Name (SSID): | The 6-character identifier printed on the label inside the rear |
| cover of the Wireless Unit |
Encryption (WEP): | Disabled |
■Confirm the connection method of the wireless connection on the computer.
Refer to the instructions for your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter to confirm the connection method of the computer to the Access Point when using a Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter.
If using a Wireless LAN PC Card with the Windows XP operating system, connect to the network using the Windows XP Wireless Network function.
■Configure the TCP/IP settings for the Wireless Network connection on the computer.
Configure the TCP/IP settings on the computer as follows.
•IP address setting: Select “Obtain an IP address automatically”.
•DNS setting: Select “Disable DNS” in the Windows Me operating system.
Select “Obtain a DNS server address automatically” in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.
■Prepare the Ethernet cable to connect the Router Unit and ADSL or cable modem.
zHint
Use a straight-through or cross-over Ethernet cable.
■Configure the computer firewall settings
If you are using the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall or another personal firewall, you may need to change the security level setting. Refer to the Note below about Computer Firewall Functions for details.
Note
Computer Firewall Functions
When using the Windows XP “Internet Connection Firewall” function
Enabling the Windows XP “Internet Connection Firewall” function may prevent the computer from being accessed externally (this function is disabled by default). This function can prevent connection to your network when you change your Wireless Broadband Router settings. If this happens, disable the “Internet Connection Firewall” function, connect to the network, and then re-enable the function. Refer to Windows XP Help for details (you can search from “Help and Support” on the “Start” menu).
Note
Make sure that you take appropriate security measures when the “Internet Connection Firewall” function is disabled.
When using personal firewall software provided standalone or as part of anti-virus or network security software
Antivirus scanning and network security software sometimes includes a function called a “personal firewall”, intended to prevent unauthorized access by other computers. Depending on the software, the security level of this function may initially be set to a high level. If this high security level setting is left enabled, other computers may be unable to access your computer. This can cause problems such as not being able to connect to the network when changing the Wireless Broadband Router settings. In this event, lower the security level to allow the network connection. While the security level is lowered, pay special attention to security. We highly recommend returning to the original setting after setting up the Wireless Broadband Router. Refer to the software instructions or Help for details.
Notes
•Pay appropriate attention to security issues.
•For questions about firewall functions, please contact your firewall software manufacturer.
Procedure Check
2
Connect each unit and turn the power on
Connect each unit as shown in the next figure, and turn the power on.
1Use an Ethernet cable to connect the cable or DSL modem to the WAN connector of the Router Unit.
2Connect the Wireless Unit to a Wireless Unit/LAN connector.
zHint
There are two Wireless Unit/LAN connectors. Use either one.
3Connect the AC Adapter to the Router Unit, and turn the AC Adapter on.
4Connect an end of the Ethernet cable to a LAN connector of the Router Unit.
5Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your computer.
zHint
The Ethernet port of your computer is on its back panel.
When you turn the power on, confirm that the Status indicators on the Wireless Unit and Router Unit change as follows before proceeding to Procedure 3.
Wireless Unit: Changes from a quickly flashing white light to a slowly flashing one.
Router Unit: Change from flashing white light to a steadily lit one.
Establish wireless connections
Procedure | Check |
3 | Establish communications between |
| the computer and the Access Point |
This description assumes that the connection is established with factory default settings.
Access Point factory default settings |
Network Name (SSID): | The 6-character identifier printed on the label inside the rear |
| cover of the Wireless Unit |
Encryption (WEP): | Disabled |
Confirming the Network Name (SSID)
Remove the rear cover | This ID is used as the |
by sliding it in the | default Network Name |
direction of the arrow. | (SSID). |
SSID
Configure the wireless communication settings on the computer, and then establish communications between the computer and the Access Point.
Refer to the instructions for your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter for the setting method.
zComments
•The Network Name (SSID) may also be called something like the “ESSID” or “Network ID”, depending on the particular device.
•Encryption may also be called something like “encoding” or “security”, depending on the particular device.
•When using the Windows XP operating system with a Wireless LAN PC Card, on the “Start” menu, click “Connect to” – “Wireless Network Connection”, and make the communications settings that affect connection to the Access Point from the dialog box that appears.
If no “Wireless Network Connection” item can be found on the “Start” menu, on the “Start” menu click “Control Panel” – “Network and Internet Connections” – “Network Connection”, and double-click “Wireless Network Connection”.
When you are done, verify that an IP address is assigned to the computer.
Although communication is possible from this state, for security reasons, be certain to perform the subsequent procedures to change the factory default settings. Also refer to the instructions for your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter.
Router Unit Setup
Procedure Check
4
Display the Router Unit Setup Page
Access the Access Point from a Web browser to display the Router Unit Setup Page.
Compatible browsers:
Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
Netscape 6.1 or later
Note
Configure the browser’s proxy settings so that the IP address of the Router Unit (factory default 192.168.11.1) bypasses the proxy server. Refer to “Case 1: Cannot display the Setup Page (error message appears)” in the separate Troubleshooting Guide for details about bypassing the proxy server.
zHint
The Setup Page of this device is stored in the internal memory of the Router Unit.
1 Launch the Web browser.