User's Manual

1. Introduction

1.1. Overview

The IEEE 802.11b/g wireless access point (AP) enables 802.11g or IEEE 802.11b client computers to

access the resources on the Ethernet network. With the sleek Web-based user interface, a network

administrator can efficiently manage the IEEE 802.11b/g.

In Chapter 2, we describe the steps to install and configure the IEEE 802.11b/g. The detailed steps

show how to setup the AP. In Chapter 2, detailed explanation of each Web management page is given

so the user may fine-tune the settings of the IEEE 802.11b/g to meet their specific requirements.

1.2. Features

z IEEE 802.11b/g Firmware Features

 Operational modes

 AP/Bridge. This mode provides both Access Point and Static LAN-to-LAN Bridg-

ing functionality. The static LAN-to-LAN bridging function is supported through

Wireless Distribution System (WDS).

 AP Client. This mode is for Dynamic LAN-to-LAN Bridging. The AP Client auto-

matically establishes bridge links with APs from any vendors.

 RF type selection.

The RF type of the WLAN interface can be configured to work in

IEEE 802.11b only, IEEE 802.11g only, or mixed mode (802.11g and 802.11b simultane-

ously).

 64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).

For authentication and data

encryption.

 Enabling/disabling SSID broadcasts.

When the IEEE 802.11b/g is in AP/Bridge

mode, the administrator can enable or disable the SSID broadcasts functionality for secu-

rity reasons. When the SSID broadcasts functionality is disabled, a client computer cannot

connect to the IEEE 802.11b/g with an “any” network name (SSID, Service Set ID); the

correct SSID has to be specified on client computers.

 MAC-address-based access control.

When the IEEE 802.11b/g is in AP/Bridge

mode, it can be configured to block unauthorized wireless client computers based on MAC

(Media Access Control) addresses. The ACL (Access Control List) can be downloaded

from a TFTP server.

 IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS.

When the IEEE 802.11b/g is in AP/Bridge mode, it can be con-

figured to authenticate wireless users and distribute encryption keys dynamically by IEEE

802.1x Port-Based Network Access Control and RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In

User Service).

 WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

The IEEE 802.11b/g supports the WPA standard

proposed by the Wi-Fi Alliance (http://www.wi-fi.org

). Both WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key)

mode and full WPA mode are supported. WPA is composed of TKIP (Temporal Key In-

tegrity Protocol) and IEEE 802.1x and serves as a successor to WEP for better WLAN se-