Instant WirelessTM Series Wireless Access Point Use this guide to install: WAP54A User Guide
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless™ is a registered trademark of Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective proprietors. LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys guarantees that every Wireless Access Point is free from physical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one year from the date of purchase.
Instant WirelessTM Series Table of Contents Wireless Access Point Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction The Instant WirelessTM Wireless Access Point Features Package Contents System Requirements 1 1 1 2 2 Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming 3 3 3 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless Access Point The Wireless Access Point’s Ports The Wireless Access Point’s LEDs 4 4 5 Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless Access Point 6 Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless
Instant WirelessTM Series Wireless Access Point Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one Instant Wireless™ Series adapter. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel. Figure 1-1 Package Contents • • • • One Wireless Access Point (IEEE 802.
Instant WirelessTM Series Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless Access Point The Wireless Access Point’s Ports Wireless Access Point The Wireless Access Point’s LEDs The Access Point’s LEDs, where information about the unit’s current status is displayed, are located on the Access Point’s front panel, as shown in Figure 32. The Access Point’s ports, where a network cable is connected, are located on the Access Point’s rear panel, as shown in Figure 3-1.
Instant WirelessTM Series Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless Access Point Instant WirelessTM Series Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless Access Point Important: Before configuring the Access Point, be sure to set up the TCP/IP protocol on your wireless PCs. If this has not already been done, please refer to Appendix B: Setting Up the TCP/IP Protocol. 1. Locate an optimum location for the Access Point.
Wireless Access Point • • Instant WirelessTM Series Access Point Name. You may assign any name to the Access Point. Unique, memorable names are helpful, especially if you are employing multiple access points on the same network. Verify this is the name you wish to use and click the Apply button to set it. LAN: • IP Address. This IP address must be unique to your network. We suggest you use the default IP address of 192.168.1.252.
Wireless Access Point Wireless Network Access Point The Status Tab The “Status” tab, shown in Figure 5-5, will display the Access Point’s current MAC address and state as well as the state and MAC Address of each wireless point on your network associated with it. Figure 5-4 This will open the WEP Key Setting screen, Figure 5-4. From this screen, you can select the type of WEP encryption to use. From the pull-down menu at the top of the screen, select 64-bit, 128-bit, or 152bit encryption.
Instant Wireless™ Series Wireless Access Point The Advanced Tab The Filter Tab The “Filter” tab, shown in Figure 5-7, allows you to block or allow certain computers, by their MAC Address, from communicating with the Access Point. To enable filtering of computers by their MAC Addresses, select Enable from the drop-down menu. Next, click the Add button. This will bring up another screen, as shown in Figure 5-8, where you will specify the MAC Address you will allow or deny over your wireless network.
Instant WirelessTM Series • Fragmentation Length. This specifies the maximum size a data packet will be before splitting and creating a new packet and should remain at its default setting of 2,346. A smaller setting means smaller packets, which will create more packets for each transmission. If you have decreased this value and experience high packet error rates, you can increase it again, but it will likely decrease overall network performance. Only minor modifications of this value are recommended.
Instant Wireless™ Series Appendix A: Troubleshooting make sure that it is the same channel number as the Access Point of the dedicated coverage area. This chapter provides solutions to problems usually encountered during the installation and operation of the Access Point. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.
Instant Wireless™ Series 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.
Instant Wireless™ Series Wireless Network Access Point Appendix B: Setting Up the TCP/IP Protocol What is the difference in range between 802.11a and 802.11b products? Overall, range will be a little less in a typical environment, while higher speeds may be achieved with 802.11a, throughput degrades more quickly. (See Figure A-1.) Setting Up TCP/IP in Windows Before a computer can communicate with the Access Point, it must be configured with the TCP/IP protocol.
Wireless Access Point Wireless Network Access Point 3. When the Component Type window appears, select Protocol and click the Add button. 12. When the Network window reappears, click the Close button. Restart your computer when prompted. TCP/IP has now been successfully installed. 4. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturers list and choose TCP/IP in the Network Protocols list. Then, click the OK button. TCP/IP Setup for Windows 2000 5.
Wireless Access Point Appendix C: Glossary Adapter - Printed circuit board that plugs into a PC to add to capabilities or connectivity to a PC. In a networked environment, a network interface card is the typical adapter that allows the PC or server to connect to the intranet and/or Internet.
Wireless Access Point DHCP uses the concept of a "lease" or amount of time that a given IP address will be valid for a computer. The lease time can vary depending on how long a user is likely to require the Internet connection at a particular location. It's especially useful in education and other environments where users change frequently. Using very short leases, DHCP can dynamically reconfigure networks in which there are more computers than there are available IP addresses.
Wireless Access Point Wireless Network Access Point The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and international standards. The organization publishes a number of journals, has many local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as the IEEE Computer Society. Network - A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data between users.
Wireless Access Point Wireless Network Access Point Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services. actual delivery of the data, TCP takes care of keeping track of the individual units of data (called packet) that a message is divided into for efficient routing through the Internet. Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program.
Wireless Access Point Wireless Access Point Appendix D: Specifications Appendix E: Warranty Information Standards IEEE 802.11a, 802.3, 802.3u Channels 8 Channels (US, Canada) BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT’S PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE.
Instant WirelessTM Series Appendix F: Contact Information For help with the installation or operation of this product, contact Linksys Technical Support at one of the phone numbers or Internet addresses below. Sales Information Technical Support RMA Issues Fax Email Web FTP Site 34 800-546-5797 (LINKSYS) 866-242-8558 949-261-1288 949-261-8868 support@linksys.com http://www.linksys.com ftp.linksys.
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