® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. Dual-Band 5 GHz 2.4 GHz 802.11a 802.11g Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender WIRELESS Model No.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Copyrights and Trademarks Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Welcome What’s in this Guide? 1 1 Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Media Center Extender Front Panel Back Panel Remote Control 3 3 5 8 Chapter 3: Connecting the Media Center Extender 11 Before You Begin Instructions for Connecting to a Wired Network Instructions for Connecting the Extender 11 12 13 Chapter 4: Setting up the Media Center Extender Appendix A: Troubleshooting 17 19 Common Problems and Solutions
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender List of Figures Figure 2-1: Front Panel Figure 2-2: Back Panel Figure 2-3: Remote Control Figure 3-1: Wireless Network Figure 3-2: Connect the Ethernet Network Cable Figure 3-3: Connect the Composite or S-Video Cable Figure 3-4: Connect the Component Video Cables Figure 3-5: Connect the Analog Audio Cables Figure 3-6: Connect the Digital Audio Cable Figure 3-7: Power on the Extender Figure 3-8: Press the Power Button Figure 3-9: Check the POWER Switch Figure 4-1
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender. The Extender lets you send digital video, pictures, and music from your Media Center PC to your TV, without running cables through the house. Plus you get to watch and pause live TV shows, or you can digitally record them so you can watch them later.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender • Chapter 4: Setting up the Media Center Extender This chapter explains how to set up the Extender. • Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix describes some potential problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding installation and use of the Extender. • Appendix B: Wireless Security This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help protect your wireless network.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Media Center Extender Front Panel You can control the Extender through the front panel buttons or the remote control. The menus will be displayed on the TV screen. Start Infrared LED Button Navigation Pad with LED ENTER BACK Button Button Standby Button Figure 2-1: Front Panel Infrared The infrared receiver accepts signals transmitted from the remote control. LED Red.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Navigation Pad with LED Press the left, right, up, or down arrows to navigate through the menus displayed on the TV screen. To indicate the status of the Extender, the LED can display one of three colors: green, blue, and red. Green. The Navigation Pad LED will light up green when the Extender is booting up and working properly. The green LED will flash quickly when the Extender is updating its software image. Blue.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Back Panel On the Media Center Extender’s back panel, you have an attached power cord, switches, various ports, an attached antenna, and an Ethernet button. Components Power Cord The power cord is attached to the Extender. POWER Switch The POWER switch powers on or off the Extender. IR-OUT Port The IR Out port is not used at this time.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender AUDIO The Extender offers two types of audio outputs, digital and analog. In most cases, you will use the AUDIO (L and R) ports for analog audio; however, you have the option of digital audio if your TV offers a digital input. DIGITAL The DIGITAL port is where you will connect the optical cable for digital audio output. AUDIO (L and R) The L and R ports are where you will connect the left and right RCA audio cables.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Additional Components USB Ports The USB ports are not used at this time. Ethernet Port The Ethernet port is where you will connect the Ethernet network cable if you are using a wired Ethernet network. Ethernet Button Press this button if the Extender is having difficulty communicating with your Media Center PC over a wired Ethernet network. Antenna The antenna is permanently attached to the Extender.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Remote Control The Extender includes a remote control. When you first want to use the remote, insert the included AA batteries into the battery compartment. Then use the remote to navigate through menus and make selections on the TV screen, as well as control slide shows, video, or music. Here are descriptions of the remote’s various buttons: (Power) This powers the Extender on or off. My TV Press this button to view the My TV menu.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender REPLAY Press this button to replay your selection. SKIP Press this button to skip the next selection. BACK Press this button to go back through the menus. MORE Press this button to get additional information. OK (and arrows) Use the arrow buttons to move through menus. Use the OK button to make a selection. VOL Press this button to raise or lower the volume of your TV or stereo.
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Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Chapter 3: Connecting the Media Center Extender Before You Begin For the Extender to work properly, make sure you have the following: • A PC running Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 • A wired network OR a Wireless-A (802.11a), Wireless-G (802.11g), or Wireless A+G (802.11a + 802.11g) network (A Wireless-B (802.11b) network will not work with the Media Center Extender.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Instructions for Connecting to a Wired Network 1. Connect the included Ethernet network cable from the Extender’s Ethernet port to an Ethernet network port on your Media Center PC, router, or switch. 2. The Extender’s Ethernet port includes an LED in one corner. It will light up when the Extender has successfully joined your wired network. If the LED does not light up, push the Extender’s Ethernet X-II button on the back panel. 3.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Instructions for Connecting the Extender 1. If you are using composite or S-video, connect the video cable from the Extender’s VIDEO output to your TV’s VIDEO input. Then make sure the VIDEO SELECT switch is set to the left. If you are using component video, connect the component video cables (not included) from the Extender’s COMPONENT VIDEO output to your TV’s COMPONENT VIDEO input. Then make sure the VIDEO SELECT switch is set to the right.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender 2. If you are using analog audio, connect the RCA audio cable from the Extender’s left and right AUDIO outputs to your TV’s AUDIO inputs. If you are using a stereo with digital audio, connect the Toslink optical cable (not included) from the Extender’s SPDIF digital AUDIO output to your stereo’s digital AUDIO input.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender 3. Plug the Extender’s power cord into an electrical outlet. Figure 3-7: Power on the Extender 4. The Extender will automatically power on. If it does not, press the standby button on the Extender’s front panel, and then check the POWER switch on the Extender’s back panel. Proceed to “Chapter 4: Setting up the Media Center Extender.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender 16 Chapter 3: Connecting the Media Center Extender Instructions for Connecting the Extender
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Chapter 4: Setting up the Media Center Extender 1. Power on your TV, and select the video input that displays the Extender’s Setup Key Screen (press the INPUT, SOURCE, or TV/VIDEO button on your TV’s remote control). 2. Write down the Setup Key. You will need to enter it when your Media Center PC asks for the Setup Key. Figure 4-1: Write down the Setup Key 3. Go to your Media Center PC and insert the Windows Media Center Extender Setup CD into the CD drive.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender 4. The Media Center Extender Setup wizard will automatically run. When the Media Center PC asks you for the Setup Key, enter the Setup Key you previously wrote down. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions displayed by the Media Center PC. Figure 4-3: Enter the Setup Key 6. If the Media Center PC asks you to enter wireless settings for the Extender, use the remote control’s navigation pad to enter settings.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Extender. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com. Common Problems and Solutions 1. I’ve connected the Extender to my TV, and I see an error code on the screen.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender 2. I need to restore the Extender’s software image. You can restore the Extender’s software image to its factory defaults; however, if you do so, you will lose any custom settings you may have configured. (Before you restore its software image, write down all of your custom settings.) Do NOT restore the software image unless you are sure this is necessary. To restore the Extender’s software image, follow these instructions: A.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender 4. When I use the Extender on my wireless network, I see choppy video and dropped frames, or I hear choppy audio and distorted sounds. Follow these instructions until your problem is solved: A. You may be using a Wireless-B (802.11b) network, which is not supported by the Extender. Make sure the Extender is connected to a Wireless-A (802.11a) or Wireless-G (802.11g) network. (A Wireless-A network is recommended.) B.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Frequently Asked Questions What version of Windows XP Media Center do I need? You must use Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. The Extender does not support previous versions. I don’t have Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, but I do have a previous version. How do I get an upgrade? For more information, contact the manufacturer of your Media Center PC. If you are not sure how to contact the manufacturer, visit www.microsoft.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender What is the IEEE 802.11g standard? It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11g standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to communicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11g standard. The 802.11g standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. What IEEE 802.11a features are supported? The product supports the following IEEE 802.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender What is ad-hoc mode? When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode, the wireless-equipped computers are configured to communicate directly with each other. The ad-hoc wireless network will not communicate with any wired network. What is infrastructure mode? When a wireless network is set to infrastructure mode, the wireless network is configured to communicate with a wired network through a wireless access point or router.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation. So, keep the following in mind whenever you are setting up or using your wireless network. Security Precautions The following is a complete list of security precautions to take: 1.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that in order to join a wireless network, wireless networking products first listen for “beacon messages”. These messages can be easily decrypted and contain much of the network’s information, such as the network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier). Here are the steps you can take: Change the administrator’s password regularly.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Change your SSID regularly so that any hackers who have gained access to your wireless network will have to start from the beginning in trying to break in. MAC Addresses. Enable MAC Address filtering. MAC Address filtering will allow you to provide access to only those wireless nodes with certain MAC Addresses. This makes it harder for a hacker to access your network with a random MAC Address. WEP Encryption.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender between 0 and 99,999 seconds, which instructs the Router or other device how often it should change the encryption keys. WPA RADIUS. WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router or other device.) First, select the type of WPA algorithm, TKIP or AES. Enter the RADIUS server’s IP Address and port number, along with a key shared between the device and the server.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix C: Updating the Extender’s Software Image You can update the Extender’s software image; however, if you do so, you will lose the custom settings you may have configured on the Extender. Before you update its software image, write down all of your custom settings, including the wireless ones if the Extender works with a wireless network. After you update its software image, you will have to re-enter all of your custom settings.
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Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix D: Windows Help Almost all Linksys products require Microsoft® Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed through Windows Help and are described in this appendix. TCP/IP Before a computer can communicate with a network router, TCP/IP must be enabled.
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Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix E: Glossary 802.11a - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz. 802.11b - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. 802.11g - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Bit - A binary digit. Boot - To start a device and cause it to start executing instructions. Bridge - A device that connects different networks. Broadband - An always-on, fast Internet connection. Browser - An application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) - Allows the hosting of a website, FTP server, or e-mail server with a fixed domain name (e.g., www.xyz.com) and a dynamic IP address. Default Gateway - A device that forwards Internet traffic from your local area network.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) - A general authentication protocol used to control network access. Many specific authentication methods work within this framework. EAP-PEAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) - A mutual authentication method that uses a combination of digital certificates and another system, such as passwords.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Half Duplex - Data transmission that can occur in two directions over a single line, but only one direction at a time. Hardware - The physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices. HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol) - The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web. Infrastructure - A wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission. mIRC - An Internet Relay Chat program that runs under Windows. Multicasting - Sending data to a group of destinations at once. NAT (Network Address Translation) - NAT technology translates IP addresses of a local area network to a different IP address for the Internet.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Power over Ethernet (PoE) - A technology enabling an Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power. PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet) - A type of broadband connection that provides authentication (username and password) in addition to data transport. PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) - A VPN protocol that allows the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) to be tunneled through an IP network.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a “program”. SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) - Market segment of professionals who work at home or in small offices. SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall - A technology that inspects incoming packets of information before allowing them to enter the network.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) - A version of the TCP/IP FTP protocol that has no directory or password capability. Throughput - The amount of data moved successfully from one node to another in a given time period. TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) - a wireless encryption protocol that provides dynamic encryption keys for each packet transmitted. Topology - The physical layout of a network. TX Rate - Transmission Rate.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) - A group of computers and associated devices that communicate with each other wirelessly. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - a wireless security protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix F: Specifications Model WMCE54G Standards 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Dimensions (W x H x D) 17.00" x 2.00" x 12.25" (431.8 mm x 50.8 mm x 311.2 mm) Unit Weight 5.71 oz. (2.59 kg) Power 100V~240V AC Certifications FCC, UL Operating Temp. -32ºF ~ 104ºF (0ºC ~ 40ºC) Storage Temp.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix G: Warranty Information LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys warrants to You that, for a period of one year (the “Warranty Period”), your Linksys Product will be substantially free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Your exclusive remedy and Linksys' entire liability under this warranty will be for Linksys at its option to repair or replace the Product or refund Your purchase price less any rebates.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender IN NO EVENT WILL LINKSYS’ LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCT. The foregoing limitations will apply even if any warranty or remedy provided under this Agreement fails of its essential purpose. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to You. Please direct all inquiries to: Linksys, P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix H: Regulatory Information FCC STATEMENT This product has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
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Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender Appendix I: Contact Information Need to contact Linksys? Visit us online for information on the latest products and updates to your existing products at: http://www.linksys.com or ftp.linksys.
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www.linksys.