User Manual
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- Chapter 1 About This Manual
- Chapter 2 Introduction
- About the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
- Key Features
- AutoCell-The Self-Organizing Wireless Network
- 802.11g Standards-based Wireless Networking
- Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink
- Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products
- System Requirements
- What’s In the Box?
- Hardware Description
- Front Panel
- Rear Panel
- Chapter 3 Basic Installation and Configuration
- Wireless Equipment Placement and Range Guidelines
- Cabling Requirements
- Default Factory Settings
- Understanding WG302 Wireless Security Options
- Installing the WG302 Wireless Access Point
- Logging in to the WG302 Using Its Default IP Address
- Basic IP Settings
- Wireless Settings
- Security Profiles
- Before You Change the SSID and WEP Settings
- Setting up and Testing Basic Wireless Connectivity
- Configuring the Radius Server Settings
- Configuring Network Authentication
- Entering WEP Data Encryption Keys
- Restricting Wireless Access by MAC Address
- Chapter 4 Management
- Remote Management
- Using the Secure Telnet Interface
- How to Use the CLI via the Console Port
- CLI Commands
- SNMP Remote Management
- Viewing the Activity Log
- Viewing General Information
- Viewing Statistics
- Viewing the Available Wireless Station List
- Upgrading the Wireless Access Point Firmware
- Configuration File Management
- Backing up and Restoring the Configuration
- Erasing the Configuration
- Using the Reset Button to Restore Factory Default Settings
- Changing the Administrator Password
- AutoCell Rogue AP Detection
- AutoCell Rogue Station Detection
- Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration
- Understanding Advanced IP Settings for Wireless Clients
- Configuring Advanced Wireless LAN Settings
- AutoCell Overview
- AutoCell Configuration Options
- Auto RF Management
- Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Setup
- Hotspot Settings
- Configuring Wireless LAN Parameters
- Wireless Bridging and Repeating
- Point-to-Point Bridge Configuration
- Multi-Point Bridge Configuration
- Repeater with Wireless Client Association
- Configuring NAT
- Configuring QoS Queues
- Setting up Guest Access
- Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
- No lights are lit on the access point.
- The Wireless LAN activity light does not light up.
- The LAN light is not lit.
- I cannot access the Internet or the LAN with a wireless capable computer.
- I cannot connect to the WG302 to configure it.
- When I enter a URL or IP address I get a timeout error.
- Using the Reset Button to Restore Factory Default Settings
- Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics
- Wireless Networking Overview
- Infrastructure Mode
- Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)
- Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)
- Authentication and WEP Data Encryption
- 802.11 Authentication
- Open System Authentication
- Shared Key Authentication
- Overview of WEP Parameters
- Key Size
- WEP Configuration Options
- Wireless Channels
- WPA and WPA2 Wireless Security
- How Does WPA Compare to WEP?
- How Does WPA Compare to WPA2 (IEEE 802.11i)?
- What are the Key Features of WPA and WPA2 Security?
- Is WPA/WPA2 Perfect?
- Product Support for WPA/WPA2
- Appendix C Command Line Reference
Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
B-2 Wireless Networking Basics
v0.1, December 2005
Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)
In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed
points to the network - each node can generally communicate with any other node. There is no
Access Point involved in this configuration. This mode enables you to quickly set up a small
wireless workgroup and allows workgroup members to exchange data or share printers as
supported by Microsoft networking in the various Windows operating systems. Some vendors also
refer to ad hoc networking as peer-to-peer group networking.
In this configuration, network packets are directly sent and received by the intended transmitting
and receiving stations. As long as the stations are within range of one another, this is the easiest
and least expensive way to set up a wireless network.
Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)
The Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) is one of two types of Service Set Identification
(SSID). In an ad hoc wireless network with no access points, the Basic Service Set Identification
(BSSID) is used. In an infrastructure wireless network that includes an access point, the ESSID is
used, but may still be referred to as SSID.
An SSID is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key identifying the name of the
wireless local area network. Some vendors refer to the SSID as network name. For the wireless
devices in a network to communicate with each other, all devices must be configured with the
same SSID.
The ESSID is usually broadcast in the air from an access point. The wireless station sometimes can
be configured with the ESSID ANY. This means the wireless station will try to associate with
whichever access point has the stronger radio frequency (RF) signal, providing that both the access
point and wireless station use Open System authentication.
Authentication and WEP Data Encryption
The absence of a physical connection between nodes makes the wireless links vulnerable to
eavesdropping and information theft. To provide a certain level of security, the IEEE 802.11
standard has defined these two types of authentication methods:
• Open System. With Open System authentication, a wireless computer can join any network
and receive any messages that are not encrypted.
• Shared Key. With Shared Key authentication, only those PCs that possess the correct
authentication key can join the network. By default, IEEE 802.11 wireless devices operate in
an Open System network.