Linksys WRE54G manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc . ® Model No . Range Expander Wir eless- G WRE54G User Guide WIRELESS GH z 2.4 802.11g[...]

Wireless-G Range Expander Copyright and T rademarks Specifications are subject to change without notice . L inksys is a registered tradema rk 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 tradem arks o[...]

Wireless-G Range Expander Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Welcome 1 What’s in this Guide? 2 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 4 Network Topology 4 Roaming 4 Network Layout 5 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander 6 The Front Panel 6 The Side Panel 6 The Power Plate 7 Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range[...]

Wireless-G Range Expander List of Figures Figure 3-1: The Front Panel 6 Figure 3-2: The Power Plate 7 Figure 5-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome screen 9 Figure 5-2: Connecting to an access point 10 Figure 5-3: Confirm Wireless Settings 10 Figure 5-4: Cannot find Wireless Network 10 Figure 5-5: Choose an access point 10 Figure 5-6: The Security Setti[...]

1 Chapter 1: Introductio n Welcome Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 1: Introduction We l c o me Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Range Expander . This Range Expander will allow you to expand your network beyond the range of your current access point or wireless router . How does the Range Expander do this? Once on your network, the Range Expa[...]

2 Chapter 1: Introductio n What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Range Expander What’ s in this Gu ide? This user guide covers the steps for sett ing up and using the Wireless-G Range Expander . • Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Range Expander’s applications and this User Guide . • Chapter 2: Planning Y our Wireless Network [...]

3 Chapter 1: Introductio n What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Range Expander • Appendix F: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander ’ s warranty infor mation. • Appendix G: Regulator y Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander ’ s regulator y inform ation. • Appendix H: Contact Information This appendix p[...]

4 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network T opology A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter . Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireles[...]

5 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Layout Wireless-G Range Expander Network La yout Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11b , and 802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products incorpo rating both “a” and “g”, products usi[...]

6 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander The Front Panel Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Rang e Expander The Front P anel The Range Expander's LEDs, where information about network activity is displayed, are located on the front panel. In addition, the Range Expander ’ s anten na is adjus[...]

7 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander The Power Plate Wireless-G Range Expander Reset Button There are two w ays to reset the Range Expander's factory defaults. Either press the Reset Button , for approxim ately ten seconds, or restore the defaults from the Password tab in the Range Expander's Web-Based Utility . The [...]

8 Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Ran ge Expander Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Rang e Expander Since the Range Expander does not physically connect to y our network, through cables, etc., connection is very simple . 1. Locate an optimum location for the Range Expand er . The best placement is usually at the ed[...]

9 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Rang e Expander Now that you've placed the Range Expander within your wireless network, you are ready to begin setting it up. This Setup Wizard will take you through all the steps necessary to configure the Range Expander . 1. I[...]

10 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Wireless-G Range Expander 3. The next screen advises you to have your PC comm unicating with your wireless network before starting the setup process. The Range Expander does not yet require connection. Y ou should always connect your networking gear to a surge protector . Click the Next button [...]

11 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Wireless-G Range Expander c .The Security Settings screen will appear next. From this screen, you can set the level of encryption o n your network, along with entering the appropriate pa ssphrases and/or encryption keys. If your network’ s WEP en cryption uses a passphrase, enter it here . Th[...]

12 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Wireless-G Range Expander 7. The Security Settings screen will appear next, if you have not entered this infor mation already . From this screen, you can set the level of encryption on your network, along with entering the appropriate passphrases and/or encryption keys. If your network’ s WEP[...]

13 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Wireless-G Range Expander 9. Y ou should now review the settings you've chosen. If these settings are correct, click the Ye s button to save these settings. If you wish to change any of the settings, click the No button. Y ou will exit the Setup Wizard and can start it again to revise your[...]

14 Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Exp ander Overview Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Rang e Expander Overview The Range Expander has been designed to be functional rig ht out of the box, setting it up with the Auto configuration button or with the Setup Wizard. However , if you 'd like to change the[...]

15 Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Exp ander The Setup Tab Wireless-G Range Expander The Setup T ab Basic Setup The first screen that appears displays the Basic Setup screen. This allows you to change the Range Expander's general settings. Change these settings as described here and click Save Setti ngs to apply your changes or Can[...]

16 Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Exp ander The Setup Tab Wireless-G Range Expander someone could easily obtain the SSID infor mation with site sur vey software and gain unauthorized access to your network. Click Enable to broadcast the SSID to all wireless devices in range . Click Disable to increase network security and prevent the S[...]

17 Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Exp ander The Setup Tab Wireless-G Range Expander Password The Password screen allows you to change the Range Expander's password and restore factory defaults. Changing the sign-on password for the Range Expander is as easy as typing the password into the P assword field. Then, type it again into [...]

18 Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Exp ander The Setup Tab Wireless-G Range Expander Help For help on the various tabs in this Web-based Utility , along with upgrading the Range Expander ’s firmware and viewing this User Guide , click the Help tab . The help files for the various tabs in this Web-based Ut ility ar e listed by tab name[...]

19 Appendix A: Troublesh ooting Common Problems and So lutions Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix A: T roubleshooting This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “F requently Asked Questions. ” This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur d uring the installation and operation of the Wireless-G Ra[...]

20 Appendix A: Troublesh ooting Frequently Asked Questions Wireless-G Range Expander •Multi-Channel Roaming •Automatic Rate Selection •RTS/CTS feature •Fragmentation •Power Management What is Ad-hoc? An Ad-hoc wireless network is a group of computers, each with a wireless adapter , connected as an independent wireless network. An Ad-hoc w[...]

21 Appendix A: Troublesh ooting Frequently Asked Questions Wireless-G Range Expander What is Spread Spec trum? Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency tec hnique developed by the military for use in reliable , secure , mission-critical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability , integr[...]

22 Appendix A: Troublesh ooting Frequently Asked Questions Wireless-G Range Expander How do I avoid interference? Using multiple access points on the same channel and in close proximity to one another will generate interference . When em ploying multiple access points, be sure to operate each one on a different channel (frequency). How do I reset t[...]

23 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Precautions Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wir eless networking as safe and easy for you as possible . The current gen eration of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation. So, k[...]

24 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Netwo rks Wireless-G Range Expander SSID. There are several things to k eep in mind about the SSID: 1. Disable Broadcast 2. Make it unique 3. Change it often Most wireless networking devices will give you the optio n of broadcasting the SSID . While this option may be more convenient[...]

25 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Netwo rks Wireless-G Range Expander WP A Pre-Shar ed Key . If you do not have a RADIUS server , select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, enter a password in the Pre-Shared key field of 8-64 characters, and enter a Group Key Renewal period tim e between 0 and 99,999 seconds, which i[...]

26 Appendix C: Upgradin g Firmware Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware The Range Expander's firmware is upgraded through the Web-Utility's Help tab . Follow these instructions: 1. Download the firmware from Linksys's website at www .linksys.com . 2. Click Upgrade Firmw are from the W e b-Utility's Help tab ,[...]

27 Appendi x D: Wind ows Help Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix D: Windows Help All wireless 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[...]

28 Appendix E: Glossary Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix E: Glossar y 802.11b - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. 802.11g - An IEEE wir eless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, an[...]

29 Appendix E: Glossary Wireless-G Range Expander DSSS ( D irect- S equence S pread- S pectrum) - Frequency transmission with a r edundant bit pattern resulting in a lower probability of information being lost in transit. Encryption - Encoding data transmitted in a network. Firmware - The programming code that runs a networking device . Fragmentati[...]

30 Appendix E: Glossary Wireless-G Range Expander Roaming - The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection. Router - A networking device that connects multiple networks together . RTS ( R equest T o S end) - A networking method of coordinating large packets through the RTS Threshold[...]

31 Appendix F: Specifications Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix F: Specifications Standards IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b Buttons Auto configuration/Mode , Reset LEDs Blue/Red-LINK, Blue-ACTIVITY T ransmit Power 802.11g: T yp . 13 ± 1 1dBm @ Normal T emp Range 802.11b: T yp: 15 ±1 1dBm @ Normal T emp Range Security features WEP WEP key bits 64/128 [...]

32 Appendix G: Warranty Information Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix G: W arranty Information LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys warrants to Y ou that, for a pe riod of three years (the “Warranty Period”), your Linksys Product will be substantially free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use . Y our exclusive remedy and Linksys' [...]

33 Appendix H: Regulatory Inform ation Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix H: Regulator y Information FCC ST A TEMENT 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 interfe rence in a resid[...]

34 Appendix H: Regulatory Inform ation Wireless-G Range Expander EN 609 50 Safety EN 300-328-1, EN 300-328-2 T echnical requirements for Radio equipment. Caution: This equipment is intended to be used in all EU and EFT A co untries. Outdoor use may be restricted to certain frequencies and/or may require a license for operation. Contact local Author[...]

35 Appendix H: Regulatory Inform ation Wireless-G Range Expander FCC P ART 68 ST A TEMENT This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC Rules. A label is attached to the equipment that contains, among other information, its FCC registration number and ringer equivalence number . If requested, this information must be p rovided to the telephone co[...]

36 Appendix H: Regulatory Inform ation Wireless-G Range Expander Caution: T o reduce the risk of fire, use only No .26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord. Do not use this product near water , for example , in a wet basement or near a swimming pool. Avoid using this product during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric sh[...]

37 Appendix I: Contact Informa tion Wireless-G Range Expander 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.com Can't find information about a product you want to buy on the web? Do you want to kno [...]