Linksys WAP55AG - Wireless A+G Access Point User manual
A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
Model No.
Access Point
WAP55AG
User Guide
WIRELESS
Wireless A+G
Dual-Band
GHz
5
GHz
2.4
802.11g
802.11a
+
Dual-Band
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
Copyright 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 © 2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
How to Use this Guide
Your guide to the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point has been designed to make understanding networking
with the Access Point easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this guide:
In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:
Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like
this:
Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section in the “Table of Contents”.
This exclamation point means there is a Caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Access Point.
word: definition.
This checkmark means there is a Note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to while
using the Access Point.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the Access Point.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
WAP55AG-V2-UG-41223NC BW
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
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 Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point 6
The Back Panel 6
The Front Panel 7
Chapter 4: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point 8
Hardware Installation 8
Chapter 5: Setting Up the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point 9
Setup Wizard 9
Chapter 6: Configuring the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point 17
Overview 17
Navigating the Utility 17
Accessing the Utility 19
The Setup Tab 19
The Wireless Tab 20
The Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings 20
The Wireless Tab - Wireless Security 22
The Wireless Tab - Wireless MAC Filter 24
The Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings 25
The Administration Tab - Password 28
The Administration Tab - Log 28
The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults 29
The Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade 29
The Status Tab - Local Network 30
The Status Tab - Wireless 31
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 32
Frequently Asked Questions 32
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
Appendix B: Wireless Security 36
Security Precautions 36
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 36
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 39
Appendix D: Windows Help 40
Appendix E: Glossary 41
Appendix F: Specifications 45
Appendix G: Warranty Information 46
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 47
Appendix I: Contact Information 49
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: The Access Point’s Back Panel 6
Figure 3-2: Front Panel 7
Figure 5-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 9
Figure 5-2: Connect to the Router 9
Figure 5-3: Connect to the Ethernet Port 10
Figure 5-4: Connect to the Power 10
Figure 5-5: Check the LEDs 10
Figure 5-6: Select the Access Point 11
Figure 5-7: Enter the Password 11
Figure 5-8: Basic Settings 12
Figure 5-9: Wireless-A Settings 12
Figure 5-10: Wireless-A Security - WEP 13
Figure 5-11: Wireless-A Security - PSK 13
Figure 5-12: Wireless-G Settings 14
Figure 5-13: Wireless-G Security - WEP 14
Figure 5-14: Wireless-G Security - PSK 15
Figure 5-15: Confirm New Settings 15
Figure 5-16: Congratulations 16
Figure 6-1: Automatic Configuration - DHCP 19
Figure 6-2: Static IP Address 19
Figure 6-3: Basic Wireless Settings 20
Figure 6-4: WEP 22
Figure 6-5: Pre-Shared Key 22
Figure 6-6: Pre-Shared Key + Radius 23
Figure 6-7: Wireless MAC Filter 24
Figure 6-8: Wireless Client List 24
Figure 6-9: Advanced Wireless 25
Figure 6-10: Password 28
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
Figure 6-11: Log 28
Figure 6-12: Factory Defaults 29
Figure 6-13: Firmware Upgrade 29
Figure 6-14: Status - Local Network 30
Figure 6-15: Status - Wireless Network 30
Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware 39
1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point. This Access Point will allow you to network
wirelessly better than ever.
How does the Access Point do all of this? An access point allows for greater range and mobility within your
wireless network while also allowing you to connect the wireless network to a wired environment. Being a dual-
band access point, not only does the Access Point bring you these benefits, it also allows three wireless
standards, 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g, to communicate with each other. This means that PCs with different
wireless standards can communicate with each other and with a wired network.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers
and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video
games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.
PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is
why the network is called "wired".
PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is sometimes called
a WLAN, or Wired Local Area Network. The Access Point bridges wireless networks of both 802.11g and 802.11b
standards and wired networks.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Access Point, set it up, and configure it to bridge your
different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Access Point.
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.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC
ethernet: network protocol that specifies how data is placed
on and retrieved from a common transmission medium
lan (local area network): the computers and networking
products that make up your local network
network: a series of computers or devices
connected together
802.11a: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz.
2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point’s applications and this User Guide.
• Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
This chapter describes the basics of wireless networking.
• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
This chapter describes the physical features of the Access Point.
• Chapter 4: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Access Point to your network.
• Chapter 5: Setting Up the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on the Access Point and how
to install the setup on the Access Point for the Linksys Wireless Guard.
• Chapter 6: Configuring the Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
This chapter explains the use of the Access Point’s Web-based Utility.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some frequently asked questions regarding installation and use of the Dual-Band
Wireless A + G Access Point.
• Appendix B: Wireless Security
This appendix explains the risks of wireless networking and some solutions to reduce the risks.
• Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware
This appendix instructs you on how to upgrade the Access Point’s firmware.
• Appendix D: Windows Help.
This appendix describes some of the ways Windows can help you with wireless networking.
• Appendix E: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.
• Appendix F: Specifications
This appendix provides the Access Point’s technical specifications.
3
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
• Appendix G: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the Access Point’s warranty information.
• Appendix H: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Access Point’s regulatory information.
• Appendix I: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.
4
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
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 wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point, such as the
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point, or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an
infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired
network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may double the
effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same channel and SSID.
Before enabling you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position.
Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
infrastructure: a wireless network
that is bridged to a wired network via
an access point.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly with each other (peer-
to-peer) without the use of an access point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless device
from one access point's range to another
without losing the connection.
ssid: your wireless network's name
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