54 Mbps Wireless Access Point Model #: GT701AP Firmware version: 3.0.1.0.5-GT701-AP User Manual Solutions for the Digital LifeTM Table of Contents 1 Introduction Package Contents Minimum System Requirements Access Point Features Technical Support 3 3 3 4 6 2 Wireless Networking Basics Creating a Wireless Network Extending a Wired Network 7 7 8 3 Installing the Access Point Before Installing Connecting the Access Point Placing or Mounting the Access Point 10 10 10 11 4 Setting Up the Access Point Making a Connection Accessing & Viewing the Control Panel Basic Settings Security Settings Advanced Settings 12 13 13 15 17 19 6 Troubleshooting and FAQ Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions 24 24 24 A Setting Up Static IP Windows 98 and 98 SE Windows Me Windows 2000 Windows XP 28 28 32 35 39 B Specifications Notices Regulatory Compliance Notices Modifications 43 48 48 48 Limited Warranty 50 1 2 Introduction 1 Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point. We've worked hard to make this Access Point the simplest, most convenient way to create a wireless network for your home office or small business. If you want to take your computing to the next level, the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point is one of the keys to your success. This User Guide will show you how to set up the Actiontec 54 Mbps Access Point, and how to customize its configuration to get the most out of your new product. Package Contents s s s s s Actiontec 54 Mbps Access Point Power adapter Gray Crossover Ethernet cable Installation CD (includes user manual) Quick start guide Minimum System Requirements s Computer(s) with the following: û û a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection Microsoft Windows 98, 98 Second Edition (SE), Millennium Edition (Me), 2000, or XP Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher (5.x recommended), or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher (4.7 recommended) û s TCP/IP network protocol installed 3 s All computers included on the wireless network must have wireless networking capabilities Access Point Features The Access Point has a series of LEDs on its front panel, and a series of ports on its rear panel. It is recommended that the user become familiar with these features before installing or setting up the Access Point. Front Panel There are three LEDs (light emitting diodes) on the front panel of the Access Point, as shown in the figure, below. Power LED The Power LED glows red when power is supplied to the Access Point. When it blinks green, the Access Point is going through its initialization process. Steady green indicates the Access Point is ready. Ethernet LED The Ethernet LED glows green to indicate that your Access Point "sees" an active Ethernet connection. Wireless LED The Wireless LED glows green when the Access Point is ready to use. It will blink 4 intermittently when there is wireless activity. Rear Panel The Access Point has a Power Connector, A LAN (Ethernet) Port, an Antenna Jack, and a Reset button on its rear panel. LAN Port The Ethernet (LAN) port is used to connect the Access Point to a hub or router with the Gray Crossover Ethernet cable. Power Port The Power Port is used to connect the Access Point's Power Adapter. Antenna Jack The Antenna Jack connects the Access Point to its antenna. Reset Button The Reset button is used to reset the Access Point and restore the factory default settings. 5 Technical Support Actiontec Electronics, Inc., prides itself on making durable, high-quality, highperformance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department is available to provide professional support 24 hours a day, every day, except major holidays. Actiontec Electronics, Inc. 760 N. Mary Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Technical Support Phone: 1-888-436-0657 (USA), 0845 65 80411 (UK) Email: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php 6 Wireless Networking Basics 2 Wireless networking connects computers to each other using radio signals rather than wires. This allows users the freedom to move around and work anywhere within the range of the wireless network. A wireless network consists of two elements - Clients and Access Points. · A Client is a computer or any other device equipped with a wireless network adapter, such as the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card . · An access point is a device, like your Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point, that connects the clients with the network and each other. The following sections give an overview of the options available when setting up a wireless network. Creating a Wireless Network Creating a wireless network involves two basic steps: 1. Setting up an access point to send and receive wireless network signals. 2. Setting up computers to send and receive wireless network signals from the access point(s). A typical wireless network may look similar to the one in the figure, below. 7 All of the wirelessly networked computers (also known as clients) communicate with each other through the access point, which acts as a wireless hub. Extending a Wired Network To add wireless networking to an established wired network: 1. Connect the access point(s) to the wired network. This is usually done with an Ethernet cable connecting a wired network hub or router to an access point using a "cross-over" style Ethernet cable (included in the Quick Start Kit). 2. Set up the access point(s) to send and receive wireless network signals. 3. Set up computers (wireless clients) to send and receive wireless network signals from the access point(s). The figure below illustrates one possibility for extending a wired network: The access point is wired to a hub, which in turn is connected to a traditionally wired network. The notebook computer (or client), set up to receive wireless networking signals, can access the wired network via the access point. 8 Creating a Wireless Network from a Single Computer It is also possible to connect an access point to a single computer, instead of a network hub. This method can be used to share the computer's Internet connection among the wireless clients, and is a common way to use a wireless network in the home. To create a wireless network from a single computer: 1. Connect the access point to the computer. Use a standard Ethernet cable (purchased separately). 2. Set up the access point to send and receive wireless network signals. 3. Set up computers (wireless clients) to send and receive wireless network signals from the access point(s). The figure below shows a typical access point - computer setup: The access point is wired to the computer (usually, this computer will have an Internet connection). The notebook computer (wireless client) can access the wired computer, as well as use the Internet connection to surf the Web. Next, go to "Installing the Access Point" on page 10 to connect the Access Point. 9 Installing the Access Point Before Installing 3 Before installing the Access Point, be aware that this device can subject the user to electrical shock. Follow the guidelines in this manual and the manuals of any other equipment used during the installation. Failure to do so may result in injury or damage to the equipment. Important: This Access Point is a 2.4 GHz low-power RF device. It is intended for home and office use in all EU member states except France, where restrictive use applies. Connecting the Access Point To connect the Access Point to a network hub, switch, or computer (via Ethernet cable), use the following procedure: 1. Plug one end of the Power Adapter into the Power port on the back of the Access Point, and the other end into a power outlet. The Power LED on the front panel of the Access Point will be red until the initialization process begins, then blinks green. It will turn steady green when the device is ready for service. (This may take up to 30 seconds) 2. If connecting to a network hub or switch, plug one end of a "cross-over" type Ethernet cable (not included with the Access Point) in the LAN port on the back of the Access Point , and plug the other end into the hub or switch. See the figure on the next page. 10 2a. If connecting to a Router, hub or switch for wireless network usage or for administration of an access point (using the Web Configuration Utility to change an access point's settings, for example), plug one end of Gray Crossover Ethernet cable (included in this Quick Start Kit) in the LAN port on the back of the Access Point, and plug the other end into the computer. See figure below. + Note: Do not use the Ethernet cable included with the Access Point Quick Start Kit to connect to a computer. This Gray Ethernet cable is a "crossover" type, and is used to connect the Access Point to a network hub or switch. An Ethernet port looks like a phone port, but is slightly larger. Placing or Mounting the Access Point The Access Point can be placed on a flat surface (such as a desktop). Ensure there are no obstructions around the Access Point that may interfere with the sending and receiving of wireless signals. The Access Point can also be mounted on a wall. On the bottom panel of the Access Point are four screw mounting holes. Insert two screws into the wall, and ensure the screw heads protrude slightly from the wall surface. Mount the access point on the wall. + Note: If planning to mount the Access Point in a hard-to-reach location, ensure the cables are connected and the Access Point is configured properly before mounting. Next, go to "Setting Up the Access Point" on page 12. 11 Setting Up the Access Point 4 The 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point is shipped ready for immediate use. Its factory default settings allow the user to access the wireless network after making a few adjustments to the wireless clients to recognize its pre-programmed SSID. You should note however that in its default mode, your Access Point has its security options disabled and is pre-configured to run on channel # 9 of its 11 available channels. In some cases, you may have to change security settings, radio channels, IP addresses, client access privileges or other options, so it will work properly in your facility. In this case, you will have to reconfigure the default settings using the unit's internal web-based "control panel" that you can view using any standard web browser program, such as MS Internet Explorer or Netscape,. Configuring the Access Point Making A Connection Configuring the Access Point's settings requires you to to make a connection to the unit's Ethernet port access the unit's web-based control panel or via its wireless link. This can be done in one of two ways: 1. Connecting your computer to the Access Point via an Ethernet router. This is the preferred technique if you have a router port available in your network. Simply plug one end of a cross-over Ethernet cable (included with the Access Point) in the LAN port on the back of the Access Point, and plug the other end into the hub or switch. Details may be found in sub-section 2 of the previous chapter. Connecting your computer directly to the Access Point via an Ethernet cable. If you need to connect directly to the Access Point via your computer, plug one end of a "straight-through" Ethernet cable (purchased separately) in the LAN port on the back of the Access Point, and plug the other end into the computer. Details may be found in sub-section 2a of the previous chapter. Connecting to the Access Point via a wireless connection. You can also access the control panel by associating with the access point. If you are running Windows 98 through Windows 2000, simply set the SSID for the WiFi client in your computer to "Actiontec" (case sensitive), and select the "Infrastructure" operating mode. For Windows XP systems, simply right click on network icon in lower right, select "view available wireless networks" from the menu, and then select "Actiontec" from list. Click Apply and close. 12 2. 3. Your connection to the Access Point should be established and you are ready to access to the unit's control panel. Accessing & Using The Control Panel Making Sure Your Computer Can Talk To The Access Point . The Access Point's control panel has an internal IP address of 192.168.0.240 which enables any standard web browser to view and adjust its settings. If you are connected to your access point via an Actiontec brand router, it has an address that is within the same subnet address range. This means that you are ready to "talk" to the control panel and don't need to read this section and should proceed directly to the next section "Viewing The Control Panel" a bit further down on this page. If, however, you are using another brand of router (Linksys and some other products), the you may need to configure your computer's NIC card with a static IP address that is within the range of the access point's control panel. This is true whether you are making a wired or wireless connection to the unit. If you are unsure of ...