® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. 2.4 GHz Wireless-B 802.11b Ethernet Bridge WIRELESS Model No. User Guide WET11 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge 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 © 2003 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 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this guide: This checkmark means there is a Note of interest and is something you should pay special attention to while using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. This exclamation point means there is a Caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this: word: definition. Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like this: Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section in the "Table of Contents". WET11_v2-UG-30918NC JL Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What's in this Guide? 1 1 2 Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 4 4 4 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Back Panel The Front Panel 6 6 7 Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Overview Setup Wizard 8 9 9 9 Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based Utility Overview Starting the Web-based Utility Setup Password Advanced Status Help 13 14 14 14 15 17 18 19 20 Appendix A: Troubleshooting Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions 21 21 22 Appendix B: Wireless Security A Brief Overview What Are the Risks? 25 25 25 Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware Appendix D: Windows Help Appendix E: Glossary 32 33 34 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Appendix F: Specifications Appendix G: Warranty Information Appendix H: Regulatory Information Appendix I: Contact Information 40 42 43 46 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge List of Figures Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode Figure 2-2: Ad-Hoc Mode Figure 2-3: Wireless Bridging Using Two Bridges Figure 3-1: Back Panel Figure 3-2: Front Panel Figure 4-1: Connect the Ethernet Network Cable Figure 4-2: Connect the Power Adapter Figure 5-1: Welcome Figure 5-2: Check Connection Figure 5-3: List of Bridges Figure 5-4: Password Figure 5-5: Mode Settings Figure 5-6: Wireless Settings Figure 5-7: IP Settings Figure 5-8: Security Settings Figure 5-9: WEP Key Figure 5-10: Confirmation Figure 5-11: Congratulations Figure 7-1: Access the Web-based Utility Figure 7-2: Setup Tab Figure 7-3: Site Survey Figure 7-4: WEP Encryption Figure 7-5: Password Tab Figure 7-6: Advanced Settings Tab Figure 7-7: Status Tab Figure 7-8: Help Tab Figure B-1: Warchalking Figure B-2: WEP Encryption 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 25 31 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. The versatile Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge can make any wired Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers into your wireless network to share your high-speed network connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop into a wireless networked device. It's completely driver-free, so it works on any platform and under any operating system! Since there are no drivers to load, setup is a snap--just plug it into your device and configure the network settings through your web browser. You can also use the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge as a kind of "cable-less cable" to connect remote areas together. Maybe Shipping is all the way across the warehouse from Receiving. Or maybe you want to set up a home office in your detached garage. With a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge in the garage, and another one (or a Wireless Access Point) in the house, you're connected--with no cabling hassle. Let the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge from Linksys open up exciting new possibilities for your wireless network. 802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. Ethernet: an IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium. Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome 1 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge What's in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. · Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge 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 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge This chapter describes the physical features of the Bridge. · Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Bridge to your network for setup. · Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge This chapter explains how to set up the Bridge using the Setup Wizard. · Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use This chapter explains how to connect the Bridge to a network device so the device can join your wireless network. · Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based Utility This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on the Bridge. · Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding installation and use of the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. · 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 firmware on the Bridge should you need to do so. · Appendix D: Glossary This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking. · Appendix E: Windows Help This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing the TCP/IP protocol. Chapter 1: Introduction What's in this Guide? 2 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge · Appendix F: Specifications This appendix provides the technical specifications for the Bridge. · Appendix G: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the warranty information for the Bridge. · Appendix H: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the regulatory information regarding the Bridge. · Appendix I: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support. Chapter 1: Introduction What's in this Guide? 3 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name shared by the wireless devices belonging to the same wireless network. LAN (Local Area Network): the computers and networking products that make up your local network. SSID: your wireless network's name. Infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point. Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configuration is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or peripherals with a wired network or not. If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired network or need to share a peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network computers, the wireless network should be set up in Infrastructure mode. The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves as the main point of communications in a wireless network (see Figure 2-1). Access points transmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network cards, which can roam within a certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access points can be arranged to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set up to communicate with your Ethernet hardware as well. If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only with the other computers on the wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is that in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the wireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference directly between them. Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode Figure 2-2 shows a typical scenario of four Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges in ad-hoc mode. Figure 2-3 shows a typical wireless bridging scenario using two Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges. Each wireless network is connected to a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge through a switch. A separate notebook computer is equipped with a wireless network adapter and can communicate with either wireless network when it is configured with the appropriate SSID and channel. Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly to each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point. 4 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. Figure 2-2: Ad-Hoc Mode Figure 2-3: Wireless Bridging Using Two Bridges Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 5 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Back Panel All connections to the Bridge are made through the ports in its back panel, shown in Figure 3-1. Figure 3-1: Back Panel Reset X-II The Reset button resets the Bridge to its factory default settings. The X-II (MDI/MDI-X) slide switch offers a choice between two settings. Use the X setting if you are connecting the Bridge to a network adapter. Use the II setting if you are connecting the Bridge to a hub or switch. The LAN port is where you will connect the Ethernet network cable. The Power port is where you will connect the power adapter. Important: Resetting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge will erase all of your settings (WEP encryption, wireless settings, etc.) and replace them with the factory defaults. Do not reset the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge if you want to retain these settings. LAN Power Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Back Panel 6 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Front Panel Network activity with the Bridge is shown on the LEDs, shown in Figure 3-2. PWR DIAG Green. The PWR LED will light up when the Bridge is powered on. Green. The DIAG LED will light up when there is a connection error. Re-establish the connection to eliminate the error. Green. The LAN LED will be lit steadily when the Bridge is connected to the wired network. The LED will flash when there is wired network traffic. Green. The WLAN LED will be lit steadily when the Bridge is connected to the wireless network. The LED will flash when there is wireless network traffic. LAN WLAN Figure 3-2: Front Panel Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Front Panel 7 Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup 1. Attach the Bridge's antenna. 2. Plug the included Ethernet network cable into the LAN port on the back pane ...