® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. 2.4 GHz Wireless-G 802.11g Range Expander WIRELESS Model No. User Guide WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander 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. WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. How to Use this User Guide The user guide to the Wireless-G Range Expander has been designed to make understanding networking with the Range Expander easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide: This checkmark means there is a note of interest and is something you should pay special attention to while using the Range Expander. This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Range Expander. This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Range Expander. 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. WRE54G_V2-UG-50114NC JL Wireless-G Range Expander Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What's in this User Guide? 1 1 2 Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout 4 4 4 5 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander The Front Panel The Side Panel The Recess for the Power Plate 6 6 6 7 Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander Overview Connection to a Wired Network for Setup Connection to a Wireless Network for Setup Connection for Auto Configuration 8 8 8 9 9 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander Overview Running the Setup Wizard Moving the Range Expander 10 10 10 16 Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander Overview Accessing the Web-based Utility The Setup Tab 17 17 17 18 Appendix A: Troubleshooting Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions 23 23 23 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Precautions Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 27 27 27 Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 30 Wireless-G Range Expander Appendix D: Windows Help Appendix E: Glossary Appendix F: Specifications Appendix G: Warranty Information Appendix H: Regulatory Information Appendix I: Contact Information 31 32 36 37 38 40 Wireless-G Range Expander List of Figures Figure 3-1: Front Panel Figure 3-1: Front Panel with Ethernet Network Cable Connected Figure 3-2: Recess for the Power Plate Figure 4-1: Connecting the Ethernet Network Cable Figure 4-2: Using the Power Plate with Cord Figure 4-3: Using the Power Plate with Plug Figure 4-4: Using the Power Plate with Cord Figure 4-5: Using the Power Plate with Plug Figure 5-1: Setup Wizard's Welcome Screen Figure 5-2: Check Your Wireless Network Figure 5-3: Confirm Wireless Network Settings Figure 5-4: Wireless Network Not Found Figure 5-5: Choose the Access Point Figure 5-6: Configure Wireless Settings Manually Figure 5-7: WEP Security Settings Figure 5-8: WPA Security Settings Figure 5-9: Choose the Range Expander Figure 5-10: Enter the Password Figure 5-11: Configure Network Address Settings Figure 5-12: MAC Address of Access Point or Wireless Router (WRE54G v1 Only) Figure 5-13: Confirmation Screen Figure 5-14: Congratulations Screen Figure 5-15: Using the Power Plate with Cord Figure 5-16: Using the Power Plate with Plug Figure 6-1: Login Screen Figure 6-2: Setup Tab - Basic Setup Figure 6-3: WPA Security 6 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 Wireless-G Range Expander Figure 6-4: WEP Security Figure 6-5: Setup Tab - Password Figure 6-6: File Download Figure 6-7: Setup Tab - Help Figure 6-8: Firmware Upgrade Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware 19 21 21 22 22 30 Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome 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 Expander repeats the signal to all devices within its range. By placing the Range Expander at the furthest edge of your access point or wireless router's signal, it could conceivably double the area of your 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 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. While access points and wireless routers bridge wireless networks and wired networks, the Range Expander can then take that signal for networks that use the 802.11b and 802.11g standards and extend it beyond its current range. Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Range Expander, set it up, and configure it to expand the range of your Wireless-G and Wireless-B networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Range Expander. network: a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users. access point: a device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network. router: a networking device that connects multiple networks together. adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC. 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 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. Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome 1 Wireless-G Range Expander What's in this User Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting 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 Your Wireless Network This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking. · Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter describes the physical features of the Range Expander. · Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter describes the steps for connecting the Range Expander to your wired or wireless network. · Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter instructs you on how to use the Range Expander's Setup Wizard and configure the Range Expander. · Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter shows you how to configure the Range Expander using the Web Utility. · Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix describes some potential problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding installation and use of the Range Expander. · Appendix B: Wireless Security This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help protect your wireless network. · Appendix C: Windows Help This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing the TCP/IP protocol. · Appendix D: Glossary This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking. · Appendix E: Specifications This appendix provides the Range Expander's technical specifications. Chapter 1: Introduction What's in this User Guide? 2 Wireless-G Range Expander · Appendix F: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander's warranty information. · Appendix G: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander's regulatory information. · Appendix H: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support. Chapter 1: Introduction What's in this User Guide? 3 Wireless-G Range Expander 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 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 can 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 can be doubled. ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point. infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point. 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. Should 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. 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. Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology 4 Wireless-G Range Expander Network Layout Linksys Wireless-B and Wireless-G access points and routers have been designed for use with 802.11b and 802.11g products. Products using the 802.11g and 802.11b standards can communicate with each other. Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b adapters, such as the Notebook Adapters for your laptop computers, PCI Adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with the wireless PrintServer. When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on access points and wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or routers. 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 wireless products. Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Layout 5 Wireless-G Range Expander Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander The Front Panel The Range Expander's adjustable antenna, LEDs, and Ethernet network port are located on the front panel. Antenna Make sure the antenna is positioned straight up into the air, no matter how the Range Expander is positioned. LEDs LINK Blue/Red. The LINK LED lights up when the Range Expander is powered on. This LED will light up blue when the Range Expander has connected to an access point or wireless router. It will light up red when the Range Expander is not connect to any access point or wireless router. Blue. The ACTIVITY LED lights up when the Range Expander is powered on. It will flash when there is wireless network activity. ACTIVITY Ethernet Network Port The Ethernet network port is located underneath the lid below the Range Expander's LEDs. This port is used if you connect the Range Expander to a wired network for setup. The Ethernet network port has two small LEDs that light up green when the Range Expander is connected to a wired network. Figure 3-1: Front Panel Figure 3-1: Front Panel with Ethernet Network Cable Connected The Side Panel On the Range Expander's side panel, you will find the Reset and Auto configur ...