Buffalo Technology WLA-G54C User Manual

wireless compact

WLA-G54C

repeater bridge-g

User Manual

Interoperable with:

Protected Access

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.1 AirStation 54 Mbps* Compact Repeater Bridge (WLA-G54C). . . . . . . . . . 3

1.2 AirStation Wireless Network Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.3 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.4 AirStation Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.5 Product Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.6 About the AirStation CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

INSTALLATION/SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

STANDARD SETTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.2 Setup Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.3 Setup Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.4 Access the Web interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.5 Main Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.6 Basic Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.7 Basic MAC Address Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

ADVANCED CONFIGURATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.1 LAN Setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.1.1 Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.1.2 LAN Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.1.3 Wireless LAN Computer Limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.1.4 WDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.2. Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.2.1 Routing Setup (Not in use) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.2.2 Packet Filter (Not in use) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.3 Management (Network Diagnosis Settings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.3.1 System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.3.2 Name/Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.3.3 Time Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.3.4 Transfer Packet Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.3.5 PING Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.3.6 Log Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.3.7 Syslog transmitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.3.8 Save/restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.3.9 Initialization/reboot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4.3.10 Firmware update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

4.4 Logout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

1 Table of Contents

SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

GLOSSARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

FCC INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

WARRANTY INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

CONTACT INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Introduction

1.1 AirStation 54 Mbps* Compact Repeater Bridge (WLA-G54C)

This User Manual introduces you to the high-speed AirStation 54 Mbps* Compact Repeater Bridge and will

assist you with the more advanced features of the product.

The AirStation 54 Mbps* Compact Repeater Bridge , WLA-G54C, is a wireless network access point that can

be added to an existing network (LAN) to create a wireless network or added to an existing WLAN to extend the range of the WLAN. The WLA-G54C complies with the IEEE 802.11g wireless standard and is interoperable with the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard. IEEE 802.11g technology features longer range than

IEEE 802.11a and greater bandwidth with data rates up to 54 Mbps* in the turbo mode. The WLA-G54C sup-

ports Wi-Fi Protected Access™, AES, 802.1x and WEP for security. The WLA-G54C supports the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) and can be used as a multi-functional bridge/link between wired and wireless LANs. The WLA-G54C has an MC connector for external antenna support.

1.2 AirStation Wireless Network Features

Summary of the AirStation WLA-G54C features:

• Wi-Fi™ (Wireless Fidelity) certiﬁ ed AirStation will communicate with other Wi-Fi compliant 802.11g wireless LAN products.

• Supports Wi-Fi Protected Access™ (WPA), AES, 802.1x/EAP, and WEP for security

• Automatic Transmit Rate Select mechanism transmits at speeds of 24, 12, 11, 5.5, 2 and 1Mbps.

• Supports turbo mode of 36, 48 and up to 54 Mbps*.

• Wireless Distribution System (WDS) support for multi-point communication.

• Ability to set a ﬁ xed data rate for faster than 11Mbps ignoring 802.11b legacy devices.

• Auto roaming, supports seamless roaming over multiple channels.

• Auto VPN setup, for secure communications.

• Supports the addition of external 2.4GHz antennas to boost range and performance.

• Syslog transmits some or all system activities to a central Syslog server.

• Auto Media Dependent Interface/Crossover (MDI/X) port, allows connection by standard and crossover CAT5 cables.

• Supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

• Improved resistance to environmental conditions.

2 Introduction

1.3 System Requirements

• Existing Local Area Network

• Any Wi-Fi (wireless) compatible computer with a Web Browser Internet Explorer or Netscape 4.5 or later.

(Safari 1.0 is supported with Macintosh OS X.2) Buffalo AirStation Client Manager operates on: Windows® 98SE, 2000, Me and XP

1.4 AirStation Package Contents

The AirStation WLA-G54C package contains of the following items:

1. WLA-G54C Compact Repeater Bridge

2. AC adapter and Power cord

3. CAT5 straight cable

4. Quick Setup Guides

5. Utility CD with Manuals

6. Warranty Statement

1.5 Product Views

1.6 About the AirStation CD

The AirStation does not require any software to be installed on your computer for conﬁ guration. The AirStation CD contains client drivers for Buffalo Wireless Adapters (i.e. Notebook Adapter and Desktop PCI Adapter) and the AirStation Client Manager which can be used to connect the client adapters to the AirStation in order to access the web conﬁ guration screen of the AirStation.

The WLA-G54C CD contains the AirStation utility, AirNavigator. Buffalo Technology USA does not recommend the use of AirNavigator with the WLA-G54C or any other Buffalo AirStation G54 product.

Prior to copying or installing any software, please read the Software License Agreement “license.txt”, located in the root folder of the CD. By installing, copying or using the AirStation software, you are consenting to the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree to all of the terms of the Software License Agreement, do not download, copy or install the AirStation software.

It is the policy of Buffalo Technology to improve products as new technology, components, software and ﬁ rmware become available.

Before you proceed with the installation of this product, please consult the AirStation wireless website

3 Introduction

Installation/Setup

(http://www.buffalotech.com/wireless/) to download and install the latest software for your product.

Do not connect the AirStation 54 Mbps* Bridge to your existing network until

configuration of the AirStation is complete!

Please reference the Quick Setup Guide for information regarding how to connect the AirStation for initial configuration.

Once configuration is complete, plug the provided 7ft. Ethernet cable into the 10/100M Ethernet port on the AirStation and plug the other end into an Ethernet port of your existing Local Area Network (LAN).

Figure 2.1

Connect to

LAN

Figure 2.1a

AirStation

in use

AirStation Compact Repeater Bridge provides wireless connectivity to your existing LAN.

4 Introduction

Standard Settings

Introduction

Conﬁ guring the AirStation using a standard web browser requires basic wireless conﬁ guration knowledge. Setup includes manual wireless conﬁ guration and basic administrative management.

3.2 Setup Preparation

The WLA-G54C is conﬁ gured to function right out of the box. Basic settings for security and MAC Address registration are offered in this section (3). Specialized setups for security, ﬁ ltering and other features will be explained in section 4 and conﬁ gured by clicking the Advanced Button.

3.3 Setup Overview

Your computer must be physically connected to the AirStation with an CAT5 straight cable plugged into the LAN port for initial configuration. Refer to the Quick Setup Guide for initial configuration information.

A Web browser version 4.5 or later should be used to configure the AirStation.

The WLA-G54C CD contains the Client Manager program. The Client Manager is used with a Buffalo Wireless Client Adapter (CardBus, USB or PCI) to associate, setup and conﬁ gure the AirStation and for monitoring the wireless signal between the AirStation and Buffalo client.

Client Manager is currently not recommended for initial conﬁ guration of the AirStation. Please refer to the Buffalo website for the latest information and software for the AirStation.

Advanced settings for security, ﬁ ltering and other features will be explained in Section 4.

Figure 3.4

Window

3.4 Access the Web Interface

• Connect the AirStation according to the instructions in the Quick Setup Guide.

• The AirStation has a default LAN IP address of 192.168.11.1 and Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0.

■ Note:

with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The Quick Setup Guide enclosed with the product contains detailed instructions on how to conﬁ gure your computer for initial conﬁ guration.

The computer used to conﬁ gure the AirStation must be set to a static IP address of 192.168.11.2

On the computer used to configure the AirStation, launch a Web Browser 4.5 or later.

- Enter 192.168.11.1 into the URL field.

- A window will open prompting you to enter a User ID and Password.

Enter “root” as the User ID and leave the password field blank.

5 Introduction

Figure 3.5

Main Setup

Screen

Figure 3.6

Basic WEP

Setup

3.5 Main Screen

The main screen is the gateway to all conﬁ guration screens of the AirStation. For Advanced settings, click the Advanced button detailed in Section 4.

3.6 Basic Security

Click Encrypt the wireless communications by WEP to enter simple WEP settings to protect your wireless data. Select Encrypt or No encrypt and then select either ASCII or HEX to input a password (encryption code) to encrypt and protect wireless com mu ni ca tions. It is possible to enter up to 4 different WEP keys. The WEP key must match between AirStation and clients for secure com mu ni ca tions.

Examples of WEP keys:

64-bit ASCII: 5 digits of alphanumeric characters, “ab34Y”

128-bit ASCII: 13 digits of alphanumeric characters, “123456abcdef7”

■ Note: ASCII WEP is case sensitive.

64-bit HEX: 10 digits, using characters 0-9 and a-f, “00234ABCDE”

128-bit HEX: 26 digits, using characters 0-9 and a-f, “20123456789abcdeabcdeabcde”

Figure 3.7

Basic MAC

Address

Registration

6 Installation / Setup

3.7 Basic MAC Address Registration

Click Register for allowable PC’s MAC address for basic MAC access restriction settings for the AirStation. Input the MAC addresses that are allowed to communicate via the AirStation.

MAC address to be registered - Enter the MAC address of the computers that are allowed to communicate and click register. MAC Addresses should be input in the form of two characters separated by a colon and click Add.

MAC Address Ex: 00:00:00:00:00:00

List of PCs found on the Network - Computers connected to the AirStation are shown and can be registered by checking the enable con-

nection checkbox and then clicking Change the marked item.

Connection from unregistered wireless PCs Limit - Select Deny and no wireless connection

is allowed unless the wireless card’s MAC address is registered with the AirStation. Select Allow and all wireless communication requests are granted.

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