D Link DWL900AP-PLUS Users Manual

D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+

2.4 GHz Wireless Access Point

Manual

Rev. 071002

Building Networks for People

Contents

1.

Package Contents ...................................... 3

2. Introduction .................................................. 4

3. Wireless Basics ........................................... 7

4. Getting Started.......................................... 10

5. Using the Configuration Menu .............. 12

6. Using the AirPlus AP Manager.............. 21

7. Troubleshooting ........................................ 25

8. Networking Basics ................................... 30

9. Technical Specifications........................ 64

10. Contacting Technical Support ............. 66

11. Warranty and Registration ................... 67

2

1. Package Contents

Contents of Package:

• D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Access
Point

• Power Supply – 5V DC, 2.0A

• Manual on CD

• Quick Installation Guide

• Ethernet Cable

Note: Using a power supply with a different voltage rating than the one included with

the DWL-900AP+ will cause damage and void the warranty for this product.

If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.

• Computer with Windows, Macintosh, or Linux-based operating
system with an installed Ethernet adapter

• Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator version 4.0 or above, with
JavaScript enabled

System Requirements:

2. Introduction

The D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ Wireless Access Point is an enhanced

802.11b high-performance wireless access point. It is an ideal way to
extend the reach and number of computers connected to your wireless
network.

Unlike most 802.11b access points, the DWL-900AP+ is capable of data
transfer speeds of up to 22 Mbps (compared to the standard 11 Mbps) when
used with other D-Link AirPlus products such as the DWL-520+ Wireless
PCI Adapter.

After completing the steps outlined in the Quick Installation Guide (included
in your package) you will have the ability to share information and resources,
such as files and printers, and enjoy the freedom that wireless networking
delivers.

The DWL-900AP+ is compatible with most popular operating systems,
including Macintosh, Linux and Windows, and can be integrated into a large
network. This Manual is designed to help you connect the Access Point and
the D-Link AirPlus 2.4GHz Wireless Adapters into a network in Infrastructure
mode. Please take a look at the Getting Started section in this manual to

see an example of an Infrastructure network using the DWL-900AP+.

This manual provides a quick introduction to wireless technology and its
application as it relates to networking. Please take a moment to read
through this manual and get acquainted with wireless technology.

Connections

MDII RJ-45 Ethernet

•

•

Port

Straight-Through

cable is required
when connecting to a
router or switch

Cross-Over

cable is required to
connect to a computer

Power

Reset Button

4

Features & Benefits

• Up to 2X Faster with AirPlus Products - high-speed wireless data
transfer rates up to 22Mbps. With twice the data rate and capacity,
the DWL-900AP+ delivers media rich content such as digital images,
videos, and MP3 files much faster than standard 802.11b networks

• Fully 802.11b Compatible – Fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b
standard and interoperable with all existing 802.11b compliant
devices

• Improved Performance – Up to 20% faster data transfer rates on
standard 802.11b networks

• Stronger Network Security with 256-bit WEP Encryption – Supports
64/128/256-bit WEP encryption for higher level of security for your
data and wireless communication than encryption found in existing

802.11b products

• Built-in DHCP Server – If enabled, it will automatically assign IP
addresses to wireless clients in a temporary network.

• Web-based interface for Managing and Configuring – Easy-to-use
interface independent of the operating system

• 4 Different Operation Modes – Capable of operating in one of four
different operation modes to meet your wireless networking
requirements: Access Point, AP-to-AP Bridging, AP-to-Multipoint
Bridging, and Wireless Client.

LEDS

LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. The DWL-900AP+ Wireless Access
Point has 3 LEDs as shown below:

LAN

WLAN

Power

Power: solid green light indicates connection

LAN: blinking green light indicates activity; solid green light

indicates connection

WLAN: blinking green light indicates wireless activity; solid
green light indicates connection

6

3. Wireless Basics

D-Link AirPlus wireless products are based on industry standards to provide
easy-to-use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your
home, business or public access wireless networks. Strictly adhering to the
IEEE standard, the D-Link AirPlus wireless family of products will allow you
to securely access the data you want, when and where you want it. You will
be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that
transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless
LANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments, and
public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities. Innovative ways
to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and communicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other
fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.

Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network.
Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the
same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.

Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices
to link to a conventional Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an
Internet connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Access
Point (AP) is a device used to provide this link.

People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:

Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions
based on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.

Low Implementation Costs – WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) are
easy to set up, manage, change and relocate. Networks that frequently
change, both physically and logically, can benefit from WLANs ease of
implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.

Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can
be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and
ceilings.

Wireless Basics

Network Expansion - Wireless technology allows the network to go where

wires cannot go.

Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for
wireless LAN hardware might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware,
overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs will be significantly lower.
Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring
frequent moves, adds, and changes.

Scalability – Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) can be configured in a
variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific applications and
installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer
networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks
of thousands of users that allow roaming over a broad area.

D-Link AirPlus Wireless Family of LAN products include:

Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop

♦

computers (DWL-650+)

Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers

♦

(DWL-520+)

Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Access Points (DWL-900AP+)

♦

Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Broadband Router (DI-614+)

♦

The DWL-900AP+ will also work with D-Link Air 802.11b wireless adapters,
which include:

2.4GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers

♦

(DWL-650)

2.4GHz Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers (DWL-520)

♦

Standards - Based Technology

The IEEE standard-based technology assures that the D-Link AirPlus
Products are interoperable with existing compatible 2.4GHz wireless
technology. This means you will be able to transfer large files quickly or
even watch a movie in MPEG format over your network without noticeable
delays. The technology works by using multiple frequencies in the 2.4GHz
range at speeds up to 22 Mbps. D-Link AirPlus products will automatically

8

sense the best possible connection speed to ensure optimal network
performance.

Installation Considerations

Designed to go up to 1,312 feet (400 meters) outdoors and up to 328 feet
(100 meters) indoors, D-Link’s AirPlus DWL-900AP+ lets you access your
network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere. Keep in mind,
however, that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings or other
objects that the wireless signals must pass through may limit the range.
Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF
(radio frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to maximizing
wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1.

Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the wireless Access
Point and your receiving device (e.g., the DWL-650+) to a minimum ­Each wall or ceiling can reduce your D-Link AirPlus Wireless product’s
range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your Access Points,
Residential Gateways, and computers so that the number of walls or
ceilings is minimized.

2. Be aware of the direct line between Access Points, Residential
Gateways (routers) and computers. A wall that is 1.5 feet thick (.5
meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick.
At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Try to make
sure that the Access Points and adapters are positioned so that the
signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling for better reception.

3. Building Materials make a difference - A solid metal door or aluminum
studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position Access Points,
and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through
drywall or open doorways and not other materials.

4. Make sure that the device’s antenna is positioned for best reception by
using the software signal strength tools included with your product.

5. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical

devices or appliances that may generate extreme RF noise.

For the average home, signal range should not be an issue. If you
experience low or no signal strength in areas of your home that you wish to
access, consider positioning the Access Point in a location directly between
the computers with wireless adapters. Additional Access Points can be
connected to provide better coverage in rooms where the signal does not
appear as strong as desired.

4. Getting Started

f

Right out of the box, with its default settings, the DWL-900AP+ will

automatically connect with other D-Link Air or AirPlus products.

For the price of a single IP Address from your Broadband Internet Service
provider you can share the Internet with all the computers on your local
network, without sacrificing speed or security, using D-Link AirPlus
networking products.

IP ADDRESS

Please note: If you have a DHCP-capable router, such as the D-

Link DI-604 or DI-614+, there is no need to assign an IP Address.

If you need to assign IP Addresses to the computers on the
network, please remember that the IP Address for each

computer must be in the same IP Address range as all the
computers in the network, and the Subnet mask must be exactly

the same for all the computers in the network.

For example: If the first computer is assigned an IP Address o

192.168.0.2 with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second
computer can be assigned an IP Address of 192.168.0.3 with a
Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, etc.

IMPORTANT: If computers or other devices are assigned the
same IP Address, one or more of the devices may not be
visible on the network.

An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point. The Infrastructure
Network example shown on the next page contains the following D-Link

network devices:

A wireless Access Point - D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+
An Ethernet Broadband Router - D-Link DI-604
A laptop computer with a wireless adapter - D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter - D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+
A Cable modem - D-Link DCM-200

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

It is a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses “automatically.”

With a DHCP-capable gateway/router, there is

no need to manually assign an IP address.

10

Getting Started

k

r

Setting Up an Infrastructure Network

Please refer to the following sections
of this manual for additional
information about setting up a network:

Networking Basics- learn how to
check your IP Address; share printers
and files.

Using the Configuration Utility- learn
the settings you must use on each
computer in your network for
successful communication.
Troubleshooting- learn how to chec
for the proper installation of the
network adapters’ drivers and othe
tips for troubleshooting the network.

Please remember that D-Link AirPlus wireless devices are pre-configured to

connect together, right out of the box, with the default settings.

You will need a broadband Internet access (Cable/DSL)
subscription.

Consult with your Cable/DSL provider for proper installation of the
modem.

Connect the modem to an Ethernet Broadband Router (such as the
D-Link DI-604)

DI-604.

See the Quick Installation Guide included with the

Connect the router to the D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+.

the Quick Installation Guide for setting up the DWL-900AP+.

If you are connecting a desktop computer in your network, you can

Refer to

install the D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+ wireless PCI adapter into an
available PCI slot.

DWL-520+.

See the Quick Installation Guide included with the

Install the drivers for the wireless cardbus adapter (D-Link

AirPlus DWL-650+) into the laptop computer.

Installation Guide included with the DWL-650+ for installation

instructions.

See the Quick

5. Using the Configuration Menu

The Configuration Menu for the DWL-900AP+ is web-based. When using
the configuration program, please consider the following:

You will need a JavaScript-enabled web-browser such as Internet Explorer

4.0 or higher, or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher.

The computer that you are using for initial configuration must have an IP
Address within the same range as the IP Address of the DWL-900AP+.
The DWL-900AP+ has a default IP Address of 192.168.0.50 with subnet
mask of 255.255.255.0

If you are using a D-Link router in your network, such as the DI-604, with the
factory default settings, you will not need to assign a static IP Address to the
computer that you are using to configure the Access Point. (Skip to Fig. 5.1:
entering the IP address)

If you are not using a D-Link router in your network, you will need to assign a
Static IP Address to the computer that you are using to configure the DWL­900AP+, within the IP Address Range of the DWL-900AP+. Assign a static IP
address of 192.168.0.2 with subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 (Please see
Networking Basics in this manual for information on Assigning a Static IP
Address.)

Note: Please write down the current IP address settings of the computer. You

may need to revert back to these settings after configuring the DWL-900AP+.

After you have assigned a Static IP Address to the computer you are using for
configuration (if necessary), next you will assign the DWL-900AP+ an IP
Address within the range of your existing network.

After changing the DWL-900AP+’s IP Address, you must revert back to the
original IP address in order to regain connection to the DWL-900AP+.

If the computer had a static IP address, re-input that same address.

•

•

If the computer had a dynamic IP Address (i.e., a DHCP capable router
automatically assigns the IP Address) then change the setting of your
network adapter to receive a Dynamic IP Address.

Factory Default Settings for the DWL-900AP+

SSID default
Channel 6
Encryption disabled
User Name admin
Password

IP Address

(no password, leave field blank)

192.168.0.50

12