Linksys BEFW11S4-AT User Manual
Instant Wireless™ Series
Wireless Access Point
Router with 4-Port Switch
Use this Guide to install: BEFW11S4-AT
User Guide
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless is a trademark of
Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their
respective proprietors.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Linksys guarantees that every Instant Wireless™ Wi reless Access Point Router with 4-Port
Switch is free from physical defects in material and workmanship for one year from the
date of purchase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications section of this
User Guide. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, call Linksys
Technical Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization number. BE SURE TO HAVE
YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE ON HAND WHEN CALLING. When returning a product,
mark the Return Authorization number clearly on the outside of the package and include
a copy of your original proof of purchase. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE
PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. All customers located outside of the
United States of America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’ LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS OFFERS NO REFUNDS FOR ITS PRODUCTS. Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory,
with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and all accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or
fitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves the right to revise or update its products, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any individual or entity.
Please direct all inquiries to:
Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
FCC STATEMENT
The Instant Wireless™ Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch has been tested
and complies with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used according to the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, ther e is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which is found by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s
• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
UG-BEFW11S4-AT-062702NC BW
Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a Wireless Access Point Router with 4Port Switch. The W ireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch provides the
ideal solution for connecting your wireless network to a high-speed broadband
Internet connection and a 10/100 Fast Ethernet backbone.
A typical router relies on a hub or a switch to share its Internet connection, but
the Linksys W ireless Access P oint Router with 4-P ort Switch channels this connection through the blazing, full duplex speed of its built-in EtherFast
®
10/100
4-Port Switch. This cutting-edge combination of wireless router and switch
technology eliminates the need to buy an additional hub or switch, and extends
the range of your wireless network. Now your entire wireless network can
enjoy blazing broadband Internet connections supported by its robust switched
backbone. With the dual-function speed and power of the Wireless Access
Point Router with 4-Port Switch, your network will take off at speeds faster
than you ever imagined possible.
The Router allows you set up a local network with your PCs and connect to the
Internet using the global IP addresses from the AT&T Broadband network. You
can also share files and printers securely on your local network. The Router
also acts as an Access Point for a local wireless network, so when you add a
Linksys Wireless PC Card to your PC, you can wirelessly connect to the
Router.
• Capable of up to 128-bit WEP Encryption
• Includes one Ethernet Cable to Connect to a Cable Modem
Features
The Linksys Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
The Linksys Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch 1
Features 1
Package Contents 2
Minimum Requirements 2
An Introduction to LANs and WANs 2
IP Addresses 3
The Wireless Access Point Router’s Ports 5
The Wireless Access Point Router’s LEDs 6
Chapter 2: Connecting the Router 8
Before You Start 8
Connecting Your Hardware Together & Booting Up 8
Chapter 3: Configuring the PCs 11
Overview 11
Configuring Windows 98SE and Millennium PCs 11
Configuring Windows 2000 PCs 13
Configuring Windows XP PCs 15
Chapter 4: Configuring the Router for Wireless 17
Chapter 5: Using the Router’s Web-Based Utility 20
Setup 21
Password 23
Status 24
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 25
Common Problems and Solutions 25
Frequently Asked Questions 27
Appendix B: Configuring Wireless Security 30
Configuring Wireless Security in Windows XP 33
Appendix C: Glossary 38
Appendix D: Specifications 52
Environmental 53
Appendix E: Warranty Information 54
Appendix F: Contact Information 55
Think of the Router as a network device with two sides. The f irst side is made
up of your priv ate Local Area Network (LAN) of PCs. The other side, the public side, is the Internet, or the Wide Area Network (WAN), outside of your
home or office.
What’s an IP Address?
IP stands for Internet Protocol. Every device on an IP-based network, including PCs, print servers, and routers, requires an IP address to identify its “location, ” or address, on the network. This applies to both the WAN and LAN connections.
2
IP Addresses
• One Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
• One Setup Wizard CD-ROM with User Guide
• One Power Adapter
• One CAT 5 UTP Cable
• One Quick Installation and One Registration Card (not shown)
• Network Adapter with Ethernet (UTP CAT 5) Cabling and TCP/IP Protocol
Installed per PC
• Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.7 or Higher for Web-based
configuration
• Cable Modem with Ethernet Connection and Internet Access
• Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP for the Setup Wizard
• CD-ROM Drive
A router is a network device that connects two networks together. The Router
connects your Local Area Network (LAN), or the group of PCs in your home
or office, to the Wide Area Network (WAN), which is the Internet. The Router
processes and regulates the data that travels between these two networks.
Package Contents
Minimum Requirements
Figure 1-1
An Introduction to LANs and WANs
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Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
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The Router’s back panel (as shown in Figure 1-2) is where all of its connections
are made.
WAN The WAN (Wide Area Network) Port is where you will con-
nect your cable modem with an Ethernet cable. Your modem
connection will not work from any other port.
Ports 1-4 These four LAN (Local Area Network) ports are where you
will connect networked devices, such as PCs, print servers,
and any other Ethernet devices you want to put on your network. If Port 4 is being used, the Uplink Port will not work.
Uplink The Uplink Port is where you can expand your network by
connecting to another switch or hub. Uplinking to another
switch or a hub is done by simply running a cable from the
Uplink Port to the other device. The Uplink Port is shared
with Port 4. If the Uplink port is being used, Port 4 will not
work.
Power The Power Port is where you will connect the included AC
Power adapter.
Antenna Jacks The Antenna Jacks are where the included antennas are con-
nected.
Figure 1-2
The Wireless Access Point Router’s Ports
Dynamic IP Addresses
A dynamic IP address is automatically assigned to a device on the network,
such as PCs and print servers. These IP addresses are called “dynamic”
because they are only temporarily assigned to the PC or device. After a certain
time period, they expire and may change. If a PC logs on to the network (or the
Internet) and its dynamic IP address has expired, the DHCP server will assign
it a new dynamic IP address.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Servers
DHCP frees you from having to assign IP addresses manuall y e v ery time a ne w
user is added to your network. PCs and other network devices using dynamic
IP addressing are assigned a new IP address by a DHCP server. The PC or network device obtaining an IP address is called the DHCP client. The Router’s
WAN por t is, by default, set as a DHCP client.
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Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Full/Col Green. This LED also serves two purposes. When this LED
is lit continuously, the connection made through the cor responding port is running in Full Duplex mode. A blinking
LED indicates that the connection is experiencing collisions.
Infrequent collisions are normal. If this LED blinks too
often, there may be a problem with y our connection. Refer to
the Troubleshooting Appendix if you think there is a problem.
100 Orange. This LED indicates when a successful 100Mbps
connection is made through the corresponding port.
The WANIndicators
Link Green. This LED indicates a connection between the Router
and your broadband device or network.
Act Green. This LED blinks when the Router is sending or
receiving data over the broadband (WAN) por t.
Diag Red. This LED indicates the Router’s self-diagnosis mode
during boot-up and restart. It will turn off upon completing
the diagnosis. If this LED stays on for an abnormally long
period of time, refer to the Appendix A:Troubleshooting.
The LAN Indicators
WLAN Act Green. This LED indicates wireless activity.
WLAN Link Green. This LED indicates that the Router’s wireless func-
tions have been enabled through the Web-based utility.
Power Green. This LED indicates that the Router’s power is on.
Link/Act Green. This LED serves two purposes. When this LED is lit
continuously, this indicates that the Router is connected to a
device through the corresponding port (1, 2, 3, or 4). A blinking LED indicates that the Router is actively sending or
receiving data over that port. When the Uplink Port is in use,
the LED for Port 4 will be lit continuously.
The Wireless Access Point Router’s LEDs
TThhee RReesseett BBuuttttoonn
Pressing the Reset Button and holding it in for a few seconds will clear all
of the Router’s data and restore the factory defaults. This should be done
only if you are experiencing heavy routing problems, and only after you
have exhausted all of the other troubleshooting options. By resetting the
Router, you run the risk of creating conflicts between your PCs’ actual IP
Addresses and what the Router thinks their IP Addresses should be. You
may be forced to reboot each network PC.
If the Router locks up, simply press the reset button or power it down for
three to five seconds by removing the power cable from the Router’s
Power Port. Leaving the power off for too long could result in the loss of
network connections.
Figure 1-3
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Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
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3. Connect an Ethernet cable from one of your PC’s Ethernet ports to one of the
Router’s LAN ports (as shown in Figure 2-2). Do the same with all the PCs
you want to connect to the Router. (LAN Port 4 will become inactive if you
use the Uplink port.)
In addition to accessing the Router through
an Ethernet connection, a wireless connection can be used to access the Router. See
the “For Wireless Connections” section
that follows these connection instructions.
4. Connect the Power Adapter (included) to
the Router’s Power port (as shown in
Figure 2-3) and plug the other end into a
power outlet.
• The Power LED will illuminate green
as soon as the power adapter is connected.
• The Diag LED will illuminate red for a
few seconds while the Router goes
through its internal diagnostic test. The
LED will tur n off when the self-test is
complete.
5. Power on the cable modem. Verify that the
power is on by checking the Link LED in the WAN column on the front of
the Router. The Link LED will be illuminated if the power is on and the
modem is ready.
6. Press the Reset button on the back of the Router. Hold the button in for three
seconds, or until the Diag LED illuminates red. This restores the Router’s
default settings.
7. Power on your PC.
The Router is now connected. Continue to the next chapter to configure
your PCs.
Figure 2-2
Figure 2-3
Chapter 2: Connecting the Router
Before plugging everything together, it’s always a good idea to have everything
you’ll need to get the Router up and running.
1. Power everything down, including your PCs, your cable modem and the
Router.
2. Connect an Ethernet cable from your cable modem to the Router’s WAN port
(as shown in Figure 2-1).
Before You Star t
Connecting Your Hardware Together and Booting Up
Figure 2-1
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Chapter 3: Configuring the PCs
You will need to know which operating system your computer is running, such
as Windows 98SE, Millennium, 2000, or XP. You can find out by clicking the
Start button and then selecting the Settings option. (If your Start menu doesn’t have a Settings option, you’re running Windows XP. You can select the
Control Panel directly from the Start Menu.) Then, click Control Panel and
double-click the System icon. Click the Cancel button when done.
Once you know which Windows operating system you are running, follow the
directions in this step for your computer’s operating system. If your PC is not
configured with the TCP/IP protocol, you will need to do this for each computer you are connecting to the Router.
The next few pages tell you, step by step, how to configure your TCP/IP settings based on the type of Windows operating system you are using. Once
you've configured your computers, continue to Chapter 4: Configuring the
Router for Wireless.
1. Click the Start button, click Settings and open the Control Panel. From
there, double-click the Network icon to open the Network screen.
Overview
Configuring Windows 98SE and Millennium PCs
For Wireless Connections: In addition to accessing the Router through an
Ethernet connection, a wireless connection can be used to access the Router.
After powering on the Router and connecting it to your modem, enter the
Router’s IP Address in the Address field of your wireless PC’s web-browser as
follows: http://192.168.1.1 and press Enter.
IImmppoorrttaanntt::
The Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch is
configured by default to work out of the box with all Linksys Wireless
Adapters. If you have changed the defaults on your Linksys Wireless
Adapters, or are using other wireless adapters, you must temporarily change your wireless adapter settings to: (SSID = linksys) in
order to initially access the Router wirelessly. After you have
accessed the Router with the default settings, you can change the
router settings to coincide with your Network settings and reset your
adapters.
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Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
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NNoottee::
This section is only necessary if your ISP has not already set
up your TCP/IP protocol or if your PC has not been previously connected to the Cable Modem service.
5. Click the DNS Configuration tab,
then select Disable DNS (See Figure
3-3.) Click on OK.
6. Click the OK button again.
Windows may ask you for the original Windows installation disk or
additional files. Supply them by
pointing to the correct f ile location,
e.g., D:\win98, D:\win9x, c:\windows\options\cabs, etc. (This
assumes that “D” is the letter of your
CD-ROM drive).
7. If W indows asks you to restart your PC,
click the Yes button. If Windows does
not ask you to restart, restart your computer anyway.
Repeat steps 1-6 for each PC on your network. When all of your PCs are
configured, proceed to Chapter 4: Configuring the Router.
1. Click the Start button, click Settings
and open the Control Panel. From
there, double-click the Network and
Dial-up Connections icon. This will
display the Network screen.
2. Select the Local Area Connection
icon for the applicable Ethernet
adapter (usually it is the first Local
Area Connection listed). Double-click
Local Area Connection and click the
Properties button. (See Figure 3-4.)
3. When the Local Area Connection Status screen appears, click the
Properties button.
Configuring Windows 2000 PCs
Figure 3-4
Instant WirelessTMSeries
2. Select the Configuration tab
and highlight the TCP/IP
line for the applicable
Ethernet adapter (as shown
in Figure 3-1). If the word
TCP/IP appears by itself,
select that line. (Note: If
there is no TCP/IP line listed, refer to your Ethernet
adapter’s documentation to
install TCP/IP now.) Then,
click the Properties button.
3. Click the IP Address tab
and select Obtain an IP
address automatically (as
shown in figure 3-2).
4. Click the Gateway tab and verify that the Installed Gateway field is blank.
Click the OK button.
Figure 3-1
Figure 3-2
Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
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Figure 3-3
The following instructions assume you are running Windows XP’s default
interface. If you are using the Classic interface (where the icons and menus
look like previous Windows versions), please follow the instructions for
Windows 2000.
1. Click the Start button, open the Control Panel. and click the Network and
Internet Connections icon. Then, click the Network Connections icon to
display the Network screen.
2. Select the Local Area
Connection icon for
the applicable Ethernet
adapter (usually it is
the first Local Area
Connection listed).
Double-click Local
Area Connection and
click the Properties
button. (See Figure 3-
7.)
3. When the Local Area Connection Status screen appears, click the
Properties button.
Configuring Windows XP PCs
Figure 3-7
Instant WirelessTMSeries
4. Select Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP) (as shown in
Figure 3-5) and click the
Properties button.
5. Select Obtain an IP
address automatically
and verify that Obtain
DNS server address
automatically is selected
(as shown in Figure 3-6).
Then, click the OK but-
ton and click the OK but-
ton on the subsequent
screens to complete the
PC’s conf iguration.
Repeat steps 1-5 for each PC on your network. When all of your PCs are
configured, proceed to Chapter 4: Configuring the Router.
Figure 3-5
Figure 3-6
Wireless Access Point Router with 4-Port Switch
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