Linksys WAP54A User Manual

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Wireless Access

Point

Use this guide to install: WAP54A

User Guide

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless™ is a registered 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 Wireless Access Point is free from physical defects in
material and workmanship under normal use for one year from the date of purchase. 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 AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT’S PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN
CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PUR­CHASE. 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. 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 DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANY
PRODUCT. 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

This product has been tested and complies with the specifications 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, there 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
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance
20cm between the radiator and your body.

UG-WAP54A-040302NC KL

Wireless Access Point

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Instant WirelessTMWireless Access Point

Don’t be bound by cabling restrictions any longer! The Instant Wireless™
Wireless Access P oint from Linksys deli vers the freedom to configure your net­work your way. Utilization of “state-of-the-art” wireless technology gives you
the ability to set up workstations in ways you never thought possible; no cables
to install means less expense and less hassle.

The Instant Wireless™ Wireless Access Point’s high-powered antenna offers a
range of operation of up to 328 feet indoors, providing seamless roaming
throughout your wireless LAN infrastructure; an advanced user authentication
feature ensures a high level of network security. The Instant Wireless™
Wireless Access Point is easy to install (just plug it in and you’re ready to go!)
and easy to use. With Internet browser-based diagnostics and statistic tools,
you’re always in control.

When all these features come together in one compact, lightweight, and power­efficient unit, you have the ultimate in flexible networking--the Linksys Instant
Wireless™ WirelessAccess Point.

Features

• Interoperable with other 802.11a wireless equipment

• Up to 72Mbps turbo mode (only when used with the Linksys WPC54A)

• Up to 64 wireless users (nodes)

• Operation in the uncrowded 5 GHz band

• Enhanced security using up to 152-bit WEP encryption

• MAC address filtering and WEP ensure DSSS security

• Quick and easy setup using your own web browser

• Easy-to-Use Web-Based management

• Free technical support— 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free U.S. calls

• 1-Year limited war ranty

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

The Instant WirelessTMWireless Access Point 1
Features 1
Package Contents 2
System Requirements 2

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 3

Network Topology 3
Roaming 3

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless Access Point 4

The Wireless Access Point’s Ports 4
The Wireless Access Point’s LEDs 5

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless Access Point 6
Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless Access Point 7

The Setup Tab 7
The Status Tab 11
The Filter Tab 12
The Advanced Tab 13
The Help Tab 14

Appendix A:Tr oubleshooting 16

Frequently Asked Questions 16

Appendix B: Setting Up the TCP/IP Protocol 21

Setting Up TCP/IP in Windows 21
TCP/IP Setup for Windows 98 and Millennium 22
TCP/IP Setup for Windows NT 4.0 22
TCP/IP Setup for Windows 2000 23
TCP/IP Setup for Windows XP 23

Appendix C: Glossary 24
Appendix D: Specifications 32

Environmental 32

Appendix E:Warranty Information 33
Appendix F: Contact Information 34

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

Wireless Access Point

3

Chapter 2: Planning Your
Wireless Network

A wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one Instant
Wireless™ Series adapter. Computers in a wireless LAN must be conf igured
to share the same radio channel.

The Instant W ireless™ Series adapters pro vide access to a wired LAN for wire­less workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an
Infrastructure configuration. A group of Instant Wireless™ Series adapter
users and an Instant W ireless™ Wireless Access P oint compose a Basic Service
Set (BSS). Each Instant W ireless™ Series adapter PC in a BSS can talk to any
computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Instant Wireless™ Wireless
Access Point.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an Instant
Wireless™ Series adapter PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wire­less transmission range for two Instant Wireless™ Series adapter PCs. Since
the Wireless Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, the effective
transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled.

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More
than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Ser vice Set (ESS). This con­tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All PCs equipped
with an Instant Wireless™ Series adapter within one ESS must be conf igured
with the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.

Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, choosing a feasible radio
channel and optimum Wireless Access Point position is recommended. Proper
Wireless Access Point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will
greatly enhance performance.

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Package Contents

• One Wireless Access Point (IEEE 802.11a)

• One Power Adapter

• One User Guide

• Registration Card (not shown)

s

• One Pentium Class, 200MHz or Faster, PC equipped with Windows 98,
Millennium, NT version 4.0, 2000, or XP, 64 MB RAM, and an Ethernet
Adapter with Network Cable for Initial Setup

• One 802.11a-compliant Wireless Adapter

2

Roaming

Figure 1-1

Network Topology

Minimum Requirements

Wireless Access Point

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the
Wireless Access Point

The Access Point’s ports, where a network cable is connected, are located on
the Access Point’s rear panel, as shown in Figure 3-1.

LAN This LAN (Local Area Network) port connects to

Ethernet network devices, such as a hub, switch, or
router.

DC 5V The Power port is where you will connect the power

adapter.

Reset (Button) Briefly pressing the Reset Button, for approximately ten

seconds, will refresh the Access Point’s connections,
potentially clearing any jammed links.

4

The Wireless Access Point’s Ports

Figure 3-1

The Access Point’s LEDs, where information about the unit’s cur rent status is
displayed, are located on the Access Point’s front panel, as shown in Figure 3-

2.

Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Access Point is

powered on.

ACT Green. If the LED is flickering, the Access Point is actively

sending or receiving data to or from one of the devices on the
network.

LINK Green. The LINK LED serves two purposes. If the LED is

continuously lit up, the Access Point is successfully connect­ed to a device through the LAN port. If the LED is flicker­ing, it is an indication of any network activity.

The Wireless Access Point’s LEDs

Figure 3-2

Important: Resetting the Access Point will erase all of your settings
(WEP Encryption, Wireless and LAN settings, etc.) and replace
them with the factory defaults. Do not reset the Access Point if you
want to retain these settings.

5

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

Chapter 5: Configuring the
Wireless Access Point

The Access Point has been designed to be functional right out of the box, with
its default settings. However, if you’d like to change these settings, the Access
Point can be configured through your web bro wser with the Web-Based Utility.
This chapter explains how to configure the Access Point in this manner.

Open your web browser and enter the Access Point’s IP Address,

192.168.1.252, into the address field. Press the Enter key and the following
screen, shown in Figure
5-1, will appear. Leave
the User Name field
blank. The first time
you open the Web­Based Utility, use the
default password:
admin. You can set a
new password from the
Setup tab shown in
Figure 5-2. Press the
OK button to continue
or Cancel to quit.

The first tab that appears, shown in Figure 5-2, is the Setup tab. This allows you
to change the Access Point’s general settings. Change these settings as
described here and click the Apply button to apply your changes or Cancel to
cancel your changes. If you require online help, click the Help button.

• Firmware Version. This displays the current version of the Access Point’s

fir mware. Firmware should only be upgraded if you experience problems
with the Access Point and can be upgraded from the Help tab.

Figure 5-1

The Setup Tab

Important: Before configuring the Access Point, be sure to set
up the TCP/IP protocol on your wireless PCs. If this has not
already been done, please refer to Appendix B: Setting Up the
TCP/IP Protocol.

Chapter 4: Connecting the
Wireless Access Point

1. Locate an optimum location for the Access Point. The best place for the
Access Point is usually at the center of your wireless network, with line of
sight to all of your mobile stations.

2. Fix the direction of the antenna. Try to place it in a position which can
best cover your wireless network. Normally, the higher you place the anten­na, the better the performance will be. The antenna’s position enhances the
receiving sensitivity.

3. Connect a standard Ethernet network cable to the Access Point. Then,
connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to a switch or hub. The Access
Point will then be connected to your 10/100 Network.

4. Connect the AC Power Adapter to the Access Point’s Power Socket.
Only use the power adapter supplied with the Access Point. Use of a differ­ent adapter may result in product damage.

Now that the hardware installation is complete, proceed to Chapter 5:
Configuring the Wireless Access Point for directions on how to setup the
Access Point.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

Note: In order for all other wireless devices to communicate with
the Access Point, those devices must be operating in the
Infrastructure Mode. If any wireless devices are conf igured in
the Ad Hoc Mode, they will not be recognized by the Access Point.

• Wireless:

• Turbo Mode.Click this button to increase the speed of your wireless trans-

missions (it will change from Off to On), keeping in mind that the Access
Point’s range diminishes in Turbo Mode.

• SSID. The SSID is the unique name shared among all points in a wireless

network. The SSID must be identical for all points in the wireless network.
It is case sensitive and must not exceed 32 alphanumeric characters, which
may be any keyboard character. Make sure this setting is the same for all
points in your wireless network.

• Channel. Select the appropriate channel from the list provided to corre-

spond with your network settings. All points in your wireless network must
use the same channel in order to function correctly.

• WEP. The WEP Encryption method is Disabled by default. To enable
WEP, click the WEP Key Setting button.

Changing the sign-on password for the Access Point is as easy as typing the
password into the AP Password field. Then, type it again into the second field
to confir m.

Click the Apply button to apply your changes or Cancel to cancel your
changes. If you require online help, click the Help button.

SETTING WEP ENCR YPTION:

Setting WEP Encryption through
the Web-based Browser Utility is
done by clicking the WEP Key
Setting button on the Setup
Screen as shown in Figure 5-2.

A screen will pop up, asking you
to confirm the WEP change to
mandatory, as shown in Figure 5-3. Click the OK button to enable WEP
Encryption or Cancel to retur n to the Setup Screen.

Instant WirelessTMSeries

8

Figure 5-3

Important: Always remember that each point in your wireless net­work MUST use the same WEP Encr yption method and encryption
key or your wireless network will not function properly.

Important: Always remember that, when the Access Point works in
Turbo Mode, each point in your wireless network MUST use Turbo
Mode as well or your wireless network will not function properly.

• Access Point Name. You may assign any name to the Access Point.

Unique, memorable names are helpful, especially if you are employing
multiple access points on the same network. Verify this is the name you
wish to use and click the Apply button to set it.

• LAN:

• IP Address. This IP address must be unique to your network. We suggest

you use the default IP address of 192.168.1.252. As this is a private IP
address, there is no need to purchase a separate IP address from your serv­ice provider. Verify the address and click the Apply button to save changes.

• Subnet Mask. The Access Point’s Subnet Mask (or IP Mask) must be the
same as your Ethernet network. Verify this is correct and click the Apply
button to set it.

• Gateway. If a Gateway IP address is required, enter that here.

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Wireless Access Point

Figure 5-2