Linksys WET11 User Manual
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Use this guide to install:
WET11
User Guide
Wireless Ethernet
Bridge
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless is a trademark of
Linksys. Linksys 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 Ethernet Bridge will be 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 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’S 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 Wireless Ethernet Bridge 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-WET11-072302C JL
Chapter 1:Introduction
r
T ailor -made for the home or small office network, the W ireless Ethernet Bridge
extends wireless connectivity to any Ethernet-ready network device, such as a
printer, scanner, desktop or notebook PC. The Wireless Ethernet Bridge simply
and efficiently transmits data between your wired Ethernet and wireless networks.
The Wireless Ethernet Bridge gives you the freedom to place any standard network resource virtually anywhere in your office.
Based on signal strength, it dynamically shifts between 11, 5.5, 2, and 1Mbps
network speeds for maximum availability and reliability of connection. So
you’ve got the flexibility and performance you need from your wireless network.
• An All-in-One Wireless Solution for Any Ethernet-Ready Network Device
• Interoperable with 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4GHz-Compliant Equipment
• No Additional Drivers Are Needed
• Up to 11 Mbps High-Speed Transfer Rate
• Dynamically Shifts between 11, 5.5, 2, and 1Mbps for Maximum
Adaptability
• Assurance of Constant Connection via Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
(DSSS)
• Conveniently Eliminates Cables and Network Wires Used by Network
Devices
• Equipped with One Standard 10Base-T Interface for Connection with Any
Ethernet-Ready Networked Resource
• Supports up to 50 Remote Clients
• Capable of up to 128-Bit WEP Encryption
• Setup Wizard for Easy Installation
• Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, Toll-Free US
Calls
• 1-Year Limited War ranty
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
The Linksys Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Features
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
The Linksys Wireless Ethernet Bridge 1
Features 1
Package Contents 2
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless Ethernet
Bridge 3
The Wireless Ethernet Bridge’s Back Panel 3
The Wireless Ethernet Bridge’s Front Panel LEDs 4
Chapter 3: Planning Your Wireless Network 5
Network Topology 5
Roaming 5
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 6
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless Ethernet
Bridge 8
Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless Ethernet
Bridge 9
Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Ethernet
Web-Based Utility 17
Overview 17
Starting the Web-Based Utility 17
Configuring the Wireless Ethernet Bridge 19
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 28
Common Problems and Solutions 28
Frequently Asked Questions 29
Appendix B: Glossary 33
Appendix C: Specifications 38
Environmental 39
Appendix D: Warranty Information 40
Appendix E: Contact Information 41
1
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Reset The Reset button resets the Bridge to its factory default set-
tings.
X-II The X-II selection switch offers a choice between two set-
tings. Use the X setting if you are connecting the Bridge to a
network card or other Ethernet device. Use the II setting if
you are connecting the Bridge to a hub or switch.
LAN The LAN port is where you will connect your Ethernet net-
work cable.
Power The Power port is where you will connect your power.
• One Wireless Ethernet Bridge
• One External Antenna
• One Power Adapter
• One Category 5 Ethernet Network Cable
• One Setup CD-ROM with User Guide
• One Quick Installation
• One Registration Card
Package Contents
The Wireless Ethernet Bridge’s Back Panel
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
2 3
Figure 1-1
Figure 2-1
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
5
PWR Green. The PWR LED will light up when
the Bridge is powered on.
DIAG Green. The DIAG LED will light up when
there is a connection error. Re-establish the
connection to eliminate the error.
LAN Green. The LAN LED will be lit steadily
when the Bridge is connected to the LAN.
The LED will blink when there is LAN traffic.
WLAN Green. The WLAN LED indicates the status
of the link to the wireless local area network
(WLAN). The WLAN LED will be lit
steadily when the Bridge is connected to the
WLAN. The LED will blink when there is
WLAN traffic.
The Wireless Ethernet Bridge’s Front
Panel LEDs
Instant WirelessTMSeries
4
Chapter 3: Planning You r
Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless LAN is exactly like a regular LAN, except that each network device
in the LAN uses a Wireless Ethernet Bridge to connect to the network without
using wires. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the
same radio channel.
The Wireless Ethernet Bridge provides LAN access for wireless network
devices. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A group of Wireless Ethernet Bridge users and an access point compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each PC equipped with an Wireless Ethernet
Bridge in a BSS can talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the
Bridge.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a W ireless Ethernet
Bridge to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wireless transmission range
for two Wireless Ethernet Bridge PCs. Since the access point is able to forward
data within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN
is doubled.
The use of a unique ID in a Basic Service Set is essential.
The Wireless LAN infrastructure conf iguration is appropriate for enterprisescale wireless access to a central database, or as a wireless application for
mobile users.
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 Wireless
Ethernet Bridge PCs within one Extended Service Set must be configured with
the same SSID.
Selecting a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position is recommended. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal
will greatly enhance performance.
Network Topology
Roaming
Figure 2-2
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
If the wireless network is relatively
small and needs to share resources
only with the other computers on the
wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc
mode can be used. Ad-Hoc mode
allows computers equipped with
wireless transmitters and receivers to
communicate directly with each
other, eliminating the need for an
access point. The drawback of this
mode is that in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able
to communicate with computers on a
wired network. And, of course, communication between the wireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and
interference directly between them.
Figure 3-2 shows a typical scenario of four Wireless Ethernet Bridges in ad-hoc
mode. Figure 3-3 shows a typical wireless bridging scenario using two Wireless
Ethernet Bridges. Each wireless network is connected to a Wireless Ethernet
Bridge through a switch. A separate notebook computer is equipped with a
wireless PC card and can communicate with both wireless networks as long as
it has the same SSID and channel as both wireless networks.
7
Instant WirelessTMSeries
6
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which
they may be set up: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc. Choosing between these two
modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or
peripherals with a wired network or not.
If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired network or need to share a peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network
computers, the wireless network should be set up in the Infrastructure mode.
The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves
as the main point of communications in a wireless network (see Figure 3-1).
Access points transmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network card, which
can roam within a certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access
points can be arranged to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and
can be set up to communicate with your Ethernet hardware as well.
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode
Figure 3-1
Figure 3-3
Figure 3-2
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
9
Instant WirelessTMSeries
8
Chapter 5: Setting Up the
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Now that you’ve connected the Wireless Ethernet Bridge to your wired network, you are ready to set it up. The Setup Wizard will guide you through all
the steps necessary.
1. Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your PC’s CD-ROM drive. The
Setup Utility should run automatically, and the screen in Figure 5-1 should
appear. If it does not, click the Start button and choose Run. In the field
that appears, enter D:\setup.exe (where “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM
drive).
Click the Setup button to continue using the Setup Wizard. Click the User
Guide button to open the pdf version of this User Guide. Click the Linksys
Web button to access the Linksys website using an active Internet connec-
tion. Click the Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.
Figure 5-1
Chapter 4: Connecting the
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
1. Plug the included Ethernet network cable into the LAN port on the back
panel of the Bridge.
2. The X-II selection switch offers a choice between two settings. Slide the
X-II selection switch to the X position if you are connecting the Bridge to a
network card or other Ethernet device. Slide the X-IIselection switch to the
II position if you are connecting the Bridge to a hub or switch.
3. Plug the other end of the Ethernet network cable into the RJ-45 port on the
PC you wish to use to configure the Bridge.
4. Plug the supplied power cable into the Power port on the back panel of the
Bridge. Then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.
5. Proceed to the next section, “Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless Ethernet
Bridge.”
6. After configuration, unplug the Ether net network cable from the PC, and
plug it into the RJ-45 port on the Ethernet-ready network device you wish
to add to the wireless network.
The hardware installation is complete.
Figure 4-1
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
4. For security purposes, you will be asked for your user name and password
in order to access the Bridge. In lowercase letters, enter admin in the
Password f ield (later you can change the password through the Web-Based
Utility). Click the Yes button to continue or the No button to return to the
previous screen.
5. The screen shown in Figure 5-5 shows a choice of two wireless modes.
Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless
computers to network with computers on your wired network using a wireless access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wireless computers to network directly with each other. Do not use the
Ad-Hoc mode if you want to network your wireless computers with computers on your wired network. Click the Next button to continue or the
Back button to return to the previous screen.
11
Instant WirelessTMSeries
2. The screen shown in Figure 5-2 shows the two ways to configure the Bridge
using this Setup Wizard. Optimally, you should perform this setup through
a PC on your wired network. You can also set up the Bridge through one of
the PCs on your wireless network. Click the Next button to continue or the
Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.
3. The screen shown in Figure 5-3 displays a list of Wireless Ethernet Bridges
on your network, along with the status information for each Bridge. (If you
have only one Bridge on your network, it will be the only one displayed.)
Select the Bridge you are currently installing by clicking its name in the
Selection box. Write down the IP address of the Wireless Ethernet Bridge,
so you can use it to access the Web-Based Utility later. Click the Yes button to continue or the Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.
10
Figure 5-2
Figure 5-3
Figure 5-4
Figure 5-5
Loading...