Linksys WET11 User Manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.

GHz

2.4

Model No.

802.11b

WIRELESS

WET11

Wireless-B

Ethernet Bridge

User Guide

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2003 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

How to Use this Guide

Your guide to the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this guide:

This checkmark means there is a Note of interest and is something you should pay special attention to while using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.

This exclamation point means there is a Caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.

This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.

In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:

word: definition.

Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like this:

Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the “List of Figures” section in the “Table of Contents”.

WET11_v2-UG-30918NC JL

Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Welcome 1 What’s in this Guide? 2

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 4

Network Topology 4 Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 4

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge 6

The Back Panel 6 The Front Panel 7

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup 8 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge 9

Overview 9 Setup Wizard 9

Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use 13 Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based Utility 14

Overview 14 Starting the Web-based Utility 14 Setup 15 Password 17 Advanced 18 Status 19 Help 20

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 21

Common Problems and Solutions 21 Frequently Asked Questions 22

Appendix B: Wireless Security 25

A Brief Overview 25 What Are the Risks? 25

Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 32 Appendix D: Windows Help 33 Appendix E: Glossary 34

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Appendix F: Specifications 40 Appendix G: Warranty Information 42 Appendix H: Regulatory Information 43 Appendix I: Contact Information 46

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

List of Figures

Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode 4 Figure 2-2: Ad-Hoc Mode 5 Figure 2-3: Wireless Bridging Using Two Bridges 5 Figure 3-1: Back Panel 6 Figure 3-2: Front Panel 7 Figure 4-1: Connect the Ethernet Network Cable 8 Figure 4-2: Connect the Power Adapter 8 Figure 5-1: Welcome 9 Figure 5-2: Check Connection 9 Figure 5-3: List of Bridges 10 Figure 5-4: Password 10 Figure 5-5: Mode Settings 10 Figure 5-6: Wireless Settings 11 Figure 5-7: IP Settings 11 Figure 5-8: Security Settings 11 Figure 5-9: WEP Key 12 Figure 5-10: Confirmation 12 Figure 5-11: Congratulations 12 Figure 7-1: Access the Web-based Utility 14 Figure 7-2: Setup Tab 15 Figure 7-3: Site Survey 16 Figure 7-4: WEP Encryption 17 Figure 7-5: Password Tab 17 Figure 7-6: Advanced Settings Tab 18 Figure 7-7: Status Tab 19 Figure 7-8: Help Tab 20 Figure B-1: Warchalking 25 Figure B-2: WEP Encryption 31

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. The versatile Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge can make any wired Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers into your wireless network to share your high-speed network connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop into a wireless networked device.

802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

It's completely driver-free, so it works on any platform and under any operating system! Since there are no drivers to load, setup is a snap—just plug it into your device and configure the network settings through your web browser.

You can also use the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge as a kind of “cable-less cable” to connect remote areas together. Maybe Shipping is all the way across the warehouse from Receiving. Or maybe you want to set up a home office in your detached garage. With a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge in the garage, and another one (or a Wireless Access Point) in the house, you're connected—with no cabling hassle.

Let the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge from Linksys open up exciting new possibilities for your wireless network.

Ethernet: an IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium.

Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge applications and this user guide.

• Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network This chapter describes the basics of wireless networking.

• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge This chapter describes the physical features of the Bridge.

• Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Bridge to your network for setup.

• Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge This chapter explains how to set up the Bridge using the Setup Wizard.

• Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use This chapter explains how to connect the Bridge to a network device so the device can join your wireless network.

• Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based Utility This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on the Bridge.

• Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding installation and use of the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.

• Appendix B: Wireless Security This appendix explains the risks of wireless networking and some solutions to reduce the risks.

• Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware This appendix instructs you on how to upgrade the firmware on the Bridge should you need to do so.

• Appendix D: Glossary This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.

• Appendix E: Windows Help This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing the TCP/IP protocol.

Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide?

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

• Appendix F: Specifications This appendix provides the technical specifications for the Bridge.

• Appendix G: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the warranty information for the Bridge.

• Appendix H: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the regulatory information regarding the Bridge.

• Appendix I: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide?

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name shared by the wireless devices belonging to the same wireless network.

LAN (Local Area Network): the computers and networking products that make up your local network.

Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configuration is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with each other. 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 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 2-1). Access points transmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network cards, 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.

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 2-2 shows a typical scenario of four Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges in ad-hoc mode. Figure 2-3 shows a typical wireless bridging scenario using two Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges. Each wireless network is connected to a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge through a switch. A separate notebook computer is equipped with a wireless network adapter and can communicate with either wireless network when it is configured with the appropriate SSID and channel.

SSID: your wireless network’s name.

Infrastructure: a wireless network

that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode

Ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly to each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point.

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.

Figure 2-2: Ad-Hoc Mode

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Figure 2-3: Wireless Bridging Using Two Bridges

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

The Back Panel

All connections to the Bridge are made through the ports in its back panel, shown in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1: Back Panel

Reset The Reset button resets the Bridge to its factory default settings. X-II The X-II (MDI/MDI-X) slide switch offers a choice between two settings. Use the X setting if you

are connecting the Bridge to a network adapter. Use the II setting if you are connecting the Bridge to a hub or switch.

LAN The LAN port is where you will connect the Ethernet network cable. Power The Power port is where you will connect the power adapter.

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Back Panel

Important: Resetting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge will erase all of your settings (WEP encryption, wireless settings, etc.) and replace them with the factory defaults. Do not reset the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge if you want to retain these settings.

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

The Front Panel

Network activity with the Bridge is shown on the LEDs, shown in Figure 3-2.

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 wired network. The

LED will flash when there is wired network traffic.

WLAN Green. The WLAN LED will be lit steadily when the Bridge is connected to the wireless

network. The LED will flash when there is wireless network traffic.

Figure 3-2: Front Panel

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge The Front Panel

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup

1. Attach the Bridge’s antenna.

2. Plug the included Ethernet network cable into the LAN port on the back panel of the Bridge, shown in Figure 4-1.

3. The X-II (MDI/MDI-X) slide switch offers a choice between two settings. Slide the X-II switch to the X position if you are connecting the Bridge to a PC’s network adapter. Slide the X-II selection switch to the II position if you are connecting the Bridge to a hub or switch.

4. Plug the other end of the Ethernet network cable into the RJ-45 port of the hub, switch, or PC you wish to use to configure the Bridge.

5. Plug the supplied power adapter into the Power port on the back panel of the Bridge, shown in Figure 4-2. Then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.

Proceed to the next section, “Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.”

Figure 4-1: Connect the Ethernet Network Cable

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup

Figure 4-2: Connect the Power Adapter

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

Overview

Now that you’ve connected the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge to your wired network, you are ready to set it up. The Setup Wizard will guide you through all the necessary steps.

Setup Wizard

1. Insert the Setup 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 (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).

• Setup - Click the Setup button to proceed with the Setup Wizard.

• User Guide - Click the User Guide button to open the PDF file of this User Guide.

• LINKSYS Web - Click the LINKSYS Web button to access the Linksys website using an active Internet connection.

• Exit - Click the Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.

2. Click the Setup button to begin the setup process.

3. Make sure the Bridge is correctly connected to your wired network (see Figure 5-2). Then click the Next button.

Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Overview

Figure 5-1: Welcome

Figure 5-2: Check Connection

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

4. The screen shown in Figure 5-3 displays a list of Wireless-B 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-B Ethernet Bridge, so you can use it to access the Web-based Utility later. Then click the Yes button.

5. For security purposes, you will be asked for your password in order to access the Bridge, as shown in Figure 5-4. In lowercase letters, enter admin in the Password field (later you can change the password through the Web-based Utility). Then click the Enter button.

6. The screen shown in Figure 5-5 shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure 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 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.

In the WB Name field, enter a unique name for the Bridge. Memorable names are helpful, especially if you are using multiple bridges on the same network. Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 5-3: List of Bridges

Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Setup Wizard

Figure 5-4: Password

Figure 5-5: Mode Settings

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge

7. The Wireless Settings screen, shown in Figure 5-6, will now appear. Enter your wireless network’s SSID. If you chose Ad-Hoc mode, select the channel at which the network broadcasts its wireless signal. Then click the Next button.

• SSID - The SSID is the unique name shared among all devices in a wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the wireless network. It is case-sensitive and must not exceed 32 alphanumeric characters, which can be any keyboard character.

• Channel - From the drop-down menu, select the appropriate channel to match your network’s channel setting (available for Ad-Hoc mode only). All devices in your wireless network must use the same channel in order to function correctly.

8. The IP Settings screen will appear next, shown in Figure 5-7. If your network has a router or DHCP server automatically assigning IP addresses, click the radio button next to Automatically obtain an IP address (DHCP). Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen. Then proceed to step 9.

If you need to set a static IP address on the Bridge, click the radio button next to Set IP configuration manually to select this option. Enter an IP Address, IP Mask, and Gateway appropriate to your network. You must specify an IP address on this screen. If you are unsure about the IP Mask and Gateway, it is better to leave these two fields blank. Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen. Then proceed to step 9.

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

• IP Mask - The Bridge’s IP Mask (also known as Subnet Mask) must be the same as your wired network’s Subnet Mask.

• Gateway - Enter the IP address of your network’s Gateway (usually this is the router’s IP address).

9. The Security Settings screen, shown in Figure 5-8, appears next. Enable or disable Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption for your wireless network. If you enable WEP, select the level of WEP encryption, and then enter a Passphrase. (If you want to enter a WEP key manually, then click the Next button.) If you want to disable WEP encryption, keep the default, Disabled. Click the Next button to continue.

• WEP (Disabled/64-bit WEP/128-bit WEP) - In order to utilize WEP encryption, select 64-bit or 128-bit WEP from the drop-down menu. Then enter a Passphrase. (If you want to enter a WEP key manually, then click the

Next button.) If you do not want to use WEP encryption, keep the default setting, Disabled.

Figure 5-6: Wireless Settings

Figure 5-7: IP Settings

• Passphrase - Instead of manually entering a WEP key, you can enter a Passphrase, so a WEP key will be automatically generated after you click the Next button. The Passphrase is case-sensitive and should have 16

Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Setup Wizard

Figure 5-8: Security Settings

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