LINKSYS WET54GV2 User Manual

Instant Wireless® Series

Wireless-G Ethernet

Bridge

Use this

User Guide

WET54G

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2003 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless, Linksys, and the Linksys logo are registered trademarks of Linksys Group, Inc. 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-G Ethernet Bridge will be free from physical defects in material and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications section of this User Guide.

This Warranty is valid and may be processed only in the country of purchase.

If the product proves defective during this warranty period, go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for complete RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) assistance. You can also call Linksys Technical Support in order to obtain a RMA 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 RMA 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.

SAFETY AND REGULATORY NOTICES

FCC STATEMENT

This Wireless-G 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 Caution: Any change or modification to the product not expressly approved by Linksys could void the user’s authority to operate the device.

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.

•Access points with 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz integrated antenna must operate with a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons using the cable provided and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

End-users must be provided with specific operations for satisfying RF exposure compliance. And Linksys, LLC declare that WPC54GV1.2 (Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge ) is limited in CH1~CH11 by specified firmware controlled in U.S.A.

INDUSTRY CANADA (CANADA)

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada. The use of this device in a system operating either partially or completely outdoors may require the user to obtain a license for the system according to the Canadian regulations.

EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE)

Linksys Group declares that the Instant Wireless Series products included in the Instant Wireless Series conform to the specifications listed below, following the provisions of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC:

•ETS 300-826, 301 489-1 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.

•EN 609 50 Safety

•ETS 300-328-2 Technical requirements for Radio equipment.

Note: This equipment is intended to be used in all EU and EFTA countries. Outdoor use may be restricted to certain frequencies and/or may require a license for operation. For more details, contact Linksys Corporate Compliance.

Note: Combinations of power levels and antennas resulting in a radiated power level of above 100 mW are considered as not compliant with the above mentioned directive and are not allowed for use within the European community and countries that have adopted the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC and/or the CEPT recommendation Rec 70.03. For more details on legal combinations of power levels and antennas, contact Linksys Corporate Compliance.

•Linksys Group vakuuttaa täten että Instant Wireless Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY, direktiivin 89/336/EEC ja direktiivin 73/23/EEC oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien näiden direktiivien muiden ehtojen mukainen.

•Linksys Group déclare que le pont Ethernet sans fil G est conforme aux conditions essentielles et aux dispositions relatives à la directive 1999/5/EC, la directive 89/336/EEC, et à la directive 73/23/EEC.

•Belgique B L’utilisation en extérieur est autorisé sur le canal 11 (2462 MHz), 12 (2467 MHz), et 13 (2472 MHz).

Dans le cas d’une utilisation privée, à l’extérieur d’un bâtiment, au-dessus d’un espace public, aucun enregistrement n’est nécessaire pour une distance de moins de 300m. Pour une distance supérieure à 300m un enregistrement auprès de l’IBPT est requise. Pour une utilisation publique à l’extérieur de bâtiments, une licence de l’IBPT est requise. Pour les enregistrements et licences, veuillez contacter l’IBPT.

•France F: Bande de fréquence restreinte: seuls les canaux 10, 11, 12, 13 (2457, 2462, 2467, et 2472 MHz respectivement) doivent être utilisés en France. Toute utilisation, qu'elle soit intérieure ou extérieure, est soumise à autorisation. Vous pouvez contacter l'Autorité de Régulation des Télécommuniations (http://www.art-telecom.fr) pour la procédure à suivre.

•France F: Restricted frequency band: only channels 10, 11, 12, 13 (2457, 2462, 2467, and 2472 MHz respectively) may be used in France. License required for every indoor and outdoor installations. Please contact ART for procedure to follow.

•Deutschland D: Anmeldung im Outdoor-Bereich notwending, aber nicht genehmigungspflichtig. Bitte mit Händler die Vorgehensweise abstimmen.

•Germany D: License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for procedure to follow.

•Italia I: E' necessaria la concessione ministeriale anche per l'uso interno. Verificare con i rivenditori la procedura da seguire. L'uso per installazione in esterni non e' permessa.

•Italy I: License required for indoor use. Use with outdoor installations not allowed.

•the Netherlands NL License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for procedure to follow.

•Nederlands NL Licentie verplicht voor gebruik met buitenantennes. Neem contact op met verkoper voor juiste procedure.

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction	1
The Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge	1
Features	1
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless-G
Ethernet Bridge	2
The Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge’s Back Panel	2
The Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge’s Front Panel LEDs	3
Chapter 3: Planning Your Wireless Network	4
Network Topology	4
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode	4
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Ethernet
Bridge for Setup	7
Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Ethernet
Bridge	8
Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-G Ethernet
Bridge for Network Use	16
Connection to a Network Device	16
Placement Options	17
Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge
Web-based Utility	18
Overview	18
Starting the Web-based Utility	18
Setup	20
Password	25
Advanced	26
Status	29
Help	31
Appendix A: Troubleshooting	32
Common Problems and Solutions	32
Frequently Asked Questions	33

WET54G-UG-30404C JL

Instant Wireless® Series

Appendix B: Glossary	37
Appendix C: Specifications	43
Environmental	44
Appendix D: Warranty Information	45
Appendix E: Contact Information	46

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

Chapter 1: Introduction

r

The Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

The versatile Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge can make any wired Ethernetequipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the Bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers to your Wireless-G network and its shared high-speed Internet connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop into a wireless networked device.

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—configure the network settings through your PC’s web browser, then plug it into your device and go. And physical installation is simplified by support for Power over Ethernet. With an optional PoE Adapter, you can mount the Bridge wherever you want—power and data are both supplied through the Category 5 Ethernet cable.

You can also use the Wireless-G 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-G Ethernet Bridge in the garage, and another one (or a Wireless-G Access Point) in the house, you’re connected—no digging trenches, and no overhead wires.

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

Features

•Converts wired-Ethernet devices to Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) network connectivity

•Operates in the 2.4GHz frequency spectrum with throughput of up to 54Mbps

•Complies with IEEE draft 802.11g standard, and backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11b products

•Installs in minutes with easy-to-use Setup Wizard

•Built-in web user interface for easy configuration from any web browser

•Security of up to 128-bit WEP encryption

•Supports Power over Ethernet for easy deployment

•Equipped with one standard 10/100Base-TX interface

1

Instant Wireless® Series

Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

The Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge’s 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 con-
	nect the Ethernet network cable.
Power	The Power port is where you will con-
	nect the power adapter.
	Note: If you use a Power over Ethernet (PoE)
	device to supply data and power through the
	Ethernet network cable, then you do not need
	to connect the power adapter to the Power
	port.

Figure 2-1

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

The Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge’s Front Panel LEDs

Power Green. The Power LED will light up when the Bridge is powered on.

Ethernet Green. The Ethernet LED will be lit steadily when the Bridge is connected to the wired network. The LED will blink when there is wired network traffic.

Wireless-G Green. The Wireless-G LED will be lit steadily when the Bridge is connected to the wireless network. The LED will blink when there is wireless network traffic.

Figure 2-2

2

3

Instant Wireless® Series

Chapter 3: Planning Your Wireless

Network

Networkrk 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 for wireless devices.

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 3-1). 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.

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

Figure 3-1

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, wirelessequipped 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.

4

5

	Instant Wireless® Series		Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge
Figure 3-2 shows a typical scenario			Chapter 4: Connecting the
of four Wireless-G Ethernet Bridges
in ad-hoc mode. Figure 3-3 shows a			Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge for
typical wireless bridging scenario
using two Wireless-G Ethernet
			Setup
Bridges. Each wireless network is
connected to a Wireless-G Ethernet
Bridge through a switch. A separate
notebook computer is equipped with			1. Attach the external antenna.
a wireless PC card and can commu-
nicate with both wireless networks as			2. Plug the included Ethernet
long as it has the same SSID and			network	cable		into	the
channel as both wireless networks.	Figure 3-2		LAN port		on	the	back
			panel of the Bridge.
			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 con-
			necting	the	Bridge		to a	Figure 4-1
			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
Figure 3-3			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
			cable into the Power port
			on the back panel of the					Figure 4-2
			Bridge.	Then		plug	the

other end into an electrical outlet.

Proceed to the next section, “Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G

Ethernet Bridge.”

6

7

Instant Wireless® Series

Chapter 5: Setting Up the

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

Now that you’ve connected the Wireless-G 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 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).

Figure 5-1

•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.

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

3.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.

Figure 5-2

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

Figure 5-3

8

9

Instant Wireless® Series

5.For security purposes, you will be asked for your password in order to access the Bridge. 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.

Figure 5-4

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 5-5

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

7.The Wireless Settings screen 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.

If you have Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) and Wireless-B (802.11b) devices in your network, then keep the default Network Mode setting, Mixed. If you have only Wireless-G devices, select G-Only. Then click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 5-6

•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 settings (available for Ad-Hoc mode only). All devices in your wireless network must use the same channel in order to function correctly.

•Network Mode - Keep the default setting, Mixed, if you have Wireless-G and Wireless-B devices in your network. Select G-Only if you have only Wireless-G devices in your network.

10

11