Linksys WRE54G Owner's Manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.

2,4

Model No.

GHz

802.11g

Wireless-G

Range Expander

WIRELESS

WRE54G (EU/LA/UK)

User Guide

Wireless-G Range Expander

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 © 2004 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-G Range Expander has been designed to make understanding networking with the Range Expander easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:

This checkmark means there is a note of interest and is something you should pay special attention to while using the Range Expander.

This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Range Expander.

This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Range Expander.

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.

WRE54G-EU-LA-UK-UG-40810NC JL

Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description

Wireless-G Range Expander

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 Roaming 4 Network Layout 5

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander 6

The Front Panel 6 The Side Panel 6 The Power Plate 7

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander 8 Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander 10 Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander 15

Overview 15 The Setup Tab 16

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 20

Common Problems and Solutions 20 Frequently Asked Questions 20

Appendix B: Wireless Security 24

Security Precautions 24 Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 24

Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 27 Appendix D: Windows Help 28 Appendix E: Glossary 29 Appendix F: Specifications 32 Appendix G: Warranty Information 33 Appendix H: Regulatory Information 34 Appendix I: Contact Information 40

Wireless-G Range Expander

List of Figures

Figure 3-1: The Front Panel 6 Figure 3-2: The Two-Pronged Recess 7 Figure 3-3: The EU-style Power Plate with Prongs 7 Figure 3-4: Safe Fit between Power Plug and Wall Outlet 7 Figure 3-5: Unsafe Fit between Power Plug and Wall Outlet 7 Figure 4-1: Safe Fit between Power Plug and Wall Outlet 8 Figure 4-2: Unsafe Fit between Power Plug and Wall Outlet 8 Figure 5-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome screen 10 Figure 5-2: Connecting to an access point 11 Figure 5-3: Confirm Wireless Settings 11 Figure 5-4: Cannot find Wireless Network 11 Figure 5-5: Choose an access point 11 Figure 5-6: The Security Settings screen 12 Figure 5-7: Choose the Range Expander 12 Figure 5-8: The Password request screen 12 Figure 5-9: The Security Settings screen 13 Figure 5-10: The Configure Network Address Settings screen 13 Figure 5-11: The Confirm New Settings screen 14 Figure 5-12: The Congratulations screen 14 Figure 6-1: Password Screen 15 Figure 6-2: Setup Tab - Basic Setup 16 Figure 6-3: WEP Security screen 17 Figure 6-4: Setup Tab - Password 18 Figure 6-5: File Download 18 Figure 6-6: Setup Tab - Help 19 Figure 6-7: Firmware Upgrade 19 Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware 27

Wireless-G Range Expander

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Range Expander. This Range Expander will allow you to expand your network beyond the range of your current access point or wireless router.

access point - a device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network.

How does the Range Expander do this? Once on your network, the Range Expander repeats the signal to all devices within its range. By placing the Range Expander at the furthest edge of your access point or wireless router’s signal, it could conceivably double the area of your network.

But what does all of this mean? Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers

and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.

PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. While access points and wireless routers bridge wireless networks and wired networks, the Range Expander can then take that signal for networks that use the 802.11b and 802.11g standards and extend it beyond its current range.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Range Expander, set it up, and configure it to expand the range of your Wireless-B and Wireless-G networks (refer to “Appendix F: Specifications” for a list of compatible access points and routers). These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Range Expander.

network - a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users.

router - a networking device that connects multiple networks together.

adapter - a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

802.11b - an IEEE wireless networking standard that

specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g - an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome

Wireless-G Range Expander

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Range Expander.

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Range Expander’s applications and this User Guide.

• Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.

• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter describes the physical features of the Range Expander.

• Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter describes the steps for connecting the Range Expander to your wireless network.

• Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter instructs you on how to use the Range Expander’s Setup Wizard and configure the Range Expander.

• Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Range Expander This chapter show you how to configure the Range Expander with the Web Utility.

• Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix describes some potential problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding installation and use of the Adapter.

• Appendix B: Wireless Security This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help protect your wireless network.

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

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

• Appendix E: Specifications This appendix provides the Range Expander’s technical specifications.

Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide?

Wireless-G Range Expander

• Appendix F: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander’s warranty information.

• Appendix G: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Range Expander’s regulatory information.

• Appendix H: 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-G Range Expander

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.

Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they both share the same channel and SSID.

Should you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

topology: the physical layout of a network

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices

communicating directly with each other (peerto-peer) without the use of an access point.

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

roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

SSID: your wireless network's name.

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology

Wireless-G Range Expander

Network Layout

Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11b and 802.11g products. Products using the 802.11g and 802.11b standards can communicate with each other.

Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such at the PC Cards for your laptop computers, PCI Card for your desktop PC, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with the wireless PrintServer.

When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on access points and wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or routers.

With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com/international for more information about wireless products.

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Layout

Wireless-G Range Expander

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander

The Front Panel

The Range Expander's LEDs, where information about network activity is displayed, are located on the front panel. In addition, the Range Expander’s antenna is adjustable and located on the front panel. Make sure the antenna is positioned straight up into the air, however the Range Expander is positioned.

LINK Blue/Red. The LINK LED lights up when the Range Expander is powered on. This light will

appear blue when the Range Expander has connected to a functioning access point or wireless router. When there is no access point or wireless router with which to connect, this light will appear red.

ACTIVITY Blue. The ACTIVITY LED lights whenever there is a successful wireless connection and will

flash when there is wireless network activity.

The Side Panel

On the Range Expander's side panel, you will find the Reset and Auto configuration buttons.

Auto configuration The Auto configuration button can be used to easily connect the Range Expander to the

nearest wireless network, via an access point or wireless router . Simply connect the power and press the Auto configuration button. Your wireless network must have WEP disabled for this feature to function.

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander The Front Panel

Figure 3-1: The Front Panel

wep - a method of encrypting network data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.

IMPORTANT: Resetting the Range Expander will erase all of your settings (Security and Wireless settings, etc.) and replace them with the factory defaults. Do not reset the Range Expander if you want to retain these settings.

Wireless-G Range Expander

Reset Button There are two ways to reset the Range Expander's factory defaults. Either press the Reset

Button, for approximately ten seconds, or restore the defaults from the Password tab in

the Range Expander's Web-Based Utility.

The Power Plate

The back of the Range Expander has a two-pronged recess where one of its power plates can be connected. Different versions of the Range Expander include different power plates. For the United Kingdom (UK), the Range Expander comes with one power plate that has a cord and UK-style prongs; there is no UK power plate available for direct connection to a power outlet.

If the fuse in the UK power plug burns out, then it needs to be replaced with the same type of fuse.

For the rest of Europe, the Range Expander comes with two power plates, one with EU-style prongs for direct connection to a power outlet, and another with a cord to reach a power outlet. The Latin American version also comes with two power plates, one with US-style prongs for direct connection to a power outlet, and another with a cord to reach a power outlet. Other versions of the Range Expander include a power plate with a cord, but they may or may not include the power plate for direct connection (refer to the Range Expander’s packaging to find out this additional power plate is included).

IMPORTANT: If you use the power plate with prongs for direct connection and the power plug does not fit flush within the wall outlet, then you need to use the power plate with the cord for safety purposes. (Not all wall outlets are recessed in countries such as Denmark, France, Italy, or Switzerland.)

If you use a plug converter, then you need to use the power plate with the cord for safety purposes.

Any of these power plates is slid into the recess and fully connected when the orange tab snaps into place. To remove the power plate, slide the tab to the right and slide out the power plate. Always unplug the Range Expander before removing the power plate.

Figure 3-2: The Two-Pronged

Recess

Figure 3-4: Safe Fit between

Power Plug and Wall Outlet

Figure 3-3: The EU-style

Power Plate with Prongs

Figure 3-5: Unsafe Fit between

Power Plug and Wall Outlet

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander The Power Plate

Wireless-G Range Expander

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander

Before you begin, make sure your Linksys network is operational. Follow the Auto Configuration instructions below unless your existing network has Wired Equivalent Privacy

(WEP) security enabled. If you have WEP enabled on your network, follow steps 1-2 below, and proceed to “Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Range Expander.”

1. Connect the appropriate power plate, and then connect it to a power outlet (you should always plug your networking gear into a surge protector). For more information about power plates, refer to “Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Range Expander.”

IMPORTANT: If you use the power plate with prongs for direct connection (not available with the UK version of the Range Expander) and the power plug does not fit flush within the wall outlet, then you need to use the power plate with the cord for safety purposes. (Not all wall outlets are recessed in countries such as Denmark, France, Italy, or Switzerland.)

If you use a plug converter, then you need to use the power plate with the cord for safety purposes.

2. Place the Linksys Range Expander next to your existing Linksys Wireless Router or Access Point. Make sure that your Linksys network is operational before proceeding to the next step.

tcp/ip: a set of instructions PCs use to communicate over a network.

HAVE YOU:Enabled TCP/IP on your PCs? PCs communicate over the network with this protocol. Refer to Appendix D: Windows Help for more information on TCP/IP.

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander

Figure 4-1: Safe Fit between

Power Plug and Wall Outlet

Figure 4-2: Unsafe Fit between

Power Plug and Wall Outlet

Wireless-G Range Expander

3. Locate the Auto configuration button on the right side of the Range Expander. Press and hold the button down for a full five seconds, and then release. The LEDs on the Range Expander will flash for up to one minute while it is being auto-configured. When both of the LEDs are solidly lit blue, the Range Expander is properly configured and ready for use.

4. Once the Range Expander is ready for use, you can disconnect the Range Expander from the power outlet and move it from the current location next to your LInksys Wireless Router or Access Point.

Relocate it to the best location to extend the range of your network.

5. Try to place it in a position that will best cover your wireless network. Normally, the higher you place the Range Expander, the better performance will be. Proper positioning of the antenna enhances receiving sensitivity, so it should be placed pointing up.

Congratulations! The installation of the Linksys Wireless Range Expander is complete.

NOTE: The Auto configuration button can be

used to set up the Range Expander simply when you have disabled WEP security on your wireless network.

hardware: the physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices.

NOTE: If you install the Range Expander into your network with the Auto configuration button and decide that you want to enable WEP security on your entire network, you should go into the Web-based Utility (as described in Chapter 6) and enable WEP encryption.

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Range Expander

Wireless-G Range Expander

Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander

Now that you've placed the Range Expander within your wireless network, you are ready to begin setting it up. This Setup Wizard will take you through all the steps necessary to configure the Range Expander.

1. Insert the Setup Wizard CD into your PC's CD-ROM drive. Your PC must be communicating with your wireless network to set up the Range Expander.

2. The Setup Wizard's Welcome screen should appear on your monitor. If it does not, this means the Setup Wizard is not automatically running as it should. Start the Setup Wizard manually by clicking the Start button, selecting Run, and typing d:\setup.exe (where "D" is your PC's CD-ROM drive). Click the Setup button to continue this Setup Wizard. Clicking the User Guide button opened this Guide. To exit this Setup Wizard, click the Exit button.

NOTE: You won’t need to use the Setup Wizard, if you set up the Range Expander with the Auto configuration button. The Auto configuration button

can be used to set up the Range Expander simply when you have disabled WEP security on your wireless network.

Figure 5-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome screen

Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Range Expander

NOTE: If you want to use the Setup Wizard and you are setting up the Range Expander for the first time, your wireless network must be on the 192.168.1.x IP range. Otherwise the Setup Wizard will not be able to detect the Range Expander.

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