LINKSYS WRT54GC Users Manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.

®

WIRELESS

Model No.

WRT54GC

Compact

Wireless-G

Broadband Router

User Guide

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

Copyright and Trademarks

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 © 2005 Cisco Systems, Inc . All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known
to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

How to Use This User Guide

This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Compact Wireless-G Broadband
Router 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 Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router.

This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning
and is something that could damage your property or the
Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router.

This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the
Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router.

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 0-1: Sample Figure Description

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

WRT54GC-UG-41215NC BW

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

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
Network Layout 4

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router 6

The Back Panel 6
The Front Panel 7
The Bottom Panel 8
The Top Panel 9

Chapter 4: Connecting the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router 10

Overview 10
Hardware Installation for Connection to your Broadband Modem 10
Hardware Installation for Connection to Another Router 12

Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router 14

Overview 14
How to Access the Web-based Utility 15
The Setup Tab - Basic Setup 15
The Setup Tab - DDNS 19
The Setup Tab - MAC Address Clone 20
The Setup Tab - Advanced Routing 21
The Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings 22
The Wireless Tab - Wireless Security 23
The Wireless Tab - Wireless MAC Filter 25
The Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings 26
The Security Tab - Firewall 28
The Security Tab - VPN Passthrough 29
The Access Restrictions Tab - Internet Access Policy 29
The Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Range Forwarding 31
The Applications & Gaming Tab - Port Range Triggering 33

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Applications and Gaming Tab - DMZ 34
The Administration Tab - Management 35
The Administration Tab - Log 37
The Administration Tab - Diagnostics 38
The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults 39
The Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade 39
The Status Tab - Router 40
The Status Tab - Local Network 41
The Status Tab - Wireless 42

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 43

Common Problems and Solutions 43
Frequently Asked Questions 51

Appendix B: Wireless Security 58

Security Precautions 58
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 58

Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 61
Appendix D: Windows Help 62
Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter 63

Windows 98SE or Me Instructions 63
Windows 2000 or XP Instructions 63
For the Router’s Web-based Utility 64

Appendix F: Glossary 65
Appendix G: Specifications 72
Appendix H: Warranty Information 74
Appendix I: Regulatory Information 75
Appendix J: Contact Information 77

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

List of Figures

Figure 3-1: The Router’s Back Panel 6
Figure 3-2: The Router’s Front Panel 7
Figure 3-3: The Router’s Bottom Panel 8
Figure 3-4: The Router’s Top Panel 9
Figure 4-1: Connecting your Broadband Modem 10
Figure 4-2: Connecting Your Network Devices 11
Figure 4-3: Connecting the Power 11
Figure 4-4: Diagram for Connection to Another Router 12
Figure 4-5: Connecting Another Router 12
Figure 4-6: Connecting Your Network Devices 13
Figure 4-7: Connecting the Power 13
Figure 5-1: Router’s IP Address 15
Figure 5-2: Router Login Screen 15
Figure 5-3: Setup Tab - Basic Setup 15
Figure 5-4: Static IP Connection Type 16
Figure 5-5: PPPoE Connection Type 16
Figure 5-6: PPTP Connection Type 17
Figure 5-7: Static DHCP Client List 18
Figure 5-8: DHCP Client Table 18
Figure 5-9: DynDNS.org 19
Figure 5-10: TZO.com 20
Figure 5-11: Setup Tab - MAC Address Clone 20
Figure 5-12: Setup Tab - Advanced Routing (Gateway) 21
Figure 5-13: Setup Tab - Advanced Routing (Router) 21
Figure 5-14: Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings 22
Figure 5-15: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WEP) 23
Figure 5-16: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WPA Personal) 23
Figure 5-17: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WPA2 Personal) 24
Figure 5-18: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WPA2 Mixed Mode) 24
Figure 5-19: Wireless Tab - Wireless MAC Filter 25

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

Figure 5-20: Wireless Tab - Wireless Client List 25
Figure 5-21: Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings 26
Figure 5-22: Security Tab - Firewall 28
Figure 5-23: Security Tab - VPN Passthrough 29
Figure 5-24: Access Restrictions Tab - Internet Access Policy 29
Figure 5-25: Access Restrictions Tab - Summary 30
Figure 5-26: Access Restrictions Tab - Internet Access PCs List 30
Figure 5-27: Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Range Forwarding 31
Figure 5-28: Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Triggering 33
Figure 5-29: Applications and Gaming Tab - DMZ 34
Figure 5-30: Administration Tab - Management 35
Figure 5-31: Administration Tab - Log 37
Figure 5-32: Incoming Log 37
Figure 5-33: Administration Tab - Diagnostics 38
Figure 5-34: Ping Test 38
Figure 5-35: Traceroute Test 38
Figure 5-36: Administration Tab - Factory Defaults 39
Figure 5-37: Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade 39
Figure 5-38: Status Tab - Router 40
Figure 5-39: Status Tab - Local Network 41
Figure 5-40: DHCP Client Table 41
Figure 5-41: Status Tab - Wireless 42
Figure C-1: Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade 61
Figure E-1: IP Configuration Screen 63
Figure E-2: MAC Address/Adapter Address 63
Figure E-3: MAC Address/Physical Address 63
Figure E-4: Wireless MAC Filter List 64
Figure E-5: MAC Address Clone 64

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Linksys Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router. The Compact Wireless-G Broadband
Router will allow you to network wirelessly better than ever, sharing Internet access, files and fun, easily and
securely.

How does the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router do all of this? A router is a device that allows access to an
Internet connection over a network. With the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router, this access can be shared
over the four switched ports or via the wireless broadcast at either up to 11Mbps for Wireless-B or up to 54Mbps
for Wireless-G. In addition, the whole network is protected by NAT technology. For wireless networking, you also
have a choice of wireless security methods. Additional security features, as well as configuration options, are
accessible through the easy-to-use, browser-based utility.

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 on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is
why the network is called “wired”.

PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is sometimes called
a WLAN, or Wireless Local Area Network. The Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router bridges wireless networks
of 802.11b, and 802.11g standards and wired networks, allowing them to communicate with each other.

With your wired and wireless networks connected to each other and the Internet, you can now share files and
Internet access—and even play games. All the while, the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router protects your
networks from unauthorized and unwelcome users.

Linksys recommends using the Setup CD-ROM for first-time installation of the Router. If you do not wish to run
the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD-ROM, then use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the
Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router, set it up, and configure it to bridge your different networks. These
instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router.

nat (network address translation): NAT
technology translated IP addresses of a
local area network to a different IP address
for the Internet.

mbps: one million bits per second; a unit of
measurement for data transmission.

browser: an application program that
provides a way to look at and interact with all
the information on the World Wide Web.

lan (local area network): the computers and
networking products that make up the network
in your home or office.

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

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

1

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router.

• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Router’s 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 Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
This chapter describes the physical features of the Router.

• Chapter 4: Connecting the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Router to your network.

• Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on the Compact Wireless-G
Broadband Router.

• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding
installation and use of the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router.

• 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 Router should you need to do so.

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

• Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for your Ethernet Adapter.
This appendix describes how to find the MAC address for your computer’s Ethernet adapter so you can use
the MAC filtering and/or MAC address cloning feature of the Router.

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

Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?

2