LINKSYS WRT54GCV2 Users Manual

Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

Backup and Restore

Backup Settings. To back up the Router’s configuration, click this button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Restore Settings. To restore the Router’s configuration, click this button and follow the on-screen instructions.

(You must have previously backed up the Router’s configuration.)

Change these settings as described here and click the Save Settings button to apply your changes or Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Help information is shown on the right-hand side of the screen.

Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Administration Tab - Management

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The Administration Tab - Log

The Router can keep logs of all traffic for your Internet connection.

Log

The Router can keep logs of all traffic for your Internet connection. To disable the Log function, keep the default
setting, Disable. To monitor traffic between the network and the Internet, select Enable. When you wish to view
the logs, click the View Log button, then select Incoming Log or Outgoing Log from the Type drop-down menu.

The Incoming Log will display a temporary log of the Source IP Addresses and Destination Port Numbers for the
incoming Internet traffic.

The Outgoing Log will display a temporary log of the LAN IP Addresses, Destination URLs or IP Addresses, and
Service or Port Numbers for the outgoing Internet traffic.

The DHCP Client Log will display a temporary log of the Date and Time, DHCP IP Address, and MAC Address for the
DHCP client traffic.

The Security Log will display a temporary log of the Date and Time, Direction, Packets (to and from), Action, and
the Reason for the selected security options.

Click the Refresh button to update the log. Click the Clear Log button to clear all the information that is
displayed. Click the Close button to close the screen.

Figure 5-31: Administration Tab - Log

Change these settings as described here and click the Save Settings button to apply your changes or Cancel
Changes to cancel your changes. Help information is shown on the right-hand side of the screen.

Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Administration Tab - Log

Figure 5-32: Incoming Log

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Administration Tab - Diagnostics

The Ping test allows you to check the status of your Internet connection.

Diagnostics

Ping Test

To IP or URL Address. Enter the IP address or URL that you want to ping.

Packet Size. Enter the size of the packet you want to use.

Times to Ping. Select the number of times you wish to ping: 2, 4, 8, or 16.

Ping. Click this button to begin the test. A new screen will appear and display the test results. Click the Close

button to return to the Diagnostics screen.

Traceroute Test. To test the performance of a connection, enter the address of the PC whose connection you
wish to test and click the Traceroute button. Click the Close button to return to the Diagnostics screen.

Figure 5-33: Administration Tab - Diagnostics

Figure 5-34: Ping Test

Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Administration Tab - Diagnostics

Figure 5-35: Traceroute Test

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The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults

This screen allows you to restore the Router’s configuration to its factory default settings.

NOTE: Do not restore the factory defaults unless you are having difficulties with the Router and have
exhausted all other troubleshooting measures. Once the Router is reset, you will have to re-enter all
of your configuration settings.

Factory Defaults

Restore Factory Defaults. Click this button to reset all configuration settings to their default values. Any settings
you have saved will be lost when the default settings are restored.

Help information is shown on the right-hand side of the screen.

The Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade

This screen allows you to upgrade the Router’s firmware. Do not upgrade the firmware unless you are
experiencing problems with the Router or the new firmware has a feature you want to use.

NOTE: The Router will lose all of the settings you have customized. Before you upgrade its firmware,
write down all of your custom settings. After you upgrade its firmware, you will have to re-enter all
of your configuration settings.

Figure 5-36: Administration Tab - Factory Defaults

Firmware Upgrade

Before upgrading the firmware, download the Router’s firmware upgrade file from the Linksys website,
www.linksys.com. Then extract the file.

Please select a file to upgrade. In the field provided, enter the name of the extracted firmware upgrade file, or
click the Browse button to find this file.

Upgrade. After you have selected the appropriate file, click this button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Help information is shown on the right-hand side of the screen.

Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults

Figure 5-37: Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade

firmware: the programming code
that runs a networking device.

download: to receive a file transmitted over a network.

upgrade: to replace existing software or

firmware with a newer version.

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Status Tab - Router

The Router screen on the Status Tab displays information about the Router and its current settings. The on­screen information will vary depending on the Internet Connection Type you use.

Router Information

Firmware Version. This is the Router’s current firmware.

Current Time. This shows the time, based on the time zone you selected on the Setup Tab.

MAC Address. This is the Router’s MAC Address, as seen by your ISP.

Host Name. If required by your ISP, this would have been entered on the Setup Tab.

Domain Name. If required by your ISP, this would have been entered on the Setup Tab.

Internet Connection

Connection Type. This indicates the type of Internet connection you are using.

IP Address. The Router’s Internet IP Address is displayed here.

Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. The Router’s Subnet Mask and Default Gateway address are displayed here

for DHCP and static IP connections.

DNS1-3. Shown here are the DNS (Domain Name System) IP addresses currently used by the Router.

IP Release. Available for a DHCP connection, click this button to release the current IP address of the device

connected to the Router’s Internet port.

IP Renew. Available for a DHCP connection, click this button to replace the current IP address—of the device
connected to the Router’s Internet port—with a new IP address.

Click the Refresh button to update the on-screen information. Help information is shown on the right-hand side
of the screen.

Figure 5-38: Status Tab - Router

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The Status Tab - Local Network

The Local Network screen on the Status Tab displays the status of your network.

Local Network

MAC Address. This is the Router’s MAC Address, as seen on your local, Ethernet network.

IP Address. This shows the Router’s IP Address, as it appears on your local, Ethernet network.

Subnet Mask. When the Router is using a Subnet Mask, it is shown here.

DHCP Server

DHCP Server. The status of the Router’s use as a DHCP server is displayed here.

Start IP Address. For the range of IP Addresses used by devices on your local, Ethernet network, the beginning

of that range is shown here.

End IP Address. For the range of IP Addresses used by devices on your local, Ethernet network, the end of that
range is shown here.

DHCP Client Table. Clicking this button will open a screen showing you which PCs are utilizing the Router as a
DHCP server. On the DHCP Client Table screen, you will see a list of DHCP clients (PCs and other network devices)
with the following information: Client Names, Interfaces, IP Addresses, MAC Addresses, and the length of time
before their assigned IP addresses expire. From the To Sort by drop-down menu, you can sort the table by Client
Name, Interface, IP Address, or MAC Address.To view the most up-to-date information, click the Refresh button.
To exit this screen, click the Close button.

Figure 5-39: Status Tab - Local Network

Help information is shown on the right-hand side of the screen.

Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Status Tab - Local Network

Figure 5-40: DHCP Client Table

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The Status Tab - Wireless

The Wireless screen on the Status Tab displays the status of your Wireless-A and/or Wireless-G networks.

Wireless Network

MAC Address. This is the Router’s MAC Address, as seen on your local, wireless network.

Mode. As selected from the Wireless tab, this displays the status of the Router’s Wireless-G networking mode.

SSID. As entered on the Wireless tab, this displays the wireless network name or SSID of your Wireless-G

network.

Channel. As entered on the Wireless tab, this displays the channel on which your wireless network is
broadcasting.

SSID Broadcast. As selected on the Wireless tab, this displays the status of the Router’s SSID Broadcast feature.

Help information is shown on the right-hand side of the screen.

Figure 5-41: Status Tab - Wireless

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Questions.”
Provided are possible solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Router.
Read the descriptions below to help you solve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys
website at www.linksys.com.

Common Problems and Solutions

1. I’m trying to access the Router’s Web-based Utility, but I do not see the login screen. Instead, I see a
screen saying, “404 Forbidden.”

If you are using Windows Explorer, perform the following steps until you see the Web-based Utility’s login
screen (Netscape Navigator will require similar steps):

1. Click File. Make sure Work Offline is NOT checked.

2. Press CTRL + F5. This is a hard refresh, which will force Windows Explorer to load new webpages,
not cached ones.

3. Click Tools. Click Internet Options. Click the Security tab. Click the Default level button. Make sure
the security level is Medium or lower. Then click the OK button.

2. I need to set a static IP address on a PC.

You can assign a static IP address to a PC by performing the following steps:

• For Windows 98SE and Me:

1. Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel. Double-click Network.

2. In The following network components are installed box, select the TCP/IP-> associated with your
Ethernet adapter. If you only have one Ethernet adapter installed, you will only see one TCP/IP line
with no association to an Ethernet adapter. Highlight it and click the Properties button.

3. In the TCP/IP properties window, select the IP address tab, and select Specify an IP address. Enter
a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer on the network connected to the Router.
Make sure that each IP address is unique for each PC or network device.

4. Click the Gateway tab, and in the New Gateway prompt, enter 192.168.1.1, which is the default IP
address of the Router. Click the Add button to accept the entry.

5. Click the DNS tab, and make sure the DNS Enabled option is selected. Enter the Host and Domain
names (e.g., John for Host and home for Domain). Enter the DNS entry provided by your ISP. If your
ISP has not provided the DNS IP address, contact your ISP to get that information or go to its website
for the information.

6. Click the OK button in the TCP/IP properties window, and click Close or the OK button for the Network
window.

7. Restart the computer when asked.

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Common Problems and Solutions

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

• For Windows 2000:

1. Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel. Double-click Network and Dial-Up Connections.

2. Right-click the Local Area Connection that is associated with the Ethernet adapter you are using, and
select the Properties option.

3. In the Components checked are used by this connection box, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),
and click the Properties button. Select Use the following IP address option.

4. Enter a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer on the network connected to the
Router.

5. Enter the Subnet Mask, 255.255.255.0.

6. Enter the Default Gateway, 192.168.1.1 (Router’s default IP address).

7. Toward the bottom of the window, select Use the following DNS server addresses, and enter the
Preferred DNS server and Alternative DNS server (provided by your ISP). Contact your ISP or go on its
website to find the information.

8. Click the OK button in the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, and click the OK button in the
Local Area Connection Properties window.

9. Restart the computer if asked.

• For Windows XP:
The following instructions assume you are running Windows XP with the default interface. If you are using
the Classic interface (where the icons and menus look like previous Windows versions), please follow the
instructions for Windows 2000.

1. Click Start and Control Panel.

2. Click the Network and Internet Connections icon and then the Network Connections icon.

3. Right-click the Local Area Connection that is associated with the Ethernet adapter you are using,
and select the Properties option.

4. In the This connection uses the following items box, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click the
Properties button.

5. Enter a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer on the network connected to the
Router.

6. Enter the Subnet Mask, 255.255.255.0.

7. Enter the Default Gateway, 192.168.1.1 (Router’s default IP address).

8. Toward the bottom of the window, select Use the following DNS server addresses, and enter the
Preferred DNS server and Alternative DNS server (provided by your ISP). Contact your ISP or go on its
website to find the information.

9. Click the OK button in the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window. Click the OK button in the
Local Area Connection Properties window.

3. I want to test my Internet connection.

A Check your TCP/IP settings.
For Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP:

• Make sure Obtain IP address automatically is selected in the settings. Refer to Windows Help for details.

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B Open a command prompt.
For Windows 98SE and Me:

• Click Start and Run. In the Open field, type command. Press the Enter key or click the OK button.
For Windows 2000 and XP:

• Click Start and Run. In the Open field, type cmd. Press the Enter key or click the OK button. In the
command prompt, type ping 192.168.1.1 and press the Enter key.

• If you get a reply, the computer is communicating with the Router.

• If you do NOT get a reply, please check the cable, and make sure Obtain an IP address automatically is
selected in the TCP/IP settings for your Ethernet adapter.

C In the command prompt, type ping followed by your Internet or WAN IP address and press the Enter key.
The Internet or WAN IP Address can be found on the Status screen of the Router’s web-based utility. For
example, if your Internet or WAN IP address is 1.2.3.4, you would enter ping 1.2.3.4 and press the Enter key.

• If you get a reply, the computer is connected to the Router.

• If you do NOT get a reply, try the ping command from a different computer to verify that your original
computer is not the cause of the problem.

D In the command prompt, type ping www.yahoo.com and press the Enter key.

• If you get a reply, the computer is connected to the Internet. If you cannot open a webpage, try the ping
command from a different computer to verify that your original computer is not the cause of the problem.

• If you do NOT get a reply, there may be a problem with the connection. Try the ping command from a
different computer to verify that your original computer is not the cause of the problem.

4. I am not getting an IP address on the Internet with my Internet connection.

• Refer to “Problem #2, I want to test my Internet connection” to verify that you have connectivity.

• If you need to register the MAC address of your Ethernet adapter with your ISP, please see “Appendix E:
Finding the MAC address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter.” If you need to clone the MAC address
of your Ethernet adapter onto the Router, see the System section of “Chapter 5: Configuring the
Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router” for details.

• Make sure you are using the right Internet connection settings. Contact your ISP to see if your Internet
connection type is DHCP, Static IP Address, or PPPoE (commonly used by DSL consumers). Please refer to
the Setup section of “Chapter 5: Configuring the Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router” for details on
Internet connection settings.

• Make sure you have the right cable. Check to see if the Internet column has a solidly lit LED.

• Make sure the cable connecting from your cable or DSL modem is connected to the Router’s Internet port.
Verify that the Status page of the Router’s web-based utility shows a valid IP address from your ISP.

• Turn off the computer, Router, and cable/DSL modem. Wait 30 seconds, and then turn on the Router,
cable/DSL modem, and computer. Check the Status tab of the Router’s web-based utility to see if you get
an IP address.

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Common Problems and Solutions

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

5. I am not able to access the Setup page of the Router’s web-based utility.

• Refer to “Problem #2, I want to test my Internet connection” to verify that your computer is properly
connected to the Router.

• Refer to “Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP address for Your Ethernet Adapter” to verify that
your computer has an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS.

• Set a static IP address on your system; refer to “Problem #1: I need to set a static IP address.”

• Refer to “Problem #10: I need to remove the proxy settings or the dial-up pop-up window (for PPPoE
users).”

6. I need to set up a server behind my Router and make it available to the public.

To use a server like a web, ftp, or mail server, you need to know the respective port numbers they are using.
For example, port 80 (HTTP) is used for web; port 21 (FTP) is used for FTP, and port 25 (SMTP outgoing) and
port 110 (POP3 incoming) are used for the mail server. You can get more information by viewing the
documentation provided with the server you installed.

Follow these steps to set up port forwarding through the Router’s web-based utility. We will be setting up
web, ftp, and mail servers.

1. Access the Router’s web-based utility by going to http://192.168.1.1 or the IP address of the Router.
Go to the Applications & Gaming => Port Range Forwarding tab.

2. Enter any name you want to use for the custom Application.

3. Enter the External Port range of the service you are using. For example, if you have a web server, you
would enter the range 80 to 80.

4. Check the protocol you will be using, TCP and/or UDP.

5. Enter the IP address of the PC or network device that you want the port server to go to. For example,
if the web server’s Ethernet adapter IP address is 192.168.1.100, you would enter 100 in the field
provided. Check “Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter” for
details on getting an IP address.

6. Check the Enabled option for the port services you want to use. Consider the example below:

Application Start ~ End Port Protocol IP Address Enabled

Web server 80 to 80 Both 192.168.1.100 X

FTP server 21 to 21 TCP 192.168.1.101 X

SMTP (outgoing) 25 to 25 Both 192.168.1.102 X

POP3 (incoming) 110 to 110 Both 192.168.1.102 X

When you have completed the configuration, click the Save Settings button.

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Common Problems and Solutions

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

7. I need to set up online game hosting or use other Internet applications.

If you want to play online games or use Internet applications, most will work without doing any port
forwarding or DMZ hosting. There may be cases when you want to host an online game or Internet
application. This would require you to set up the Router to deliver incoming packets or data to a specific
computer. This also applies to the Internet applications you are using. The best way to get the information on
what port services to use is to go to the website of the online game or application you want to use. Follow
these steps to set up online game hosting or use a certain Internet application:

1. Access the Router’s web interface by going to http://192.168.1.1 or the IP address of the Router. Go to
the Applications & Gaming => Port Range Forwarding tab.

2. Enter any name you want to use for the custom Application.

3. Enter the External Port range of the service you are using. For example, if you want to host Unreal
Tournament (UT), you would enter the range 7777 to 27900.

4. Check the protocol you will be using, TCP and/or UDP.

5. Enter the IP address of the PC or network device that you want the port server to go to. For example,
if the web server’s Ethernet adapter IP address is 192.168.1.100, you would enter 100 in the field
provided. Check “Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter” for
details on getting an IP address.

6. Check the Enabled option for the port services you want to use. Consider the example below:

Application Start ~ End Port Protocol IP Address Enabled

UT 7777 to 27900 Both 192.168.1.100 X

Halflife 27015 to 27015 Both 192.168.1.105 X

PC Anywhere 5631 to 5631 UDP 192.168.1.102 X

VPN IPSEC 500 to 500 UDP 192.168.1.100 X

When you have completed the configuration, click the Save Settings button.

8. I can’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work.

If you are having difficulties getting any Internet game, server, or application to function properly, consider
exposing one PC to the Internet using DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ) hosting. This option is available when an
application requires too many ports or when you are not sure which port services to use. Make sure you
disable all the forwarding entries if you want to successfully use DMZ hosting, since forwarding has priority
over DMZ hosting. (In other words, data that enters the Router will be checked first by the forwarding
settings. If the port number that the data enters from does not have port forwarding, then the Router will send
the data to whichever PC or network device you set for DMZ hosting.)

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

Follow these steps to set DMZ hosting:

1. Access the Router’s web-based utility by going to http://192.168.1.1 or the IP address of the Router.
Go to the Applications & Gaming => Port Range Forwarding tab.

2. Disable or remove the entries you have entered for forwarding. Keep this information in case you
want to use it at a later time.

3. Go to the Applications & Gaming => DMZ tab.

4. Select Enabled next to DMZ. In the Host IP Address field, enter the IP address of the computer you
want exposed to the Internet. This will bypass the NAT technology for that computer. Please refer to
“Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter” for details on getting
an IP address.

5. Once completed with the configuration, click the Save Settings button.

9. I forgot my password, or the password prompt always appears when I am saving settings to the
Router.

Reset the Router to factory default by pressing the Reset button for 10 seconds and then releasing it. If you
are still getting prompted for a password when saving settings, then perform the following steps:

1. Access the Router’s web-based utility by going to http://192.168.1.1 or the IP address of the Router.
Enter the default password admin, and click the Administrations => Management tab.

2. Enter a different password in the Router Password field, and enter the same password in the second
field to confirm the password.

3. Click the Save Settings button.

10. I am a PPPoE user, and I need to remove the proxy settings or the dial-up pop-up window.

If you have proxy settings, you need to disable these on your computer. Because the Router is the gateway for
the Internet connection, the computer does not need any proxy settings to gain access. Please follow these
directions to verify that you do not have any proxy settings and that the browser you use is set to connect
directly to the LAN.

• For Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher:

1. Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel. Double-click Internet Options.

2. Click the Connections tab.

3. Click the LAN settings button and remove anything that is checked.

4. Click the OK button to go back to the previous screen.

5. Click the option Never dial a connection. This will remove any dial-up pop-ups for PPPoE users.

• For Netscape 4.7 or higher:

1. Start Netscape Navigator, and click Edit, Preferences, Advanced, and Proxies.

2. Make sure you have Direct connection to the Internet selected on this screen.

3. Close all the windows to finish.

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Common Problems and Solutions

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Compact Wireless-G Broadband Router

11. To start over, I need to set the Router to factory default.

Hold the Reset button for 8 seconds and then release it. This will return the password, forwarding, and other
settings on the Router to the factory default settings. In other words, the Router will revert to its original
factory configuration.

12. I need to upgrade the firmware.

In order to upgrade the firmware with the latest features, you need to go to the Linksys website and download
the latest firmware at www.linksys.com.
Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com and download the latest firmware.

2. To upgrade the firmware, follow the steps in “Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware.”

13. The firmware upgrade failed, and/or the Power LED is flashing.

The upgrade could have failed for a number of reasons. Follow these steps to upgrade the firmware and/or
make the Power LED stop flashing:

• If the firmware upgrade failed, use the TFTP program (it was downloaded along with the firmware). Open
the pdf that was downloaded along with the firmware and TFTP program, and follow the pdf’s
instructions.

• Set a static IP address on the PC; refer to “Problem #1, I need to set a static IP address.” Use the following
IP address settings for the computer you are using:

IP Address: 192.168.1.50
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

• Perform the upgrade using the TFTP program or the Administration tab of the Router’s web-based utility.

14. My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnecting.

PPPoE is not actually a dedicated or always-on connection. The DSL ISP can disconnect the service after a
period of inactivity, just like a normal phone dial-up connection to the Internet.

• There is a setup option to “keep alive” the connection. This may not always work, so you may need to re­establish connection periodically.

1. To connect to the Router, go to the web browser, and enter http://192.168.1.1 or the IP address of
the Router.

2. Enter the password, if asked. (The default password is admin.)

3. On the Setup screen, select the option Keep Alive, and set the Redial Period option at 20 (seconds).

4. Click the Save Settings button.

5. Click the Status tab, and click the Connect button.

6. You may see the login status display as Connecting. Press the F5 key to refresh the screen, until you
see the login status display as Connected.

• Click the Save Settings button to continue.

• If the connection is lost again, follow steps 1- 6 to re-establish connection.

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