NETGEAR WAB102 User Manual

User’s Guide for the
WAB102 802.11a+b Dual
Band Wireless Access
Point

NETGEAR, Inc.

4401 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

1

1 1

000

0

November 2002

NETGEAR, INC.

www.NETGEAR.com

Technical Support

Please register to obtain technical support. Please retain your proof of

purchase and warranty information.

To register your product, get product support or obtain product information and
product documentation, go to
access to the World Wide Web, you may register your product by filling out the
registration card and mailing it to NETGEAR customer service.

You will find technical support information at:
http://www.NETGEAR.com/ through the customer service area. If you want to
contact technical support by telephone, see the support information card for the
correct telephone number for your country.

© 2002 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trademarks

NETGEAR is a registered trademark of NETGEAR, INC. Windows is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

http://www.NETGEAR.com. If you do not have

Statement of Conditions

In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR
reserves the right to make changes to the products described in this document without notice.

NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the
product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

Contents

Chapter 1
Introduction

About the Wireless Access Point .............................................................1

System Requirements ..............................................................................3

What’s In the Box? ...................................................................................4

Hardware Description ..............................................................................5

Chapter 2
Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity

What You Will Need Before You Begin ....................................................9

Installation Overview ..............................................................................10

Install the WAB102 Wireless Access Point ............................................10

Basic Configuration ................................................................................14

Chapter 3
Protecting Your Wireless Network

Enabling Basic Wireless Access Security Features ...............................34

Chapter 4
Troubleshooting

Basic Functioning ...................................................................................41

i

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter introduces the NETGEAR Model WAB102 802.11a+b Wireless
Access Point.

Minimal prerequisites for installation are presented in “System Requirements“ on

page 3.

About the Wireless Access Point

Congratulations on your purchase of NETGEAR's WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual
Band Wireless Access Point, which gives you the ultimate in office mobility. This
high-speed wireless device simultaneously supports both IEEE 802.11a and

802.11b wireless networks and lets you quickly network multiple PCs and
notebooks without laying new cables, and gives users the freedom to roam
throughout the workplace and stay connected to corporate resources, e-mail, and
the Internet.

The WAB102 provides built-in capacity and flexibility for growing networks so
it's easy to add new clients or move your entire network to a new location.
Equipped with auto-sensing capability, it allows packet transfer at up to 108 Mbps
in turbo mode for maximum throughput. This access point will automatically
adjust to the most efficient speed for the maximum distance in a noisy
environment.

Introduction 1

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

Benefits

• Ultimate mobility – One Access point provides both 802.11a (5 GHz) and

802.11b (2.4 GHz) wireless networks.

• Blazing fast speeds – Up to 54 Mbps, and up to 108 Mbps in turbo mode for
models shipped in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

• Dual band capability protects your existing 802.11b wireless network
investment while installing a new 802.11a network.

• Seamlessly integrates into an existing 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
LAN.

Features

The key features of the WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
are:

• Reliable IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b standards-based wireless technology.

• Interfaces directly to 10 Mbps IEEE 802.3 Ethernet and 100 Mbps IEEE

802.3u Fast Ethernet networks.

• Up to 108 Mbps high-speed rate in turbo mode (for models shipped in the
United States, Canada, and Australia). Wireless nodes negotiate to operate at
an optimal data transfer rate. In a noisy environment or when the distance
between the wireless nodes is too far, the wireless nodes will automatically
adjust to the most efficient speed for the distance.

• Provides the highest available level of industry-standard WEP encryption:
128-bit for 802.11b devices and up to 152-bit for 802.11a devices

• MAC Address Filtering provides increased security.

• Extensive coverage and available bandwidth with twelve (12)
non-overlapping channels in the 5 GHz band (5.15 to 5.35 GHz, 5.725 to

5.825 GHz); three (3) non-overlapping channels in the 2.4 GHz band (2.412
to 2.484 GHz)

• Supports Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to avoid cross interference
with radar systems used in certain European countries.

• Supports Transmit Power Control (TPC) for use in Europe.

2 Introduction

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

System Requirements

Before installing the WAB102, make sure your system meets these requirements:

• A 10/100 Mbps Local Area Network device such as a hub or switch.

Note: The WAB102 should be connected to a router, switch or hub

installed as shown in the figure below.

• The Category 5 UTP straight through Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connector
included in this package or one like it.

• A 100-240 V, 50-60 HZ AC power source.

• A Web browser for configuration such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or
above, or Netscape Navigator 4.78 or later version.

• At least one computer with the TCP/IP protocol installed.

• Other 802.11a or 802.11b-compliant devices, such as the NETGEAR
WAB501 Dual Band Wireless Adapter.

Wireless PC Card
in a Notebook Computer

Introduction

WAB102 Dual Band

Wireless Access Point

Router, Switch, or

Hub on an
Ethernet LAN

Cable or DSL modem

3

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

What’s In the Box?

The product package should contain the following items:

• WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

• Power adapter and cord (5Vdc, 3.8A)

• WAB102 User's Guide (this guide)

• Straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable - 25 feet

• Support Information Card

• Warranty and Registration card

Please contact your reseller or customer support in your area if there are any
wrong, missing, or damaged parts. You can refer to the Support Information Card
for the telephone number of customer support in your area. You should keep the
Support Information card, along with the original packing materials, and use the
packing materials to repack the WAB102 Dual Band Wireless Access Point if you
need to return it for repair.

To qualify for product updates and product warranty registrations, we encourage
you to register on the NETGEAR Web page at: http://www.NETGEAR.com.

Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products

For a list of compatible products from other manufacturers, see the Wireless
Ethernet Compatibility Alliance website (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net).
Compatible NETGEAR products are listed below.

The following NETGEAR products work with the WAB102 dual band AP.

• POE101 Power Over Ethernet Adapter

• WAB501 a/b Dual Band Wireless PC Card Adapter

• HA501 802.11a Wireless 32-bit PC Card Adapter

• MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card

• MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter

• ME102 802.11b Wireless Access Point

• MA311 802.11b Wireless PCI Adapter

• MR314 802.11b Wireless Cable/DSL Router

• MA701 802.11b Wireless Compact Flash Card

4 Introduction

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

802.11a+b Standards-based Wireless Networking

The WAB102 Wireless Access Point provides a bridge between Ethernet wired
LANs and both 802.11a and 802.11b compatible wireless LAN networks. It
provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped
wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices. The
WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point supports the following
hardware functions:

• External dual-band antenna assembly to support antenna diversity

• Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption accomplished on the fly

• Firmware stored in flash to allow easy firmware upgrade.

Additionally, the WAB102 supports the following wireless features:

• Distributed coordinated function (CSMA/CA, Back off procedure, ACK
procedure, retransmission of unacknowledged frames)

• RTS/CTS handshake

• Beacon generation

• Fragmentation and reassembly

• Authentication Algorithm (Open System, Shared Key)

• Short or long preamble

• Roaming among access points on the same subnet

Hardware Description

The WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point hardware functions
are described below.

Introduction

5

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

WAB102 Wireless Access Point Front Panel

The WAB102 Dual Band Wireless Access Point provides these status LEDs.

Power

Ethernet

The following table explains the LED indicators:

LED DESCRIPTION

Power

OffOnNo power. If this LED does not come on with the power adapter and

cord correctly installed, see Chapter 4, Troubleshooting.
Power is on.

Blink Indicates self test, loading software, or system fault (if continues).

Note: This LED may blink for a minute before going on steady.

Ethernet Link/Activity

Off

Indicates no Ethernet link detected.

Green On

Green Blink Indicates data traffic on the 100Mbps LAN

Amber On 10Mbps Ethernet Link detected but no activity.

Amber Blink Indicates data traffic on the 10Mbps LAN

802.11a WLAN Link/Activity

Slow Blink

Fast Blink

802.11b WLAN Link/Activity

Slow Blink

Fast Blink

100Mbps Fast Ethernet link detected, no activity

Off No wireless link.

Associated with network but no activity.
Indicates the WAB102 802.11a wireless data transmission.

Off No wireless link.

Associated with network but no activity
Indicates the WAB102 is 802.11b wireless data transmission.

802.11a
WLAN

802.11b
WLAN

6 Introduction

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

WAB102 Wireless Access Point Rear Panel

Power
Socket

Restore to
Factory Default
Switch

Ethernet
Port

Power
Adapter
Cable
Holder

Power Socket

This socket connects to the WAB102 power adapter.

Warning: Use only the power adapter that came with the WAB102.

Restore to Factory Default Button

The Restore to Default button located between the Ethernet RJ-45 connector
and the Power socket restores the WAB102 to the factory default settings.

RJ-45 Ethernet Port

Use the WAB102 Ethernet RJ-45 port to connect to and Ethernet LAN through
a device such as a hub, switch, or router.

Power Adapter Cable Holder

Use the enclosed screw and wire saddle to secure the power cable.

Introduction

7

Chapter 2

Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity

This chapter describes how to set up your WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band
Wireless Access Point for wireless connectivity on your Local Area Network
(LAN). This basic configuration will enable computers with 802.11a or 802.11b
compliant wireless adapters to do such things as connect to the Internet, or access
printers and files on your LAN.

This chapter is divided into three sections:

• For important pre-installation considerations, see “What You Will Need

Before You Begin“ on page 9.

• To install your WAB102, see “Installation Overview“ on page 10.

• For a summary of WAB102 configuration, see “Basic Configuration“ on page

14.

Note: Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11 wireless

networks at a maximum range of up to 500 feet for 802.11b
devices and up to 300 feet for 802.11a devices. This distance can

allow for others outside your area to access your network. It is
important to take appropriate steps to secure your network from
unauthorized access. The WAB102 dual band AP provides highly
effective security features which are covered in detail in

“Protecting Your Wireless Network”. Deploy the security features

appropriate to your needs.

8 Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity

Chapter 3,

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

What You Will Need Before You Begin

You need to prepare these three things before you can establish a connection
through your wireless access point:

• A location for the WAB102 that conforms to the placement and range
guidelines below.

• The wireless access point connected to your LAN through a device such as a
hub, switch, router, or Cable/DSL gateway.

• One or more computers with properly configured 802.11a or b - compliant
wireless adapters.

Placement and Range Guidelines

Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11 wireless networks at a maximum
range of 500 feet for 802.11b devices and up to 300 feet for 802.11a devices.
However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary
significantly based on the physical placement of the wireless wireless access
point.

For best results, identify a location for your wireless access point according to
these guidelines:

• Away from potential sources of interference, such as PCs, large metal
surfaces, microwaves, and cordless phones.
The 802.11a standard operates at a higher frequency and should be less
susceptible to interference with cordless phones. This higher 802.11a
frequency may not offer as much range of coverage as the lower frequency

802.11b in a indoor environment with lots of obstructions.

Note: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant

performance degradation or inability to wirelessly connect to the
wireless access point.

• In an elevated location such as a high shelf, near the center of the area in
which your PCs will operate.
The best location is elevated, such as wall mounted or on the top of a cubicle,
and at the center of your wireless coverage area for all the mobile devices.

Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity

9

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

Cabling Requirements

The WAB102 dual band AP connects to your LAN via twisted-pair Category 5
Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors.

Note: The power adapter and cord shipped with the WAB102 limits the

distance from an AC outlet. To overcome this, consider using
NETGEAR’s POE101 Power Over Ethernet Adapter with a Category 5
Ethernet cable like the one included with your WAB102. This adapter
sends DC power through an Ethernet cable to enable you to power an
access point in a remote location.

Installation Overview

Please follow these instructions to successfully install your WAB102.

1. Install the WAB102 Access Point. See below.

2. Configure the Access Point. Turn to page 14.

Note: See “System Requirements“ on page 3 for the minimal system

requirements for installing the WAB102.

Install the WAB102 Wireless Access Point

Before installing the WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point, you
should make sure that your Ethernet network is up and working. You'll be
connecting the access point to the Ethernet network so that computers with either

802.11a or 802.11b wireless adapters will be able to communicate with computers

on the Ethernet network. In order for this to work correctly, please verify that you
have met all of the system requirements, shown on

Please follow the steps below to successfully install the WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual
Band Wireless Access Point.

10 Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity

page 3.

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

Note: We suggest you first install the WAB102 with the default

settings. Optionally, you can then customize your settings and enable
encryption if it is required.

1. Position and mount the WAB102 Dual Band Wireless Access Point.

The best location is elevated, such as wall mounted or on the top of a cubicle,
at the center of your wireless coverage area, and within line of sight of all the
mobile devices.

Note: If you are planning to mount your WAB102 on a wall or in a remote

location, we suggest you configure and verify your WAB102's
operations first.

2. Connect the Ethernet cable.

Use the Category 5 Ethernet cable included with the product to connect the
Ethernet port on the rear panel of WAB102 to a 10 Base-T or 100 Base-Tx
network hub, switch, or router.

3. Connect the power cable.

Connect the power cord of the WAB102 power adapter to the 5V DC power
socket on the rear panel of the access point. Then, plug the power adapter into
an A/C power outlet.

Warning: Use only the power adapter that came with the WAB102.

4. Configure the wireless adapter settings.

To access the WAB102, you need to configure your 802.11a or 802.11b
wireless adapter to use the WAB102 factory default settings as follows:

SSID: Wireless

Network Mode: Infrastructure

WEP: Disabled or Off

For a full listing of factory defaults, refer to “Default Factory Settings“ on

page 13.

Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity

11

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point

5. Verify the installation was successful.

The Power light should be lit. It might take a few seconds after the power is
applied to the access point for the power light to appear. The Ethernet Link
light should be on. If the connection is a 100 Mbps connection, the light is
green. If it is a 10 Mbps connection, the light is amber. The Ethernet
connection light also flashes to indicate data is moving over the Ethernet
connection to the switch, router, or hub. The 802.11a or 802.11b Wireless
Link light should be on and blinking. A slow blink indicates that the access
point is looking for wireless nodes, or that very little wireless activity is taking
place. A fast blink indicates that the access point is receiving or transmitting
wireless data.

6. Verify wireless connectivity to your network.

Using a computer with an 802.11a or 802.11b wireless adapter, browse
internet or check file access on your network. If everything is functioning
properly, then you have successfully installed the WAB102 Dual Band
Wireless Access Point.

Having problems? Refer to Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting”.

Note: Once the system is working, consider increased security. See

Chapter 3, “Protecting Your Wireless Network”.

Want to customize configuration settings? For details on WAB102 settings,
turn to

“Basic Configuration“ on page 14.

12 Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity