Netgear WGE101 Reference Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
WGE101 Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
WGE101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1: Preparing To Use the Smart Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Connecting a WGE101 Bridge to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID), IP Address,
and WEP Security Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2: Configuring Your WGE101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Starting the Smart Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Getting Status Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Changing the Country/Region Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Selecting a Specific Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Enabling WEP Security on the Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Changing the Bridge’s IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Configuring the Bridge for an Ad-Hoc Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Making Advanced Settings Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a NETGEAR WGE101 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Bridge.
If the default settings on the bridge do not work, you will need to configure the bridge. If the
default settings do work, you only need to configure the bridge if the network is in a country
or region other than the United States or if there are multiple WGE101 bridges on the
network.
If you have a Windows®computer you may use the NETGEAR Smart Navigator software to
configure basic connection settings on the bridge. This software is included on the WGE101
54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Bridge Resource CD. Additionally, to make advanced configuration
changes the Windows computer must have Internet browser software installed. This reference
manual gives you the information you need to use the Smart Navigator to configure a
WGE101 bridge.
System Requirements
Before installing the Smart Navigator, please make sure that these minimum requirements have
been met:
• You have a Windows computer with:
— Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP
— CD-ROM drive
— Built-in Ethernet or an Ethernet adapter card
— Microsoft®Internet Explorer 5.0 (or later) or Netscape®6.0 (or later)
WGE101 Operating Modes
The WGE101 Wireless Ethernet Bridge operates in either Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc mode.
• Infrastructure mode is used when you have an access point or wireless router connected to
a wired network. The wireless devices and computers communicate with the wired
network (and other wireless devices) through the wireless router or access point. For
example, with a wireless router multiple computers (both wired and wireless) can share a
single cable or DSL broadband Internet connection.
• You use the bridge in Ad-Hoc mode if you have a small, wireless-only network and all the
devices have wireless transmitters/receivers. In this case, there’s no need for an access point
or a wireless router for the wireless devices communicate directly to one another.
1
WGE101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings
The factory default settings for your WGE101 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Bridge are:
• Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc): Infrastructure
• Wireless network name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any
Note: Any means the bridge will connect to the access point or wireless router that has the
strongest signal. This may not be the closest access point or wireless router. For the WGE101
Wireless Ethernet Bridge to communicate with a specific wireless router or access point, both
devices must be configured with the same SSID.
• User ID: admin
• Password: password
• Authentication type: Auto
• WEP security: Disabled
• Country/Region: United States
Warning:
Having the bridge set to the wrong country or region may result in the violation of
local laws.
WGE101-specific default settings:
• IP address:
192.168.0.201
• Protocol: Static
• Device name: netgearxxxx (where xxxx is the last 4 digits of the MAC address)
• Data rate: b/g combo
2
Preparing To Use the Smart Navigator
Before you can use the Smart Navigator to configure a WGE101 bridge, you must install the
software on a Windows computer and connect the bridge to that computer.
Installing the Smart Navigator Software
You install the Smart Navigator software from the WGE101 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Resource CD.
To install from the CD:
1. Insert the WGE101 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Bridge Resource CD in the CD-ROM drive
of a Windows computer.
The CD should start up automatically and show a window of the resources available on
the CD.
If this does not happen, go to My Computer, open the CD-ROM drive, and double-click
Setup.exe.
2. Click Install NETGEAR
Smart Navigator.
3. Follow the instructions
on screen to install the
software.
3
1
1
Connecting a WGE101 Bridge to a Computer
To configure the bridge using the Smart Navigator, the bridge must be directly connected or
connected through a switch (or hub) to a Windows computer. For example, if the bridge is
connected to a game box, you’ll have to connect the bridge to a computer to be able to configure
the bridge. To make any advanced settings changes (like changing the bridge’s password or
upgrading the bridge’s firmware), the computer must have an Internet browser installed.
To connect the bridge to a computer:
1. If your network has a wireless router or access point,
make sure it is powered up.
2. Power down the Ethernet-enabled computer.
3. Connect the provided Ethernet cable between the
computer and the bridge.
4. Connect the power adapter to the bridge and plug
the power adapter in to a power outlet.
The Power and Wireless LAN lights should light up.
5. After you see the Wireless LAN light light up, turn on the computer.
If the bridge and the Ethernet-enabled device are successfully connected, the Network
light will light up. This light flashes when there is network activity.
To connect the bridge and computer through a switch (or hub):
1. If your network has a wireless router or access
point, make sure it is powered up.
2. Power down the Ethernet-enabled computer.
3. Connect the provided Ethernet cable between
the bridge and the switch (or hub).
4. Connect the computer to the switch (or hub)
using an Ethernet cable.
5. Connect the switch’s (or hub’s) power adapter
and plug that power adapter in to a power
outlet.
6. Connect the bridge’s power adapter and plug
the power adapter in to a power outlet.
The Power and Wireless LAN lights should light up.
7. After the Wireless LAN light lights up, turn on the computer.
If the bridge, switch, and the computer are successfully connected, the Network light
will light up. This light flashes when there is network activity.
4
WGE101 54 Mbps
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Ethernet-enabled
Windows computer
WGE101 54 Mpbs
Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Ethernet-enabled
Windows computer
Fast Ethernet
Switch FS605
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