Reference Manual for the
NETGEAR ProSafe
802.11g Wireless Access
Point WG302
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
BETA
December 2005
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 http://www.NETGEAR.com. If you do not have 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.
© 2005 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.
Statement of Conditions
NOTE: 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.
NOTE: Modifications made to the product, unless expressly approved by Netgear, could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment. NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to such condition.
FCC Statement.
Declaration of Conformity
We Netgear,
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA
Te l: +1 408 907 8000
declare under our sole responsibility that the product(s)
WG302 (Model Designation)
802.11g Pr oSafe Wireless Access Point (Product Name)
complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
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v0.1, December 2005
Declaration of Conformity
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
To assure continued compliance, any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment. (Example - use only shielded interface cables
when connecting to computer or peripheral devices).
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful inte rfe renc e to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, th e
user is encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or locate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
Placement and Range Guidelines
Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11 wireless networks at a maximum range of several hundred feet for 802.11b/
g devices. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly, based on the
physical placement of the 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 2.4 GHz cordless
phones.
• In an elevated location such as a high shelf that is near the center of the wireless coverage area for all mobile
devices.
Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation or inability to wirelessly connect to
the wireless access point.
RF Exposure Warning for North America, and Australia
Warning! To meet FCC and other national safety guidelines for RF exposure, the antennas for this device (see below)
must be installed to ensure a minimum separation distance of 20cm (7.9 in.) from persons. Further, the antennas shall not
be colocated with other antenna or radio transmitter.
We declare that the product is limited in CH1~CH11 by specified firmware controlled in the USA.
v0.1, December 2005
iii
Antenna Statement for North America and Australia
In addition to its own antenna, the WG302 device has been approved for use with the following detachable antennas and
.
antenna cables.
Approved
Antennas
NETGEAR
ANT24D18
NETGEAR
ANT2409
NETGEAR
ANT24O5
a. WG302 maximum radiated power in North America and Australia: 19 dBm ñ cable loss + antenna gain
Please go to
the WAG302 in North America and Australia.
www.netgear.com/go/wg102_fcc for an updated list of wireless accessories approved to be used with
Antenna Gain and
type
14 dBi
, directional
outdoor/indoo
8.5 dBi,
irectional
omnid
outdoor/indoo
5 dBi, ceiling/wall
indoor
r
r
Approved Antenna
Ca
ble
NETGEAR ACC-10314-
hru 05
01 t
NETGEAR ACC-10314-
hru 05
01 t
NETGEAR ACC-1031401 t
hru 05
Antenna Cable
Length
30 m
10 m
NA
Industry Canada Compliance Statement
This Class B Digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Regulations
ICES 003.
Cet appareil numeriqu
The d
evice is certified to the requirements of RSS-210 for 2.4 GHz spread spectrum devices. The use of this device in a
syste
m operating either partially or completely outdoors may require the user to obtain a license for the system according
to the Canadian r
e de classe B respecte les exigences du reglement du Canada sur le materiel brouilleur NMB-003.
egulations. For further information, contact your local Industry Canada office.
IC statement
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1) This device may not cause interference and
2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This device has been designed to operate with an antenna having a maximum gain of 4.59352 dBi. Antenna having a
higher gain is strictly prohibited per regulations of Industry Canada. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
IC Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. End users must
follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance. This equipment should be installed and
operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator & your body.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
iv
v0.1, December 2005
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Contents
Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g W ireless Access Point
WG302
Chapter 1
About This Manual
Audience, Scope, Conventions, and Formats ................................................................1-1
How to Use This Manual ................................................................................................1-2
How to Print this Manual .................................................................................................1-2
Chapter 2
Introduction
About the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302 ........................2-1
Key Features ..................................................................................................................2-2
AutoCell—The Self-Organizing Wireless Network ...................................................2-4
802.11g Standards-based Wireless Networking ......................................................2-4
Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink ...............................................2-5
Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products .........................................................2-5
System Requirements ....................................................................................................2-6
What’s In the Box? .........................................................................................................2-6
Hardware Description .....................................................................................................2-7
Front Panel ...............................................................................................................2-7
Rear Panel ...............................................................................................................2-8
Chapter 3
Basic Installation and Configuration
Wireless Equipment Placement and Range Guidelines .................................. ... .... ... ... ..3-1
Cabling Requirements ..............................................................................................3-2
Default Factory Settings .................................................................................................3-2
Understanding WG302 Wireless Security Options ............................. ............................ 3-3
Installing the WG302 Wireless Access Point ..................................................................3-5
Logging in to the WG302 Using Its Default IP Address ..................................................3-9
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ix
Basic IP Settings ..........................................................................................................3-10
Wireless Settings ......................... .... ... ... ... .... ...................................... .... ... ... ... .............3-11
Security Profiles ........................ ....................................... ... ... .... ... ................................3-13
Before You Change the SSID and WEP Settings ..................................................3-17
Setting up and Testing Basic Wireless Connectivity . ................................................. ...3-18
Configuring the Radius Server Settings .......................................................................3-19
Configuring Network Authentication .............................................................................3-20
Entering WEP Data Encryption Keys ...........................................................................3-21
Restricting Wireless Access by MAC Address .............................................................3-21
Chapter 4
Management
Remote Management .....................................................................................................4-1
Using the Secure Telnet Interface ................................................... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ..4-2
How to Use the CLI via the Console Port .................................................................4-2
CLI Commands ........................................................................................................4-3
SNMP Remote Management ..........................................................................................4-3
Viewing the Activity Log ..................................................................................................4-4
Viewing General Information ..........................................................................................4-5
Viewing Statistics ............................................................................................................4-7
Viewing the Available Wireless Station List ....................................................................4-8
Upgrading the Wireless Access Point Firmware ............................................................4-9
Configuration File Management ...................................................................................4-10
Backing up and Restoring the Configuration .......................... ...... ....... ...... ....... ......4-10
Erasing the Configuration .......................................................................................4-11
Using the Reset Button to Restore Factory Default Settings .... ....... ... ... ... ... .... ... ...4-11
Changing the Administrator Password .........................................................................4-12
AutoCell Rogue AP Detection ...................... ... .............................................................4-13
AutoCell Rogue Station Detection ................................................................................4-14
Chapter 5
Advanced Configuration
Understanding Advanced IP Settings for Wireless Clients ........... ...... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ..5-1
Configuring Advanced Wireless LAN Settings ...............................................................5-3
AutoCell Overview .............................. ....................................... ... .... ... ... ..................5-3
AutoCell Configuration Options . ...................................... .... ... ... ... ............................5-5
Auto RF Management .................. ... ... .... ... ...............................................................5-5
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Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Setup ...............................................................................5-6
Hotspot Settings .......................................................................................................5-6
Configuring Wireless LAN Parameters ....................................................................5-7
Wireless Bridging and Repeating ...................................................................................5-8
Point-to-Point Bridge Configuration ........................................................................5-10
Multi-Point Bridge Configuration ............................................................................5-11
Repeater with Wireless Client Association ................................ ... .... ... ...................5-12
Configuring NAT ...........................................................................................................5-14
Configuring QoS Queues .............................................................................................5-14
Setting up Guest Access ..............................................................................................5-15
Chapter 6
Troubleshooting
No lights are lit on the access point. ...................................... ......................................... 6-1
The Wireless LAN activity light does not light up. ...........................................................6-2
The LAN light is not lit. ....................................................................................................6-2
I cannot access the Internet or the LAN with a wireless capable computer. ............... ..6-2
I cannot connect to the WG302 to configure it. ............................ ... ... .... ...... ... ... .... ... ... ..6-3
When I enter a URL or IP address I get a timeout error. ........................ ... ... ... ... ............6-3
Using the Reset Button to Restore Factory Default Settings ..... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... .....6-4
Appendix A
Specifications
Appendix B
Wireless Networking Basics
Wireless Networking Overview ................................. .... ... ... ... .... ...... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ..8-1
Infrastructure Mode ..................................................................................................8-1
Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) ............................... ... ... .... ... .....................8-2
Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) .................................8-2
Authentication and WEP Data Encryption .................................................... ... ... .... ... ... ..8-2
802.11 Authentication ...............................................................................................8-3
Open System Authentication .............................. .... ...................................... .... ... ... ..8-3
Shared Key Authentication .......................................................................................8-4
Overview of WEP Parameters .................................................................................8-5
Key Size ...................................................................................................................8-6
WEP Configuration Options ...................... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ....................................... ..8-6
Wireless Channels ....................... ....................................... ... .... ... ... ... ............................8-7
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xi
WPA and WPA2 Wireless Security .................................................................................8-8
How Does WPA Compare to WEP? .........................................................................8-9
How Does WPA Compare to WPA2 (IEEE 802.11i)? ...............................................8-9
What are the Key Features of WPA and WPA2 Security? .......................................8-9
Is WPA/WPA2 Perfect? ................................... ....................................... ... ... .... ... ...8-15
Product Support for WPA/WPA2 ............................................................................8-15
Appendix C
Command Line Reference
Configurable CLI and Web UI Settings Comparison ......................................................9-1
Quick View of Commands and How to Get Help ............................................................9-3
Commands and Syntax ...... ... ....................................... ... .... ... ... ...............................9-3
Getting Help on Commands at the CLI ....................................................................9-6
Keyboard Shortcuts and Tab Completion Help ...............................................................9-8
CLI Command Sets ........................................................................................................9-9
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Chapter 1
About This Manual
This chapter describes the intended audience, scope, conventions, and formats of this manual.
Audience, Scope, Conventions, and Formats
This reference manual assumes that the reader has basic to intermediate computer and Internet
skills. However, basic computer network, Internet, firewall, and VPN technologies tutorial
information is provided on the NETGEAR website.
This guide uses the following typographical conventions:
Table 1-1. T ypographical Conventions
italics Emphasis, books, CDs, URL names
bold User input
fixed
Screen text, file and server names, extensions, commands, IP addresses
This guide uses the following formats to highlight special messages:
Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.
Tip: This format is used to highlight a procedure that will save time or resources.
Warning: Ignoring this type of note may result in a malfunction or damage to the
equipment.
About This Manual 1-1
v0.1, December 2005
Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
This manual is written for the WG302 Wireless Access Point according to these specifications:
Table 1-2. Manual Scope
Product Version NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
Manual Publication Date December 2005
Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. Web site at
http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WG302.asp.
How to Use This Manual
The HTML version of this manual includes the following:
• Buttons, and , for browsing forwards or backwards through the manual one page
at a time
• A button that displays the table of contents and an button. Double-click on a
link in the table of contents or index to navigate directly to where the topic is described in the
manual.
• A button to access the full NETGEAR, Inc. online knowledge base for the product
model.
• Links to PDF versions of the full manual and individual chapters.
How to Print this Manual
To print this manual you can choose one of the following several options, according to your needs.
• Printing a Page in the HTML View.
Each page in the HTML version of the manual is dedicated to a major topic. Use the Print
button on the browser toolbar to print the page contents.
• Printing a Chapter.
Use the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page.
1-2 About This Manual
v0.1, December 2005
Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
— Click the PDF of This Chapter link at the top right of any page in the chapter you want to
print. The PDF version of the chapter you were viewing opens in a bro wser window.
— Your computer must have the free Adobe Acrobat reader installed in order to view and
print PDF files. The Acrobat reader is available on the Adobe Web site at
http://www.adobe.com.
— Click the print icon in the upper left of the window.
Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can
save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.
• Printing the Full Manual.
Use the Complete PDF Manua l link at the top left of any page.
— Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page in the manual. The PDF
version of the complete manual opens in a browser window.
— Click the print icon in the upper left of the window.
Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can
save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.
About This Manual 1-3
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
1-4 About This Manual
v0.1, December 2005
Chapter 2
Introduction
This chapter introduces the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302. Minimal
prerequisites for installation are presented in “System Requirements” on page 2-6.
About the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.1 1g Wireless Access Point
WG302
The NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302 is the basic building block of a
wireless LAN infrastructure. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and
radio-equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices.
The WG302 provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed
range or area of coverage, interacting with a wireless network interface card (NIC) via an
antenna.Typically, an individual in-building access point provides a maximum connectivity area
with about a 300 foot radius. The NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g W ireless Access Point WG302 can
support a small group of users in a range of several hundred feet. Most access points are rated
between 30-70 users simultaneously.
The NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302 acts as a bridge between the
wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple WG302 Wireless Access Points via a wired
Ethernet backbone can further lengthen the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing
device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result,
wireless clients can freely roam from one access point to another and still maintain seamless
connection to the network.
The auto-sensing capability of the WG302 Wireless Access Point allows packet transmission at up
to 108 Mbps, or at reduced speeds to compensate for distance or electromagnetic interference.
Introduction 2-1
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
Key Features
The WG302 Wireless Access Point is easy-to-use and provides solid wireless and networking
support.
Supported Standards and Conventions
The following standards and conventions are supported:
• Standards Compliant. The Wireless Access Point complies with IEEE 802.11g standards for
Wireless LANs.
• WEP support. Support for WEP is included. 64-bit, 128-bit, and 152-bit keys are supported.
• Full WPA and WPA2 support. WPA and WPA2 enterprise class strong security with
RADIUS and certificate authentication as well as dynamic encryption key generation.
WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK pre-shared key authentication without the overhead of RADIUS
servers but with all of the strong security of WPA.
• Multiple BSSIDs. Support for multiple BSSIDs. When one AP is connected to a wired
network and a set of wireless stations it is referred to as a Basic Service Set (BSS). The Basic
Service Set Identifier (BSSID) is a 32-character unique identifier attached to the header of
packets sent over a WLAN that differentiated one WLAN from another when a mobile device
tries to connect to the network.
• DHCP Client and Server Support. DHCP provides a dynamic IP address to PCs and other
devices upon request. The WG302 can obtain network information from a DHCP server on
your network. The AP can also act as a DHCP server and provide network information for
wireless clients.
• SNMP Support. Support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management
Information Base (MIB) management.
Key Features
The WG302 provides solid functionality, including these features:
• Multiple Operating Modes
– Wireless Access Point. Operates as a standard 802.11g.
– Point-to-Point Bridge. In this mode, the WG302 only communicates with another
bridge-mode wireless station. You must enter the MAC address (physical address) of the
other bridge-mode wireless station in the field provided. You should use wireless security
to protect this communication.
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
– Point-to-Multi-Point Bridge. Select this only if this WG302 is the “Master” for a group
of bridge-mode wireless stations. The other bridge-mode wireless stations must be set to
Point-to-Point Bridge mode, using this WG302's MAC address. They then send all traffic
to this “Master,” rather than communicate directly with each other. You should use
wireless security to protect this traffic.
– Wireless Repeater. In this half-duplex mode, the WG302 only communicates with
another repeater-mode wireless station. You must enter the MAC address of both adjacent
repeater-mode wireless stations in the fields provided. You should use wireless security to
protect this communication.
• AutoCell RF Management. AutoCell provides advanced automated RF management that
improves performance and enhances security.
• Rogue Access Point Detection. For enhanced security, you can scan the wireless network to
detect rogue access points.
• Hotspot Settings. You can allow all HTTP (TCP, port 80) requests to be captured and
re-directed to the URL you specify.
• Upgradeable Firmware. Firmware is stored in a flash memory and can be upgraded easily,
using only your Web browser, and can be upgraded remotely.
• Access Control. The Access Control MAC address filtering feature can ensure that only
trusted wireless stations can use the WG302 to gain access to your LAN.
• Security Profiles. When using multiple BSSIDs, you can configure unique security settings
(encryption, MAC filtering, etc.) for each BSSID.
• Simple Configuration. If the default settings are unsuitable, they are easy to change.
• Hidden Mode. The SSID is not broadcast, assuring only clients configured with the correct
SSID can connect.
• Configuration Backup. Configuration settings can be backed up to a file and restored.
• Secure and Economical Operation. Adjustable power output allows more secure or
economical operation.
• Power over Ethernet. Power can be supplied to the WG302 over the Ethernet port from any
802.3af compliant mid-span or end-span source such as the NETGEAR FSM7326P Managed
Power over Ethernet Layer 3 managed switch.
• Autosensing Ethernet Connection with Auto Uplink Interface. Connects to 10/100 Mbps
IEEE 802.3 Ethernet networks.
• LED Indicators. Power, test, LAN speed, LAN activity, and wireless activity are easily
identified.
Introduction 2-3
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
• Virtual APs. A single AP is segregated into multiple individual virtual APs simulating
multiple APs in a single system. This segregation allows you to enforce different security
mechanisms for different clients on the same AP. Virtual AP also provides better control over
broadcast and multicast traffic for increased network performance.
• Wireless VLAN Support. Short for virtual LAN, a network of computers that behave as if
they are connected to the same network even though they may actually be physically located
on different segments of a LAN. VLANs are configured through software rather than
hardware, which makes them extremely flexible. VLANs are very useful for user/host
management, bandwidth allocation and resource optimization.
• World Mode. With world mode enabled, the Access Point provides radio channel settings for
client devices that associate with the Access Point. A visitor from Europe using world mode
on a client device can associate with an Access Point in North Carolina and automatically
switch to the correct channel settings
AutoCell—The Self-Organizing Wireless Network
AutoCellTM, an embedded control system for 802.11 WLANs. AutoCell increases available
bandwidth and reduces WLAN installation and operating costs significantly.
AutoCell is completely automatic: It is a continuous communication system that relies on a
lightweight protocol to monitor changes on the wireless domain while keeping overhead very low.
Among AutoCell's inherent advantages:
• Elimination of manual site surveys and channel maps
• Dynamic load balancing
• Plug-and-play-implementation
• Transparent fault recovery and failover
Since AutoCell is completely self-organizing, it holds human intervention to a minimum. That
reduces the people costs associated with deployment, management, and maintenance—making
802.11 WLANs practical, efficient, and cost-effective.
802.11g Standards-based Wireless Networking
The NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302 provides a bridge between
Ethernet wired LANs and 802.11g compatible wireless LAN networks. It provides connectivity
between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped wireless notebook systems, desktop
systems, print servers, and other devices.
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
The WG302 also supports the following wireless features:
• Distributed coordinated function (CSMA/CA, Back off procedure, ACK procedure,
retransmission of unacknowledged frames)
• RTS/CTS handshake
• Beacon generation
• Packet fragmentation and reassembly
• Short or long preamble
• Roaming among access points on the same subnet
Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink
The WG302 can connect to a standard Ethernet network. The LAN interface is autosensing and
capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.
The wireless access point uses Auto Uplink
whether the Ethernet cable plugged into the port should have a ‘normal’ connection such as to a
computer or an ‘uplink’ connection such as to a switch or hub. That port will then configure itself
correctly. This feature eliminates any concerns about crossover cables, as Auto Uplink will
accommodate either type of cable to make the right connection.
TM
technology. The Ethernet port automatically senses
Wireless Multimedia (WMM) Support
WMM is a subset of the 802.11e standard. WMM allows wireless traffic to have a range of
priorities, depending on the kind of data. Time-dependent information, like video or audio, has a
higher priority than normal traffic. For WMM to function correctly, Wireless clients must also
support WMM.
Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products
For a list of compatible products from other manufacturers, see the Wireless Ethernet
Compatibility Alliance Web site (WECA), see http://www.wi-fi.net).
The following NETGEAR products work with the WG302 Wireless Access Point:
• WAG511 ProSafe 108 Mbps Dual Band PC Card
• WAG311 ProSafe 108 Mbps Dual Band PCI Card
• WG311T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless PCI Card
• WG511T 802.11g 108 Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter
• WG511 802.11g 54 Mbps Wireless CardBus Adapter
• WG111 801.11g 54 Mbps Wireless Bridge
Introduction 2-5
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
System Requirements
Before installing the WG302, make sure you have the following equipment and that your system
meets these requirements:
• A 10/100 Mbps Local Area Network device such as a hub or switch.
• The Category 5 UTP straight through Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connector included in the
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 6.0 or above, or
Netscape Navigator 4.78 or above.
• At least one computer with the TCP/IP protocol installed.
• 802.11g or 802.11b-compliant devices, such as the NETGEAR WG511 Wireless Adapter.
What’s In the Box?
The product package should contain the following items:
• NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302.
• Power adapter and cord.
• Straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable.
• Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302.
• Resource CD for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302.
• Support Registration card.
Contact your reseller or customer support in your area if there are any missing or damaged parts.
See 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 WG302 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
site at: http://www.NETGEAR.com.
2-6 Introduction
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
Hardware Description
This section describes the WG302 front and rear hardware functions.
Front Panel
Figure 2-1
Viewed from left to right, the WG302 has these status LEDs: PWR, TEST, LAN, and 802.11g
WLAN.
LED Description
PWR Power Indicator
Off No power. If this LED does not come on with the power adapter and
cord correctly installed, see Chapter 6, “Troubleshooting.
On Power is on.
TEST Self Test Indicator
Blink Indicates self test, loading software, or system fault (if continues).
Note: This LED may blink for a minute before going off.
LAN Ethernet link indicator
Off No connection detected on the Ethernet link
Amber On 10 Mbps Ethernet link detected
Amber Blink Data is being transmitted or received on the 10 Mbps Ethernet link
Green On 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet link detected.
Green Blink Data is being transmitted or received on the 100 Mbps Ethernet link
Introduction 2-7
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
LED Description
802.11g WLAN Wireless LAN Link Activity Indicator (2.4 MHz)
Off No wireless link activity.
Green Blink Wireless link activity.
Rear Panel
1
234
Figure 2-2
1
5
Viewed from left to right, the back of the WG302 provides the following:
1. Left and Right Detachable Antennas.The WG302 provides two detachable antennas.
2. Reset button. This restores the default factory settings.
3. Serial Console Port. Use the male DB-9 serial port for serial DTE connections.
4. RJ-45 Ethernet LAN/POE Port. Use the WG302 Ethernet RJ-45 port to connect to an Ethernet
LAN through a device such as a hub, switch, router, or Power Over Ethernet (POE) switch.
5. Power socket. This connects to the WG302 power adapter.
2-8 Introduction
v0.1, December 2005
Chapter 3
Basic Installation and Configuration
This chapter describes how to set up your NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point
WG302 for wireless connectivity to your LAN. This basic configuration enables computers with
802.11b or 802.1 1g wireless adapters to do such things as connect to the Internet or access printers
and files on your LAN..
Note: Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11g wireless networks at ranges of
several hundred feet or more. 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 WG302 Wireless Access Point provides
highly effective security features which are covered in detail in Appendix B,
“Wireless Networking Basics”. Deploy the security features appropriate to your
needs.
You need to prepare the following three things before you can establish a connection through your
wireless access point:
• A location for the WG302 that conforms to the Wireless Equipment 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 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapters.
Wireless Equipment Placement and Range Guidelines
The range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the location of the wireless
access point. The latency, data throughput performance, and notebook power consumption of
wireless adapters also vary depending on your configuration choices.
Note: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation
or inability to wirelessly connect to the WG302. For complete performance
specifications, see Appendix A, “Specifications.
Basic Installation and Configuration 3-1
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
For best results, place your wireless access point:
• Near the center of the area in which your PCs operate.
• In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected PCs have
line-of-sight access (even if through walls).
• Away from sources of interference, such as PCs, microwaves, and 2.4 GHz cordless phones.
• Away from large metal surfaces.
Putting the antenna in a vertical position provides best side-to-side coverage. Putting the antenna
in a horizontal position provides best up-and-down coverage.
If you use multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different radio frequency
Channels to reduce interference. The recommended Channel spacing between adjacent access
points is five Channels (for example, use Channels 1 and 6, or 6 and 11).
The time it takes to establish a wireless connection can vary depending on both your security
settings and placement.
Cabling Requirements
The WG302 Wireless Access Point connects to your LAN via twisted-pair Category 5 Ethernet
cable with RJ-45 connectors.
Default Factory Settings
When you first receive your WG302, the default factory settings are set as shown in the following
table. You can restore these defaults with the Reset button on the rear pa nel — see “Hardware
Description” on page 2-7.
Feature Factory Default Settings
User Name (case sensitive) admin
Password (case sensitive) password
Operating Mode Access Point
Access Point Name netgearxxxxxx where xxxxxx are the last six digits of the
wireless access point's MAC address
Built-in DHCP client DHCP client disabled, it uses the default IP address
3-2 Basic Installation and Configuration
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
Feature Factory Default Settings
IP Configuration IP Address: 192.168.1.128
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 0.0.0.0
802.11g Network Name (SSID) NETGEAR-0
Broadcast Network Name (SSID) Enabled
802.11g Radio Frequency Channel Managed automatically by AutoCell (default), if AutoCell is
disabled, channel 11 is the default
Super-G Mode Disabled
WEP/WPA Disabled
MAC Access Control Disabled
AutoCell RF Management
AutoCell Enhanced RF Security
AutoCell Rogue Device Detection
Restricting connectivity based on MAC Access
Control List
Time Zone GMT
Time Zone Adjust for Daylight Saving TIme Disabled
SNMP Disabled
VLAN (802.1Q) Disabled
Load Balancing Disabled
WMM Support Disabled
Enabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Understanding WG302 Wireless Security Options
Your wireless data transmissions can be received well beyond your walls by anyone with a
compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of your wireless equipment. The
WG302 Wireless Access Point provides highly effective security features which are covered in
detail in this chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.
Basic Installation and Configuration 3-3
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
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There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network:
• Restrict Access Based on MAC address. You can restrict access to only trusted PCs so that
unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the WG302. MAC address filtering adds an
obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over the wireless link
is fully exposed.
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• Turn Off the Broadcast of the Wireless Network Name (SSID). If you disable broadcast of
the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies the wireless
network ‘discovery’ feature of some products such as Windows XP, but the data is still fully
exposed to a determined person using specialized test equipment like wireless sniffers.
• Use WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP
Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption will block all but the most determined
eavesdropper.
• Use IEEE 802.1x. IEEE 802.1x is the standard for passing the Extensible Authentication
Protocol (EAP) over an 802.11 wireless network using a protocol called EAP Encapsulation
Over LANs (EAPOL). This is a newer, more secure standard than Static WEP.
• Use WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, or WPA2-PSK. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2)
data encryption provides data security . The very strong authentication along with dyn amic per
frame rekeying of WPA make it virtually impossible to compromise. Because this is a new
standard, wireless device driver and software availability may be limited.
3-4 Basic Installation and Configuration
v0.1, December 2005
Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
• Use AutoCell Enhanced RF Security ‘Stealth Mode.’ In addition to standard encryption and
security mechanisms such as WEP and WP A, the WG302 AutoCell feature provides
self-organizing micro cells for an additional level of privacy for enterprises. In this mode,
AutoCell shrinks the size of coverage to the minimum to reach clients but also shrinks the size
of the beacons that access points use to announce their presence. This mode makes an
enterprise wireless LAN nearly invisible to users outside an office building. AutoCell clients
such as the NETGEAR WAG511 are highly-recommended for Enhanced RF Security.
Installing the WG302 Wireless Access Point
Before you install the WG302 Wireless Access Point, make sure that your Ethernet network is up
and working. You will be connecting the access point to the Ethernet network. Then computers
with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapters will be able to communicate with the Ethernet network.
In order for this to work correctly, verify that you have met all of the system requirements, shown
in “System Requirements” on page 2-6.
1. Set up the WG302 Wireless Access Point.
Tip: Before mounting the WG302 in a high location, first set up and test the WG302
to verify wireless network connectivity.
a. Prepare a computer with an Ethernet adapter. If this computer is already part of your
network, record its TCP/IP configuration settings.
b. Configure the computer with a static IP address of 192.168.0.210 and 255.255.255.0 for
the Subnet Mask.
c. Connect an Ethernet cable from the WG302 to the computer.
d. Turn on your computer, connect the power adapter to the WG302 and verify the following:
– The PWR power light goes on.
– The LAN light of the wireless access point is lit when connected to a powered on
computer.
2. Configure LAN and wireless access.
a. Use your Web browser to connect to the WG302.
–Enter 192.168.1.128 in the address field of your browser.
Basic Installation and Configuration 3-5
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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302
– When prompted, enter admin for the user name, and password for the password, both in
lower case letters.
The Web browser displays the WG302 main menu and General page, as shown below.
Click to view
documentation
Click to log out. After five
minutes with no activity,
you are logged out automatically.
Figure 3-2
3-6 Basic Installation and Configuration
v0.1, December 2005
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