TP-Link TL-WA501G User Manual 2

User Guide

TL-WA501G

54Mbps Wireless Access Point

2x to 3x eXtended RangeTM

2.4GHz 802.11g/b

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS

Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark of TP-LINK Technologies Co., Ltd. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from TP-LINK Technologies Co., Ltd. Copyright © 2006 TP-LINK Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

FCC STATEMENT

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 interference 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, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

¾Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

¾Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

¾Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

¾Consult 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.

(2)This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This device and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

“To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, the antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter”.

CE Declaration of Conformity

For the following equipment: TL-WA501G

Is herewith confirmed to comply with the requirements set out in the Council Directive on the Approximation of the Laws of the Member States relating to Electromagnetic Compatibility (89/336/EEC), Low-voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) and the Amendment Directive (93/68/EEC), the procedures given in European Council Directive 99/5/EC and 89/3360EEC.

The equipment was passed. The test was performed according to the following European standards:

¾EN 300 328 V.1.4.1 (2003)

¾EN 301 489-1 V.1.4.1 (2002) / EN 301 489-17 V.1.2.1 (2002)

¾EN 60950-1: 2001

¾EN 55022: 1998 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2003

¾EN61000-3-2:2001

¾EN61000-3-3:2001

¾EN 55024: 1998 +A1: 2001 + A2: 2003

European standards dictate maximum radiated transmit power of 100mW EIRP and frequency range 2.400-2.4835GHz; In France, the equipment must be restricted to the 2.4465-2.4835GHz frequency range and must be restricted to indoor use.

Package contents..............................................................................................................		1
Chapter 1: About this Guide ..............................................................................................		2
1.1	Purposes..............................................................................................................	2
1.2	Conventions .........................................................................................................	2
1.3	Overview of this User Guide ................................................................................	2
Chapter 2: Introduction......................................................................................................		3
2.1	Overview of the AP ..............................................................................................	3
2.2	Features...............................................................................................................	3
2.3	Panel Layout ........................................................................................................	4
	2.3.1 The Front Panel .........................................................................................	4
	2.3.2 The Rear Panel..........................................................................................	4
Chapter 3: Connecting the AP...........................................................................................		6
3.1	System Requirements..........................................................................................	6
3.2	Installation Environment Requirements................................................................	6
3.3	Connecting the AP ...............................................................................................	6
Chapter 4: TCP/IP Configuration.......................................................................................		8
Chapter 5: Configuring the AP ........................................................................................		10
5.1 login ...................................................................................................................		10
5.2	Status.................................................................................................................	10
5.3	Network...............................................................................................................	11
5.4	Wireless .............................................................................................................	12
	5.4.1 Basic Settings ..........................................................................................	12
	5.4.2 Security Settings......................................................................................	17
	5.4.3 MAC Filtering ...........................................................................................	19
	5.4.4 Wireless Statistics ....................................................................................	21
5.5 DHCP.................................................................................................................		22
	5.5.1 DHCP Settings.........................................................................................	22
	5.5.2 DHCP Clients List ....................................................................................	23
	5.5.3 Address Reservation................................................................................	23
5.6	Wireless Advanced Settings...............................................................................	24
5.7	System Tools......................................................................................................	25
	5.7.1 Firmware..................................................................................................	25
	5.7.2 Factory Defaults.......................................................................................	26
	5.7.3 Reboot .....................................................................................................	26
	5.7.4 Password .................................................................................................	27
	5.7.5 Log...........................................................................................................	27
Appendix A: FAQ.............................................................................................................		29
Appendix B: Configuring the PCs....................................................................................		30
Appendix C: Specifications..............................................................................................		35
Appendix D: Glossary .....................................................................................................		36
Appendix E: Contact Information.....................................................................................		38

TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Package contents

The following contents should be found in your box:

¾One TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point

¾One AC power Adapter for TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point

¾One Resource CD for TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point, including:

•This Guide

•Other Helpful Information

¾Wall-mounting screws

Note: If any of the listed contents are damaged or missing, please contact the retailer from whom you purchased the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point for assistance.

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Chapter 1: About this Guide

Thank you for choosing the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point. This AP provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped wireless devices. It adopts 2x to 3x eXtended RangeTM WLAN transmission technology so that transmission distance is 2-3 times of traditional IEEE 802.11g/b solutions, up to 855.36m tested in China. Transmission range is extended to 4-9 times.

It is an easy, web-based setup for installation and management. Even though you may not be familiar with the AP, this guide will make configuring the AP easy. Before installing the AP, please look through this guide to get to know all the AP’s functions.

1.1 Purposes

This Guide tells you how to use the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point.

1.2 Conventions

The AP mentioned in this guide stands for TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point.

1.3 Overview of this User Guide

Chapter 1: About this Guide

Chapter 2: Introduction

Chapter 3: Connecting the AP

Chapter 4: TCP/IP Configuration

Chapter 5: Configuring the AP

Appendix A: FAQ

Appendix B: Configuring the PCs

Appendix C: Specifications

Appendix D: Glossary

Appendix E: Contact Information

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Chapter 2: Introduction

2.1 Overview of the AP

The TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point 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 TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point acts as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple TL-WA501G 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.

In the most attentive wireless security, the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point provides multiple protection measures. It can be set to turn off wireless network name (SSID) broadcast so that only stations that have the SSID can be connected. The AP provides wireless LAN 64/128/152-bit WEP encryption security, and WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK authentication, as well as TKIP/AES encryption security. It also supports VPN pass-through for sensitive data secure transmission.

The TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point complies with the IEEE 802.11g/b standards so that the data transmission rate is up to 54Mbps. It adopts 2x to 3x eXtended RangeTM WLAN transmission technology so that transmission distance is 2-3 times of traditional IEEE 802.11g/b solutions, up to a distance of 855.36m tested in China. Transmission range is extended to 4-9 times. It is compatible with all IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11b products.

2.2 Features

¾Complies with IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.3, IEEE802.3u standards

¾Adopts 2x to 3x eXtended RangeTM WLAN transmission technologies

¾Supports 54/48/36/24/18/12/9/6Mbps or 11/5.5/3/2/1Mbps wireless LAN data transfer rates

¾Provides 64/128/152-bit WEP encryption security

¾Provides WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK authentication and TKIP/AES encryption security

¾Built-in DHCP server supporting dynamic IP address distributing

¾Supports MAC address filtering

¾Supports multiple operating modes (Access Point, Client, Repeater, Point to Point, Point to Multi-point)

¾Supports TCP/IP, DHCP, SNMP

¾Supports Traffic statistics

¾Supports firmware upgrade

¾Supports Remote and Web management

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

2.3 Panel Layout

2.3.1 The Front Panel

Viewed from left to right, as shown in figure 2-1, the front panel of the TL-WA501G consists of four LEDs, which is designed to indicate connections. Table 2-1 describes the LEDs on the front panel of the AP.

			Figure 2-1: Front Panel sketch
Name	Action		Description
POWER	Not lit		No Power
	Lit up		Power on
	Lit up		The AP is initialising
SYSTEM	Flashing		The AP is working properly
	Not lit		The AP has a hardware error
	Not lit		There is no device linked to the corresponding port
LAN	Lit up		There is a device linked to the corresponding port but no
			activity
	Flashing		There is an active device linked to the corresponding port
WLAN	Not lit		The Wireless Radio function is disabled
	Flashing		The Wireless Radio function is enabled
		Table 2-1 The LEDs description

2.3.2 The Rear Panel

The rear panel contains the following features: (Viewed from left to right in figure 2-2)

¾Wireless antenna

¾Factory Default Reset button

¾There are two ways to reset the AP's factory defaults:

1)Use the Factory Defaults function on System Tools -> Factory Defaults page in the AP's Web-based Utility.

2)Use the Factory Default Reset button: First, turn off the AP's power. Second, press and hold the default reset button then turn on the AP's power, until the system LED lights up (about 3 seconds). Last, release the reset button and wait for the AP to reboot.

Note: Ensure the AP is powered on before it restarts completely.

¾One LAN 10/100Mbps RJ45 port for connecting the AP to hub or switch

¾AC power socket: only use the power adapter supplied with the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point, use of a different adapter may result in product damage.

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Figure 2-2: Rear Panel sketch

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Chapter 3: Connecting the AP

3.1 System Requirements

¾Broadband Internet Access Service (DSL/Cable/Ethernet)

¾One DSL/Cable Modem that has an RJ45 connector

¾A Ethernet broadband router

¾TCP/IP protocol must be installed on each PC

¾Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape Navigator 6.0 or later

¾802.11g or 802.11b-compliant devices, such as the TL-WN510G Wireless Adapter

3.2 Installation Environment Requirements

¾Not in direct sunlight or near a heater or heating vent

¾Not cluttered or crowded. There should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) of clear space on all sides of the AP

¾Well ventilated (especially if it is in a closet)

¾Operating temperature: 0 ~40 (32 ~104 )

¾Operating Humidity: 10%~90%RH, Non-condensing

3.3 Connecting the AP

Figure 3.1 is an example of an infrastructure network incorporating the TL-WA501G. An Infrastructure network contains an access point or a wireless router. For a typical connection of the AP, please do the following:

1.You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into your home or office). Consult with your Cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the modem.

2.Connect the Cable or DSL modem to a Router. Quickly install the router.

3.Locate an optimum location for the AP. The best place is usually near the center of the area in which your PC(s) will wirelessly connect. The place must accord with the Installation Environment Requirements.

4.Adjust the direction of the antenna. Normally, upright is a good direction.

5.Connect the Ethernet Broadband Router to the TL-WA501G AP. Power on the AP.

6.If you are connecting a desktop PC or laptop to your network, install the TP-LINK Wireless Adapter on the PC.

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Figure 3-1 The Example of Infrastructure Network Incorporating the TL-WA501G

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TL-WA501G 54M Wireless Access Point User Guide

Chapter 4: TCP/IP Configuration

After connecting the TL-WA501G AP into your network, you should configure it. The default IP address of the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Point is 192.168.1.1, and the default Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0. These values can be seen from the LAN. They can be changed as you desire, as an example we use the default values for description in this guide.

Connect the local PCs to the LAN ports on the AP. There are then two means to configure the IP address for your PCs.

¾Configure the IP address manually

1)Set up the TCP/IP Protocol for your PC(s). If you need instructions as to how to do this, please refer to Appendix B: "Configuring the PCs."

2)Configure the network parameters. The IP address is 192.168.1.xxx ("xxx" is from 2 to 254), Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0, and Gateway is 192.168.1.1 (The AP's default IP address)

¾Obtain an IP address automatically

1)Set up the TCP/IP Protocol in "Obtain an IP address automatically" mode on your PC(s). If you need instructions as to how to do this, please refer to Appendix B: "Configuring the PCs."

2)Power off the AP and PC(s). Then turn on the AP, and restart the PC(s). The built-in DHCP server will assign IP addresses for the PC(s).

Now, you can run the Ping command in the command prompt to verify the network connection between your PC(s) and the AP. The following example is in Windows 2000 OS.

Open a command prompt, and type ping 192.168.1.1, then press Enter.

Figure 4-1: Successful result of Ping command

If the result displayed is similar to that shown in figure 4-1, the connection between your PC and the AP has been established.

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