ActionTec HWE05490-01 User manual

Solutions for the Digital Life™
User Manual
54 Mbps
Wireless
EthernetAdapter
Model #: HWE05490-01
Firmware version: 1.31(Utilityversion:1.3)

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Features 1
Package Contents 1
System Requirements 2
Contacting Technical Support 2
Getting to Know the 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter 3
Front Panel 3
Rear Panel 4
Understanding your Wireless Network 5
What is Adhoc Mode? 5
What is Infrastructure Mode? 6
Installing the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter 7
Physical installation of the 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter 7
Connecting the Adapter to a network 8
Configuring the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter 10
How to configure the Adapter 10
Starting the Web Interface 14
Configuring the Adapter on Macintosh OS/X 19
Starting the Web Interface using Macintosh OS/X 21
Configuring the Adapter for operating with a Game Console 26
Troubleshooting/Frequently Asked Questions 27
Glossary 30
Specifications 32
Notices 33
Limited Warranty 36

Introduction
Congratulations on becomingthe owner of theActiontec 54 MbpsWirelessEthernet
Adapter.YourWireless Ethernet Adapterprovides bridging capabilities between your
Wireless LAN (local area network) and one or more personal computers, gaming
consoles,or other Ethernet-ready devices such as printers and storage devices.
This User Guide will show you how to set up the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless
Ethernet Adapter, customize its configuration to get the most out of your network.
The Ethernet Adapter s compliant with the 802.11g specifications and requires that
you have a Wireless Router,Access Point, or any other compatible wireless device.
Features
802.11g Wireless Ethernet Bridge
10/100Base-T Ethernet
DHCP Client
DHCP Server
Configurable through HTML browser
Package Contents
Make sure the following items came in this package:
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter with antenna
Power Cord
Yellow Ethernet Cable
This User’s Manual on the Installation CD-ROM
Quick Start Guide
1
Introduction
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2Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter
System Requirements
To use the Wireless Ethernet Adapter, you must have the following:
PC with an open Ethernet port
Microsoft Windows XP, ME,2000, NT4.0, 98, 98SE; MAC OS 8 or higher
TCP/IP network protocol installed
Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape 4.0 or higher
Contacting Technical Support
Actiontec Electronics, Inc., prides itself on making durable, high-quality, high-
performance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support
Department is available to provide professional support 24 hours a day, every day,
except major holidays.
Actiontec Electronics, Inc.
760 North Mary Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Technical Support
Phone: [phone] (USA)/0845 65 80411 (UK)
Email: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php

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Getting to know the 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter
Getting to Know the
54 Mbps Wireless
Ethernet Adapter
Front Panel
The front panel provides the user with a fast visual feedback of its current status.
Figure 1. Front Panel and LEDs
2
Power The Power light will turn green when the 54 Mbps Wireless
Ethernet Adapter is powered on.
Wireless TheWirelesslightwill turn solid green when the54MbpsWireless
Ethernet Adapter is connected to theWireless LAN.
The Wireless LED will blink continuosly when data traffic is
present on the wireless LAN.

4Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter User Manual
Rear Panel
The rear panel contains the ports for the unit's data and power connections.
Figure 2. Back Panel and Ports
Power Connects to the Power Cord.
Reset Depress the Reset button to bring the 54Mbsp Wireless Ethernet
Adapter to its factory default settings.Hold the button for 15 sec.
Antenna Theantenna connectorallowsyou toconnect tovarious anten-
nae types. Please use the included antenna if you do not have
any other antenna.
Ethernet You connect your Yellow Ehernet Cable to this port

5
Understanding your Wireless Network
Understanding your
Wireless Network
Wireless local area networks (WLAN) perform the exact same functions as wired
local area networks (LAN). Each computer in theWLAN uses a data radio device to
connect to the network,where all computers in the network share the same frequen-
cy and method for identifying wireless devices. Wireless local area networks differ
from wired Local area networks only in their operating mode. The two operation
modes areAdHoc Mode and Infrastructure Mode.
What is Adhoc Mode?
Adhoc mode is a networking framework by which wireless devices or stations
communicate directly with each other, without the need for an access point (AP).
Ad-hoc mode can be referred to as peer-to-peer mode or an Independent Basic
ServiceSet(IBSS).ThisModeisusefulwhenyouwanttocommunicateamongmany
computers locally without the need to connect to printers or file servers on a wired
LAN.
Figure 3. AdHoc Network
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6Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter User Manual
What is Infrastructure Mode?
Infrastructure mode is a networking framework by which devices communicate
with each other by first going through anAccess Point (AP).Infrastructure mode,
lets wireless devices communicate with each other or with a wired network.
Two possible types of service can exist while in Infrastructure mode:
Basic Service Set (BSS)
Basic Service Set is when an Access Point is connected to a wired network
and a set of wireless stations.
Extended Service Set (ESS)
Extended Service Set is a set of two or more Basic Service Sets BSSs that
form a single subnet.
Note: Corporate wireless LANs require infrastructure mode to
access the wired LAN in order to use services such as file servers or
printers.
Figure 4. Infrastructure Network

7
Installing the Actiontec 54Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter
Installing the Actiontec
54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet
Adapter
This equipment is designed with utmost care for the safety of those who install
and use it. However, special attention must be paid to the dangers of electric
shock and static electricity when working with electronic equipment. All
guidelines of this manual and of the computer manufacturer must therefore be
followed at all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment.
Physical installation of the 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter
For best performance, and range, the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet
Adapter needs to be placed in a flat horizontal position with the antenna
extended up as shown below:
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8Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter User Manual
Connecting the Adapter to a network
Now that your Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter has been installed,
it is ready to be connected to the power outlet and to your wired network.
1. Get the Wireless Ethernet Adapter from your Quick Start Kit. Make
sure that the external antenna is connected to the adapter.
2. Get the Ye l l o w C a b l e from the Quick Start Kit. Plug one end into
the Ethernet Port located on the back of the Ethernet Adapter. You
will hear a“click”when the Yellow Cable has been properly
connected.