Buffalo WLA-G54 User manual

1
®
Quick Setup Guide
54 Mbps* Wireless Bridge Base Station-g
WLA-G54
Preparation
This Quick Setup Guide will guide you
through quickly and easily installing this
product on your Windows PC. For detailed
setup and configuration instructions, please
refer to the User Manual on the Utility CD or
the Buffalo Wireless Support website.
Package Contents:
◗54 Mbps* Bridge Base Station
◗Utility CD-ROM
◗Quick Setup Guides
◗AC Adapter
◗7ft.Ethernet Cable
◗Warranty Statement
If any of the contents are missing, please
contact the reseller from which this prod-
uct was purchased.
System Requirements
◗Desktop or laptop PC with a
wireless adapter installed.
◗Existing Local Area Network to
connect to the AirStation 54 Mbps*
Bridge Base Station.
There are 2 methods of configuring your
AirStation 54 Mbps* Bridge Base
Station. Depending on the configura-
tion of the computer you will be using to
configure your access point, choose the
method to configure the AirStation
54 Mbps* Bridge Base Station.
www.buffalotech.com/
PY00-11001-DM20 Rev A

2
Deciding on a Mode for Initial AirStation
Configuration
 Wired Connection (recommended)
 Wireless Connection
Do not connect the AirStation to your existing network
Step  Connect your computer to the AirStation
Buffalo recommends using a wired connection, meaning your computer is physically
connected to the AirStation with a CAT5 cable plugged into any one of the
four 10/100M Ethernet LAN port. This type of setup will eliminate possible setup
problems due to any issues with the wireless adapter on the computer being used
to configure the AirStation.
A Web browser version 4.5 or later should be used to configure the
AirStation.
Using the provided CAT5 Ethernet Cable, connect one end into any one of the
four (4) 10/100M Ethernet ports on the AirStation and the other to your comput-
er’s available Ethernet port. Figure shown above.
 
 Wired Configuration

3
 Wireless Configuration
Windows XP
If there is no Ethernet adapter available on the computer being used to configure the
AirStation, a wireless configuration may be performed using a correctly installed
802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapter.
To configure the AirStation via a wireless connection, establish a connection
to the AirStation using the setup instructions that came with the wireless cli-
ent card or adapter that you are using.
Buffalo highly recommends using Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration
Service to connect to and configure Buffalo Access Points/Base Stations.
Windows 98SE/2000/ME
If there is no Ethernet adapter available on the computer being used to configure
the AirStation, a wireless configuration may be performed using a correctly
installed 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapter.
To configure the AirStation via a wireless connection, establish a connection
to the AirStation Compact Bridge using the setup instructions that came with
the wireless client card or adapter that you are using.

4
Step  Configure your computers IP address
Refer to your Operating System for further instructions on how to navigate
to your TCP/IP Properties.
For Windows 98SE/ME
- Right-click on Network Neighborhood or My Network Places
and
select Properties.
- Select the Configuration tab, scroll down to TCP/IP and press Properties.
- Click Specify an IP address
- IP address = 192.168.11.2
- Subnet mask = 255.255.255.0
- Click OK to close Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
- Click OK to close Network Connection Properties.
- Close Network Connections window.
For Windows 2000/XP
- Click Start => Settings => Control Panel => Network
Connections.
- Right-click on Local Area Network Connection and select
Properties.
- Scroll down to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP ) and press Properties.
- Select Use the following IP address
- IP address = 192.168.11.2
Step  Access the AirStation configuration page
Launch your Web browser and type 192.168.11.1 in the address field of the Web
browser window and click “Go” or press “Enter.”
If you have previously modified the AirStation and changed the LAN IP address,
enter the custom LAN IP address to access the AirStation configuration page.

5
The User name and password field will
open. Enter “root” as the User name
and leave the password field blank.
Click OK to enter the configuration
page.
Step  Configure the AirStation
For more information about configuring and operating your 54 Mbps* Wireless
Bridge Base Station, refer to the User Manual on the AirNavigator CD or the
Buffalo Support Web Site: http://www.buffalotech.com/wireless/support
If at any time you wish to restore settings to factory defaults, press the red INIT
button on the rear of the AirStation for several seconds until the red DIAG light
illuminates.
Once configuration is complete, connect the AirStation to your Local Area
Network for normal operation.
From this screen, you can access
the built-in Web configuration fea-
ture that will allow you to configure
the AirStation for your local Area
Network.
Advanced configuration settings are
available by clicking the advanced
button.

6
This completes the basic AirStation Configuration. To change advanced set-
tings consult the Buffalo Support Web Site:
http://www.buffalotech.com/wireless/support.
Connect the AirStation to your existing LAN
Once configuration is complete, connect the AirStation to your existing Local Area
Network. Plug the provided 7ft. Ethernet cable into any one of the four 10/100M
Ethernet ports on the AirStation 54 Mbps* Bridge Base Station and plug
the other end into an Ethernet hub or switch on your Local Area Network.
The LAN or Wired MAC address
is the default ESS-ID (SSID) of the
AirStation. The LAN MAC address is
located on the rear of the AirStation
clearly labeled next to the 4-port
switch.
The Wireless MAC address of the
AirStation is used for WDS functionality.
MAC Address and SSID
Once the AirStation is connected to the existing LAN, users accessing the
LAN through the AirStation must configure the computer’s TCP/IP Settings
to match your existing LAN.
Contact your network administrator if your computer requires a static
IP Address or if using DHCP Services.

7
Bridge/Repeater Mode (WDS)
Simple setup configuration of the AirStation for Bridge/Repeater mode
(WDS). Wireless Signals of the Buffalo Bridge Access Points must overlap in
order for communication to take place. Please consult the online manual or the
Buffalo Support Web Page for advanced information on WDS.
Click Wireless Bridge (WDS)
Enter the Wireless MAC address of the
Buffalo Bridge Access Point you wish to
communicate with.
Click Add.
Click Enable next to Wireless Bridge
function.
Click Set.
You will have to click Apply when the
next window appears (shown below).
The AirStation will reboot.
Once WDS is enabled and setup
correctly, the MAC address of the
bridged access point will be shown
at the bottom of the screen.
User will need to repeat the process
and enter the Wireless MAC address of
the AirStation Compact Bridge
into the Buffalo Bridge Access Point
it is communicating with.
Base Stations must be on the same
channel to communicate and have
the same WEP keys (if used) in WDS
NOTE: WPA is currently not supported in WDS Mode.
WDS is not supported with third-party bridge access points.

8
Buffalo Technology
Technical Support
Buffalo Technology offers Toll-Free Technical Support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
for this product. Customers in the United States and Canada can obtain technical
support using the following information:
◗ Online Help Available on the AirNavigator CD enclosed with your purchase.
◗ Web www.buffalotech.com/wireless
◗ E-mail [e-mail]
◗ Telephone [phone]
(USA & Canada only)
The constantly evolving state of wireless products and operating systems requires
Buffalo Technology to occasionally release updated software to take advantage of
new technologies and to comply with industry standards. For the most recent software,
firmware, driver, and technical whitepaper releases available, please visit the Buffalo
Technology website.
FCC Compliance Statement - See owners manual for complete statement.
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.
R&TTE Compliance Statement - See owners manual for complete statement.
This equipment complies with all the requirements of the DIRECTIVE 1999/5/EC OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment
and telecommunication terminal Equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity
(R&TTE).
Copyright © 2003 Buffalo Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Buffalo Technology (USA) Inc., is part of MELCO INC., the global manufacturers of IT peripherals, including memory, networking,
and multimedia products, inside many of the world’s computers. All trademarks are property of their respective own-
*54 Mbps is the IEEE 802.11g standard theoretical maximum data transfer rate. Actual wireless network throughput is limited by environmental and system factors and will be less.