D-Link DWL-2100AP - AirPlus Xtreme G User manual

Manual
Building Networks for People
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G
DWL-2100AP
TM
802.11g Wireless
108Mbps Access Point

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Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................8
GettingStarted....................................................................................11
UsingtheConfigurationMenu..............................................................13
UsingtheAPManager ........................................................................28
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................33
Troubleshooting...................................................................................48
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................55
ContactingTechnical Support ..............................................................58
WarrantyandRegistration ...................................................................59

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Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-2100AP
802.11g Wireless 108MbpsAccess Point
PowerAdapter-DC5V,2.0A
Manualand WarrantyonCD
QuickInstallation Guide
EthernetCable
TM
Internet ExplorerVersion6.0 or NetscapeNavigatorVersion
6.0andAbove
Computers with Windows, Macintosh, or Linux-based
operating systems with an installed Ethernet adapter
Package Contents
Note:Using a powersupply witha different voltagerating than the one includedwith the
DWL-2100APwillcause damage andvoid the warrantyforthis product.
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements for Configuration:
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Introduction
For home users that will not incorporate a RADIUS server in their network, the security
forthe DWL-2100AP,used in conjunction with otherWPA-compatible 802.11 products,
will still be much stronger than ever before. Utilizing the Pre-Shared Key mode of
WPA, the DWL-2100AP will obtain a new security key every time it connects to the
802.11 network. You only need to input your encryption information once in the
configurationmenu.Nolongerwillyou have to manuallyinputanewWEPkeyfrequently
to ensure security. With the DWL-2100AP, you will automatically receive a new key
every time you connect, vastly increasing the safety of your communication.
The DWL-2100AP is capable of operating in one of 5 different modes to meet your
wirelessnetworkingneeds.TheDWL-2100APcanoperateasanaccesspoint;inaccess
point-to-accesspointbridging mode; accesspoint-to-multipoint bridging mode;wireless
clientmode; or repeater.
TheDWL-2100APis an idealsolution for quicklycreating and extendingawireless local
areanetwork (WLAN) in offices or other workplaces, trade shows and special events.
Unlikemost access points, the DWL-2100APprovides datatransfers at up to 108Mbps
inSuperGmodewhenusedwith other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme Gproducts.The802.11g
standardisbackwards compatiblewith802.11b devices.
TheDWL-2100APhasthenewest,strongest,most advanced security features available
today.Whenusedwithother 802.11g WPA(WiFiProtectedAccess)compatibleproducts
in a network with a RADIUS server, the security features include:
WPA: Wi-Fi Protected Access which authorizes and identifies usersbased on
a secret key that changes automatically at regular intervals. WPA uses
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) to change the temporal key
every 10,000 packets (a packet is a kind of message transmitted over a
network.) This insures much greater security than the standard WEP
security. (By contrast, the previous WEP encryption implementation
required the keys to be changed manually.)
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Atup to fifteen times the speed of previous wirelessdevices (upto 108Mbpsin Super G
mode),you can work faster and more efficiently, increasing productivity.With the DWL-
2100AP, bandwidth-intensive applications like graphics or multimedia will benefit
significantly because large files are able to move across the network quickly.

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Connections
Receptor
for the
Power
Adapter
The LAN Port is
Auto-MDI/MDIX.You
can insert either a
straight-through or
a crossover
Ethernet cable in
this port in order to
connect the DWL-
2100AP to the local
network.
Pressing the
Reset Button
restores the
DWL-2100AP to
itsoriginal
factory default
settings.

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LEDs
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. The DWL-2100AP Wireless Access Point has 3
LEDsas shownbelow:
Power: Solid green light indicates connection
LAN: Blinking green light indicates ac-
tivity on the Ethernet Port; solid
green light indicates connection
WLAN: Blinking green light indicates wireless ac-
tivity; solid green light indicates connection

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Features
5 Different Operation modes - Capable of operating in one of five different
operationmodesto meet yourwirelessnetworking requirements:Access Point;
AP-to-APBridging;AP-to-Multipoint Bridging; WirelessClient; orRepeater.
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Better security with WPA. TheDWL-2100APcan securely connecttowireless
clients on the network using WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) providing a much
higher level of security for your data and communications than has previously
been available. AES is also supported by the DWL-2100AP to maximize the
network security with data encryption.
Compatible with the 802.11b standard toprovideawirelessdatarateofupto
11Mbps - that means you can migrate your system to the 802.11g standard on
yourown schedule withoutsacrificing connectivity.
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Faster wireless networking with the 802.11g standard to provide a wireless
data rate of up to 54Mbps (108Mbps in Super G mode).
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SNMP for Management. The DWL-2100AP is not just fast but it also supports
SNMPv.3forabetternetworkmanagement.SuperiorwirelessAPmanagersoft-
ware is bundled with the DWL-2100AP for network configuration and firmware
upgrade. Systems administrators can also setup the DWL-2100AP easily with
theWeb-basedconfiguration.AD-Link D-View module willbedownloadable for
network administration and real-time network traffic monitoring with D-Link D-
Viewsoftware.
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Web-based interface forManaging andConfiguring
Easy Installation with the Setup Wizard
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Operatesin the 2.4GHz frequency range
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UtilizesOFDM technology(OrthogonalFrequency DivisionMultiplexing)

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Wireless Basics
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless
adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same protocols as
Ethernetadapter cards.
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivitywithinyourhome,businessorpublicaccess
wirelessnetworks. D-Link wireless products will allow youaccess tothe data you want,
whenandwhereyouwantit.Youwillbeabletoenjoythefreedomthatwirelessnetworking
brings.
AWirelessLocalAreaNetwork(WLAN)is acomputernetworkthattransmitsandreceives
datawith radio signalsinstead of wires.WLANs areused increasingly inboth homeand
office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities.
InnovativewaystoutilizeWLANtechnologyare helpingpeopletoworkandcommunicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed
infrastructurehave proven tobe beneficialfor many users.
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location
within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time
informationcan significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and
relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease of
implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be
impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion -Installing a WLAN system can be fast and
easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technologyallows thenetwork to go where wires cannot go - evenoutside thehome or
office.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventionalEthernetnetworkdevices.
Scalability - WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of
specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range
fromPeer-to-Peernetworks suitable fora small numberofusers tolargerInfrastructure
networksto accommodate hundreds or thousands of users,depending on the number
ofwireless devices deployed.

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Wireless Basics (continued)
Standards-Based Technology
TheDWL-2100APWirelessAccessPointutilizesthe802.11bandthe802.11g standards.
The IEEE 802.11g standard is an extension of the 802.11b standard. It increases the
data rate up to 54 Mbps (108Mbps in Super G mode) within the 2.4GHz band, utilizing
OFDM technology.
Thismeans that in most environments,within thespecified rangeof this device, you will
be able to transfer large files quickly or even watch a movie in MPEG format over your
network without noticeable delays. This technology works by transmitting high-speed
digitaldataoveraradiowaveutilizing OFDM (Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiplexing)
technology. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals
that are then transmittedsimultaneouslyat different frequencies to the receiver. OFDM
reducestheamountofcrosstalk (interference)insignaltransmissions. TheD-LinkDWL-
2100AP will automatically sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the
greatestspeed andrange possible.
802.11g offers the most advanced networksecurity features availabletoday, including:
WPA, TKIP,AES and Pre-Shared Key mode.
The DWL-2100AP is compatible, in default mode, with the following wireless products:
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G650
WirelessCardbusAdapters used with laptop computers
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G520
Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
TheDWL-2100APisalsointeroperable withother 802.11gand 802.11b
standards-compliantdevices.
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Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-2100AP lets you access your network, using a
wireless connection, from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep in mind,
however, that the number, thicknessand locationof walls,ceilings, orother objects that
thewirelesssignalsmustpassthrough,maylimittherange.Typicalrangesvarydepending
on the types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or
business. The key to maximizing wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:
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Keepyour productaway (atleast 3-6feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices
orappliances that generate RF noise.
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Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-2100AP and other
network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DWL-
2100AP’srange from 3-90feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that the
number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
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Beaware ofthe directline betweennetwork devices.Awallthat is1.5 feetthick
(.5meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost3 feet(1 meter)thick.At
a2-degreeangle itlooksover 42 feet(14 meters) thick!Position devices sothat
thesignal will travel straight through a wallor ceiling(instead of at an angle) for
betterreception.
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Buildingmaterialscanimpedethewirelesssignal-asolidmetaldoororaluminum
studsmay have anegative effect onrange. Tryto position wirelessdevices and
computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through drywall or
opendoorways andnot othermaterials.
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