Linksys WMB54G - Wireless-G Music Bridge Network Audio... User manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
Model No.
Music Bridge
Wireless-G
WMB54G
User Guide
WIRELESS
GHz
2.4
802.11g

Wireless-G Music Bridge
Copyright and Trademarks
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco
Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
How to Use this User Guide
The user guide to the Wireless-G Music Bridge has been designed to make understanding networking with the
Wireless-G Music Bridge easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:
In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:
Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like
this:
Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section.
This exclamation point means there is a caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Wireless-G Music Bridge.
word: definition.
This checkmark means there is a note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to while
using the Wireless-G Music Bridge.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the Wireless-G
Music Bridge.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
wmb54g-UG-60818A BW
WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known
to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Wireless-G Music Bridge
TableofContents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless Music Bridge 4
The Back Panel 4
The Front Panel 5
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge 6
Starting the Setup Wizard 6
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Music Bridge 18
Overview 18
Connecting to Portable Audio Speakers 18
Connecting to your Audio Receiver 19
Chapter 5: Using the Wireless-G Music Bridge Utility 22
Accessing the Wireless-G Music Bridge Utility 22
All Tabs 22
Status Tab 22
Equalizer Tab 23
Information Tab 23
Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Music Bridge 24
Overview 24
The Setup Tab 25
The Search Tab 26
The Security Tab 27
The Password Tab 28
The Status Tab 29
Help Tab 30
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 31
Common Problems and Solutions 31
Frequently Asked Questions 31
Appendix B: Wireless Security 33
Security Precautions 33
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 33

Wireless-G Music Bridge
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 36
Appendix D: Windows Help 37
Appendix E: Glossary 38
Appendix F: Specifications 43
Appendix G: Warranty Information 44
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 45
Appendix I: Contact Information 51

Wireless-G Music Bridge
ListofFigures
Figure 2-1: Back Panel 4
Figure 2-2: Front Panel 5
Figure 3-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6
Figure 3-2: License Agreement 6
Figure 3-3: Connecting the PC 7
Figure 3-4: Connecting the PC to the Bridge 7
Figure 3-5: Connecting the Power 8
Figure 3-6: LED Status 8
Figure 3-7: Select the Bridge 9
Figure 3-8: Login 9
Figure 3-9: Change the Password 10
Figure 3-10: Available Wireless Network 11
Figure 3-11: WEP Key Needed for Connection 11
Figure 3-12: PSK Needed for Connection 12
Figure 3-13: Install the Utility 12
Figure 3-14: Congratulations 12
Figure 3-15: Network Settings 13
Figure 3-16: Wireless Mode 13
Figure 3-17: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 14
Figure 3-18: Wireless Security 14
Figure 3-19: Wireless - WEP 15
Figure 3-20: Wireless Security - PSK 15
Figure 3-21: Confirm New Settings 16
Figure 3-22: Install the Utility 16
Figure 3-23: Congratulations 17
Figure 4-1: Line Out Cable 18

Wireless-G Music Bridge
Figure 4-2: Portable Audio Speaker Connection 18
Figure 4-3: RCA Cable 19
Figure 4-4: RCA Cable Connection 19
Figure 4-5: Optical Digital Cable 20
Figure 4-6: Optical Digital Cable Connection 20
Figure 4-7: Digital Coaxial Cable 21
Figure 4-8: Digital Coaxial Cable Connection 21
Figure 5-1: Utility Icon 22
Figure 5-2: Status Tab 22
Figure 5-3: Equalizer Tab 23
Figure 5-4: Information Tab 23
Figure 6-1: Password 24
Figure 6-2: Setup - Infrastructure 25
Figure 6-3: Setup - Ad-Hoc 26
Figure 6-4: Search 26
Figure 6-5: Security - WEP 27
Figure 6-6: Security - PSK (Pre-Shared Key) 27
Figure 6-7: Password 28
Figure 6-8: Advanced 28
Figure 6-9: Status 29
Figure 6-10: Help 29
Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware 36

1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-G Music Bridge
Chapter1:Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Music Bridge. The Wireless-G Music Bridge allows you to listen to digital
music in your living room as well as on your computer.
How does the Music Bridge do all of this? The Linksys Wireless-G Music Bridge lets you bring the digital music
streaming to or stored on your computer to your Home Entertainment Center without running cables through the
house. Using a wireless connection, the Music Bridge finally frees your digital music collection from those little
computer speakers to play in full glory through your stereo or surround sound system.
The Wireless-G Music Bridge sits by your home stereo and connects to it using standard consumer electronics
cables. Then it connects to your home network by Wireless-G wireless networking, or if you prefer, it can be
connected via standard 10/100 Ethernet cabling. The included software creates a virtual sound system in your
PC, which sends the audio output of any application to the Music Bridge and the stereo system. Use your favorite
media player to play your music while listening in the comfort of your living room.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Wireless-G Music Bridge, set it up, and configure it to
bridge your music networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Wireless-G
Music Bridge.

2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-G Music Bridge
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Music Bridge.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide.
• Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Music Bridge
This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.
• Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
This chapter instructs you on how to use the Bridges’s Setup Wizard and configure the Bridge.
• Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Music Bridge
This chapter shows you how to connect the Bridge to your speakers.
• Chapter 5: Using the Wireless-G Music Bridge Utility
This chapter shows you how to use the Bridge’s Utility.
• Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Music Bridge
This chapter show you how to use the Bridge’s Web-based utility.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some potential problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions,
regarding installation and use of the Adap2.2043(w)esiring inA2(hapte)-Cusic Brid.

3
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-G Music Bridge
• Appendix G: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information.
• Appendix H: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

4
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless Music Bridge
The Back Panel
Wireless-G Music Bridge
Chapter2:GettingtoKnowtheWirelessMusicBridge
The Back Panel
The Bridge's ports, where all cables are connected, are located on the back panel.
Audio Out L/R The Audio Out (Left and Right) ports connect to the Audio In (Left and Right) ports of your
audio receiver.
Line Out The Line Out port is where you can connect headphones or portable audio speakers with a
headphone jack.
Coaxial Out The Coaxial Out (Digital Audio) port is where you connect the cable coming from your audio
receiver.
Optical Out The Optical Out (Digital Audio) port is where you connect the cable from the Optical In port of
your audio receiver.
Ethernet This Ethernet port connects to Ethernet network devices, such as a switch or router, if using a
wired connection.
Reset Button There are two ways to Reset the Bridge's factory defaults. Either press the Reset Button, for
approximately ten seconds, or restore the defaults from the Password tab in the Bridge's Web-
Based Utility.
Power The Power port is where you will connect the power adapter.
Important: Resetting the Music Bridge will
erase all of your settings and replace them
with the factory defaults. Do not reset the
Bridge if you want to retain these settings.
Figure 2-1: Back Panel

5
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Wireless Music Bridge
The Front Panel
Wireless-G Music Bridge
The Front Panel
The Music Bridge's LEDs, where information about network activity is displayed, are located on the front panel.
Power Blue. The Power LED lights up when the Wireless-G Music Bridge is powered on.
Ethernet Blue. The Ethernet LED serves two purposes. If the LED is continuously lit, the Music Bridge is
successfully connected to a device through the Ethernet port. If the LED is flashing, it is an
indication of any network activity.
Wireless Blue. The Wireless LED lights whenever there is a successful wireless connection.
With these, and many other, Linksys products, your options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website
www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Music Bridge.
Power Wireless
Ethernet
Figure 2-2: Front Panel

6
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
Chapter3:SettinguptheWireless-GMusicBridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
The Bridge is set up with the Setup Wizard that comes on the CD enclosed with the Bridge. This chapter will guide
you through the setup procedure. This Setup Wizard will take you through all the steps necessary to set up and
configure the Bridge.
To begin the setup process, insert the Setup Wizard CD into your PC's CD-ROM drive. Setup Wizard's Welcome
screen should appear on your monitor. If it does not, then click the Start button and select Run. In the field
provided, enter D:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your PC's CD-ROM drive).
On the Welcome screen, you have the following choices:
Click Here to Start - Click the Click Here to Start button to begin the setup.
User Guide - Click the User Guide button to open this User Guide.
Exit - Click Exit to exit the Setup Wizard.
1. To install the Adapter, click the Click Here to Start button on the Welcome screen.
2. The License Agreement screen will appear. Read the entire agreement, then click Next if you agree to the
terms and want to continue the Setup Wizard. Click Cancel if you want to cancel the Setup Wizard.
Figure 3-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen
Figure 3-2: License Agreement

7
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
3. The next screen displayed shows how the Bridge should be connected. Connect one end of your supplied
Ethernet cable to your PC’s Ethnet Port.
Click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
4. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Bridge’s yellow Ethernet Port.
Click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
Figure 3-3: Connecting the PC
Figure 3-4: Connecting the PC to the Bridge

8
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
5. Next, you will connect the power. Connect the power adapter into the Power Port of the Bridge and into an
electrical outlet.
Click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
6. The Power and Ethernet will light up when the cables are all correctly installed. If the LEDs do not light up, re-
check the cable connections to the Bridge, PC, and Power.
Click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous screen. Click the Exit button to exit the
Setup Wizard.
Figure 3-5: Connecting the Power
Figure 3-6: LED Status

9
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
7. The Setup Wizard will run a search for the Bridge within your network and then display a list along with the
status information for the selected Bridge. If this is the only Bridge on your network, it will be the only one

10
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
9. You may change the password and the Bridge’s name on this screen.
Device Name. The default name for the Bridge will appear in the Device Name field. You may change the
name by entering a new one in the Device Name field. The device name can be up to 19 characters.
Password and Confirm. Enter a new password in the Password field, then enter it again in the Confirm field.
The password must be between 4 to12 characters.
Security Question and Your Answer. Select a security question and enter an answer in the Your Answer
field, so you can retrieve your password if you forget it.
Click the Next button to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
Setting Up the Bridge
The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Network screen.
This screen provides two options for setting up the Bridge.
•Available Wireless Network. (For most users.) The networks available to this Bridge will be listed on this
screen. You can choose one of these networks and click the Connect button to connect to it. Click the
Refresh button to update the Available Wireless Network list.
•Manual Setup. If your network is not listed on this screen, select Manual Setup to set up the Bridge
manually. This method of setting up the Bridge is intended for Advanced Users only.
•I only have a wired network. If you don’t have a wireless network, select I only have a wired network and
continue to step 7.
Click Back to return to the previous page.
The setup for each option is described, step by step, under the appropriate heading on the following pages.
Figure 3-9: Change the Password

11
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
Setting Up the Bridge with Available Networks
The Available Wireless Networks screen will appear next. The available wireless networks are listed in the table
on the center of the screen by wireless network name (SSID). Select the wireless network you wish to connect to
and click the Connect button. (If you do not see your network listed, you can click the Refresh button to bring the
list up again.) If the network utilizes wireless security, you will need to configure security on the Bridge. If not, you
will be taken directly to the Congratulations screen.
1. If wireless security has been enabled on this network, you will see a wireless security screen. If your network
utilizes WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption, the WEP Key Needed for Connection screen will appear. If
your network utilizes PSK (Pre-Shared Key) encryption, the PSK Needed for Connection screen will appear.
WEP Key Needed for Connection
Select 64-bit or 128-bit.
Then, enter a passphrase or WEP key.
Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. The
passphrase is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. It must match the
passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If
you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)
WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption,
enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. For 128-bit encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters.
Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.
Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
Figure 3-11: WEP Key Needed for Connection
bit: a binary digit.
wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of encrypting network
data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.
passphrase: used much like a password, a passphrase
simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically
generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products.
Figure 3-10: Available Wireless Network

12
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
PSK Needed for Connection
Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES,from the Encryption drop-down
menu.
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field. .
Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
2. The Install the Utility screen will appear if the Utility is not installed on your PC. The Utility must be installed on
your PC for the Wireless-G Music Bridge to work correctly on your network.
Click Next to install the Utility. Click Skip if you want to install the Utility later.
3. After the Bridge has been configured for the network, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Exit.
Congratulations! Setup is complete.
Figure 3-12: PSK Needed for Connection
Figure 3-14: Congratulations
Figure 3-13: Install the Utility

13
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
Setting Up the Bridge with Manual Setup
If your network is not listed with the available networks, click Manual Setup on the Available Wireless Network
screen to set up the Bridge manually.
1. After clicking Manual Setup, the Network Settings screen will appear. If your network has a router or other
DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).
If your network does not have a DHCP server, click the radio button next to Specify network settings. Enter
an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS addresses appropriate for your network. You must
specify the IP Address and Subnet Mask on this screen. If you are unsure about the Default Gateway
addresses, leave these fields empty.
IP Address - This IP Address must be unique to your network.
Subnet Mask - The Bridge’s Subnet Mask must be the same as your wired network’s Subnet Mask.
Default Gateway - Enter the IP address of your network’s Gateway here.
Click Next to continue, or click Back to return to the Available Wireless Network screen.
2. The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio
button if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you
want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a wireless router or access point. Then,
enter the SSID for your network.
Infrastructure Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point.
Ad-Hoc Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a
wireless router or access point.
SSID - This is the wireless network name that must be used for all the devices in your wireless network. It is
case- sensitive and should be a unique name to help prevent others from entering your network.
Click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
Figure 3-15: Network Settings
Figure 3-16: Wireless Mode

14
Chapter 3: Setting up the Wireless-G Music Bridge
Starting the Setup Wizard
Wireless-G Music Bridge
3. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 4 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings
screen will appear.
Select the correct Channel for your wireless network. The channel you choose should match the channel set
on the other devices in your wireless network. If you are unsure about which channel to use, keep the default
setting.
Then, select the Network Mode in which your wireless network will operate. In Mixed, Wireless-B and
Wireless-G devices can both operate on the network, though at a slower speed. In Wireless-G-Only, no
Wireless-B devices can operate in the network.
Click Next to continue or click Back to change any settings.
4. The Wireless Security screen will appear. This step will configure wireless security.
If your wireless network doesn’t use wireless security, select Disabled and then click the Next button to
continue. Proceed to Step 5.
Select WEP or PSK for the Encryption Method. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, PSK stands for Pre-
Shared Key, which is a security standard stronger than WEP encryption. If you don’t want to use encryption,
select Disabled.
Then, click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 3-17: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings
Figure 3-18: Wireless Security