Linksys WET11 - Instant Wireless EN Bridge Network... User manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
Model No.
Ethernet Bridge
Wireless-B
WET11
User Guide
WIRELESS
GHz
2.4
802.11b

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
Copyright and Trademarks
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco
Systems, Inc.and/oritsaffiliatesintheU.S.andcertain other countries. Copyright © 2003 Cisco Systems, Inc.All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
How to Use this Guide
Your guide to the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge has been designed to make understanding networking with the
Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this 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 in the “Table of Contents”.
This exclamation point means there is a Caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Wireless-B Ethernet 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-B Ethernet Bridge.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the Wireless-B
Ethernet Bridge.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
WET11_v2-UG-30918NC JL

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 4
Network Topology 4
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 4
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge 6
The Back Panel 6
The Front Panel 7
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup 8
Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge 9
Overview 9
Setup Wizard 9
Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use 13
Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based Utility 14
Overview 14
Starting the Web-based Utility 14
Setup 15
Password 17
Advanced 18
Status 19
Help 20
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 21
Common Problems and Solutions 21
Frequently Asked Questions 22
Appendix B: Wireless Security 25
A Brief Overview 25
What Are the Risks? 25
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 32
Appendix D: Windows Help 33
Appendix E: Glossary 34

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
Appendix F: Specifications 40
Appendix G: Warranty Information 42
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 43
Appendix I: Contact Information 46

Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
List of Figures
Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode 4
Figure 2-2: Ad-Hoc Mode 5
Figure 2-3: Wireless Bridging Using Two Bridges 5
Figure 3-1: Back Panel 6
Figure 3-2: Front Panel 7
Figure 4-1: Connect the Ethernet Network Cable 8
Figure 4-2: Connect the Power Adapter 8
Figure 5-1: Welcome 9
Figure 5-2: Check Connection 9
Figure 5-3: List of Bridges 10
Figure 5-4: Password 10
Figure 5-5: Mode Settings 10
Figure 5-6: Wireless Settings 11
Figure 5-7: IP Settings 11
Figure 5-8: Security Settings 11
Figure 5-9: WEP Key 12
Figure 5-10: Confirmation 12
Figure 5-11: Congratulations 12
Figure 7-1: Access the Web-based Utility 14
Figure 7-2: Setup Tab 15
Figure 7-3: Site Survey 16
Figure 7-4: WEP Encryption 17
Figure 7-5: Password Tab 17
Figure 7-6: Advanced Settings Tab 18
Figure 7-7: Status Tab 19
Figure 7-8: Help Tab 20
Figure B-1: Warchalking 25
Figure B-2: WEP Encryption 31

1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge. The versatile Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge can make any
wired Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge to
connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers into your wireless network to share your high-speed
network connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop
into a wireless networked device.
It's completely driver-free, so it works on any platform and under any operating system! Since there are no
drivers to load, setup is a snap—just plug it into your device and configure the network settings through your
web browser.
You can also use the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge as a kind of “cable-less cable” to connect remote areas
together. Maybe Shipping is all the way across the warehouse from Receiving. Or maybe you want to set up a
home office in your detached garage. With a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge in the garage, and another one (or a
Wireless Access Point) in the house, you're connected—with no cabling hassle.
Let the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge from Linksys open up exciting new possibilities for your wireless network.
802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking
standard that specifies a maximum
data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an
operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
Ethernet: an IEEE standard network
protocol that specifies how data is
placed on and retrieved from a
common transmission medium.

2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge applications and this user guide.
• Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
This chapter describes the basics of wireless networking.
• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
This chapter describes the physical features of the Bridge.
• Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Setup
This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Bridge to your network for setup.
• Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
This chapter explains how to set up the Bridge using the Setup Wizard.
• Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge for Network Use
This chapter explains how to connect the Bridge to a network device so the device can join your wireless
network.
• Chapter 7: Using the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge Web-based Utility
This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on the Bridge.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding
installation and use of the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.
• Appendix B: Wireless Security
This appendix explains the risks of wireless networking and some solutions to reduce the risks.
• Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware
This appendix instructs you on how to upgrade the firmware on the Bridge should you need to do so.
• Appendix D: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.
• Appendix E: Windows Help
This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing
the TCP/IP protocol.

3
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
• Appendix F: Specifications
This appendix provides the technical specifications for the Bridge.
• Appendix G: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the warranty information for the Bridge.
• Appendix H: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the regulatory information regarding the Bridge.
• Appendix I: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

4
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each
computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same
frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name shared by the wireless devices belonging to the
same wireless network.
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they may be set up: infrastructure
and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configuration is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an
access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with each other.
Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or
peripherals with a wired network or not.
If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired network or need to share a peripheral,
such as a printer, with the wired network computers, the wireless network should be set up in Infrastructure
mode. The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves as the main point of
communications in a wireless network (see Figure 2-1). Access points transmit data to PCs equipped with
wireless network cards, which can roam within a certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access points
can be arranged to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set up to communicate with your
Ethernet hardware as well.
If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only with the other computers on the
wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless
transmittersand receivers to communicate directly witheach other, eliminating theneed for an accesspoint. The
drawback of this mode is that in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with
computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the wireless-equipped computers is
limited by the distance and interference directly between them.
Figure 2-2 shows a typical scenario of four Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges in ad-hoc mode. Figure 2-3 shows a
typical wireless bridging scenario using two Wireless-B Ethernet Bridges. Each wireless network is connected to
a Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge through a switch. A separate notebook computer is equipped with a wireless
network adapter and can communicate with either wireless network when it is configured with the appropriate
SSID and channel.
SSID: your wireless network’s name.
LAN (Local Area Network): the
computers and networking products
that make up your local network.
Figure 2-1: Infrastructure Mode
Ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly to each other
(peer-to-peer) without the use of an
access point.
Infrastructure: a wireless network
that is bridged to a wired network via
an access point.

5
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode
Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge
With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at
www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge.
Figure 2-3: Wireless Bridging Using Two Bridges
Figure 2-2: Ad-Hoc Mode