Linksys WAP54GX User manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
Model No.
Access Point with SRX
Wireless-G
WAP54GX
User Guide
WIRELESS
GHz
2.4
802.11g

Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
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 Access Point with SRX has been designed to make understanding networking
with the Access Point 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 Access Point.
word: definition.
This checkmark means there is a note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to while
using the Access Point.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the Access Point.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
WAP54GX-UG-60125A JL
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 Access Point with SRX
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Welcome 1
What’s in this User Guide? 2
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 4
Network Topology 4
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX 6
The Front Panel 6
The Back Panel 7
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX 8
Overview 8
Connections for Setup 8
Chapter 5: Setting up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX 9
Overview 9
Using the Setup Wizard 9
Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX 19
Overview 19
Navigating the Utility 19
Accessing the Utility 21
The Setup - Network Setup Tab 21
The Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings Tab 23
The Wireless - Wireless Security Tab 24
The Wireless - Wireless MAC Filter Tab 27
The Wireless - Advanced Wireless Settings Tab 28
The Administration - Management Tab 30
The Administration - Log Tab 31
The Administration - Factory Defaults Tab 32
The Administration - Firmware Upgrade Tab 32
The Status - Local Network Tab 33
The Status - Wireless Network Tab 34

Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 35
Frequently Asked Questions 35
Appendix B: Wireless Security 39
Security Precautions 39
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 39
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 42
Appendix D: Windows Help 43
Appendix E: Glossary 44
Appendix F: Specifications 49
Appendix G: Warranty Information 51
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 52
Appendix I: Contact Information 58

Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: Front Panel 6
Figure 3-2: Back Panel 7
Figure 4-1: Connect the Ethernet Network Cable 8
Figure 4-2: Connect the Power 8
Figure 5-1: Welcome Screen 9
Figure 5-2: Connect the Network Cable to the Router or Switch Screen 10
Figure 5-3: Connect the Network Cable to the Access Point Screen 10
Figure 5-4: Power on the Access Point Screen 11
Figure 5-5: Check the Access Point’s Status Screen 11
Figure 5-6: Select the Access Point Screen 12
Figure 5-7: Password Screen 12
Figure 5-8: Basic Settings Screen 13
Figure 5-9: Wireless Settings Screen 14
Figure 5-10: Security Settings Screen 15
Figure 5-11: WEP Settings Screen 15
Figure 5-12: WPA Personal Settings Screen 16
Figure 5-13: WPA2 Personal Settings Screen 16
Figure 5-14: WPA2 Mixed Mode Settings Screen 17
Figure 5-15: Confirm New Settings Screen 18
Figure 5-16: Congratulations Screen 18
Figure 6-1: Login Screen 21
Figure 6-2: Setup - Automatic Configuration - DHCP Screen 21
Figure 6-3: Setup - Static IP Screen 22
Figure 6-4: Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings Screen 23
Figure 6-5: Wireless - Wireless Security (WPA-Personal) Screen 24
Figure 6-6: Wireless Security - WPA2-Personal Screen 24
Figure 6-7: Wireless Security - WPA2-Mixed Screen 25
Figure 6-8: Wireless Security - WPA-Enterprise Screen 25

Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Figure 6-9: Wireless Security - RADIUS Screen 26
Figure 6-10: Wireless Security - WEP Screen 26
Figure 6-11: Wireless - Wireless MAC Filter Screen 27
Figure 6-12: Wireless - Wireless Client Table 27
Figure 6-13: Wireless - Advanced Wireless Settings Screen 28
Figure 6-14: Administration - Management Screen 30
Figure 6-15: Administration - Log Screen 31
Figure 6-16: View Log Screen 31
Figure 6-17: Administration - Factory Defaults Screen 32
Figure 6-18: Administration - Firmware Upgrade Screen 32
Figure 6-19: Status - Local Network Screen 33
Figure 6-20: Status - Wireless Network Screen 34
Figure C-1: Firmware Upgrade 42

1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX. This Access Point will allow you to network
wirelessly better than ever.
How does the Access Point do all of this? An access point allows for greater range and mobility within your
wireless network while also allowing you to connect the wireless network to a wired environment. And with SRX,
you have greater range and speed.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers
and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video
games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.
PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is
why the network is called "wired".
PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is sometimes called
a WLAN, or Wired Local Area Network. The Access Point bridges wireless networks of both 802.11g and 802.11b
standards and wired networks.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Access Point, set it up, and configure it to bridge your
different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Access Point.
802.11b: a wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating
frequency of 2.4GHz.
802.11g: a wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating
frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with
802.11b devices.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your
PC.
ethernet: network protocol that specifies how data is
placed on and retrieved from a common transmission
medium.
lan (local area network): the computers and networking
products that make up your local network.
network: a series of computers or devices connected
together.
access point: a device that allows wireless-equipped
computers and other devices to communicate with a wired
network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless
network.
SRX: an antenna technology that provides for up to 8X
better performance and up to 3X longer range.

2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this User Guide?
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
What’s in this User Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Access Point’s 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-G Access Point with SRX
This chapter describes the physical features of the Access Point.
• Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Access Point to your network.
• Chapter 5: Setting Up the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
This chapter explains how to use the Setup Wizard to configure the settings on the Access Point.
• Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
This chapter explains how to use the Access Point’s Web-based Utility for advanced configuration.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some frequently asked questions regarding installation and use of the Access Point.
• 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 Access Point’s firmware.
• Appendix D: Windows Help
This appendix describes some of the ways Windows can help you with wireless networking.
• Appendix E: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.
• Appendix F: Specifications
This appendix provides the Access Point’s technical specifications.
• Appendix G: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the Access Point’s warranty information.

3
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this User Guide?
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX
• Appendix H: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Access Point’s regulatory information.
• 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-G Access Point with SRX
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless
network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point, such as the
Wireless-G Access Point with SRX, or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an
infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired
network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and may double the
effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network may be doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same channel and SSID.
Before using the roaming capabilities, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper
access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
infrastructure: a wireless network that is bridged to a wired
network via an access point.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly
with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access
point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from one
access point's range to another without losing the
connection.
ssid: your wireless network's name