Linksys WRT54G - Wireless-G Broadband Router... User manual

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®
Model No.
Broadband Router
Wireless-G
WRT54G
User Guide
GHz
2.4
54Mbps
WIRELESS

Wireless-G Broadband Router
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 © 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 User Guide
This User Gudie has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G Broadband Router
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 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-G Broadband Router.
This checkmark means there is a note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to
while using the Wireless-G Broadband Router.
This question mark provides you with a reminder
about something you might need to do while using
the Wireless-G Broadband Router.
word: definition.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description

Wireless-G Broadband Router
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
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router 6
The Back Panel 6
The Front Panel 7
Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router 8
Hardware Installation 8
Chapter 5: Configuring the PCs 10
Overview 0
Configuring Windows 98 and Millennium PCs 10
Configuring Windows 2000 PCs 11
Configuring Windows XP PCs 12
Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router 14
Overview 14
The Setup Tab - Basic Setup 15
The Setup Tab - DDNS 19
The Setup Tab - MAC Address Clone 20
The Setup Tab - Advanced Routing 21
The Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings 22
The Wireless Tab - Wireless MAC Filter 23
The Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings 24
The Security Tab - Firewall 26
The Security Tab - VPN Passthrough 26
The Security Tab - Wireless Security 27
The Access Restrictions Tab 29
The Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Range Forward 30
The Applications and Gaming Tab - DMZ 31

Wireless-G Broadband Router
The Administration Tab - Management 32
The Administration Tab - Log 2
The Administration Tab - Diagnostics 33
The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults 34
The Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade 34
The Status Tab - Router 35
The Status Tab - Local Network 36
The Status Tab - Wireless 37
Appendix A:Troubleshooting 38
Common Problems and Solutions 38
Frequently Asked Questions 45
Appendix B: Wireless Security 52
A Brief Overview 52
What Are The Risks? 52
Maximizing Wireless Security 54
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware 60
Appendix D: Windows Help 61
Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address
for Your Ethernet Adapter 62
Windows 98 or Me Instructions 62
Windows 2000 or XP Instructions 62
For the Router’s Web-based Utility 63
Appendix F: Glossary 64
Appendix G: Specifications 70
Appendix H: Warranty Information 72
Appendix I: Regulatory Information 73
Appendix J: Contact Information 76

Wireless-G Broadband Router
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: The Broadband Router’s Back Panel 6
Figure 3-2: The Broadband Router’s Front Panel 7
Figure 4-1: Connecting Your Internet Connection 8
Figure 4-2: Connecting Your Network Devices 9
Figure 4-3: Connecting the Power 9
Figure 5-1: Configuration Tab 10
Figure 5-2: IP Address Tab 10
Figure 5-3: Properties 11
Figure 5-4: TCP/IP 11
Figure 5-5: IP Address 11
Figure 5-6: Properties 12
Figure 5-7: TCP/IP 12
Figure 5-8: IP Address 13
Figure 6-1: Password Screen 14
Figure 6-2: Setup Tab - Basic Setup 15
Figure 6-3: DHCP Connection Type 15
Figure 6-4: Static IP Connection Type 15
Figure 6-5: PPPoE Connection Type 16
Figure 6-6: PPTP Connection Type 16
Figure 6-7: Optional Settings 17
Figure 6-8: Router IP 17
Figure 6-9: Network Address Server Settings 17
Figure 6-10: Time Setting 18
Figure 6-11: Setup Tab - DDNS 19
Figure 6-12: Setup Tab - MAC Address Clone 20
Figure 6-13: Setup Tab - Advanced Routing (Gateway) 21
Figure 6-14: Setup Tab - Advanced Routing (Router) 21
Figure 6-15: Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings 22
Figure 6-16: Wireless Tab - Wireless MAC Filter 23
Figure 6-17: MAC Address Filter List 23

Wireless-G Broadband Router
Figure 6-18: Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings 24
Figure 6-19: Security Tab - Firewall 26
Figure 6-20: Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings 26
Figure 6-21: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WPA Pre-Shared Key) 27
Figure 6-22: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WPA Radius) 27
Figure 6-23: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (Radius) 28
Figure 6-24: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (WEP) 28
Figure 6-25: Access Restrictions Tab 29
Figure 6-26: Internet Policy Summary 29
Figure 6-27: List of PCs 29
Figure 6-28: Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Range Forward 30
Figure 6-29: Applications and Gaming - DMZ 31
Figure 6-30: Administration Tab - Management 32
Figure 6-31: Administration Tab - Log 32
Figure 6-32: Administration Tab - Diagnostics 33
Figure 6-33: The Ping Test 33
Figure 6-34: The Traceroute Test 33
Figure 6-35: Administration Tab - Factory Defaults 34
Figure 6-36: Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade 34
Figure 6-37: Status Tab - Router 35
Figure 6-38: Status Tab - Local Network 36
Figure 6-39: Status Tab - Wireless 37
Figure B-1: Warchalking 52
Figure B-2: WEP 58
Figure B-3: Pre-Shared Key 58
Figure B-4: WPA Radius 59
Figure B-5: Radius 59
Figure B-6: 802.11b WEP Key Setting 59
Figure B-7: WEP 59
Figure B-8: 802.11b WEP Key Setting 59
Figure B-9: WEP 59
Figure B-10: 802.11b WEP Key Setting 59
Figure B-11: 802.11b WEP Key Setting 9

Wireless-G Broadband Router
Figure B-12: WEP 59
Figure B-13: 802.11b WEP Key Setting 59
Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware 60
Figure E-1: IP Configuration Screen 62
Figure E-2: MAC Address/Adapter Address 62
Figure E-3: MAC Address/Physical Address 63
Figure E-4: MAC Address Filter 63
Figure E-5: MAC Address Clone 63

1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-G Broadband Router
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router. The Wireless-G Broadband Router will allow
you to network wirelessly better than ever, sharing Internet Access, files and fun, easily and securely.
How does the Wireless-G Broadband Router do all of this? A router is a device that allows access to an Internet
connection over a network. With the Wireless-G Broadband Router, this access can be shared over the four
switched ports or over via the wireless broadcast at either 11Mbps Wireless-B or 54Mbps Wireless-G. In addition,
the Wireless-G standard provides greater security opportunities while the router’s switched ports are protected
through Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and a NAT firewall. All of these security features, as well as full
configurability is accessed through the easy to use browser-based utility.
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 Wireless Local Area Network. The Wireless-G Broadband Router bridges wireless networks of both
802.11b and 802.11g standards and wired networks, allowing them to communicate with each other.
With your networks all connected, wired, wireless, and the Internet, you can now share files, Internet access,
even play games. All the while, the Wireless-G Broadband Router protects your networks from unauthorized and
unwelcome users.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Wireless-G Broadband Router, 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 Wireless-G
Broadband Router.
LAN (Local Area Network): The
computers and networking products
that make up the network in your home
or office

2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-G Broadband Router
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B Media Adapter.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Adapter’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 Broadband Router
This chapter describes the physical features of the Router.
• Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router
This chapter instructs you on how to connect the Router to your network.
• Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router
This chapter explains how to use the Web-Based Utility to configure the settings on theWireless-G Broadband
Router.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding
installation and use of the Wireless-G Broadband Router.
• 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 your Router if you should need to do so.
• Appendix D: Windows Help
This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing
the TCP/IP protocol.
• Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for your Ethernet Adapter.
This appendix describes how to find the MAC address for your computer’s Ethenet adapter so you can use the
MAC filtering and/or MAC address cloning feature of the Router.
• Appendix F: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.