NETGEAR ME101 - Wireless EN Bridge Network Converter User manual

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1: Preparing to Install the ME101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Placement and Range Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
ME101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2: Installing the ME101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
3: Configuring Your ME101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID), IP Address,
and WEP Security Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Installing the Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Configuring the Bridge for Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Changing the Password for the Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Upgrading the Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Enabling WEP Security on the Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Using the Browser-based Configuration Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ME101 02.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge Lights and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . .14
ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Restoring the Bridge to the Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge Status Settings . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
ME101 02.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
System Requirements for the Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a NETGEAR ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge. With this
bridge you can connect a gaming console, personal computer, printer, or other Ethernet-
enabled device to communicate with your wireless router or access point.
This guide shows you how to connect the bridge and configure it with your wireless router or
access point. Setup is easy – follow the instructions in this guide and your network will be up
and running quickly.
Package Contents
The product package should contain the following items:
•ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge
•Power adapter
•Ethernet crossover cable
•GearBox™CD for Wireless Ethernet Bridge, including:
- Configuration Utility software
- User Manual for the Model ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge in
Adobe®Acrobat®PDF file format
•Installation Guide
•Warranty card
•Support information card
1
GearBox™CD for Wireless
Ethernet Bridge, Installation guide,
Support information card,
Warranty card
100 Mbps
Ethernet cable
ME101 Wireless Ethernet Bridge
Power adapter

System Requirements
Before installing the ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge, please make sure that these
minimum requirements have been met:
•You must have a wireless network set up with either a wireless router or access point.
If the default settings on the bridge do not work, you will need to configure the bridge. To
configure the bridge with the configuration utility, you must have a personal computer with:
•Windows®98 or 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP.
•A CD-ROM drive.
•2 Megabytes of free hard disk space.
If you don’t have a Windows-based computer or a CD-ROM drive, you may use a browser to
configure the bridge.
Preparing to Install the ME101
Placement and Range Guidelines
Computers and other Ethernet-enabled devices can connect over 802.11b wireless networks
indoors at a maximum range of approximately 500 feet. However, the operating distance or
range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the physical location of the
ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge. For best results, avoid potential sources of
interference, such as:
•Large metal surfaces
•Microwaves
•2.4 GHz cordless phones
In general, 802.11b wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are
constructed with concrete or have metal (or metal mesh), the effective range will decrease if
such materials are between the wireless devices.
Operating Mode
The ME101 Wireless Ethernet Bridge operates only in infrastructure mode. In this mode
devices and computers communicate with each other by first going through a wireless router or
access point. For example, infrastructure mode is used when you have computers in a house
connected to an access point that is attached to a router. The router lets multiple computers
share a single cable or DSL broadband Internet connection.
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1
2

ME101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings
Note: If you are setting up a new wireless network, please set up the network and make sure it
works before adding the ME101 Wireless Ethernet Bridge into the network.
You will need to identify the wireless configuration and security parameters already defined in
your wireless network.
Note: All NETGEAR, Inc. 802.11b wireless access products use the same factory settings as the
ME101 and will work without any configuration changes.
The factory default settings for your ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge are:
•Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc): Infrastructure
•Wireless network name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any
Note: Any means the bridge will connect to the first access point or wireless router that
responds to the bridge’s request for connection. This may not be the strongest signal or the
closest access point or router. For the ME101 Wireless Ethernet Bridge to communicate
with a specific wireless router or access point, both devices must be configured with the
same SSID.
•User ID: admin
•Password: password
•Authentication type: Auto
•WEP security: Disabled
•Country/Region: U.S.A.
Warning: Having the bridge set to the wrong country or region may result in the violation
of local laws.
•IP address: 192.16 .0.200
3

Installing the ME101
This section provides instructions for connecting the ME101 802.11b Wireless Ethernet Bridge
to any Ethernet-enabled device using the default settings.
Note: If you find that the default settings don’t work, if you know that you’ve configured your
wireless network with WEP security, or if you are not in the United States, you’ll have to
configure the bridge before connecting it to the Ethernet-enabled device. To configure the
bridge, see Configuring Your ME101 on page 6.
1. Unpack the box and verify the contents.
2. Identify a flat surface where you will put the wireless bridge. For best results, follow
these guidelines:
•Place it away from potential sources of interference, such as computers, monitors,
TVs, microwaves, cordless phones, or large metal surfaces.
Warning: Failure to follow these guidelines can cause intermittent or complete failure
of wireless connectivity.
•Place it in an elevated location such as a high shelf or on a wall in the center of
your wireless access area.
3. Lift the bridge’s antenna so it is vertical.
4
2
2
MR814
Cable/DSL
Wireless Router
Cable/DSL
modem
Gaming console with
ME101 802.11b Wireless
Ethernet Bridge
family
room
family
room
Macintosh computer with
ME101 802.11b Wireless
Ethernet Bridge
Internet
NETGEAR
3
Desktop PC with
Ethernet connection

4. Turn off the gaming console or other Ethernet-enabled device.
5 Connect the provided Ethernet cable between the ME101 Wireless Bridge and the gaming
console or other Ethernet-enabled device.
Note: The ME101 Wireless Bridge should be connected to one device only. Don’t connect
it through a network switch or hub.
6. Connect the power adapter to the wireless bridge and plug the power adapter in to a
power outlet. The Power and Wireless LAN lights should light up.
7. After you see the Wireless LAN light light up, turn on the gaming console or other
Ethernet-enabled device.
If the bridge and the Ethernet-enabled device are successfully connected, the Network
light will light up. This light flashes when there is network activity.
Note: If your setup works with the default settings, you don’t need to install the software
from the provided CD to configure the bridge unless you need to change the
Country/Region setting from the default setting (U.S.A.).
Default Ethernet AntennaDC in 5V
Gaming console or other
Ethernet-enabled device
ME101 Wireless
Ethernet Bridge
5

Configuring Your ME101
If the default settings don’t work in your wireless network, you need to configure the bridge.
Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID), IP Address,
and WEP Security Settings
You may want to print this page separately, fill in the configuration parameters, and put it in a
safe place for possible future reference. For an existing wireless network, the person who set up
the network will be able to provide this information.
Note: For the access point or router and the bridge to communicate with each other, both must
be configured with the same SSID, WEP security settings, and the same IP subset address.
•Wireless Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the
wireless local area network. Any is the default ME101 SSID. If you have named your
wireless network with a different SSID, write your network’s SSID on the line below.
Wireless network name (SSID): ______________________________
•Bridge IP Address: Your Ethernet network has an IP subset address given as a set of three
numbers (xxx.xxx.xxx.yyy) plus a last set of numbers to identify each device on the
network. The default IP address for the bridge is 192.168.0.200. To communicate to your
Ethernet network, the bridge must have an address consistent with your network’s IP
address. If you need to change the bridge’s IP address, write down the new address.
Bridge’s IP address: ______________________________
•WEP Security Encryption key: The default WEP encryption mode of the bridge is
disabled. If you have set up WEP security on your wireless network (through the router or
access point), you’ll need to configure the bridge using the same WEP security parameters.
WEP Encryption Key Size, circle one: 40/64 or 128 bits
WEP Encryption Passphrase, if used in the router or access point: ___________________
A passphrase is used to automatically generate the WEP hexadecimal numbers for the key.
Otherwise, you will have to manually enter up to four hexadecimal numbers.
WEP Hexadecimal Numbers: ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
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3
6

Installing the Configuration Utility
To configure the bridge you use the configuration utility on the included GearBox CD.
Note: To run the configuration utility, you must have the bridge directly connected using the
provided Ethernet crossover cable to a computer running Windows 98 or 98SE, Me, 2000, or
XP. If you have a Macintosh®computer, use the browser-based configuration procedure on
page 11.
1. Insert the GearBox CD in a networked computer’s CD-ROM drive.
The NETGEAR software installation utility should start up automatically.
2. Click Install Utility.
3. Follow the instructions on screen to install the ME101 Configuration Utility.
4. Click Finish.
5. Restart the computer.
6. If you had the bridge connected to another device, you must connect it to the computer
where you installed the Configuration Utility.
a. If you had the bridge powered up, unplug it.
b. Connect the provided Ethernet crossover cable
between the computer and the bridge.
c. Plug the power adapter into the bridge and
then plug the power adapter into a power
source.
Default Ethernet AntennaDC in 5V
ME101 Wireless
Ethernet Bridge
7

Configuring the Bridge for Your Wireless Network
Once you are logged into the Configuration Utility, you can view the status of your home
wireless network and current configuration of the bridge, change the password, enable WEP
security (if you have it set up on your wireless network), select a specific network for the
wireless connection or make other configuration changes.
1. Choose Programs>NETGEAR ME101 Bridge>ME101 Configuration Utility from the
Start menu.
2. If the bridge’s name doesn’t appear in the Bridge Name list, select Browse to have the
utility search for an active bridge.
3. Type password as the password.
4. Click Login.
5. Click the Configuration tab.
6. Either select an SSID name assigned to the wireless
router or access point from the list or type the SSID
name.
Note: If you have NETGEAR wireless devices, the
default SSID is Wireless or NETGEAR.
7. If you are not in the United States, select the correct
country or region from the Country/Region list. Click
Yes to accept the new country or region.
Warning: Having the bridge set to the wrong country
or region may result in the violation of local laws.
8. Type the correct IP address for the bridge. The first
three sets of numbers (xxx.xxx.xxx.yyy) should be the
same as your access point or router. The last set of numbers (.yyy) should be a unique set
of numbers on your network.
9. Click Apply.
10. If you are through making changes, click Exit.
11. To use the bridge with a different computer or other Ethernet-enabled device, return to
Installing the ME101 on page 4 to connect the bridge.
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