NETGEAR WAB102 - 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access... User manual

NETGEAR, Inc.
4401 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
User’s Guide for the
WAB102 802.11a+b Dual
Band Wireless Access
Point
10001 1
0
November 2002

NETGEAR, INC.
www.NETGEAR.com
Technical Support
Please register to obtain technical support. Please retain your proof of
purchase and warranty information.
To register your product, get product support or obtain product information and
product documentation, go to http://www.NETGEAR.com. If you do not have
access to the World Wide Web, you may register your product by filling out the
registration card and mailing it to NETGEAR customer service.
You will find technical support information at:
http://www.NETGEAR.com/ through the customer service area. If you want to
contact technical support by telephone, see the support information card for the
correct telephone number for your country.
© 2002 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR is a registered trademark of NETGEAR, INC. Windows is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR
reserves the right to make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the
product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

i
Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
About the Wireless Access Point .............................................................1
System Requirements ..............................................................................3
What’s In the Box? ...................................................................................4
Hardware Description ..............................................................................5
Chapter 2
Setting Up Basic Wireless Connectivity
What You Will Need Before You Begin ....................................................9
Installation Overview ..............................................................................10
Install the WAB102 Wireless Access Point ............................................10
Basic Configuration ................................................................................14
Chapter 3
Protecting Your Wireless Network
Enabling Basic Wireless Access Security Features ...............................34
Chapter 4
Troubleshooting
Basic Functioning ...................................................................................41

Introduction 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter introduces the NETGEAR Model WAB102 802.11a+b Wireless
Access Point.
Minimal prerequisites for installation are presented in “System Requirements“ on
page 3.
About the Wireless Access Point
Congratulations on your purchase of NETGEAR's WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual
Band Wireless Access Point, which gives you the ultimate in office mobility. This
high-speed wireless device simultaneously supports both IEEE 802.11a and
802.11b wireless networks and lets you quickly network multiple PCs and
notebooks without laying new cables, and gives users the freedom to roam
throughout the workplace and stay connected to corporate resources, e-mail, and
the Internet.
The WAB102 provides built-in capacity and flexibility for growing networks so
it's easy to add new clients or move your entire network to a new location.
Equipped with auto-sensing capability, it allows packet transfer at up to 108 Mbps
in turbo mode for maximum throughput. This access point will automatically
adjust to the most efficient speed for the maximum distance in a noisy
environment.

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
2Introduction
Benefits
• Ultimate mobility – One Access point provides both 802.11a (5 GHz) and
802.11b (2.4 GHz) wireless networks.
• Blazing fast speeds – Up to 54 Mbps, and up to 108 Mbps in turbo mode for
models shipped in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
• Dual band capability protects your existing 802.11b wireless network
investment while installing a new 802.11a network.
• Seamlessly integrates into an existing 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
LAN.
Features
The key features of the WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
are:
• Reliable IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b standards-based wireless technology.
• Interfaces directly to 10 Mbps IEEE 802.3 Ethernet and 100 Mbps IEEE
802.3u Fast Ethernet networks.
• Up to 108 Mbps high-speed rate in turbo mode (for models shipped in the
United States, Canada, and Australia). Wireless nodes negotiate to operate at
an optimal data transfer rate. In a noisy environment or when the distance
between the wireless nodes is too far, the wireless nodes will automatically
adjust to the most efficient speed for the distance.
• Provides the highest available level of industry-standard WEP encryption:
128-bit for 802.11b devices and up to 152-bit for 802.11a devices
• MAC Address Filtering provides increased security.
• Extensive coverage and available bandwidth with twelve (12)
non-overlapping channels in the 5 GHz band (5.15 to 5.35 GHz, 5.725 to
5.825 GHz); three (3) non-overlapping channels in the 2.4 GHz band (2.412
to 2.484 GHz)
• Supports Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to avoid cross interference
with radar systems used in certain European countries.
• Supports Transmit Power Control (TPC) for use in Europe.

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
Introduction 3
System Requirements
Before installing the WAB102, make sure your system meets these requirements:
• A 10/100 Mbps Local Area Network device such as a hub or switch.
• The Category 5 UTP straight through Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connector
included in this package or one like it.
• A 100-240 V, 50-60 HZ AC power source.
• A Web browser for configuration such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or
above, or Netscape Navigator 4.78 or later version.
• At least one computer with the TCP/IP protocol installed.
• Other 802.11a or 802.11b-compliant devices, such as the NETGEAR
WAB501 Dual Band Wireless Adapter.
Note: The WAB102 should be connected to a router, switch or hub
installed as shown in the figure below.
Wireless PC Card
in a Notebook Computer
Router, Switch, or
Hub on an
Ethernet LAN
Cable or DSL modem
WAB102 Dual Band
Wireless Access Point

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
4Introduction
What’s In the Box?
The product package should contain the following items:
• WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
• Power adapter and cord (5Vdc, 3.8A)
•WAB102 User's Guide (this guide)
• Straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable - 25 feet
• Support Information Card
• Warranty and Registration card
Please contact your reseller or customer support in your area if there are any
wrong, missing, or damaged parts. You can refer to the Support Information Card
for the telephone number of customer support in your area. You should keep the
Support Information card, along with the original packing materials, and use the
packing materials to repack the WAB102 Dual Band Wireless Access Point if you
need to return it for repair.
To qualify for product updates and product warranty registrations, we encourage
you to register on the NETGEAR Web page at: http://www.NETGEAR.com.
Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products
For a list of compatible products from other manufacturers, see the Wireless
Ethernet Compatibility Alliance website (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net).
Compatible NETGEAR products are listed below.
The following NETGEAR products work with the WAB102 dual band AP.
• POE101 Power Over Ethernet Adapter
• WAB501 a/b Dual Band Wireless PC Card Adapter
• HA501 802.11a Wireless 32-bit PC Card Adapter
• MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card
• MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter
• ME102 802.11b Wireless Access Point
• MA311 802.11b Wireless PCI Adapter
• MR314 802.11b Wireless Cable/DSL Router
• MA701 802.11b Wireless Compact Flash Card

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
Introduction 5
802.11a+b Standards-based Wireless Networking
The WAB102 Wireless Access Point provides a bridge between Ethernet wired
LANs and both 802.11a and 802.11b compatible wireless LAN networks. It
provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped
wireless notebook systems, desktop systems, print servers, and other devices. The
WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point supports the following
hardware functions:
• External dual-band antenna assembly to support antenna diversity
• Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption accomplished on the fly
• Firmware stored in flash to allow easy firmware upgrade.
Additionally, the WAB102 supports the following wireless features:
• Distributed coordinated function (CSMA/CA, Back off procedure, ACK
procedure, retransmission of unacknowledged frames)
• RTS/CTS handshake
• Beacon generation
• Fragmentation and reassembly
• Authentication Algorithm (Open System, Shared Key)
• Short or long preamble
• Roaming among access points on the same subnet
Hardware Description
The WAB102 802.11 a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point hardware functions
are described below.

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
6Introduction
WAB102 Wireless Access Point Front Panel
The WAB102 Dual Band Wireless Access Point provides these status LEDs.
The following table explains the LED indicators:
LED DESCRIPTION
Power
Off
On
No power. If this LED does not come on with the power adapter and
cord correctly installed, see Chapter 4, Troubleshooting.
Power is on.
Blink Indicates self test, loading software, or system fault (if continues).
Note: This LED may blink for a minute before going on steady.
Ethernet Link/Activity
Off
Green On
Indicates no Ethernet link detected.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet link detected, no activity
Green Blink Indicates data traffic on the 100Mbps LAN
Amber On 10Mbps Ethernet Link detected but no activity.
Amber Blink Indicates data traffic on the 10Mbps LAN
802.11a WLAN Link/Activity
Off No wireless link.
Slow Blink
Fast Blink
Associated with network but no activity.
Indicates the WAB102 802.11a wireless data transmission.
802.11b WLAN Link/Activity
Off No wireless link.
Slow Blink
Fast Blink
Associated with network but no activity
Indicates the WAB102 is 802.11b wireless data transmission.
Power Ethernet 802.11a 802.11b
WLAN WLAN

User’s Guide for the WAB102 802.11a+b Dual Band Wireless Access Point
Introduction 7
WAB102 Wireless Access Point Rear Panel
Power Socket
This socket connects to the WAB102 power adapter.
Restore to Factory Default Button
The Restore to Default button located between the Ethernet RJ-45 connector
and the Power socket restores the WAB102 to the factory default settings.
RJ-45 Ethernet Port
Use the WAB102 Ethernet RJ-45 port to connect to and Ethernet LAN through
a device such as a hub, switch, or router.
Power Adapter Cable Holder
Use the enclosed screw and wire saddle to secure the power cable.
Warning: Use only the power adapter that came with the WAB102.
Power
Socket
Restore to
Factory Default
Switch
Ethernet
Port
Power
Adapter
Cable
Holder