Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome; Chapter 1: Introduction; Welcome - Linksys WAP54GPE User Manual

Wireless-G Exterior Access Point

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Exterior Access Point. 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. In fact, the
Wireless-G Exterior Access Point can support communications on up to eight wireless networks, using Virtual
Local Area Network (VLAN) technology.
The Wireless-G Exterior Access Point also offers the convenience of Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability, so it
can receive data and power over a single Ethernet network cable. And with the advantage of its weather-proof
housing, you can mount the Access Point outside to extend your wireless networking range and mobility to the
outdoors. You can even connect wired networks in two different buildings, by using two Access Points set to
Wireless Bridge mode.
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.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
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.
network: a series of computers or devices connected
together.
lan (local area network): the computers and networking
products that make up your local network.
poe (power over ethernet): a technology enabling an
Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.
ethernet: network protocol that specifies how data is
placed on and retrieved from a common transmission
medium.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your
PC.
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.
802.11b: a wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating
frequency of 2.4GHz.
1