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Linksys WRT54GX User Manual
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Linksys WRT54GX User Manual

Linksys WRT54GX User Manual

2.4ghz wireless-g broadband router with srx
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®
A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.4
GHz
Wireless-G
802.11g

User Guide

Broadband Router
WIRELESS
with SRX
WRT54GX
Model No.

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  • Page 1: User Guide

    ® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. Wireless-G 802.11g User Guide Broadband Router WIRELESS with SRX WRT54GX Model No.
  • Page 2 Wireless-G Broadband Router 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 © 2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What’s in this Guide? Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Network Layout Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router The Back Panel The Front Panel Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router Overview...
  • Page 4 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults The Administration Tab - Firmware Upgrade The Administration Tab - Config Management The Status Tab - Router The Status Tab - Local Network The Status Tab - Wireless The Status Tab - System Performance Appendix A: Troubleshooting Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked Questions...
  • Page 5 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX List of Figures Figure 3-1: The Router’s Back Panel Figure 3-2: The Router’s Reset Button Figure 3-3: The Router’s LEDs Figure 4-1: The Router’s Ports Figure 5-1: Password Screen Figure 5-2: Setup Tab - Basic Setup Figure 5-3: DHCP Connection Type Figure 5-4: Static IP Connection Type Figure 5-5: PPPoE Connection Type...
  • Page 6 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Figure 5-27: Port Services Figure 5-28: Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Range Forward Figure 5-29: Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Triggering Figure 5-30: Applications and Gaming Tab - DMZ Figure 5-31: Applications and Gaming Tab - UPnP Forwarding Figure 5-32: Administration Tab - Management Figure 5-33: Administration Tab - Log Figure 5-34: Administration Tab - Diagnostics...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1: Introduction

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX. The Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX will allow you to network wirelessly better than ever, sharing Internet access, files and fun, easily and securely.

  • Page 8: What's In This Guide

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX What’s in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX. • Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Router’s applications and this User Guide. •...
  • Page 9 This appendix supplies the Router’s warranty information. • Appendix I: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Router’s regulatory information. • Appendix J: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support. Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide?

  • Page 10: Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless local area network is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each computer in the wireless network uses a wireless device to connect to the network. Computers in a wireless network share the same frequency channel and SSID, which is an identification name shared by the wireless devices belonging to the same wireless network.
  • Page 11 Linksys's switches (such as the EZXS55W or EZXS88W). With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Wireless-G Broadband Router.

  • Page 12: Chapter 3: Getting To Know The Wireless-G Broadband Router

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband Router The Back Panel The Router's ports, where the cables are connected, are located on the back panel. Reset Button There are two ways to reset the Router's factory defaults.

  • Page 13: The Front Panel

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Front Panel The Router’s LEDs, where information about network activity is displayed, are located on the front panel. 1, 2, 3, 4 Green. These numbered LEDs, corresponding with the numbered ports on the Router’s back panel, serve two purposes.

  • Page 14: Chapter 4: Connecting The Wireless-G Broadband Router

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband Router Overview This chapter includes two sets of instructions. If the Wireless-G Broadband Router will be the only router in your network, follow the instructions in “Hardware Installation for Connection to Your Broadband Modem.” If you want to install the Wireless-G Broadband Router behind another router in your network, follow the instructions in “Connecting One Router to Another.”...

  • Page 15: Chapter 5: Configuring The Wireless-G Broadband Router

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Chapter 5: Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router Overview You should always use the Setup CD-ROM when first installing the Router. If you do not wish to run the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD-ROM, you can use the Web-based Utility to configure the Router. For advanced users, you may configure the Router’s advanced settings through the Web-based Utility.

  • Page 16: The Setup Tab - Basic Setup

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Setup Tab - Basic Setup The first screen that appears displays the Setup tab. This allows you to change the Router's general settings. Change these settings as described here and click the Save Settings button to apply your changes or Cancel Changes to cancel your changes.

  • Page 17: Figure 5-4: Static Ip Connection Type

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX • Static IP. If you are required to use a permanent IP address to connect to the Internet, select Static IP. Internet IP Address. This is the Router’s IP address, when seen from the Internet. Your ISP will provide you with the IP Address you need to specify here.

  • Page 18: Figure 5-6: Pptp Connection Type

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX • PPTP. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a service that applies to connections in Europe only. Specify Internet IP Address. This is the Router’s IP address, as seen from the Internet. Your ISP will provide you with the IP Address you need to specify here.

  • Page 19: Figure 5-8: Optional Settings

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Optional Settings Some of these settings may be required by your ISP. Verify with your ISP before making any changes. Router Name. In this field, you can type a name of up to 39 characters to represent the Router. Host Name/Domain Name.

  • Page 20: Figure 5-10: Network Address Server Settings

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) The settings allow you to configure the Router’s Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server function. The Router can be used as a DHCP server for your network. A DHCP server automatically assigns an IP address to each computer on your network.

  • Page 21: The Setup Tab - Ddns

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Setup Tab - DDNS The Router offers a Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS) feature. DDNS lets you assign a fixed host and domain name to a dynamic Internet IP address. It is useful when you are hosting your own website, FTP server, or other server behind the Router.

  • Page 22: The Setup Tab - Mac Address Clone

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Setup Tab - MAC Address Clone A MAC address is a 12-digit code assigned to a unique piece of hardware for identification. Some ISPs will require you to register a MAC address in order to access the Internet. If you do not wish to re-register the MAC address with your ISP, you may assign the MAC address you have currently registered with your ISP to the Router with the MAC Address Clone feature.

  • Page 23: The Setup Tab - Advanced Routing

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Setup Tab - Advanced Routing This tab is used to set up the Router’s advanced functions. NAT Mode allows you to select the type(s) of advanced functions you use. Static Routing sets up a fixed route to another network destination. NAT Mode.

  • Page 24: The Wireless Tab - Basic Wireless Settings

    (use any of the characters on the keyboard). Make sure this setting is the same for all points in your wireless network. For added security, you should change the default SSID (linksys) to a unique name. Wireless Channel. Select the appropriate channel from the list provided to correspond with your network settings.

  • Page 25: The Wireless Tab - Wireless Security

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Wireless Tab - Wireless Security The Wireless Security settings configure the security of your wireless network. There are four wireless security mode options supported by the Router: WPA Pre-Shared Key, WPA RADIUS, and WEP. (WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access, which is a security standard stronger than WEP encryption.

  • Page 26: Figure 5-19: Wireless Tab - Wireless Security (Wep)

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX WEP. WEP is a basic encryption method, which is not as secure as WPA. To use WEP, select a Default Transmit Key (choose which Key to use), and a level of WEP encryption, 64 bits 10 hex digits or 128 bits 26 hex digits. Then either generate a WEP key using the Passphrase or enter the WEP key manually.

  • Page 27: The Wireless Tab - Wireless Mac Filter

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Wireless Tab - Wireless MAC Filter Wireless access can be filtered by using the MAC addresses of the wireless devices transmitting within your network’s radius. Wireless MAC Filter. To filter wireless users by MAC Address, either permitting or blocking access, click Enable. If you do not wish to filter users by MAC Address, select Disable.

  • Page 28: The Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Wireless Tab - Advanced Wireless Settings This tab is used to set up the Router’s advanced wireless functions. These settings should only be adjusted by an expert administrator as incorrect settings can reduce wireless performance. Basic Rate Set.

  • Page 29: The Security Tab - Firewall

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX RTS Threshold. Should you encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor reduction of the default value, 2347, is recommended. If a network packet is smaller than the preset RTS threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will not be enabled. The Router sends Request to Send (RTS) frames to a particular receiving station and negotiates the sending of a data frame.

  • Page 30: The Access Restrictions Tab - Internet Access

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Access Restrictions Tab - Internet Access The Internet Access screen allows you to block or allow specific kinds of Internet usage and traffic, such as Internet access, designated services, websites, and inbound traffic during specific days and times. Internet Access Policy.

  • Page 31: Figure 5-26: List Of Pcs

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX 5. Click the appropriate option, Deny or Allow, depending on whether you want to block or allow Internet access for the PCs you listed on the List of PCs screen (shown in Figure 5-26). 6. Decide which days and what times you want this policy to be enforced. Select the individual days during which the policy will be in effect, or select Everyday.

  • Page 32: The Applications And Gaming Tab - Port Range Forward

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Applications and Gaming Tab - Port Range Forward The Applications and Gaming Tab allows you to set up public services on your network, such as web servers, ftp servers, e-mail servers, or other specialized Internet applications. (Specialized Internet applications are any applications that use Internet access to perform functions such as videoconferencing or online gaming.

  • Page 33: The Applications And Gaming Tab - Dmz

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Applications and Gaming Tab - DMZ The DMZ feature allows one network user to be exposed to the Internet for use of a special-purpose service such as Internet gaming or videoconferencing. DMZ hosting forwards all the ports at the same time to one PC. The Port Range Forward feature is more secure because it only opens the ports you want to have opened, while DMZ hosting opens all the ports of one computer, exposing the computer to the Internet.

  • Page 34: The Administration Tab - Management

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX When you have finished making changes to the screen, click the Save Settings button to save the changes, or click the Cancel Changes button to undo your changes. For help information, click More. The Administration Tab - Management This section of the Administration tab allows the network’s administrator to manage specific Router functions for access and security.

  • Page 35: The Administration Tab - Log

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX UPnP UPnP. UPnP allows Windows XP and Windows Me to automatically configure the Router for various Internet applications, such as gaming and videoconferencing.To enable UPnP, check the Enabled box. Because allowing this may present a risk to security, this feature is disabled by default. Change these settings as described here and click the Save Settings button to apply your changes or Cancel Changes to cancel your changes.

  • Page 36: The Administration Tab - Factory Defaults

    Firmware can be upgraded by clicking the Upgrade button after browsing for the firmware, which you can download from the Linksys website. Do not upgrade your firmware unless you are experiencing problems with the Router. For more information about upgrading firmware, refer to “Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware”.

  • Page 37: The Administration Tab - Config Management

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Administration Tab - Config Management The Config Management screen allows you to backup the Router’s settings and restore them later. Simply, click the Backup button and save the config file to your hard drive. When you wish to restore the config file, click the Browse button to locate the file and then click the Restore button.

  • Page 38: The Status Tab - Local Network

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Status Tab - Local Network The Local Network screen on the Status Tab displays the status of your network. MAC Address. This is the Router’s MAC Address, as seen on your local, Ethernet network. IP Address.

  • Page 39: The Status Tab - Wireless

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Status Tab - Wireless The Wireless screen on the Status Tab displays the status of your wireless network. MAC Address. This is the Router’s MAC Address, as seen on your local, wireless network. Mode. As selected from the Wireless tab, this will display the wireless mode (Mixed, G-Only, or Disabled) used by the network.

  • Page 40: The Status Tab - System Performance

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX The Status Tab - System Performance The System Performance screen displays status information about network traffic for the Internet, wireless activities, and wired connectivity. System Performance Internet/Wireless Statistics for the network traffic on the Internet connection and wireless connectivity are shown in two separate columns.
  • Page 41 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Packets Sent. The number of packets sent is displayed here. Bytes Received. The number of bytes received is shown here. Bytes Sent. The number of bytes sent is shown here. Error Packets Received. The number of error packets received is displayed here. Dropped Packets Received.

  • Page 42: Appendix A: Troubleshooting

    Provided are possible solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Router. Read the descriptions below to help you solve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.
  • Page 43 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX • For Windows 2000: 1. Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel. Double-click Network and Dial-Up Connections. 2. Right-click the Local Area Connection that is associated with the Ethernet adapter you are using, and select the Properties option. 3.
  • Page 44 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX • Refer to “Appendix D: Windows Help” for details. Make sure Obtain IP address automatically is selected in the settings. B Open a command prompt. For Windows 98SE and Me: • Click Start and Run. In the Open field, type command. Press the Enter key or click the OK button. For Windows 2000 and XP: •...
  • Page 45 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX 6. I am not able to access the Setup page of the Router’s web-based utility. • Refer to “Problem #2, I want to test my Internet connection” to verify that your computer is properly connected to the Router. •...
  • Page 46 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX 8. I need to set up online game hosting or use other Internet applications. If you want to play online games or use Internet applications, most will work without doing any port forwarding or DMZ hosting. There may be cases when you want to host an online game or Internet application.
  • Page 47 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Follow these steps to set DMZ hosting: 1. Access the Router’s web-based utility by going to http://192.168.1.1 or the IP address of the Router. Go to the Applications & Gaming => Port Forwarding tab. 2. Disable or remove the entries you have entered for forwarding. Keep this information in case you want to use it at a later time.
  • Page 48 “Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware.” 14. I need to upgrade the firmware. In order to upgrade the firmware with the latest features, you need to go to the Linksys website and download the latest firmware at www.linksys.com.
  • Page 49 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX 6. You may see the login status display as Connecting. Press the F5 key to refresh the screen, until you see the login status display as Connected. • Click the Save Settings button to continue. •...
  • Page 50 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX • For DSL users - 1) Make sure you have typed in your user name and password correctly. Some service providers use your full email address as the user name. If you are sure you have enter the right user name, try using username@[isp.com], where isp.com is the name of your service provider.

  • Page 51: Frequently Asked Questions

    Does the Router support any operating system other than Windows 98SE, Windows Millennium, Windows 2000, or Windows XP? Yes, but Linksys does not, at this time, provide technical support for setup, configuration or troubleshooting of any non-Windows operating systems. Does the Router support ICQ send file? Yes, with the following fix: click ICQ menu ->...
  • Page 52 How will I be notified of new Router firmware upgrades? All Linksys firmware upgrades are posted on the Linksys website at www.linksys.com, where they can be downloaded for free. To upgrade the Router’s firmware, use the System tab of the Router’s web-based utility. If the Router’s Internet connection is working well, there is no need to download a newer firmware version, unless...
  • Page 53 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX that version contains new features that you would like to use. Downloading a more current version of Router firmware will not enhance the quality or speed of your Internet connection, and may disrupt your current connection stability.
  • Page 54 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX How do I get mIRC to work with the Router? Under the Port Forwarding tab, set port forwarding to 113 for the PC on which you are using mIRC. Can the Router act as my DHCP server? Yes.
  • Page 55 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX maintain contact with the wireless network even when not actually transmitting data. Achieving these functions simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technology that links access points and nodes. In such a system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates such factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currently being carried by each access point and the distance of each access point to the wired backbone.
  • Page 56 How many channels/frequencies are available with the Router? There are eleven available channels, ranging from 1 to 11 (in North America). If your questions are not addressed here, refer to the Linksys website, www.linksys.com. Appendix A: Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions...

  • Page 57: Appendix B: Wireless Security

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation.
  • Page 58 This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.) Hackers know these defaults and can check these against your network. Change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use.
  • Page 59 These security recommendations should help keep your mind at ease while you are enjoying the most flexible and convenient technology Linksys has to offer. Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks...

  • Page 60: Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware

    The Broadband Router's firmware is upgraded through the Web-based Utility's Administration tab. Follow these instructions: 1. Download the firmware from Linksys's website at www.linksys.com. 2. Click Firmware Upgrade from the Web-Utility's Administration tab, and the Upgrade Firmware screen, will appear.

  • Page 61: Appendix D: Windows Help

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Appendix D: Windows Help All Linksys wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed through Windows Help and are described in this appendix.

  • Page 62: Appendix E: Finding The Mac Address And Ip Address For Your Ethernet Adapter

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Appendix E: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter This section describes how to find the MAC address for your computer’s Ethernet adapter so you can use the MAC filtering and/or MAC address cloning feature of the Router. You can also find the IP address of your computer’s Ethernet adapter.

  • Page 63: Windows 2000 Or Xp Instructions

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Windows 2000 or XP Instructions 1. Click Start and Run. In the Open field, enter cmd. Press the Enter key or click the OK button. 2. At the command prompt, enter ipconfig /all. Then press the Enter key. 3.

  • Page 64: Appendix F: Glossary

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Appendix F: Glossary 802.11b - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. 802.11g - An IEEE 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.
  • Page 65 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX CTS (Clear To Send) - A signal sent by a wireless device, signifying that it is ready to receive data. Database - A collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.
  • Page 66 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Firewall - A set of related programs located at a network gateway server that protects the resources of a network from users from other networks. Firmware - The programming code that runs a networking device. Fragmentation -Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.
  • Page 67 Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products. Ping (Packet INternet Groper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
  • Page 68 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - The standard e-mail protocol on the Internet. Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program". SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall - A technology that inspects every incoming packet of information before allowing it to enter the network.
  • Page 69 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - The address of a file located on the Internet. VPN (Virtual Private Network) - A security measure to protect data as it leaves one network and goes to another over the Internet. WAN (Wide Area Network)- The Internet.

  • Page 70: Appendix G: Specifications

    Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Appendix G: Specifications Model WRT54GX Standards IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b Channels 11 Channels (US, Canada) 13 Channels (Europe) Ports/Buttons Internet: One 10/100 RJ-45 Port LAN: Four 10/100 RJ-45 Switched Ports One Power Port...
  • Page 71 Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX Power External, 12V DC, 1.0A Certification FCC, IC-03, CE Operating Temp. 0° C to 40° C (32° F to 104° F) Storage Temp. -10° C to 65° C (-14° F to 149° F) Operating Humidity 5% to 80% Non-Condensing Storage Humidity 5% to 80% Non-Condensing...

  • Page 72: Appendix H: Warranty Information

    Your exclusive remedy and Linksys' entire liability under this warranty will be for Linksys at its option to repair or replace the Product or refund Your purchase price less any rebates.

  • Page 73: Appendix I: Regulatory Information

    Canadian regulations. EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE) Linksys declares that the Wireless-G Broadband Router conforms to the specifications listed below, following the provisions of the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC: EN 301 489-1, 301 489-17 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.
  • Page 74 European community and countries that have adopted the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC. For more details on legal combinations of power levels and antennas, contact Linksys Corporate Compliance. Linksys vakuuttaa täten että Wireless-G Broadband Router tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä...

  • Page 75: Appendix J: Contact Information

    Can't find information about a product you want to buy on the web? Do you want to know more about networking with Linksys products? Give our advice line a call at: Or fax your request in to: If you experience problems with any Linksys product,...

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