Linksys WAP54GP Network Router User Manual


 
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Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet. 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 Access Point with Power Over Ethernet can support communications on up to eight wireless
networks, using Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) technology.
The Wireless-G Access Point with Power Over Ethernet also offers the convenience of Power over Ethernet (PoE)
capability, so it can receive data and power over a single Ethernet network cable.
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.
802.11b: a wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating
frequency of 2.4GHz.
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.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your
PC.
ethernet: network protocol that specifies how data is
placed on and retrieved from a common transmission
medium.
lan (local area network): the computers and networking
products that make up your local network.
network: a series of computers or devices connected
together.
poe (power over ethernet): a technology enabling an
Ethernet network cable to deliver both data and power.
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.