Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome; Chapter 1: Introduction - Linksys WRT54G3G User Manual

Wireless-G Router for 3G/UMTS Broadband

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Linksys Wireless-G Router for 3G/UMTS Broadband. The Wireless-G Router for
3G/UMTS Broadband will allow you to network wirelessly better than ever, sharing Internet access, files and fun,
easily and securely.
How does the Wireless-G Router for 3G/UMTS Broadband do all of this? A router is a device that allows access to
an Internet connection over a network. With the Wireless-G Router for 3G/UMTS Broadband, you can access the
Internet through either your 3G/UMTS or GPRS service (requires a Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/UMTS data card,
available separately), or you can use a cable or DSL modem for broadband service. Plus, this access can be
shared over the four switched ports or via the wireless broadcast at up to 54Mbps for Wireless-G or up to 11Mbps
for Wireless-B.
Use the WPA or WPA2 standard to secure your wireless network while the whole network is protected through a
Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall and Network Address Translation (NAT) technology. Run the Setup Wizard
and it will guide you through the steps. You can also access the Router's features through the easy-to-use,
browser-based utility.
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 or 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 Wireless Local Area Network. The Wireless-G Router for 3G/UMTS Broadband bridges wireless
networks of both 802.11b and 802.11g standards and wired networks, allowing them to communicate with each
other.
With your networks all connected, wired, wireless, and the Internet, you can now share files and Internet
access—and even play games. All the while, the Wireless-G Router for 3G/UMTS Broadband protects your
networks from unauthorised and unwelcome users.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
wpa (wi-fi protected access): a wireless security
protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)
encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a
RADIUS server.
spi (stateful packet inspection) firewall: a technology
that inspects incoming packets of information before
allowing them to enter the network.
firewall: Security measures that protect the
resources of a local network from intruders.
nat (network address translation): NAT technology
translates IP addresses of a local area network to a
different IP address for the Internet.
lan (local area network): The computers and
networking products that make up the network in
your home or office.
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