Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome; Chapter 1: Introduction; Welcome - Cisco Linksys WAG54GX2 User Manual

Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SRX200

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SRX200. This Gateway will provide your computers
with a high-speed Internet connection as well as resources, including files and printers.
How does the Gateway do all of this? By connecting the Internet, as well as your computers and peripherals, to
the Gateway, then the Gateway can direct and control communications for your network. Plus, since the Gateway
is wireless, Internet access can be shared over the wireless broadcast as well as the wired network.
The Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SRX200 combines smart antenna technology with standards-based,
Wireless-G (802.11g) networking. By overlaying the signals of two Wireless-G compatible radios, the "Multiple In,
Multiple Out" (MIMO) technology effectively doubles the data rate. Unlike ordinary wireless networking
technologies that are confused by signal reflections, MIMO actually uses these reflections to increase the range
and reduce "dead spots" in the wireless coverage area. The robust signal travels farther, maintaining wireless
connections up to two times farther than standard Wireless-G. And the farther away you are, the more advantage
you get—the higher data rate and reflection-friendly technology can yield up to six times more throughput than
Wireless-G in some situations. The Gateway avoids interference by dynamically switching to the clearest channel
available. Even your standard Wireless-G and -B equipment will work better when communicating with SRX-
enabled devices.
To protect your data and privacy, WPA encryption provides greater wireless security opportunities while the whole
network is protected through a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall and NAT technology. In addition, you can
safeguard your family with parental control features such as Internet access restrictions and keyword blocking.
These security features, as well as the Gateway's other settings, are accessed through the easy-to-use, browser-
based utility.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing Internet access and 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 not only are useful in homes and offices, but also can 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. Since the Gateway has
wireless capabilities, it can bridge your wired and wireless networks, letting them communicate with each other.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
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.
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.
network: a series of computers or devices
connected for the purpose of data sharing,
storage, and/or transmission between users
lan (local area network): The computers and
networking products that make up the network in
your home or office.
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