Autosensing Ethernet Connections With Auto Uplink; Extensive Protocol Support - NETGEAR RangeMax WPN824 Reference Manual

Reference Manual for the RangeMax Wireless Router WPN824

Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink

With its internal 4-port 10/100 switch, the WPN824 can connect to either a 10 Mbps standard
Ethernet network or a 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet network. Both the LAN and WAN interfaces are
autosensing and capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.
The router incorporates Auto Uplink
whether the Ethernet cable plugged into the port should have a 'normal' connection such as to a
computer or an 'uplink' connection such as to a switch or hub. That port will then configure itself
to the correct configuration. This feature also eliminates the need to worry about crossover cables,
as Auto Uplink will accommodate either type of cable to make the right connection.

Extensive Protocol Support

The WPN824 router supports the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP) and Routing Information Protocol (RIP). For further information about TCP/IP, see
"Wireless Communications" in Appendix
• IP Address Sharing by NAT.
The WPN824 router allows several networked computers to share an Internet account using
only a single IP address, which your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may statically or
dynamically assign. This technique, known as NAT, allows the use of an inexpensive single-
user ISP account.
• Automatic Configuration of Attached Computers by DHCP.
The WPN824 router dynamically assigns network configuration information, including
IP, gateway, and domain name server (DNS) addresses, to attached computers on the LAN
using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This feature greatly simplifies
configuration of computers on your local network.
• DNS Proxy.
When DHCP is enabled and no DNS addresses are specified, the router provides its own
address as a DNS server to the attached computers. The router obtains actual DNS addresses
from the ISP during connection setup and forwards DNS requests from the LAN.
• PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE).
PPPoE is a protocol for connecting remote hosts to the Internet over a DSL connection by
simulating a dial-up connection. This feature eliminates the need to run a login program such
as Entersys or WinPOET on your computer.
2-4
technology. Each Ethernet port will automatically sense
TM
B.
v1.0, November 2005
Introduction