Introduction - Microsoft MN-500 User Manual

Note
The Setup Wizard guides you
through the process of
connecting and configuring
your base station. Install the
software and then follow the
steps in the wizard to connect
your new base station.

introduction.

The Microsoft Broadband
Networking Wireless Base Station
Congratulations on the purchase of your Microsoft
Networking Wireless Base Station! The base station allows you to
share an Internet connection, files, printers, and other devices
among all the computers on a wireless network. Your box contains:
Setup CD-ROM
Install This First! Base Station
Power Supply
The Microsoft Wireless Base Station can support over 200
simultaneous wired and wireless connections. You can use this
flexibility to choose the best type of network connection for each of
your networked devices. For a discussion of connection options,
see Chapter 2.
The typical network configuration is for the base station to serve
as the central access point for your wireless network and share
your broadband Internet connection with all the computers on the
network. For setup instructions, see Chapter 3.
The base station includes a firewall and network address
translation (NAT), which provide security for your broadband
Internet connection. This is especially important when an "always-
on" broadband Internet connection is shared among computers on
a home or small office network. With the base station installed,
intruders from the Internet cannot access the computers or files
on your network.
Even with the base station installed, however, your wireless
network is vulnerable to eavesdropping by other wireless networks,
and your system can be attacked by computer viruses. To protect
your network, establish a wireless security (also known as Wired
Equivalent Privacy, or WEP) key during setup, use an antivirus
program to protect against computer viruses, and follow basic
security rules such as setting strong passwords and not opening
unknown attachments.
Wireless
Base Station Stand
(Detachable)
Blue Ethernet
Cable
®
Broadband
Blank Floppy
Disk
User's Guide and
Start Here Guide