Wireless Settings Help

NOTE: To ensure proper agency compliance and compatibility between similar products in your area; the operating channel & region must be set correctly by you.

Placement of the Router to Optimize Wireless Connectivity

The operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the physical placement of the Router. For best results, place your Router:

• Near the center of the area in which your PCs will operate,
• In an elevated location such as a high shelf,
• Away from potential sources of interference, such as PCs, microwaves, and cordless phones,
• With the Antenna tight and in the upright position,
• Away from large metal surfaces.

Note: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation or inability to wirelessly connect to the Router.

Wireless Network

Name (SSID)

Enter a value of up to 32 alphanumeric characters. The same Name (SSID) must be assigned to all wireless devices in your network. The default SSID is NETGEAR, but NETGEAR strongly recommends that you change your networks Name (SSID) to a different value. This value is also case-sensitive. For example, Wireless is not the same as wireless.

Region

Select your region from the drop-down list. This field displays the region of operation for which the wireless interface is intended. It may not be legal to operate the Router in a region other than the region shown here. If your country or region is not listed, please check with your local government agency or check our website for more information on which channels to use.

Channel

This field determines which frequency will be used. It should not be necessary to change the wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby access point.
Select auto if you want the Netgear device to find the best channel for you.

Mode

Select the desired wireless mode. The options are:

• b and g   - Both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless stations can be used.
• g only   - Only 802.11g wireless stations can be used.

Note:

• 802.11b - 11Mbps.
• 802.11g - 54Mbps.
• The default is "b and g", which allows both "b" and "g" wireless stations to access this device.

Wireless Access Point

Enable Wireless Access Point

The Wireless Access Point of this Router can be enabled or disabled to allow wireless access. The wireless icon on the front of the Router will also display the current status of the Wireless Access Point to let you know if it is disabled or enabled.

If Enabled, wireless stations will be able to access the Internet.
If Disabled, wireless stations will not be able to access the Internet.

Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID)

If Enabled, the SSID will broadcast its name to all Wireless Stations. Stations which have no SSID (or a "null" value) can then adopt the correct SSID for connections to this Access Point.

Wireless Isolation

If Enabled, the Wireless Stations will be hidden from each other, and will not be able to communicate with each other. For normal situations, this setting should be left at the default value of Disabled.

Wireless Station Access List

By default, any wireless PC that is configured with the correct SSID will be allowed access to your wireless network. For increased security, you can restrict access to the wireless network to only allow specific PCs based on their MAC addresses. From the Wireless Settings menu, click the Setup Access List button to display the Wireless Station Access List menu.

Security Options

Select the desired option, and ensure all your Wireless stations have the same setting:

• Disable - This will disable the security function. Data will not be encrypted before transmission.
• WEP - WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), if used, encrypts data before transmission. This provides greater security and privacy. All Wireless Stations need to use the same settings (WEP Key size and WEP key).
• WPA-PSK - This version of WPA uses a PSK (Pre-shared Key) for authentication, so you don't need a Radius Server. All Wireless stations need to use the same PSK (Pre-shared Key). Data transmissions are encrypted using a 256 Bit key derived from the PSK. This key changes regularly, providing greater protection. WPA is more secure than WEP, and should be used if possible.
• WPA2-PSK - This is a later version of WPA which offers improved security.
• WPA-PSK+WPA2-PSK - If selected, wireless clients may use either WPA or WPA2. This option is sometimes called "Mixed Mode".
• WPA-802.1x - This version of WPA requires the use of a Radius server for authentication. Each user (Wireless Client) must have a "user" login on the Radius Server, and this device must have a "client" login on the Radius server. Data transmissions are encrypted using a key which is automatically generated.
• WPA2-802.1x - This is the later version of WPA requires the use of a Radius server for authentication.
• WPA-802.1x+WPA2-802.1x - If selected, wireless clients may use either WPA or WPA2. This option is sometimes called "Mixed Mode".

WEP Security Encryption

Authentication Type

Normally this can be left at the default value of "Automatic." If that fails, select the appropriate value - "Open System" or "Shared Key." Check your wireless card's documentation to see what method to use.

Encryption Strength

Select the WEP Encryption level:

• 64-bit (sometimes called 40-bit) encryption
• 128-bit encryption

WEP Key

You can manually or automatically program the four data encryption keys. These values must be identical on all PCs and Access Points in your network.

Automatic Key Generation (Passphrase)

Enter a word or group of printable characters in the Passphrase box and click the Generate button to automatically configure the WEP Key(s). If encryption strength is set to 64 bit, then each of the four key boxes will automatically be populated with key values. If encryption strength is set to 128 bit, then only the selected WEP key box will automatically be populated with key values.

Manual Entry Mode

Select which of the four keys will be used and enter the matching WEP key information for your network in the selected key box.

For 64 bit WEP - Enter ten hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, A-F).

For 128 bit WEP - Enter twenty-six hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0-9, A-F).

Be sure to click Apply to save your settings in this menu.

WPA-PSK Security Encryption

Network Key

For WPA-PSK, you need to enter the Network Key here. The Key must be from 8 to 63 ASCII characters. Your Wireless Stations must use the same key.

WPA Encryption

Currently, only TKIP is supported. Ensure your Wireless Stations are also using TKIP. Normally, this is the default. If there is no choice of encryption methods for WPA-PSK, then you can assume TKIP will be used.

WPA2-PSK Security Encryption

Network Key

For WPA2-PSK, you need to enter the Network Key here. The Key must be from 8 to 63 ASCII characters. Your Wireless Stations must use the same key.

WPA2 Encryption

Ensure your Wireless Stations are using the same encryption type. If there is no choice of encryption methods for WPA2-PSK, then you can assume AES will be used.

WPA-PSK+WPA2-PSK Security Encryption

Network Key

Enter the Network Key here. The Key must be from 8 to 63 ASCII characters. Your Wireless Stations must use the same key.

Encryption

Ensure your Wireless Stations are using the same encryption type. TKIP and AES are supported.

WPA-802.1x Security Encryption

Radius Server Name/IP Address

Enter the name or IP address of the Radius Server on your LAN.

• Each user (Wireless Client) must have a "user" login on the Radius Server.
• This device must have a "client" login on the Radius server. The login name is the name of this device.

Radius Port

Enter the port number which is used for connections to your Radius Server.

Shared Key

Enter the shared key, as configured on your Radius server, for the "client" login for this device.

WPA2-802.1x Security Encryption

Radius Server Name/IP Address

Enter the name or IP address of the Radius Server on your LAN.

• Each user (Wireless Client) must have a "user" login on the Radius Server.
• This device must have a "client" login on the Radius server. The login name is the name of this device.

Radius Port

Enter the port number which is used for connections to your Radius Server.

Shared Key

Enter the shared key, as configured on your Radius server, for the "client" login for this device.

WPA-802.1x+WPA2-8021x Security Encryption

Radius Server Name/IP Address

Enter the name or IP address of the Radius Server on your LAN.

• Each user (Wireless Client) must have a "user" login on the Radius Server.
• This device must have a "client" login on the Radius server. The login name is the name of this device.

Radius Port

Enter the port number which is used for connections to your Radius Server.

Shared Key

Enter the shared key, as configured on your Radius server, for the "client" login for this device.

To Save Or Cancel Changes

Click Apply to have your changes take effect.
Click Cancel to return to the previous unsaved settings.
Click Re-Scan Now to force the device to auto-select a new channel immediately.