User’s Guide Network Blaster Wireless Access Point Router CW2202 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.
Contents
Contents Introduction Package Contents ........................................................................................................................... System Requirements .................................................................................................................... Model Number, Serial Number and MAC Address ............................................................ More Help .................................................................................................
Configuring Advanced Settings Configuring LAN settings ............................................................................................................. Configuring Wireless MAC Address Access Control ........................................................ Configuring Forwarding settings ................................................................................................ Configuring Wireless Advanced settings ..........................................................................
Channels ........................................................................................................................................... C-1 Security ............................................................................................................................................. C-1 Dimensions ...................................................................................................................................... C-1 D Safety Precautions General Safety .................
Introduction
Introduction Thank you for choosing the Creative Network Blaster™ Wireless Access Point (AP) Router. Your Creative wireless device comes equipped with Turbo-G™ technology, which improves your device's performance by 35%, without affecting that of other wireless local area network (WLAN) devices in the neighbourhood. Powerful router functions and a user-friendly web-based configuration make it easy to set up and share a single broadband Internet connection with multiple clients.
Model Number, Se ria l N u m b e r and MAC Address Record the model number, serial number and the MAC addresses on your Wireless AP Router. More Help Depending on the type of broadband internet service that you subscribe to, you may need additional information from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to complete the setup of your Wireless AP Router. Contact your ISP's customer or technical support staff for details.
Document Conventions This User’s Guide uses the following icons to highlight useful or urgent information. Tip. This tells you about short cuts or hints relating to a feature. Note. This highlights additional or important information about a feature. Caution! This highlights proper usage of your product. Follow these directions to prevent the loss of data, or damage to your product or system. Warning! This warns you of possible hazards that may result in bodily harm or life-threatening situations.
About Your Wireless AP Router
About Your Wireless AP Router Front Panel The front panel has light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that show the status of your Wireless AP Router.
LED LAN 1, 2, 3, 4 Status ❍ Off: Network device not connected or not ready ❍ On: Network device connected and ready ❍ Blinking: Sending/Receiving data via wired LAN Rear Panel POWER connector Connects to the 12 V DC power adapter LAN ports Connect to the Ethernet ports of your computer Antenna Sends data to, and receives data from, wireless clients INTERNET port Connects to the DSL modem or cable modem RESET button Erases all of your configured settings and replaces them with the factory defaults CW
Setting Up Your Wireless AP Router
Setting Up Your Wireless AP Router 1. Before you begin, choose the best location for your Wireless AP Router. For optimal reception and performance, place the Wireless AP Router in the center of your wireless LAN, on a flat horizontal surface, and where there is minimum obstruction between wireless clients and the Wireless AP Router. 2. Position the antenna such that it points up, and attach the optional stand if you want to place your Wireless AP Router upright.
3. Set up your Wireless AP Router as shown in Figure 3-2. Wireless clients Power adapter Power outlet Wireless AP Router Up to four computers can be connected via wire to your Wireless AP Router.
4. Although not essential to operation, configure your security settings after setting up your Wireless AP Router to safeguard the data exchanged within your network. Congratulations! Depending on your hardware configuration, you should be able to access the Internet from any wired or wireless client connected to your Wireless AP Router right away. If not, additional steps may be required to set up your Wireless AP Router properly.
Configuring Basic Settings
Configuring Basic Settings This chapter guides you through the steps required to access your Wireless AP Router’s configuration page, and thereafter, to configure its basic settings. The arrangement of information in this chapter is designed to benefit users who are new to networking.
Step 1: Preparing a client Make sure that the computer you are using has a functioning network interface card (NIC). You can access your Wireless AP Router’s configuration page using any computer on your wired or wireless LAN. Whichever you choose, you must first make sure that the computer can communicate with your Wireless AP Router.
To check the IP address assigned to your NIC In Windows 98 SE/Me 1. Click Start → Programs (or All Programs, if you are in Windows XP Start menu mode) → Accessories → Command Prompt. 2. When the Command Prompt dialog box appears, type ipconfig and press the key. Verify that your IP address is 192.168.2.xxx and your Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0. If they are not, go to steps 3 and 4 below. 3. Type ipconfig/release and press the key. 4. Type ipconfig/renew and press the key.
Configuring your wireless client Refer to the User’s Guide of your computer’s wireless adapter if you need instructions on changing its wireless settings. 3. In the IP Configuration dialog box that appears, click the arrow next to the first box and then click the name of your network device to select it. Verify that your IP address is 192.168.2.xxx and your Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0. If they are not, go to steps 4 and 5 below. 4. Click the Release button and then click the Renew button.
Step 2: Configuring basic settings on your Wireless AP Router After preparing a computer, you can configure the basic settings of your Wireless AP Router using a web browser. Disabling the proxy setting in your web browser To access your Wireless AP Router’s configuration page, the HTTP Proxy feature in your web browser has to be disabled. Accessing the configuration page To disable the HTTP Proxy feature in Internet Explorer: 1. Start Internet Explorer and click the Stop button. 2.
3. A dialog box appears prompting you for a username and password. Type admin in the User Name and Password boxes (Figure 4-1). 4. Click the OK button.
5. You should see the Creative Network Blaster Wireless AP Router System Status page loaded in your browser (Figure 4-2).
Configuring Internet connection settings These Internet connection settings depend on your subscription with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you are not sure of your configuration, check with your ISP. In order for your Wireless AP Router to access the Internet, its Internet connection settings have to be configured to suit the protocol that your broadband modem uses to connect to the Internet.
PPPoE connection If you connect to the Internet using a DSL Modem, and the use of your account requires entering a login name and password, select the PPPoE option in the Protocol field. User Name/Password Type the Username and Password given by your ISP. After you have updated the various settings, make sure you click the Apply button for changes to take effect. Select NAT Routing or Bridging to configure your computer network. Always On option Allows a PPP session to be kept online continously.
DHCP connection If you connect to the Internet using a cable modem, select the DHCP option in the Protocol field. IP Address/Subnet Mask Displays the IP Address and Subnet Mask that is obtained automatically from the ISP. After you have updated the various settings, make sure you click the Apply button for changes to take effect. MAC Address A MAC (Media Access Control) Address is a unique hexadecimal identification number given to each network device. Click this link to view this page.
Fixed IP connection (using static IP address) If you connect to the Internet using a DSL Modem, and the use of your account requires you to manually enter your IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS servers, select the Manual Config option in the Protocol field. IP Address/Subnet Mask Type the fixed IP address and its associated subnet mask provided by your ISP. After you have updated the various settings, make sure you click the Apply button for changes to take effect.
Configuring Wireless LAN settings The Wireless LAN page is where you configure the wireless LAN settings of your Wireless AP Router. Refer to Figure 4-6 to learn more about configuring these settings. Wireless SSID A name that identifies a wireless LAN. It is recommended that you change your Wireless AP Router’s SSID so that your wireless LAN can easily be distinguished from others in the vincinity.
Configuring Wireless Security settings Although not essential to operation, configure your Wireless Security settings after setting up your Wireless AP Router to safeguard the data exchanged within your network. Your Wireless AP Router supports two main wireless security standards: Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access-Pre Shared Key (WPA-PSK).
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a data stream encryption technology that allows you to define up to four keys shared between APs and wireless clients. Unauthorized wireless clients that do not have the same keys are locked out. Refer to Figure 4-7 to learn more about configuring these settings. For more information about configuring WEP settings, see "About Network Security" on page B-1. Data Encryption (WEP) Enables or disables WEP encryption.
Wi-Fi Protected Access-Pre Shared Key (WPA-PSK) Conceived to address the vulnerabilities of WEP, Wi-Fi Protected Access-Pre Shared Key (WPA-PSK) affords you a simple yet powerful way of securing your wireless network. Its Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), which generates up to five hundred trillion unique data encryption keys derived from a single Pre Shared Key, makes it difficult - if not impossible - for aspiring intruders to gain access to your network by obtaining a common key.
Configuring Advanced Settings
Configuring Advanced Settings Configuring LAN settings The Local Area Network (LAN) page is where you configure the LAN settings of your Wireless AP Router. Refer to Figure 5-1 to learn more about configuring these settings. DHCP Server Lets you enable or disable your Wireless AP Router DHCP server. Click this link to view this page. IP Pool Range Specifies the range of IP addresses that can be assigned to clients when you enable your Wireless AP Router DHCP server.
Configuring Wireless MAC Address Access Control If you want to customize security settings, go to the Access Control section shown in Figure 5-2. By controlling MAC address access, you can determine which wireless clients have access to your wireless LAN. Refer to Figure 5-2 to learn more about configuring these settings. Network devices, such as USB adapters, PCMCIA cards, DSL modems and PCI ethernet cards, have labels displaying a MAC address.
Configuring Forwarding settings If you want Internet users to access your LAN, you can use either De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) or Port Forwarding. For DMZ, enter your PC server IP address. For Port Forwarding, select the applications for predefined ports. Alternatively, you can also specify your own port. DMZ IP Address Type the LAN server IP address here. Click this link to view this page.
Configuring Wireless Advanced settings If you want to customize settings to fine-tune your wireless LAN performance on certain networks, go to the Advanced section shown in Figure 5-4. Do not change these settings if you are unsure about how to configure advanced settings. Click this link to view this page. HELP Click the HELP button for more information on these parameters.
Changing router web page access password If you want to change the username and password needed to gain access to administrator settings, go to the System Setup section. Calendar settings can also be customized here. Refer to Figure 5-5 to learn more about configuring these settings. Configure calendar settings here. Click the Administrator link and then the System Setup link to view this page. Change your User Name and Password here.
Upgrading Firmware If you want to upgrade the firmware settings of your Wireless AP Router, go to the Firmware Upgrade section. Current firmware and bootcode versions are also shown here. Refer to Figure 5-6 to learn more about configuring these settings. Do not turn off your Wireless AP Router when upgrading the firmware. Click the Administrator link and then the Firmware Upgrade link to view this page. Locate New Firmware Lets you locate and upgrade to new firmware.
Restoring or saving a profile If you want to save settings or recall saved group settings quickly, go to the User Configuration section. Default settings can also be restored here. Refer to Figure 5-7 to learn more about configuring these settings. Resetting your Wireless AP Router will erase all of your configured settings (LAN, wireless LAN, WEP, etc.) and replace them with the factory defaults. Do not reset your Wireless AP Router if you want to retain your settings.
Resetting the Wireless AP Router To reset your Wireless AP Router to its factory defaults, use a straightened paperclip to press the RESET button while turning your Wireless AP Router off and then on again. Keep the RESET button depressed throughout. Continue pressing the RESET button for another 10 or more seconds before releasing it. Resetting your Wireless AP Router will erase all of your configured settings (LAN, wireless LAN, WEP, etc.) and replace them with the factory defaults.
About Wireless LANs
About Wireless LANs Wireless LANs are a revolutionary way of connecting devices to each other. In a wireless LAN, information is transmitted using radio waves. This means that you can establish a network of wireless devices in a room or across different rooms without linking the devices with wires and cables. Depending on your needs, a wireless LAN can be the sole network solution, or an extension of a wired LAN.
About Ad-Hoc Mode Ad-hoc mode allows for wireless-to-wireless communication. Wireless clients connected in this way can share files, printers, drives and other resources, as well as access the Internet using a shared modem. However, a wireless client can only communicate with other wireless clients that: ❑ are part of the same wireless LAN workgroup ❑ share the same IEEE 802.11 standard ❑ are within a fixed range Ad-hoc mode is also known as Peer-to-Peer mode.
About Infrastructure Mode In Infrastructure mode, a wireless client communicates with other wired and wireless clients through an AP router. A wireless client connected in this way can access resources of Ethernet or wireless LANs connected to the AP router, including access to the Internet using a shared modem.
Setting Up Wireless LANs When setting up a wireless LAN, take note of the following points: ❑ Start by determining the areas to be networked, the number of users and the type of devices to be used. Then determine if you require AP routers and where they should be placed. ❑ If two AP routers are placed close to each other, you can optimize your bandwidth by setting them to different channels. ❑ Radio waves can pass through walls and glass but not metal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions Turbo-G Your Creative wireless device comes equipped with Turbo-G™ technology, which improves your device's performance by 35%, without affecting that of other wireless local area network (WLAN) devices in the neighbourhood. By installing a few Turbo-G capable devices in the network, overall networking speed can be dramatically improved. Turbo-G technology is fully compliant with 802.11g and 802.11b standards.
How do I obtain maximum wireless networking performance? Make sure that your access point and wireless client are Turbo-G capable. Disable your wireless security options (for example, Wired Equivalent Privacy, Advanced Encryption Standard or WiFi Protected Access) in your web configuration.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications Standards ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Interface ❑ INTERNET port Antenna ❑ Internal diversity antenna (2.4 GHz) ❑ External diversity antenna (2.4 GHz) Frequency Band ❑ 2.4–2.4835 GHz Data Rate ❑ IEEE 802.11g: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps ❑ IEEE 802.11b: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps Channels ❑ 11 Channels (US, Canada), 13 Channels (Europe), 14 Channels (Japan) Security ❑ 64 or 128-bit WEP encryption ❑ WPA-PSK Dimensions ❑ Length: 37 mm ❑ Width: 134 mm ❑ Height: 170 mm IEEE IEEE IEEE IEEE 802.
Glossary
Glossary 10 Base-T A wiring standard used for Ethernet networks that can transmit data at up to 10 Mbps transmission using baseband unshielded twisted pair cables. The maximum cable length is 100 meters (330 feet). Ad-hoc mode A small peer-to-peer network mode, in which wireless clients are connected to each other directly without using an AP. Some of the wireless clients are part of the network for a limited duration. They are also in close proximity with the rest of the network.
Bridge A hardware device that links two or more physical networks and manages the transfer of data between these networks. The two networks connected can be alike or dissimilar. Broadband A transmission media that can handle the transmission of multiple messages at different frequencies, at one time. Broadband signals use analog carriers. BSS (Basic Service Set) A group of wireless clients and an AP using the same ID (SSID). Channel A channel is a separate path through which signals can flow.
DNS Server A server that contains both the English and numerical addresses of all computers connected to the Internet. When you specify an e-mail or IP address using the “English” domain name, the DNS server will return the corresponding numeric address. Domain Name A domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. Driver A program that a computer uses to control the operation of a peripheral device, such as a keyboard, modem, monitor, card, or cable.
Ethernet A LAN protocol that supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. It is a widely implemented LAN standard that operates over the twisted pair or coaxial cable. A version of Ethernet, called 100 Base-T (or FastEthernet), supports data transfer rates of 100 Mbps. FastEthernet An Ethernet specification with a speed of 100 Mbps (10 times faster than 10BaseT). Fragmentation Threshold The size at which the transmitted data packets are fragmented. The range extends from 256 to 2346 bytes.
IEEE 802.11g (draft) A 802.11 standard for wireless networking hardware. The 802.11g draft standard specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz, backward compatibility with 802.11b devices and WEP encryption for security. Infrastructure mode A LAN or other small network mode in which wireless clients are part of the network and use one or more APs to connect to a wired network. Each AP is connected to the Ethernet network using a standard Ethernet cable.
Kbps (Kilobits Per Second) A measure of data transfer speed. LAN (Local Area Network) A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to an office, single building, or group of buildings. LED (Light Emitting Diode) An electric component that emits light (turns ON) when current flows through it. MAC (Media Access Control) address A unique number that is assigned by manufacturers to each Ethernet network device.
NIC (Network Interface Card) A card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. The NIC manages the flow of network information to and from the computer. PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) An industry group organized in 1989 to promote standards for a card-size memory or I/O device that would fit into a personal computer. PCMCIA Card A card-size memory or I/O device that connects to a personal computer.
RJ-45 A connector/socket for four pairs of twisted pair cables that are used commonly to connect computers onto a local-area network, especially to the Ethernet. The only difference between an RJ-45 and RJ-11 connector is that an RJ-45 connector is slightly wider. Router A hardware device that connects two separately functional networks using the same or different protocols. Routers look at the destination addresses on the packets passing through them and then decide which route to send them on.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) A suite of communication protocols that are used by computers or networking devices on the Internet so that they can communicate with each other. TCP/IP uses several protocols, the two main being TCP and IP. Twisted pair cable A cable that consists of two wires twisted together. This cable is less expensive but more brittle than a coaxial cable.
Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions General Safety To avoid the risk of fire, electric shock or personal injury, note the following precautions when using the product: ❑ Do not expose the product to direct sunlight or excessive heat. ❑ Do not place the product in surroundings that exceed 40°C (104°F). ❑ Avoid humid conditions. Do not place the product near a water source or outlet. ❑ Do not clean the product with a damp cloth or liquid cleaner. ❑ Do not put any weight on the product.
Cleaning Unplug the product from the power source before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
