D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ 2.4 GHz Wireless Access Point Manual Rev.
Contents 1. Package Contents ...................................... 3 2. Introduction .................................................. 4 3. Wireless Basics ........................................... 7 4. Getting Started.......................................... 10 5. Using the Configuration Menu .............. 12 6. Using the AirPlus AP Manager.............. 21 7. Troubleshooting ........................................ 25 8. Networking Basics ................................... 30 9.
1. Package Contents Contents of Package: • • • • • D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Access Point Power Supply – 5V DC, 2.0A Manual on CD Quick Installation Guide Ethernet Cable Note: Using a power supply with a different voltage rating than the one included with the DWL-900AP+ will cause damage and void the warranty for this product. If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
2. Introduction The D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ Wireless Access Point is an enhanced 802.11b high-performance wireless access point. It is an ideal way to extend the reach and number of computers connected to your wireless network. Unlike most 802.11b access points, the DWL-900AP+ is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 22 Mbps (compared to the standard 11 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus products such as the DWL-520+ Wireless PCI Adapter.
Features & Benefits • Up to 2X Faster with AirPlus Products - high-speed wireless data transfer rates up to 22Mbps. With twice the data rate and capacity, the DWL-900AP+ delivers media rich content such as digital images, videos, and MP3 files much faster than standard 802.11b networks • Fully 802.11b Compatible – Fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard and interoperable with all existing 802.11b compliant devices • Improved Performance – Up to 20% faster data transfer rates on standard 802.
LEDS LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode.
3. Wireless Basics D-Link AirPlus wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or public access wireless networks. Strictly adhering to the IEEE standard, the D-Link AirPlus wireless family of products will allow you to securely access the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.
Wireless Basics Network Expansion - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go. Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs will be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves, adds, and changes.
sense the best possible connection speed to ensure optimal network performance. Installation Considerations Designed to go up to 1,312 feet (400 meters) outdoors and up to 328 feet (100 meters) indoors, D-Link’s AirPlus DWL-900AP+ lets you access your network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere. Keep in mind, however, that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through may limit the range.
4. Getting Started Right out of the box, with its default settings, the DWL-900AP+ will automatically connect with other D-Link Air or AirPlus products. For the price of a single IP Address from your Broadband Internet Service provider you can share the Internet with all the computers on your local network, without sacrificing speed or security, using D-Link AirPlus networking products.
Getting Started Setting Up an Infrastructure Network Please refer to the following sections of this manual for additional information about setting up a network: Networking Basics- learn how to check your IP Address; share printers and files. Using the Configuration Utility- learn the settings you must use on each computer in your network for successful communication.
5. Using the Configuration Menu The Configuration Menu for the DWL-900AP+ is web-based. When using the configuration program, please consider the following: You will need a JavaScript-enabled web-browser such as Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher. The computer that you are using for initial configuration must have an IP Address within the same range as the IP Address of the DWL-900AP+. The DWL-900AP+ has a default IP Address of 192.168.0.50 with subnet mask of 255.255.
Using the Configuration Menu Whenever you want to configure your network or the DWL-900AP+, you can access the Configuration Utility by opening the web-browser and typing in the IP Address of the DWL-900AP+. The DWL-900AP+’s default IP Address is shown below: • • Open the web browser Type in the IP Address of the Access Point Fig. 5.1 (The IP Address shown in the example above is the default setting.
Using the Configuration Menu AP Name: You may choose to rename your Access Point, especially if you have more than one Access Point on your network. SSID: (Service Set Identifier) “default” is the default setting. The SSID is a unique name that identifies a network. All devices on a network must share the same SSID name in order to communicate on the network. If you choose to change the SSID from the default setting, input your new SSID name in this field. The SSID can be up to 32 characters in length.
Using the Configuration Menu The illustration at right shows the recommended default setting (Disabled) for the DHCP Server function of the DWL-900AP+. If you wish to use the DWL-900AP+ as a DHCP server (not recommended if you already have a DHCP enabled router/gateway on your network) then select Enabled. Enter the IP Address range and click Apply, if you have made any changes. Home > DHCP Fig. 5.
Using the Configuration Menu Advanced > Performance The default Performance settings are shown here. Beacon Interval: Beacons are packets sent by an Access Point to synchronize a wireless network. Specify a Beacon interval value. Default (100) is recommended. RTS Threshold: This value should remain at its default setting of 2,432. If you encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor modifications to the value range between 256 and 2,432 are recommended.
Using the Configuration Menu Advanced > Filters Fig. 5.8 Use MAC Filters to allow or deny wireless connection to the DWL900AP+. Select Disable MAC Filters (default) to disable this feature. Select Only allow the MAC address… or Only deny the MAC address… and enter the MAC Address of the selected computer into the field above. Or you can click on the pull-down arrow next to the Connected PCs field, select the computer from the list, and click Clone.
Using the Configuration Menu Tools > System The current system settings can be saved as a file onto the local hard drive by clicking Save. The saved file can be loaded back on the DWL-900AP+ by clicking Browse. When you have selected the settings file, click Load. Click Restore to return to Factory Default Settings. Fig. 5.10 Tools > Firmware Upgrade the firmware for the Access Point. Click on the link to find upgrades to the firmware on the D-Link website at http://support.dlink. com.
Using the Configuration Menu This page displays the current information for the DWL-900AP+. It will display the Ethernet and Wireless information. Ethernet: MAC Address IP Address Subnet Mask Gateway DHCP Server Wireless: MAC Address SSID Encryption Channel AP mode Status > Device Info Fig. 5.12 Status > Log The DWL-900AP+ keeps a running log of events and activities occurring on the Access Point. If the device is rebooted, the logs are automatically cleared.
Using the Configuration Menu Status > Stats Displays the network traffic statistics for both received and transmitted communications through the Ethernet port and wireless connections associated with the Access Point. Fig. 5.14 Status > Wireless Displays the list of computers that are connected to the DWL-900AP+ wirelessly. Fig. 5.
6. Using the AirPlus AP Manager The AirPlus Access Point Manger is a Windows based program to help you manage multiple Access Points in one easy view. • • Begin the installation by inserting the DWL-900AP+ CD into your CDROM. The AP Manager is also available for download at support.dlink.com. Click Install AirPlus AP Manager • The following screen will appear. • Click Next • Click Next • Click Finish to complete installation.
Using the AirPlus AP Manager Link Information The Link Information screen displays the current settings of the selected Access Point AP Settings The AP Settings screen will allow you to change the Access Point settings for the selected Access Point. AP Settings > Advanced Settings The Advanced Settings will allow you to adjust advanced settings for the selected Access Point.
Using the AirPlus AP Manager IP Settings The IP Settings screen will allow you to change the IP Address settings for the selected Access Point. WEP Settings The WEP Settings Screen will allow you to apply Wireless Encryption Protocol to the selected Access Point.
Using the AirPlus AP Manager Firmware Upgrade The Firmware Upgrade screen will allow you to apply new version of the firmware to selected Access Point.
7. Troubleshooting This chapter provides solutions to problems that can occur during the installation and operation of the DWL-900AP+ Wireless Access Point. We cover various aspects of the network setup, including the network adapters. Please read the following if you are having problems. Note: It is recommended that you use an Ethernet connection to configure the DWL-900AP+ Access Point. 1. The computer used to configure the DWL-900AP+ cannot access the Configuration menu.
Troubleshooting 2. The wireless client cannot access the Internet in the Infrastructure mode. • Make sure the wireless client is associated and joined with the correct Access Point. To check this connection: Right-click on the Local Area Connection icon in the taskbar> select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network screen will appear. Please make sure you have selected the correct available network, as shown in the illustrations below.
Troubleshooting 3. Check that the drivers for the network adapters are installed properly. You may be using different network adapters than those illustrated here, but this procedure will remain the same, regardless of the type of network adapters you are using.
Troubleshooting • Double-click on Network Adapters • Right-click on D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Wireless Cardbus Adapter • Select Properties to check that the drivers are installed properly D-Link AirPlus DWL-650 Wireless Cardbus Adapter D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Wireless Cardbus Adapter • Look under Device Status to check that the device is working properly.
Troubleshooting 4. Resetting the DWL-900AP+ to Factory Default Settings After you have tried other methods for troubleshooting your network, you may choose to Reset the DWL-900AP+ to the factory default settings. Remember that D-Link AirPlus products network together, out of the box, at the factory default settings.
8. Networking Basics Using the Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP In this section you will learn how to establish a network at home or work, using Microsoft Windows XP. Note: Please refer to websites such as http://www.homenethelp.com and http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000 for information about networking computers using Windows 2000, ME or 98. Go to Start>Control Panel>Network Connections Select Set up a home or small office network When this screen appears, Click Next.
Networking Basics Please follow all the instructions in this window: Click Next In the following window, select the best description of your computer. If your computer connects to the Internet through a gateway/router, select the second option as shown.
Networking Basics Enter a Computer description and a Computer name (optional.) Click Next Enter a Workgroup name. All computers on your network should have the same Workgroup name.
Networking Basics Please wait while the Network Setup Wizard applies the changes. When the changes are complete, click Next. Please wait while the Network Setup Wizard configures the computer. This may take a few minutes.
Networking Basics In the window below, select the option that fits your needs. In this example, Create a Network Setup Disk has been selected. You will run this disk on each of the computers on your network. Click Next. Insert a disk into the Floppy Disk Drive, in this case drive A. Format the disk if you wish, and click Next.
Networking Basics Please wait while the Network Setup Wizard copies the files. Please read the information under Here’s how in the screen below. After you complete the Network Setup Wizard you will use the Network Setup Disk to run the Network Setup Wizard once on each of the computers on your network. To continue click Next.
Networking Basics Please read the information on this screen, then click Finish to complete the Network Setup Wizard. The new settings will take effect when you restart the computer. Click Yes to restart the computer. You have completed configuring this computer. Next, you will need to run the Network Setup Disk on all the other computers on your network. After running the Network Setup Disk on all your computers, your new wireless network will be ready to use.
Networking Basics Naming your Computer To name your computer, please follow these directions: In Windows XP: • Click Start (in the lower left corner of the screen) • Right-click on My Computer • Select Properties and click • Select the Computer Name Tab in the System Properties window. You may enter a Computer description if you wish, this field is optional.
Networking Basics Naming your Computer • In this window, enter the Computer name. • Select Workgroup and enter the name of the Workgroup. • All computers on your network must have the same Workgroup name.
Networking Basics Checking the IP Address in Windows XP/2000 Type Command Click OK Checking the IP Address in Windows XP/2000 Type ipconfig /all at the prompt. Press Enter. All the configuration settings are displayed as shown below.
