WPNT834 Manual: How to Set Up and Test Basic Wireless Connectivity

Follow the instructions below to set up and test basic wireless connectivity. Once you have established basic wireless connectivity, you can enable security settings appropriate to your needs.

	Note: If you use a wireless computer to configure WPA settings, you will be disconnected when you click Apply. Reconfigure your wireless adapter to match the new settings or access the wireless router from a wired computer to make any further changes.

Log in to the WPNT834 firewall at its default LAN address of http://www.routerlogin.net (or http://192.168.1.1) with its default user name of admin and default password of password, or using whatever LAN address and password you have set up.

Click Wireless Settings in the main menu of the WPNT834 firewall.

Figure 4-4

Choose a suitable descriptive name for the wireless network name (SSID). In the SSID box, enter a value of up to 32 alphanumeric characters. The default SSID is NETGEAR.


	Note: The SSID is case sensitive; NETGEAR is not the same as nETgear. Also, the SSID of any wireless access adapters must match the SSID you configure in the RangeMax 240 Wireless Router WPNT834. If they do not match, you will not get a wireless connection to the WPNT834.

Set the Region. Select the region in which the wireless interface will operate.

Set the Channel. The default channel is Auto.

This field determines which operating frequency is used. It should not be necessary to change the wireless channel unless you notice interference problems with another nearby wireless router or access point. Select a channel that is not being used by any other wireless networks within several hundred feet of your firewall. For more information on the wireless channel frequencies, see Wireless Communications.

For initial configuration and testing, leave the Wireless Card Access List set to "Everyone" and the Encryption Strength set to "Disabled."

Click Apply to save your changes.


	Note: If you are configuring the firewall from a wireless computer and you change the firewall's SSID, channel, or security settings, you will lose your wireless connection when you click Apply. You must then change the wireless settings of your computer to match the firewall's new settings.

Configure and test your computers for wireless connectivity.

Program the wireless adapter of your computers to have the same SSID and channel that you configured in the router. Check that they have a wireless link and are able to obtain an IP address by DHCP from the firewall.


	Warning: The Network Name (SSID) is case sensitive. If NETGEAR is the Network Name (SSID) in your wireless router, you must enter NETGEAR in your computer's wireless settings. Typing nETgear will not work.

Once your computers have basic wireless connectivity to the firewall, you can configure the advanced wireless security functions of the firewall.