Linksys WRT54G user guide: Chapter 6: The Router's Web-based Utility

Instant Wireless® Series

6. To configure the Router for your wireless network(s), perform these steps:

A. If you have Wireless-G and 802.11b devices in your network, then keep the default Mode setting, Mixed. If you have only Wireless-G devices, select G-Only. If you want to disable wireless networking, select Disable.

B. Customize the SSID and Channel settings as needed. For added security, you should change the default SSID (linksys) to a unique name. Then click the Apply button to save your changes. For more information, refer to “Chapter 6: The Router’s Web-based Utility.”

C. To enable WEP encryption (recommended), click the Enable radio button next to WEP. Then click the Edit WEP Settings button, and customize the WEP encryption settings as needed. Click the Apply button to save your settings. For more information, refer to “Chapter 6: The Router’s Web-based Utility.”

7. If you haven’t already done so, click the Apply button to save your Setup settings. Close the web browser.

8. Restart your computers so that they can obtain the Router’s new settings.

Test the setup by opening your web browser from any computer and entering http://www.linksys.com/registration.

Figure 5-7

If you need more details or advanced setting information, please refer to “Chapter 6: The Router’s Web-based Utility” or the Linksys support website at support.linksys.com.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully configured the Router.

If you are unable to reach our website, you may want to review what you did in this section or refer to “Appendix A: Troubleshooting.”

Proceed to “Chapter 6: The Router’s Web-based Utility” for more details and advanced settings information.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Chapter 6: The Router's Web-based Utility

Overview

Use the Router’s web-based utility to administer it. This chapter will describe each web page in the Utility and each page’s key functions. The utility can be accessed via your web browser through use of a computer connected to the Router.

The Setup, Security, System, DHCP, Status, and Help screens are available for basic setup. For advanced setup, click the Advanced tab to access these screens: Advanced Wireless, Filters, Port Forwarding, Routing, and DDNS.

How to Access the Web-based Utility

To access the web-based utility, launch Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, and enter the Router’s default IP address, 192.168.1.1, in the Address field. Then press Enter.

Figure 6-1

A password request page, shown in Figure 6-2 will pop up. (Windows XP users will see a similar screen.) Leave the User Name field blank, and enter admin (the default password) in the Password field. Then click the OK button.

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Note: For added security, you should always change the password through the Security screen of the web-based utility.

To save your changes on any page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on any page, click the Cancel button. To get additional information about any screen's features, click the Help button.

Setup

The Setup screen is the first screen you see when you access the web-based utility. If you have already installed and set up the Router, you have already seen this screen and properly configured all of the screen's values.

Firmware Version This shows the version and date of the firmware you are using. Future versions of the Router's firmware will be posted and available for download on the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.

Time Zone Select the time zone for your location. If your location experiences daylight savings, leave the checkmark in the box next to Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes.

I nternet

MAC Address The MAC Address of the Internet interface is displayed here.

Host Name and Domain Name These fields allow you to supply a host and domain name for the Router. Some ISPs, usually cable ISPs, require these names as identification. You may have to check with your ISP to see if your broadband Internet service has been configured with a host and domain name. In most cases, leaving these fields blank will work.

Configuration Type The Router supports four connection types: Automatic Configuration - DHCP, Static IP, PPPoE, and PPTP. Each Setup screen and available features will differ depending on what kind of connection type you select.

Note: You can verify that the Internet configuration settings are correct by successfully connecting to the Internet.

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

A utomatic Configuration - DHCP

By default, the Router's Configuration Type is set to Automatic Configuration - DHCP, and it should be kept only if your ISP supports DHCP or you are connecting through a dynamic IP address.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

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Static IP

If you are required to use a permanent IP address to connect to the Internet, then select Static IP.

Internet IP Address This is the Router's IP address, when seen from the WAN, or the Internet. Your ISP will provide you with the IP Address you need to specify here.

Subnet Mask This is the Router's Subnet Mask, as seen by external users on the Internet (including your ISP). Your ISP will provide you with the Subnet Mask.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Default Gateway Your ISP will provide you with the Default Gateway Address, which is the ISP server's IP address.

DNS 1 (Required) and DNS 2-3 (Optional) Your ISP will provide you with at least one DNS (Domain Name System) Server IP Address.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

PPPoE

Some DSL-based ISPs use PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) to establish Internet connections. If you are connected to the Internet through a DSL line, check with your ISP to see if they use PPPoE. If they do, you will have to enable PPPoE.

User Name and Password Enter the User Name and Password provided by your ISP.

Connect on Demand: Max Idle Time You can configure the Router to cut the Internet connection after it has been inactive for a specified period of time (Max Idle Time). If your Internet connection has been terminated due to inactivity, Connect on Demand enables the Router to automatically re-establish your connection as soon as you attempt to access the Internet again. If you wish to activate Connect on Demand, click the radio button. In the Max Idle Time field, enter the number of minutes you want to have elapsed before your Internet connection terminates.

Keep Alive Option: Redial Period If you select this option, the Router will periodically check your Internet connection. If you are disconnected, then the Router will automatically re-establish your connection. To use this option, click the radio button next to Keep Alive. In the Redial Period field, you specify how often you want the Router to check the Internet connection. The default Redial Period is 30 seconds.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

PPTP

Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a service that applies to connections in Europe only (see Figure 6-8).

Internet IP Address This is the Router's IP address, when seen from the Internet. Your ISP will provide you with the IP Address you need to specify here.

Subnet Mask This is the Router's Subnet Mask, as seen by external users on the Internet (including your ISP). Your ISP will provide you with the Subnet Mask.

Default Gateway Your ISP will provide you with the Default Gateway Address.

User Name and Password Enter the User Name and Password provided by your ISP.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Important: For ADSL users, if you enable PPPoE, remember to remove any PPPoE applications that are already installed on any of your PCs.

Connect on Demand: Max Idle Time You can configure the Router to cut the Internet connection after it has been inactive for a specified period of time (Max Idle Time). If your Internet connection has been terminated due to inactivity, Connect on Demand enables the Router to automatically re-establish your connection as soon as you attempt to access the Internet again. If you wish to activate Connect on Demand, click the radio button. In the Max Idle Time field, enter the number of minutes you want to have elapsed before your Internet connection terminates.

Keep Alive Option: Redial Period If you select this option, the Router will periodically check your Internet connection. If you are disconnected, then the Router will automatically re-establish your connection. To use this option, click the radio button next to Keep Alive. To use this option, click the radio button next to Keep Alive. In the Redial Period field, you specify how often you want the Router to check the Internet connection. The default Redial Period is 30 seconds.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

LAN

MAC Address The MAC Address of the LAN interface is displayed here.

IP Address and LAN Subnet Mask The values for the Router's IP Address and Subnet Mask are shown here. The default values are 192.168.1.1 for the IP Address and 255.255.255.0 for the Subnet Mask.

Wireless 2.4GHz, 54g, Wireless-G

MAC Address The MAC Address of the wireless interface is displayed here.

Mode If you have Wireless-G and 802.11b devices in your network, then keep the default setting, Mixed. If you have only Wireless-G devices, select G-Only. If you want to disable wireless networking, select Disable.

SSID The SSID is the network name shared among all devices in a wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the wireless network. It is case-sensitive and must not exceed 32 alphanumeric characters, which may be any keyboard character. Make sure this setting is the same for all devices in your wireless network. For added security, Linksys recommends that you change the default SSID (linksys) to a unique name of your choice.

SSID Broadcast When wireless clients survey the local area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the Router. To broadcast the Router's SSID, keep the default setting, Enable. If you do not want to broadcast the Router's SSID, then select Disable.

Channel Select the appropriate channel from the list provided to correspond with your network settings, between 1 and 11 (in North America). All devices in your wireless network must use the same channel in order to function correctly.

WEP An acronym for Wired Equivalent Privacy, WEP is an encryption method used to protect your wireless data communications. WEP uses 64-bit or 128-bit keys to provide access control to your network and encryption security for every data transmission. To decode data transmissions, all devices-Wireless-G and 802.11b-in a network must use an identical WEP key. Higher encryption levels offer higher levels of security, but due to the complexity of the encryption, they may decrease network performance.

To enable WEP encryption, click the Enable radio button. Then click the Edit WEP Settings button to configure the WEP settings. To disable WEP encryption, keep the default setting, Disable.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

2.4GHz, 54g, Wireless-G (WEP)

The 2.4GHz, 54g, Wireless-G (WEP) screen allows you to configure your WEP settings. WEP encryption should always be enabled to increase the security of your wireless network.

Default Transmit Key Select which WEP key (1-4) will be used when the Router sends data. Make sure the receiving device is using the same key.

WEP Encryption Select the level of WEP encryption you wish to use, 64-bit 10 hex digits or 128-bit 26 hex digits. Higher encryption levels offer higher levels of security, but due to the complexity of the encryption, they may decrease network performance.

Passphrase Instead of manually entering WEP keys, you can enter a Passphrase. This Passphrase is used to generate one or more WEP keys. It is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. (This Passphrase function is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. If you want to communicate with non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on the non-Linksys wireless products.) After you enter the Passphrase, click the Generate button to create WEP keys.

Keys 1-4 WEP keys enable you to create an encryption scheme for wireless LAN transmissions. If you are not using a Passphrase, then manually enter a set of values. (Do not leave a key field blank, and do not enter all zeroes. These are not valid key values.)

If you are using 64-bit WEP encryption, then the key must be exactly 10 hexadecimal characters in length. If you are using 128-bit WEP encryption, then the key must be exactly 26 hexadecimal characters in length. Valid hexadecimal characters are "0"-"9" and "A"-"F".

Note: All Wireless-G and 802.11b devices in your network must use the same Passphrase or WEP key.

Check all the values, and click the Apply button to save your WEP settings. To cancel any changes you've entered on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

Security

The Security screen allows you to change the Router's security settings. You should change the factory default password, which is admin, to your own as soon as possible. All users who try to access the Router's web-based utility or Setup Wizard will be prompted for the Router's password.

Figure 6-8

Router Password The new Password must not exceed 32 characters in length and must not include any spaces. Enter the new Password in the second field to confirm it.

VPN Pass-Through Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is typically used for work-related networking. For VPN tunnels, the Router supports IPSec Pass-Through and PPTP Pass-Through.

IPSec - Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) is a suite of protocols used to implement secure exchange of packets at the IP layer. To allow IPSec tunnels to pass through the Router, IPSec Pass-Through is enabled by default. To disable IPSec Pass-Through, uncheck the box next to IPSec.

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PPTP - Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol is the method used to enable VPN sessions to a Windows NT 4.0 or 2000 server. To allow PPTP tunnels to pass through the Router, PPTP Pass-Through is enabled by default. To disable PPTP Pass-Through, uncheck the box next to PPTP.

Web Filters Using the Web Filters feature, you may enable up to four specific filtering methods.

Block Proxy - Use of WAN proxy servers may compromise the Router's security. Denying Proxy will disable access to any WAN proxy servers. To enable proxy filtering, click the Block Proxy box.

Block Java - Java is a programming language for websites. If you deny Java, you run the risk of not having access to Internet sites created using this programming language. To enable Java filtering, click the Block Java box.

Block ActiveX - ActiveX is a programming language for websites. If you deny ActiveX, you run the risk of not having access to Internet sites created using this programming language. To enable ActiveX filtering, click the Block ActiveX box.

Block Cookies - A cookie is data stored on your PC and used by Internet sites when you interact with them. To enable cookie filtering, click the Block Cookies box.

DMZ The DMZ hosting feature allows one local user to be exposed to the Internet for use of a special-purpose service such as Internet gaming or video-conferencing. DMZ hosting forwards all the ports at the same time to one PC. The Port Forwarding feature is more secure because it only opens the ports you want to have opened, while DMZ hosting opens all the ports of one computer, exposing the computer so the Internet can see it.

Any PC whose port is being forwarded must have its DHCP client function disabled and should have a new static IP address assigned to it because its IP address may change when using the DHCP function.

1. To expose one PC, select Enable.

2. Enter the computer's IP address in the DMZ Host IP Address field.

3. Click the Apply button.

Block WAN Request By enabling the Block WAN Request feature, you can prevent your network from being "pinged," or detected, by other Internet users. The Block WAN Request feature also reinforces your network security by hiding your network ports. Both functions of the Block WAN Request feature make it more difficult for outside users to work their way into your network. This feature is enabled by default. Select Disable to disable this feature.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

System

The System screen lets you control a variety of the Router's general features, from restoring factory defaults to enabling its remote management capability.

Restore Factory Defaults Click the Yes button to reset all configuration settings to their default values, and then click the Apply button. Any settings you have saved will be lost when the default settings are restored. This feature is disabled by default.

Upgrade Firmware

New firmware versions are posted at www.linksys.com and can be downloaded for free. If the Router already works well, there's no need to download a newer firmware version, unless that version has a new feature that you want to use. (To learn about any new firmware with new features, visit www.linksys.com.)

Note: By upgrading the Router's firmware, you may lose the Router's configuration settings, so make sure you write down the Router's settings before you upgrade its firmware.

To upgrade the Router's firmware:

1. Download the firmware upgrade file from www.linksys.com, and extract the file using a file archive utility such as WinZip.
2. Click the Upgrade button.
3. On the Upgrade Firmware screen (see Figure 6-10), click the Browse button to find the firmware upgrade file you extracted.

Figure 6-10

4. Double-click the firmware upgrade file you extracted.
5. Click the Upgrade button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Important: When you are upgrading the firmware, do NOT turn off the Router, and do NOT press the Reset button.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Multicast Pass-Through

IP Multicasting occurs when a single data transmission is sent to multiple recipients at the same time. Using the Multicast Pass-Through feature, the Router allows IP multicast packets to be forwarded to the appropriate computers. Keep the default setting, Enable, to support the feature, or select Disable to disable it.

MAC Cloning

You can clone the MAC address of your PC's network adapter onto the Router.

A MAC address is a 12-digit code assigned to a unique piece of hardware for identification. Some ISPs require that you register the MAC address of your PC's network adapter, which was connected to your cable or DSL modem during installation. To avoid calling your ISP and changing the MAC address that is registered with the ISP, follow these instructions:

1. Select Enable.
2. Enter your adapter's MAC address in the MAC Address field.
3. To save your new settings, click the Apply button. To cancel your changes, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

To disable MAC address cloning, keep the default setting, Disable.

If you do not know your adapter's MAC address, follow these instructions:

1. Click the Start button, and select Run.
2. Enter command in the field provided, and press the OK button.
3. At the command prompt, enter ipconfig /all. Then press the Enter key.
4. Write down your adapter's physical address; this is the adapter's MAC address.

Remote Management

This feature allows you to manage your Router from a remote location, via the Internet. To disable this feature, keep the default setting, Disable. To enable this feature, select Enable, and use the specified port (default is 8080) on your PC to remotely manage the Router. You must also change the Router's default password to one of your own, if you haven't already. A unique password will increase security.

To remotely manage the Router, enter http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8080 (the x's represent the Router's Internet IP address, and 8080 represents the specified port) in your web browser's Address field. You will be asked for the Router's password. After successfully entering the password, you will be able to access the Router's web-based utility.

Note: If the Remote Management feature is enabled, anyone who knows the Router's Internet IP address and password will be able to alter the Router's settings.

MTU MTU is the Maximum Transmission Unit. It specifies the largest packet size permitted for Internet transmission. Keep the default setting, Auto, to have the Router select the best MTU for your Internet connection. To specify a MTU size, select Manual, and enter the value desired (default is 1400). You should leave this value in the 1200 to 1500 range.

Log The Router can keep logs of all traffic for your Internet connection. To disable the Log function, keep the default setting, Disable. To monitor traffic between the network and the Internet, select Enable.

Temporary logs can be accessed by clicking either the Incoming Access Log or Outgoing Access Log button.

The Incoming Access Log gives you a log of all the incoming Internet traffic, displaying the Source IP address and Destination Port Number of the Router for each activity (see Figure 6-11). Click the Refresh button to update the logs. Click the Close button to return to the System screen.

Figure 6-11

Wireless-G Broadband Router

The Outgoing Access Log gives you a log of all outgoing Internet traffic. For each activity, it displays the LAN IP address, the Destination URL or IP address of the Internet site accessed, as well as the Service/Port Number used (see Figure 6-12). Click the Refresh button to update the logs. Click the Close button to return to the System screen.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

DHCP

The DHCP screen allows you to configure the settings for the Router's Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server function. The Router can be used as a DHCP server for your network. A DHCP server automatically assigns an IP address to each computer on your network.

Figure 6-13

If you choose to enable the Router's DHCP server option, you must configure all of your network PCs to connect to a DHCP server (the Router), and make sure there is no other DHCP server on your network.

DHCP Server DHCP is enabled by factory default. If you already have a DHCP server on your network, or you don't want a DHCP server, then click the Disable radio button (no other DHCP features will be available).

Starting IP Address Enter a value for the DHCP server to start with when issuing IP addresses. Because the Router's default IP address is 192.168.1.1, the Starting IP Address must be 192.168.1.2 or greater, but smaller than 192.168.1.253. The default Starting IP Address is 192.168.1.100.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Number of DHCP Users (Optional) Enter the maximum number of PCs that you want the DHCP server to assign IP addresses to. This number cannot be greater than 253. The default is 50.

Client Lease Time The Client Lease Time is the amount of time a network user will be allowed connection to the Router with their current dynamic IP address. Enter the amount of time, in minutes, that the user will be "leased" this dynamic IP address. After the time is up, the user will be automatically assigned a new dynamic IP address. The default is 0 minutes, which means one day.

Static DNS 1-3 The Domain Name System (DNS) is how the Internet translates domain or website names into Internet addresses or URLs. Your ISP will provide you with at least one DNS Server IP Address. If you wish to use another, type that IP Address in one of these fields. You can type up to three DNS Server IP Addresses here. The Router will use these for quicker access to functioning DNS servers.

WINS The Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) manages each PC's interaction with the Internet. If you use a WINS server, enter that server's IP Address here. Otherwise, leave this blank.

Currently Assigned: DHCP Clients Table Click the DHCP Clients Table button to view the list of PCs that are given IP addresses by the Router (see Figure 6-14). For each PC, the list shows the Client Hostname, IP Address, MAC Address, and the amount of DHCP client lease time left. Click the Refresh button to display the most current information.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

Status

The Status screen displays the Router’s current status and configuration. All information is read-only.

Note: The information provided and buttons available may vary depending on the Router's settings.

Firmware Version The version number of the firmware currently installed is displayed here.

Current Time The current date and time are displayed here.

Host Name The Host Name is the name of the Router. This entry is necessary for some ISPs.

Domain Name The Domain Name is the name of the Router's domain. This entry is necessary for some ISPs.

LAN

MAC Address The MAC Address of the LAN interface is displayed here.

IP Address and Subnet Mask The current IP Address and Subnet Mask of the Router, as seen by users on your local area network (LAN), are displayed here.

DHCP Server The status of the Router's DHCP server function is displayed here.

Wireless 2.4GHz, 54g, Wireless-G

MAC Address The MAC Address of the wireless interface is displayed here.

Mode The Mode of the wireless network is displayed here.

SSID The SSID of the wireless network is displayed here.

Channel The Channel of the wireless network is displayed here.

Encryption Function The status of the WEP encryption is displayed here.

I nternet

MAC Address The MAC Address of the Internet interface is displayed here.

Configuration Type The type of Internet connection is displayed here.

IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway The Router's IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway Address, as seen by external users on the Internet, are displayed here.

DNS The DNS (Domain Name System) IP Addresses currently used by the Router are shown here. Multiple DNS IP settings are common. In most cases, the first available DNS entry is used.

DHCP Release Click the DHCP Release button to delete the Router's current Internet IP address.

DHCP Renew Click the DHCP Renew button to get a new Internet IP address for the Router.

To update the Router's status information, click the Refresh button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Help

The Help screen offers links to all of the Router's technical support resources and the application that upgrades the Router's firmware. For additional information about each screen of the web-based utility, click the appropriate link on the lefthand side of the Help screen.

Linksys Website Clicking this link will take you to Linksys's website, www.linksys.com, provided you are connected to the Internet.

Online User Guide in PDF Format and Adobe Website Clicking the Online User Guide in PDF format link opens the Router's User Guide. The User Guide is in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document File (.pdf) format, so you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, click the Adobe website link to download it.

Advanced Tabs

The following instructions are for advanced users or users whose setup needs require special configuration. When you click the Advanced tab, you will be able to set up these features. There are five additional tabs available.

Advanced Wireless - Allows you to customize data transmission settings for your wireless network.

Filters - Enables you to set up filters that block or allow specific kinds of Internet usage.

Port Forwarding - Lets you set up public services on your network, such as an ftp server, mail server, or web server.

Routing - Enables you to configure the routing mode and settings of the Router.

DDNS - Allows you to enable the Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS) feature, so a fixed domain name can be assigned to a dynamic Internet IP address.

If you need to access the basic configuration tabs, click the Setup tab.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Advanced Wireless

The Advanced Wireless screen allows you to customize data transmission settings. In most cases, the advanced wireless settings on this screen should remain at their default values.

Authentication Type The default is set to Auto, which allows either Open System or Shared Key authentication to be used. For Open System authentication, the sender and the recipient do NOT use a WEP key for authentication. For Shared Key authentication, the sender and recipient use a WEP key for authentication. If you want to use only Shared Key authentication, then select Shared Key.

Transmission Rate The default setting is Auto. The range is from 1 to 54Mbps. The rate of data transmission should be set depending on the speed of your wireless network. You can select from a range of transmission speeds, or keep the default setting, Auto, to have the Router automatically use the fastest possible data rate and enable the Auto-Fallback feature. Auto-Fallback will negotiate the best possible connection speed between the Router and a wireless client.

Beacon Interval The default value is 100. Enter a value between 1 and 65,535 milliseconds. The Beacon Interval value indicates the frequency interval of the beacon. A beacon is a packet broadcast by the Router to synchronize the wireless network.

RTS Threshold This value should remain at its default setting of 2347. The range is 0-2347 bytes. Should you encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor modifications are recommended. If a network packet is smaller than the preset RTS threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will not be enabled. The Router sends Request to Send (RTS) frames to a particular receiving station and negotiates the sending of a data frame. After receiving an RTS, the wireless station responds with a Clear to Send (CTS) frame to acknowledge the right to begin transmission.

Fragmentation Threshold This value should remain at its default setting of 2346. The range is 256-2346 bytes. It specifies the maximum size for a packet before data is fragmented into multiple packets. If you experience a high packet error rate, you may slightly increase the Fragmentation Threshold. Setting the Fragmentation Threshold too low may result in poor network performance. Only minor modifications of this value are recommended.

DTIM Interval The default value is 3. This value, between 1 and 255 milliseconds, indicates the interval of the Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM). A DTIM field is a countdown field informing clients of the next window for listening to broadcast and multicast messages. When the Router has buffered broadcast or multicast messages for associated clients, it sends the next DTIM with a DTIM Interval value. Its clients hear the beacons and awaken to receive the broadcast and multicast messages.

Wireless MAC Filters The Wireless MAC Filters feature allows you to control which wireless-equipped PCs may or may not communicate with the Router—depending on their MAC addresses. To disable the Wireless MAC Filters feature, keep the default setting, Disable. To set up a filter, click Enable, and follow these instructions:

Wireless-G Broadband Router

1. If you want to block specific wireless-equipped PCs from communicating with the Router, then keep the default setting, Prevent PCs listed from accessing the wireless network. If you want to allow specific wireless-equipped PCs to communicate with the Router, then click the radio button next to Permit only PCs listed to access the wireless network.

2. Click the Edit MAC Filter List button. Enter the appropriate MAC addresses into the MAC fields (see Figure 6-18).

Note: For each MAC field, the MAC address should be entered in this format: xxxxxxxxxxxx (the x's represent the actual characters of the MAC address).

3. Click the Apply button to save your changes. Click the Cancel button to cancel your unsaved changes. Click the Close button to return to the Advanced Wireless screen without saving changes.

4. On the MAC Address Filter List screen, click the Wireless Client MAC List button to view a list of the wireless-equipped PCs (see Figure 6-19).

For each PC, the list shows—in real time—the Client Host Name, IP Address, MAC Address, and Enable MAC Filter option. To enable the MAC address filter for a specific PC, click its Enable MAC Filter box. To disable the MAC address filter for a specific PC, uncheck its Enable MAC Filter box.

5. Click the Refresh button to display the most current information. Click the Update Filter List button to update the MAC Address Filter List and return to the MAC Address Filter List screen. Click the Close button to return to the MAC Address Filter List screen without saving any changes.

6. On the MAC Address Filter List screen, click the Apply button to save your changes to the MAC Address Filter List. Click the Cancel button to cancel your unsaved changes. Click the Close button to return to the Advanced Wireless screen without saving your changes to the MAC Address Filter List.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Filters

The Filters screen allows you to block or allow specific kinds of Internet usage. You can set up Internet access policies for specific PCs and set up filters by using network port numbers.

52 53

Internet Schedule Profile This feature allows you to customize up to ten different Internet Access Policies for particular PCs, which are identified by their IP or MAC addresses. For each policy's designated PCs, during the days and time specified, the Router can do one or more of the following:

• block or allow Internet access • block websites with specific URL addresses • block websites that use specific keywords in their URL addresses.

To create or edit a policy, follow these instructions: Then follow these instructions:

1. Select the policy's number (1-10) in the drop-down menu.
2. Enter a name in the Enter Profile Name field.
3. Click the Edit List of PCs button.
4. On the List of PCs screen, specify PCs by IP address or MAC address. Enter the appropriate IP addresses into the IP fields. If you have a range of IP addresses to filter, complete the appropriate IP Range fields. Enter the appropriate MAC addresses into the MAC fields.

Figure 6-21

Wireless-G Broadband Router

5. Click the Apply button to save your changes. Click the Cancel button to cancel your unsaved changes. Click the Close button to return to the Filters screen.
6. If you want to block the listed PCs from Internet access during the designated days and time, then keep the default setting, Disable Internet Access for Listed PCs. If you want to allow the listed PCs to have Internet access during the designated days and time, then click the radio button next to Enable Internet Access for Listed PCs.
7. If you want to block websites with specific URL addresses, enter each URL address in a Website Blocking by URL Address field. You can enter up to four URL addresses.
8. If you want to block websites that use specific keywords as part of their URL addresses, enter each keyword in a Website Blocking by Keyword field. You can enter up to six keywords.
9. Set the days when access will be filtered. Select Everyday or the appropriate days of the week.
10. Set the time when access will be filtered. Select 24 Hours, or check the box next to From and use the drop-down boxes to designate a specific time period.
11. Click the Save Policy button to save your changes and activate the Policy. Click the Cancel button to cancel your unsaved changes.
12. To create or edit additional policies, repeat steps 1-11.

Delete To delete an Internet Access Policy, select the policy's number, and click the Delete button.

Summary To see a summary of all the policies, click the Summary button. The Internet Policy Summary screen will show each policy’s Number, Policy Name, Days, and Time of Day. To delete a policy, click its box, and then click the Delete button. Click the Close button to return to the Filters screen.

Filtered Internet Port Range To filter users by network port number, select Both, TCP, or UDP, depending on which protocols you want to filter. Then enter the port numbers you want to filter into the port number fields. PCs connected to the Router will no longer be able to access any port number listed here. To disable a filter, select Disable.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

Port Forwarding

The Port Forwarding screen sets up public services on your network, such as web servers, ftp servers, e-mail servers, or other specialized Internet applications. (Specialized Internet applications are any applications that use Internet access to perform functions such as videoconferencing or online gaming. Some Internet applications may not require any forwarding.)

When users send this type of request to your network via the Internet, the Router will forward those requests to the appropriate PC. Any PC whose port is being forwarded must have its DHCP client function disabled and must have a new static IP address assigned to it because its IP address may change when using the DHCP function.

Note: For each MAC field, the MAC address should be entered in this format: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx (the x's represent the actual characters of the MAC address).

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The following table shows the typical port forwarding settings for common Internet applications.

Customized Applications

In the field provided, enter the name you wish to give each application.

External Port

For each application, enter the number of the External Ports (the port numbers seen by users on the Internet) in the appropriate fields. (To find out the port range, check your application's documentation.) If there is only one External Port, enter its number in both External Port fields.

TCP Protocol

Click this checkbox if you want to forward the data transmissions that use the TCP protocol.

UDP Protocol

Click this checkbox if you want to forward the data transmissions that use the UDP protocol.

IP Address

For each application, enter the IP Address of the PC running the specific application.

Enable

Click the Enable checkbox to enable port forwarding for the relevant application.

Wireless-G Broadband Router

Port Triggering

Port Triggering is used for special Internet applications whose outgoing ports differ from the incoming ports. For this feature, the Router will watch outgoing data for specific port numbers. The Router will remember the IP address of the computer that sends a transmission requesting data, so that when the requested data returns through the Router, the data is pulled back to the proper computer by way of IP address and port mapping rules. Click the Port Triggering button to set up triggered ports, and follow these instructions:

1. Enter the Application Name of the trigger (see Figure 6-24).

Figure 6-24

2. Enter the Outgoing Port Range used by the application. Check with the Internet application for the port number(s) needed.

3. Enter the Incoming Port Range used by the application. Check with the Internet application for the port number(s) needed.

4. Click the Apply button to save your changes. Click the Cancel button to cancel your unsaved changes. Click the Close button to return to the Port Forwarding screen.

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

Routing

On the Routing screen, you can set the routing mode of the Router. Gateway mode is recommended for most users.

Figure 6-25

Note: The Routing screen and available features will vary depending on which mode you select.

Operating Mode Choose the correct working mode. Keep the default setting, Gateway, if the Router is hosting your network's connection to the Internet (recommended for most users). Select Router if the Router exists on a network with other routers.

Dynamic Routing (RIP) Dynamic Routing enables the Router to automatically adjust to physical changes in the network's layout and exchange routing tables with other routers. The Router determines the network packets' route based on the fewest number of hops between the source and destination. To enable the Dynamic Routing feature for the WAN side, select WAN. To enable this feature for the LAN and wireless side, select LAN & Wireless. To enable

Wireless-G Broadband Router

the feature for both the WAN and LAN (including wireless), select Both. To disable the Dynamic Routing feature for all data transmissions, keep the default setting, Disable. (This feature is not available in Gateway mode.)

Static Routing A static route is a pre-determined pathway that network information must travel to reach a specific host or network. To set up a static route between the Router and another network, follow these instructions:

1. Select a number from the Static Routing drop-down list.
2. Enter the following data:
   • Destination IP Address - The Destination IP Address is the address of the network or host to which you want to assign a static route.
   • Subnet Mask - The Subnet Mask determines which portion of a Destination LAN IP address is the network portion, and which portion is the host portion.
   • Gateway - This is the IP address of the gateway device that allows for contact between the Router and the network or host.
3. Depending on where the Destination IP Address is located, select LAN & Wireless or WAN from the Interface drop-down menu.
4. To save your changes, click the Apply button. To cancel your changes, click the Cancel button.
5. For additional static routes, repeat steps 1-4.

Delete This Entry To delete a static route entry, follow these instructions:

1. From the Static Routing drop-down list, select the entry number of the static route.
2. Click the Delete This Entry button.
3. To save a deletion, click the Apply button. To cancel an unsaved deletion, click the Cancel button.

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Show Routing Table Click the Show Routing Table button to view all of the valid dynamic and static route entries in use (see Figure 6-26). The Destination IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and Interface information are displayed for each entry. Click the Refresh button to display the most up-to-date data. Click the Close button to return to the Routing screen.

• Destination IP Address - The Destination IP Address is the address of the network or host to which the static route is assigned.
• Subnet Mask - The Subnet Mask determines which portion of a Destination LAN IP address is the network portion, and which portion is the host portion.
• Gateway - This is the IP address of the gateway device that allows for contact between the Router and the network or host.
• Interface - This interface tells you whether the Destination IP Address is on the LAN & Wireless (internal wired and wireless networks), the WAN (Internet), or Loopback (a dummy network in which one PC acts like a network-necessary for certain software programs).

To save your changes on this page, click the Apply button. To cancel any unsaved changes on this page, click the Cancel button. To get more information about the features, click the Help button.

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

DDNS

The Router offers a Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS) feature. DDNS lets you assign a fixed host and domain name to a dynamic Internet IP address. It is useful when you are hosting your own website, FTP server, or other server behind the Router. Before you can use this feature, you need to sign up for DDNS service at www.dyndns.org, a DDNS service provider.

Figure 6-27

DDNS Service To disable DDNS Service, keep the default setting, Disable. To enable DDNS Service, follow these instructions:

1. Sign up for DDNS service at www.dyndns.org, and write down your User Name, Password, and Host Name information.
2. On the DDNS screen, select Enable.
3. Complete the User Name, Password, and Host Name fields.
4. To save your new settings, click the Apply button. To cancel your changes, click the Cancel button.

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