LINKSYS FAQS

a: What kinds of modems or what types of Internet access do Linksys routers work with?
Linksys routers only work with external cable or DSL modems featuring Ethernet ports. They do not work with ISDN or satellite connections, and they do not work with dial-up modems or modems featuring USB or RJ-11 connections.

b: What operating systems are Linksys routers compatible with?
Linksys routers are compatible with any platform that supports Ethernet and TCP/IP, including Windows 98, Millennium, 2000, and XP, as well as Linux and Macintosh. On Linux and Macintosh systems, you cannot use the Windows-based Setup Wizard, but you can access the router's configuration options via the Internet web browser on your Linux system or via Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator (versions 4.0 or higher) on Macintosh systems.

c: Does a router replace the modem?
No, the router must be connected to a cable or DSL modem.

d: What products do I need to let two desktop computers share my high-speed Internet access?
You need a router. The Router with 4-Port Switch (BEFSR41) will enable your computers to share Internet access. If your computers do not have network adapters, then install a 10/100 LAN Card (LNE100TX) on each computer. To connect the computers to the Router, use Category 5 Ethernet network cables (the Router comes with one cable).

e: Are Linksys routers compatible with PPPoE Internet connections?
Yes.

f: How can I add wireless capability to my existing wired network?
You can buy the Wireless Access Point (WAP11), and connect it to the Router. You also need to get wireless network adapters for the computers you want on your wireless network. For notebook computers, get the Wireless-B Notebook Adapter (WPC11). For desktop computers, get the Wireless PCI Card (WMP11).

g: Can I use a wireless access point to connect multiple computers to my cable/DSL modem for shared Internet access?
No, to share Internet access, you need a router. Linksys makes several Wireless Broadband Router models that contain both access point and router capabilities in one device.

h: Can I do wired and wireless networking using one router?
Yes. The Linksys Wireless Broadband Routers have four Ethernet ports and support up to 32 wireless users.

i: What's the difference between a Wireless Access Point and a Wireless Broadband Router?
A Wireless Access Point connects to another hub, switch, or router for wireless access, while a Wireless Broadband Router has access point capabilities for wireless access and routing features to share the broadband connection.

j: I need a wireless adapter for my notebook computer. What should I get?
Linksys offers several wireless options for PC notebooks, depending on the wireless standard(s) you want to support. Check out the WPC11, WPC54G, and WPC55AG. (Linksys does not offer wireless adapters for Macintosh notebooks).

k: Can I add wireless network capability to my PC through a USB connection?
Yes. Linksys currently offers two options: the Wireless USB Network Adapter (WUSB11) and a smaller-sized one, the Wireless Compact USB Adapter (WUSB12).

l: Where do I install a router on my network?
In a typical environment, the router is installed between the cable/DSL modem and the local area network. Plug the router into the cable/DSL modem's Ethernet port.

m: How many wireless users can access a wireless access point or wireless router?
32 users is the maximum.

n: How many users can access a wired router?
253 users is the maximum.

o: Can multiple gamers on a local area network get on one game server and play simultaneously using just one public IP address?
It depends on which network game and what kind of game server you are using. For example, Unreal Tournament supports multi-login with one public IP address. Visit the game's website for more information.

p: What is DMZ?
DMZ stands for Demilitarized Zone. Some applications require multiple TCP/IP ports to be open. To accommodate this requirement, Linksys routers offer a DMZ host feature. This allows one IP address—a single computer—to be completely exposed to the Internet. If you use the DMZ feature, you should set a static IP address on the computer you will expose.

q: Can I play computer games with other members of a wireless network?
Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a local area network.

r: What is the difference between 802.11a and 802.11b?
The major difference is speed. 802.11a has a maximum speed of 54Mbps, while 802.11b has a maximum speed of 11Mbps. 802.11a also has a shorter operating range than 802.11b. Check out the comparison chart, "Why Choose: A vs. B vs. G".

s: Do 802.11a and 802.11b products work with each other?
No, 802.11a-only products can talk to other 802.11a-only products, and vice versa. However, Linksys offers several dual-band products, which allow communication between 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g products.

t: What is ad-hoc mode?
A peer-to-peer configuration in which a group of wireless devices communicate directly with each other without the use of an access point.

u: What is infrastructure mode?
A configuration in which a wireless network communicates with a wired network via an access point.

v: What is roaming?
The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection.

w: How can I minimize interference between my 2.4GHz phone system and my Wireless-B or G network?
There are a few steps you can take. 1) You can change the channel of the phone or the Router so they use different channels. 2) You can move the phone's base station so that it's farther away from the Router. 3) If there is still too much interference, you may have to buy a different phone system, either 900MHz or 5GHz.

x: Where can I find upgrades to my router's firmware?
All Linksys firmware upgrades are posted on the Linksys website at www.linksys.com/support, where they can be downloaded for free.

y: Can I use firmware for other routers on my router?
No. If you attempt to use a different router's firmware, you could damage your router. For example, if you have the Wireless-B Broadband Router (BEFW11S4), you must use firmware specifically written for it. All firmware is posted on the Linksys web site at www.linksys.com. Go to the support page for your specific router.

z: How do I securely network my company's multiple remote offices?
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) allows secure communications between remote locations. Install a VPN Router (BEFVP41), which has built-in VPN capability, at each location.

aa: What's the difference between the VPN Router (BEFVP41) and the Firewall Router (BEFSX41)?
The BEFVP41 has greater VPN capability. It can do up to 70 VPN tunnels, while the BEFSX41 can do up to 2 VPN tunnels. On the other hand, the BEFSX41 features a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall, which the BEFVP41 does not have.

bb: My PCMCIA card's coupler/dongle (the connector between the Ethernet card and Ethernet cable) broke; how can I get a new one?
Contact Insight at 800-467-4448 or visit their website at www.insight.com. Tell them the model number of your PCMCIA card, and add the letter "c" at the end of the model number. (The PCMCPC200 is the only exception; it uses the PCMPC100c dongle.)