Belkin Router F5D8231-4 User Manual

							
User Manual
F5D8231-4
N1 Wireless  
Router
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1.  Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Advantages  of  a  Wireless  Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Placement  of  your  N1  Wireless  Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
2.  Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Product  Features   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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3.  Knowing your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Package  Contents   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
System  Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Setup  Assistant  Software  System  Requirements   . . . . . . . .10
4.   Connecting and Configuring your Router   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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5.  Alternate Setup Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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6.  Using the Web-Based Advanced User Interface  . . . . . . . . . .38
Changing  LAN  Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Viewing  the  DHCP  Client  List  Page   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
Configuring  the  Wireless  Network  Settings . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
Setting  WPA  Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Setting  WEP  Encryption   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
Using  the  Access  Point  Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Setting  MAC  Address  Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
Configuring  the  Firewall   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Using  Dynamic  DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    59
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    60
Restarting  the  Router   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    61
Updating  the  Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    66
7.   Manually Configuring Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
8.   Recommended Web Browser Settings   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
9.   Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
10.  Information   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Table  of  Contents 
						

							
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Introduction
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Thank you for purchasing the Belkin N1 Wireless Router (the Router). 
Following are two short sections—the first discusses the benefits of home 
networking, and the other outlines best practices that maximize your 
wireless home network range and performance. Please be sure to read 
through this User Manual completely, and pay special attention to the 
section entitled “Placement of your N1 Wireless Router” on the next page. 
By following our simple setup instructions you will be able to use your 
Belkin Home Network to:
•  Share  one  high-speed  Internet  connection  with  all  the  computers  in your  home
•  Share  resources,  such  as  files  and  hard  drives  among  all  the  connected  computers  in  your  home
•  Share  a  single  printer  with  the  entire  family
•  Share  documents,  music,  video,  and  digital  pictures
•  Store,  retrieve,  and  copy  files  from  one  computer  to  another
•  Simultaneously  play  games  online,  check  Internet  email,  and  chat 
Advantages  of  a  Wireless  Network
Here  are  some  of  the  advantages  of  setting  up  a  Belkin
 
Wireless  Network:
•    Mobility   –  you’ll  no  longer  need  a  dedicated  “computer
 
room”—now  you  can  work  on  a  networked  laptop  or  desktop 
computer  anywhere  within  your  wireless  range
•    Easy  installation
 –  Belkin’s  Easy  Installation  Wizard  makes 
setup  simple
•    Flexibility
 –  set  up  and  access  printers,  computers,  and  other 
networking  devices  from  anywhere  in  your  home
•    Easy  expansion
 –  the  wide  range  of  Belkin  networking  products  let 
you  expand  your  network  to  include  devices  such  as  printers  and 
gaming  consoles
•    No  cabling  required
 –  you  can  spare  the  expense  and  hassle  of 
retrofitting  Ethernet  cabling  throughout  the  home  or  office
•    Widespread  industry  acceptance
 –  choose  from  a  wide  range  of 
interoperable  networking  products 
						

							
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Revolutionary  N1  Wireless  Technology  with  MIMO  (N1  MIMO) 
Your  Belkin  N1  Wireless  Router  uses  a  new  smart-antenna  technology 
called  Multiple  Input  Multiple  Output  (MIMO).  N1  MIMO  complies 
with  the  IEEE  draft  802.11n  specification.  It  increases  speed,  range, 
reliability,  and  spectral  efficiency  for  wireless  networking  systems.
The  element  that  makes  Belkin’s  N1  MIMO  technology  different 
from  a  conventional  radio  is  the  use  of  multiple  antennas  and  two 
simultaneous  data  streams  to  deliver  wireless  transfers  around  your 
home  or  office.  A  conventional  radio  uses  one  antenna  to  transmit 
a  data  stream.  Belkin’s  N1  MIMO,  on  the  other  hand,  uses  three 
antennas.  This  design  helps  combat  distortion  and  interference. 
Belkin’s  N1  MIMO  is  multidimensional.  It  builds  on  one-dimensional 
smart-antenna  technology  by  simultaneously  transmitting  two  data 
streams  through  the  same  channel,  which  increases  wireless  capacity. 
Another  element  that  enhances  Belkin’s  N1  MIMO  is  the  use  of 
aggregation  as  specified  in  the  draft  802.11n  specification.  By 
shortening  the  space  between  packets  and  combining  multiple  smaller 
packets  into  one  larger  packet,  Belkin’s  N1  MIMO  can  transmit  more 
data  through  available  bandwidth. 
Think  of  conventional  radio  transmission  as  a  two-lane  highway.  The 
speed  limit  governs  the  maximum  allowable  flow  of  traffic  through 
that  lane.  Compared  with  conventional  radios,  one-dimensional  smart 
antenna  systems  help  move  traffic  through  that  lane  faster  and  more 
reliably—analogous  to  a  four-lane  road  on  which  traffic  consistently 
moves  at  a  rate  closer  to  the  speed  limit.  Belkin’s  N1  MIMO  helps 
traffic  move  at  the  speed  limit  and  opens  more  lanes—to  become  the 
superhighway  in  this  example.  The  rate  of  traffic  flow  is  multiplied  by 
the  number  of  lanes  that  are  opened. 
						

							
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Placement of your N1 Wireless Router
Important Factors for Placement and Setup
Your  wireless  connection  will  be  stronger  the  closer  your  computer  is 
to  your  Router.  Typical  indoor  operating  range  for  wireless  devices  is 
between  100  and  200  feet.
In  the  same  way,  your  wireless  connection  and  performance  will 
degrade  somewhat  as  the  distance  between  your  Router  and 
connected  devices  increases.  This  may  or  may  not  be  noticeable 
to  you.  As  you  move  further  from  your  Router,  connection  speed 
may  decrease.  Factors  that  can  weaken  signals  simply  by  getting 
in  the  way  of  your  network’s  radio  waves  are  metal  appliances  or 
obstructions,  and  walls.
If  you  have  concerns  about  your  network’s  performance  that  might 
be  related  to  range  or  obstruction  factors,  try  moving  the  computer 
to  a  position  between  five  and  10  feet  from  the  Router  in  order  to  see 
if  distance  is  the  problem.  If  difficulties  persist  even  at  close  range, 
please  contact  Belkin  Technical  Support.
Note:  While  some  of  the  items  listed  below  can  affect  network 
performance,  they  will  not  prohibit  your  wireless  network  from 
functioning;  if  you  are  concerned  that  your  network  is  not  operating  at 
its  maximum  effectiveness,  this  checklist  may  help.
1. Router Placement  Place  your  Router,  the  central  connection  point  of  your 
network,  as  close  as  possible  to  the  center  of  your  wireless 
network  devices.
  To  achieve  the  best  wireless  network  coverage  for  your  “wireless  clients”  (i.e.,  computers  enabled  by  Belkin  Wireless  Notebook 
Network  Cards,  Wireless  Desktop  Network  Cards,  and  Wireless 
USB  Adapters):
  •   Ensure  that  your  Router’s  networking  antennas  are  parallel  to  each  other,  and  are  positioned  vertically  (toward  the 
ceiling).  If  your  Router  itself  is  positioned  vertically,  point  the 
antennas  as  much  as  possible  in  an  upward  direction.
  •   In  multistory  homes,  place  the  Router  on  a  floor  that  is  as  close  to  the  center  of  the  home  as  possible.  This  may  mean 
placing  the  Router  on  an  upper  floor.
  •   Try  not  to  place  the  Router  near  a  cordless  2.4GHz  phone. 
						

							
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2.   Avoid Obstacles and Interference 
Avoid  placing  your  Router  near  devices  that  may  emit  radio 
“noise,”  such  as  microwave  ovens.  Dense  objects  that  can  inhibit 
wireless  communication  include:
•  Refrigerators
•  Washers  and/or  dryers
•  Metal  cabinets
•  Large  aquariums
•  Metallic-based,  UV-tinted  windows
  If  your  wireless  signal  seems  weak  in  some  spots,  make  sure  that  objects  such  as  these  are  not  blocking  the  signal’s  path  (between 
your  computers  and  Router).
3.   Cordless Phones 
If  the  performance  of  your  wireless  network  is  impaired  after 
attending  to  the  above  issues,  and  you  have  a  cordless  phone:
•  Try  moving  cordless  phones  away  from  your  Router  and  your  wireless-enabled  computers.
•  Unplug  and  remove  the  battery  from  any  cordless  phone  that  operates  on  the  2.4GHz  band  (check  manufacturer’s 
information).  If  this  fixes  the  problem,  your  phone  may
 
be  interfering.
•  If  your  phone  supports  channel  selection,  change  the  channel  on  the  phone  to  the  farthest  channel  from  your  wireless 
network.  For  example,  change  the  phone  to  channel  1  and 
move  your  Router  to  channel  11.  See  your  phone’s  user 
manual  for  detailed  instructions.
•  If  necessary,  consider  switching  to  a  900MHz  or  5GHz
 
cordless  phone.
4.   Choose the “Quietest” Channel for your Wireless Network 
 In  locations  where  homes  or  offices  are  close  together,  such  as 
apartment  buildings  or  office  complexes,  there  may  be  wireless 
networks  nearby  that  can  conflict  with  yours.
   Use  the  Site  Survey  capabilities  found  in  the  Wireless  Utility  of  your  wireless  adapter  to  locate  any  other  wireless  networks  that 
are  available  (see  your  wireless  adapter’s  user  manual),  and  move 
your  Router  and  computers  to  a  channel  as  far  away  from  other 
networks  as  possible. 
						

							
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• Experiment  with  more  than  one  of  the  available  channels,  in 
order  to  find  the  clearest  connection  and  avoid  interference 
from  neighboring  cordless  phones  or  other  wireless  devices.
•  For  Belkin  wireless  networking  products,  use  the  detailed  Site 
Survey  and  wireless  channel  information  included  with  your 
wireless  network  card.  See  your  network  card’s  user  guide  for 
more  information.
   These  guidelines  should  allow  you  to  cover  the  maximum  possible  area  with  your  Router.  Should  you  need  to  cover  an 
even  wider  area,  we  suggest  the  Belkin  Wireless  Range
 
Extender/Access  Point.
5.   Secure Connections, VPNs, and AOL 
Secure  connections  typically  require  a  user  name  and 
password,  and  are  used  where  security  is  important.  Secure 
connections  include:
•  Virtual  Private  Network  (VPN)  connections,  often  used  to  connect  remotely  to  an  office  network
•  The  “Bring  Your  Own  Access”  program  from  America  Online  (AOL),  which  lets  you  use  AOL  through  broadband  provided  by 
another  cable  or  DSL  service
•  Most  online  banking  websites
•  Many  commercial  websites  that  require  a  user  name  and  password  to  access  your  account
  Secure  connections  can  be  interrupted  by  a  computer’s  power  management  setting,  which  causes  it  to  “go  to  sleep.” 
The  simplest  solution  to  avoid  this  is  to  simply  reconnect  by 
rerunning  the  VPN  or  AOL  software,  or  by  re-logging  into  the 
secure  website.
  A  second  alternative  is  to  change  your  computer’s  power  management  settings  so  it  does  not  go  to  sleep;  however,  this 
may  not  be  appropriate  for  portable  computers.  To  change  your 
power  management  setting  under  Windows,  see  the  “Power 
Options”  item  in  the  Control  Panel.
  If  you  continue  to  have  difficulty  with  Secure  Connections,  VPNs,  and  AOL,  please  review  the  steps  above  to  be  sure  you  have 
addressed  these  issues. 
						

							
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For  more  information  regarding  our  networking  products,  visit  our  website 
at  www.belkin.com/networking or  call  Belkin  Technical  Support  at:
  US:   877-736-5771 
    310-898-1100 ext. 2263
 UK:  0845 607 77 87
 Australia:  1800 235 546
 New Zealand :  0800 235 546
 Singapore :  800 616 1790
 Europe: www.belkin.com/support 
						

							
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Product  Overview

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Product  Overview

Product Features In  minutes  you  will  be  able  to  share  your  Internet  connection  and 
network  your  computers.  The  following  is  a  list  of  features  that  make 
your  new  Belkin  N1  Wireless  Router  an  ideal  solution  for  your  home  or 
small  office  network.
Works with Both PCs and Mac® Computers 
The  Router  supports  a  variety  of  networking  environments  including 
Mac  OS
®  8.x,  9.x,  X  v10.x,  Linux®,  Windows®  98,  Me,  NT®,  2000,  XP, 
Vista™  and  others.  All  that  is  needed  is  an  Internet  browser  and  a 
network  adapter  that  supports  TCP/IP  (the  standard  language  of
 
the  Internet).
Patent-Pending Network Status Display 
Lighted  LEDs  on  the  front  of  the  Router  indicate  which  functions 
are  in  operation.  You’ll  know  at-a-glance  whether  your  Router  is 
connected  to  the  Internet.  This  feature  eliminates  the  need  for 
advanced  software  and  status-monitoring  procedures.
Web-Based Advanced User Interface 
You  can  set  up  the  Router’s  advanced  functions  easily  through  your 
web  browser,  without  having  to  install  additional  software  onto  the 
computer.  There  are  no  disks  to  install  or  keep  track  of  and,  best 
of  all,  you  can  make  changes  and  perform  setup  functions  from  any 
computer  on  the  network  quickly  and  easily.
NAT IP Address Sharing 
Your  Router  employs  Network  Address  Translation  (NAT)  to  share  the 
single  IP  address  assigned  to  you  by  your  Internet  Service  Provider 
while  saving  the  cost  of  adding  additional  IP  addresses  to  your 
Internet  service  account.
SPI Firewall 
Your  Router  is  equipped  with  a  firewall  that  will  protect  your  network 
from  a  wide  array  of  common  hacker  attacks  including  IP  Spoofing, 
Land  Attack,  Ping  of  Death  (PoD),  Denial  of  Service  (DoS),  IP  with 
zero  length,  Smurf  Attack,  TCP  Null  Scan,  SYN  flood,  UDP  flooding, 
Tear  Drop  Attack,  ICMP  defect,  RIP  defect,  and  fragment  flooding. 
						

							
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Integrated 10/100 4-Port Switch 
The  Router  has  a  built-in,  four-port  network  switch  to  allow  your 
wired  computers  to  share  printers,  data  and  MP3  files,  digital  photos, 
and  much  more.  The  switch  features  automatic  detection  so  it  will 
adjust  to  the  speed  of  connected  devices.  The  switch  will  transfer 
data  between  computers  and  the  Internet  simultaneously  without 
interrupting  or  consuming  resources.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) 
UPnP  is  a  technology  that  offers  seamless  operation  of  voice 
messaging,  video  messaging,  games,  and  other  applications  that
 
are  UPnP-compliant.
Support for VPN Pass-Through 
If  you  connect  to  your  office  network  from  home  using  a  VPN 
connection,  your  Router  will  allow  your  VPN-equipped  computer  to 
pass  through  the  Router  and  to  your  office  network.
Built-In Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 
Built-In  Dynamic  Host  Configuration  Protocol  (DHCP)  on-board  makes 
for  the  easiest  possible  connection  of  a  network.  The  DHCP  server 
will  assign  IP  addresses  to  each  computer  automatically  so  there  is 
no  need  for  a  complicated  networking  setup.
Setup Assistant 
The  Setup  Assistant,  second  generation  of  Belkin’s  renowned  Easy 
Install  Wizard,  takes  the  guesswork  out  of  setting  up  your  Router.
 
This  automatic  software  determines  your  network  settings  for  you 
and  sets  up  the  Router  for  connection  to  your  Internet  Service 
Provider  (ISP).  In  a  matter  of  minutes,  your  Router  will  be  up  and 
running  on  the  Internet.
Note:
  Setup  Assistant  software  is  compatible  with  Windows  2000  and 
XP.  If  you  are  using  another  operating  system,  the  Router  can  be  set 
up  using  the  Alternate  Setup  Method  described  in  this  User  Manual 
(see  page  23).