TP-Link Router TL-WA501G User Manual

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
¾ Wireless antenna 
¾  Factory Default Reset button 
¾  There are three ways to reset the APs factory defaults: • Use the  Factory Defaults  function on System Tools  -> Factory Defaults  page in the 
APs Web-based Utility. 
•   Use the Factory Default Reset button: Pr ess and hold the default Reset button for 5 
seconds, and then the AP reboot after  the System led flash 5 times. 
•   Use the Factory Default Reset button: First,  turn off the APs power. Second, press and 
hold the default Reset button then turn on t he APs power, until the system LED lights up 
(about 3 seconds). Last, release the re set button and wait for the AP to reboot. 
) Note: 
Ensure the AP is powered on befor e it restarts completely. 
¾  One LAN 10/100Mbps RJ45 port for c onnecting the AP to hub or switch 
¾  AC power socket: only use the power adapter supplied with the TL-WA501G 54Mbps  Wireless Access Point, use of a different  adapter may result in product damage. 
2.3 System Requirements 
¾  Broadband Internet Access Service (DSL/Cable/Ethernet) 
¾  One DSL/Cable Modem that has an RJ45 connector 
¾  A Ethernet broadband router 
¾  TCP/IP protocol must be installed on each PC 
¾  Web browser, such as Microsoft  Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape Navigator 6.0 or later 
¾  802.11g or 802.11b-compliant devices, su ch as the TL-WN510G Wireless Adapter 
2.4  Installation Environment Requirements 
¾ Not  in direct sunlight or near a heater or heating vent 
¾ Not cluttered or crowded. There should be at leas t 2 inches (5 cm) of clear space on all sides 
of the AP 
¾  Well ventilated (especially  if it is in a closet) 
¾ Operating temperature: 0 ℃~40℃ (32℉~104℉) 
¾  Operating Humidity: 10% ~90%RH, Non-condensing 
2.5  Connecting the Device 
Figure 2-3 is an example of an infrastructure net work incorporating the TL-WA501G. An 
Infrastructure network c ontains an access point or a wireless ro uter. For a typical connection of the 
AP, please do the following: 
1.  You will need bro adband Internet access (a Cable or DSL- subscriber line into your home or 
office). Consult with your Cable or DSL pr ovider for proper installation of the modem. 
2.  Connect the Cable or DSL modem to  a Router. Quickly install the router.  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
3.  Locate an optimum location for the AP. The best place is usually near the center of the area in 
which your PC(s) will wirelessly connec t. The place must accord with the Installation 
Environment Requirements. 
4.  Adjust the direction of  the antenna. Normally, upright is a good direction. 
5.  Connect the Ethernet Broadband Router  to the TL-WA501G AP. Power on the AP. 
6.  If you are connecting a desktop PC or laptop to  your network, install the TP-LINK Wireless 
Adapter on the PC. 
 
Figure 2-3 The Example of Infrastructure  Network Incorporating the TL-WA501G 
2.6 Configure PC 
After connecting the TL-WA501G AP into your network, you should confi gure it. The default IP 
address of the TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Acce ss Point is 192.168.1.1, and the default Subnet 
Mask is 255.255.255.0. These va lues can be seen from the LAN. They can be changed as you 
desire, as an example we  use the default values for description in this guide. 
Connect the local PCs to the LAN ports on the  AP and configure the IP address manually for your 
PCs. 
1. From the  Start menu on your desktop, go to  Settings, and then click on Network 
Connections.  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
 
Figure 2-4 
2. In the  Network Connections  window, right-click on LAN (Local Area Connection), then click 
Properties. 
 
Figure 2-5 
3. In the  General tab of Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties  menu, highlight Internet 
Protocol (TCP/IP) under “This c onnection uses the following item s:” by clicking on it once. 
Click on the Properties button.
  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
 
Figure 2-6 
4.  Configure the IP addr ess manually. Click OK. 
 
Figure 2-7  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
1)  Open TCP/IP Properties of the LAN card in  your PC, enter the IP address as 192.168.1.* 
(* is any value between 2 to 254, Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, Gateway is 192.168.1.1, 
DNS address is the value provided by ISP). 
2)   Now, you can run the Ping command in t he command prompt to verify the network 
connection between your PC and the AP.  The following example is in Windows XP 
Operating System. 
3)   Open a command prompt, From the Start m enu on your desktop, select run tab, type 
cmd in the field, and type  ping 192.168.1.1 on the screen that appears, and then press 
Enter. 
If the result displayed is similar to that s hown in Figure below, the connection between your PC 
and the AP has been established. 
 
Figure 2-8 
If the result displayed is similar to that shown  in Figure below, it means that your PC has not 
connected to the AP. 
 
Figure 2-9 
Please check it fo llowing these steps: 
) Note: 
If the connection between your PC and the AP is correct? 
The LEDs of LAN port which you link to on t he device and LEDs on your PCs adapter should be 
lit. 
If the TCP/IP configuration for your PC is correct? 
If the APs IP address is 192.168.1.1, your PC s IP address must be within the range of 
192.168.1.2 ~ 192.168.1.254.  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
Chapter 3  Software Configuration 
This User Guide recommends using the “Quick Installation Guide” for first-time installation, For 
advanced users, if you want to know more ab out this device and make use of its functions 
adequately, you need to read this chapter  and configure advanced settings through the 
Web-based Utility. 
3.1 Login 
The TL-WA501G 54Mbps Wireless Access Poin t is easy to configure and manage With a 
Web-based (Internet Explorer or Netscape® Navigator) utility. The We b-based utility can be used 
on any Windows, Macintosh or UNIX OS with a web browser. 
Connect to the AP by typing  http://192.168.1.1 in the address field of web browser. 
 
Figure 3-1 Login to the AP 
After a moment, a login window will  appear similar to that shown in Figure 3-2 . Enter admin  for the 
User Name and Password, both in lower case letters. Then click the  OK button or press the  Enter 
key. 
 
Figure 3-2 Login Windows 
)  Note: 
If the above screen does not prompt, it  means that your web-browser has been set to a proxy. Go 
to Tools menu>Internet Options>Connections>LAN  Settings, in the screen that appears, cancel 
the Using Proxy checkbox, and click OK to finish it. 
After your successful login, you can configur e and manage the AP. There are six main menus on 
the left of the web-based utility. Submenus will be available after you click one of the main menus. 
The six main menus are:  Status, Network, Wireless, DHCP , Wireless Settings and System 
Tools.  On the right of the web-based utility, there are the  detailed explanations and instructions for 
the corresponding page. To apply any settings y ou have altered on the page, please click the 
Save button.    
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
There are the detailed explanations for each web pages key functions below.   
3.2 Status 
The Status page displays the APs  current status and configuration. All information is read-only. 
¾ Wired - This field displays the current settings or  information for the Network, including the 
MAC address, IP address and Subnet Mask. 
¾  Wireless -  This field displays basic information or  status for wireless function, including 
Operating Mode, SSID, Channel,  Mode, MAC Address and IP Address.  
¾ Traffic Statistics -  This field displays the APs traffic statistics.   
¾ System Up Time -  The time of the AP running from its powered on or reset . 
 
Figure 3-3 AP Status  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
) Note: 
If you select client mode in  Figure 3-7 the wireless status in  Figure 3-3 will change, as it showed 
below: 
 
3.3 Network 
You can configure the IP param eters of Network on this page. 
 
Figure 3-4 Network 
¾  Type -  Choosing dynamic IP to get IP address from  DHCP server, or choosing static IP to 
configure IP address manually.   
¾  IP Address - Enter the IP address of your AP in dotted-decimal notation  (factory default: 
192.168.1.1). 
¾  Subnet Mask -  An address code that determines the size of the network. Normally use 
255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask.   
¾  Gateway  -  The gateway should be in the same  subnet as your IP address.   
¾ MAC Address  - the physical address of the AP, as s een from the LAN. The value cant be 
changed.  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
) Note: 
If you change the IP Address, you must us e the new IP Address to login the AP. 
If the new LAN IP Address you set is not in t he same subnet, the IP Address pool in the DHCP 
sever will not take effect,  until they are re-configured. 
3.4 Wireless 
 
Figure 3-5 The Wireless menu 
There are five submenus under the Wireless menu (shown in  Figure 3-5): Basic Settings, 
Wireless mode, Security Settings, MAC Filtering  and Wireless Statistics. Click any of them, 
and you will be able to configure the corresponding  function. The detailed explanations for each 
submenu are provided below. 
3.4.1 Basic Settings 
The basic settings for the wirele ss network are set on this page,  Figure 3-6: 
 
Figure 3-6 Wireless Settings 
¾  SSID -  Enter a value of up to 32 characters. T he same name (SSID) must be assigned to all 
wireless devices in your network. The default  SSID is TP-LINK_xxxxxx (xxxxxx indicates the 
last unique six characters of  each devices MAC address), which can ensure your wireless 
network security. But it is recommended strongl y that you change your networks name (SSID) 
to a different value. This value  is case-sensitive. For example,  TP-LINK is NOT the same as 
tp-link . 
¾  Channel -  This field determines which  operating frequency will be used. It is not necessary to 
change the wireless channel unless you notice in terference problems with another nearby 
access point.  
						

							TL-WA501G54M Wireless Access Point User Guide 
 
¾ Mode -  Select the desired wireless  mode. The options are:   
• 54Mbps (802.11g) -  Both 802.11g and 802.11b wireless stations can connect to the AP. 
• 11Mbps (802.11b) -  Only 802.11b wireless stations  can connect to the AP. 
¾ Region - Select your region from the pull-down list.  This field specifies the region where the 
wireless function of the AP can be  used. If your country or region is not listed, please contact 
your local government agency for assistance. 
The default region is United States.  When you select your local region from the pull-down list, the 
dialog shown in Figure appears below. Click OK. 
 
)  Note: 
Limited by local law regulations, version for North America does not have  region selection option. 
The wireless basic settings for  this version are shown below. 
 
) Note: 
To apply any settings you have altered on the page,  please click the Save button, and wait the AP 
reboot automatically. 
3.4.2 Wireless Mode 
The wireless mode settings for the wireless network are set on this page.