Wireless Networking lab manual Laboratory Manual

Setting up Ad-hoc network on Windows 8 or 10

Here are the steps to create Ad-hoc network using command line.

Step 1: check if your wireless adapter supports hosted network

 Open and elevated command prompt

 Type netsh wlan show drivers
 If Hosted network supported show as Yes, it means the network adapter
supports hosted network feature

Step 2: Follow the following steps to enable Internet Connection Sharing

 Open Network and sharing Center

 Click change adapter settings.
 Right click the Wireless adapter and go to Properties
 Navigate to Sharing tab and check the option “Allow other network users to
connect through this computer’s Internet Connection”

Step 3: Configure Ad hoc wireless connection by typing the below command using an elevated
command prompt.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=<your desired network name>

key=<your password>

Step 4: Start the hosted network by typing the below command using an elevated command
prompt

Netsh wlan start hostednetwork

Step 5: Check if the hosted network appears from other computers.

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Configuring a Wireless Access Point

The Linksys WRT300N includes an integrated 4-port switch, a router and a wireless Access
Point (AP). In this lab, you will configure the AP component of the multi-function device to
allow access for wireless clients. The basic wireless capabilities of the multi-function device will
be configured but this will not be a secure wireless network. Setting up a secure wireless network
will be covered in a later lab.
The following resources are required:
• Windows based computer that is cabled to the multi-function device
• Linksys WRT300N

Step 1: Verify connectivity between the computer and the multi-function device
a) The computer used to configure the AP should be attached to one of the multi-
function device’s switch ports.
b) On the computer, click the Start button and select Run. Type cmd and click OK or
press Enter.
c) At the command prompt, ping the multi-function device using the default IP
address [Link] or the IP that has been configured on the multi-function
device’s port. Do not proceed until the ping succeeds.

NOTE: If the ping is not successful, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Check to make sure the IP address of the computer is on the [Link] network.
The computer must be on the same network as the multi-function device to be able to
ping it. The DHCP service of the multi-function device is enabled by default. If the
computer is configured as a DHCP client it should have a valid IP address and subnet
mask. If the computer has a static IP address, it must be in on the [Link]
network and the subnet mask must be [Link].
• Make sure the cable is a known-good straight-through cable. Test to verify.
• Verify that the link light for the port where the computer is attached is lit.
• Check whether the multi-function device has power.

Step 2: Log in to the multi-function device and configure the wireless network
a) Open a web browser. In the address line, type [Link] where IP address is
the IP address f the wireless router (default is [Link]). At the prompt, type
admin in the user name and password text boxes. The default username and password
is admin. Click OK.
b) In the main menu, click on the Wireless option.

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c) In the Basic Wireless Settings window, the Network Mode shows mixed by default,
because the AP supports 802.11b, g, and n wireless devices. You can use any of these
standards to connect to the AP. If the wireless portion of the multi-function device is
NOT being used, the network mode would be set to Disabled. Leave the default of
Mixed selected.
d) Delete the default SSID (linksys) in the Network Name (SSID) textbox. Enter a new
SSID say IT4thnet. SSIDs are case-sensitive.
e) Click on the Radio Band drop-down menu and choose one of the options. For a
wireless network that can use 802.11b, g, or n client devices, the default is Auto.
a. Auto allows the Wide Channel option to be chosen and gives the best
performance.
b. The Standard Channel option is used if the wireless client devices are
802.11b or g, or both b and g.
c. The Wide Channel option is used if only 802.11n client devices are being
used. Leave the default of Auto selected.
f) SSID Broadcast is set to enabled by default, which enables the AP to periodically
send out the SSID using the wireless antenna. Any wireless devices in the area can
detect this broadcast. This is how clients detect nearby wireless networks.
g) Click on the Save Settings button. When the settings have been successfully saved,
click on Continue.
h) The AP is now configured for a wireless network with the name (SSID) that you gave
it. It is important to write down this information before starting the next lab or
attaching any wireless NICs to the wireless network.

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Configuring a Wireless Client

In this lab you will install a driver for a wireless USB NIC in a computer. The driver is a type of
software that controls the wireless NIC. The driver comes on a CD with the NIC or can be
downloaded from the Internet.
Many manufacturers require that the driver is installed before the adapter is connected. The
procedure described in this lab is for a Linksys USB 802.11g wireless NIC, but is similar to
others. You should always follow the procedure recommended by the wireless NIC
manufacturer.
The following resources are required:
• Windows-based computer with an available USB port
• Wireless USB NIC and associated driver
• Administrator rights to install the driver
• Linksys WRT300N with wireless access configured from previous lab

Step 1: Install the wireless NIC driver

a) Insert the CD that contains the wireless NIC driver into the CD/DVD drive and install the
driver according to the manufacturer recommendations. Most USB devices require that
the driver be installed before the device is physically attached. Note that you may do part
of the installation process now and part of it after the wireless NIC is installed.

Step 2: Install the wireless NIC

a) When prompted, connect the USB NIC cable to an available USB port. Click Next to
continue.

Step 3: Attach to the wireless network

a) Most wireless NIC adapters have client software to control the NIC. The software shows
any wireless networks that are discovered. Select the SSID of the wireless network that
you configured on the AP in a previous lab.
b) If the wireless NIC did not connect to the wireless network, perform the appropriate
troubleshooting.

Step 4: Determine the NIC driver version

a) Hardware manufacturers continually update drivers. The driver that ships with a NIC or
other piece of hardware is frequently not the most current.
b) To check the driver version for the NIC you installed, click Start, select Control Panel
and then Network Connections. Right-click on the wireless connection and select
Properties. Click the Configure button for the NIC and then the Driver tab.

Step 5: Verify connectivity

a. Once you have installed the NIC, it is time to verify connectivity with the Linksys
WRT300N.
b. Open a web browser such as Windows Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.

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c. In the address line type [Link] which is the default setting on the AP. The
IP address may vary depending upon the manufactures of the AP.
d. In the Connect to [Link] dialog box, type admin in the username and password
text boxes. Leave the Remember my password checkbox unchecked. Click OK.
e. If you receive the Linksys Setup screen, you have established connectivity with the AP.
If you do not establish connectivity, you will have to troubleshoot the connection by
checking to ensure the devices are turned on and the IP addresses on all devices are
correct.

Configuring Wireless Security

A well-planned security implementation is critical to the safety of a wireless network. This lab
goes over the steps that must be taken to ensure the safety of the network using the following
scenario.
You have just purchased a Linksys WRT300N wireless router, and you want to set up a small
network in your home. You selected this router because the IEEE 802.11n specification claims
that it has 12 times the speed of an 802.11g and 4 times the range. Because the 802.11n uses 2.4
GHz, it is backward compatible with both the 802.11b and 802.11g and uses MIMO (multiple-in,
multiple-out) technology.
You should enable security mechanisms before connecting your multi-function device to the
Internet or any wired network. You should also change the default values provided, because they
are well-known values that are easily obtainable on the Internet.
The following resources are required:
• Windows-based computer
• Linksys WRT300N
• Straight-through Ethernet cable

Step 1: Plan the security for your home network

a. List at least six security best practices that you should implement to secure your
multi-function device and wireless network.

Step 2: Connect a computer to the multi-function device and log in to the web-based utility
a. Connect your computer (Ethernet NIC) to the multi-function device (port 1 on the
Linksys WRT300N) by using a straight-through cable.
b) The default IP address of the Linksys WRT300N is [Link], and the default
subnet mask is [Link]. The computer and Linksys device must be on the
same network to communicate with each other. Change the IP address of the
computer to [Link], and verify that the subnet mask is [Link]. Enter
the internal address of the Linksys device ([Link]) as the default gateway.
Do this by clicking, Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. Right click
on the wireless connection and choose Properties. Select the Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP) and enter the addresses as shown below.

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c) Open a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Firefox and enter the
default IP address of the Linksys device ([Link]) into the address field and
press Enter.
d) A screen appears, requesting your user name and password.
• Enter admin for the User name and password. It is the default username and
password on the Linksys device. Click OK. Remember that passwords are
case-sensitive.
• As you make the necessary changes on the Linksys device, click Save
Settings on each screen to save the changes or click Cancel Changes to keep
the default settings.

Step 4: Change the Linksys device password

a. The initial screen displayed is the Setup > Basic Setup screen.

b. Click the Administration tab. The Management tab is selected by default.

c. Type in a new password for the Linksys device, and then confirm the password. The
new password must not be more than 32 characters and must not include any spaces.
The password is required to access the Linksys device web-based utility and Setup
Wizard.
d. The Web Utility Access via Wireless option is enabled by default. You may want to
disable this feature to further increase security.

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e. Click the Save Settings button to save the information.

NOTE: If you forget your password, you can reset the Linksys device to the factory defaults by
pressing the RESET button for 5 seconds and then releasing it. The default password is admin.
Step 5: Configure the wireless security settings
a. Click the Wireless tab. The Basic Wireless Settings tab is selected by default. The
Network Name is the SSID shared among all devices on your network. It must be
identical for all devices in the wireless network. It is case-sensitive and must not be
more than 32 characters.
b. Change the SSID from the default of linksys to a unique name. Record the name you
have chosen:
c. Leave the Radio Band set to Auto. This allows your network to use all 802.11n, g, and b
devices.
d. For SSID Broadcast, select the Disabled button to disable the SSID broadcast. Wireless
clients survey the area for networks to associate with and will detect the SSID broadcast
sent by the Linksys device. For added security, do not broadcast the SSID.
e. Save your settings before going to the next screen.

Step 6: Configure encryption and authentication

a. Choose the Wireless Security tab on the Wireless screen.
b. This router supports four types of security mode settings:
• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) Personal, which uses a pre-shared key (PSK)
• WPA Enterprise, which uses Remote Access Dial In User Service (RADIUS)
• RADIUS
c. Select WPA Personal Security Mode.

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d. On the next screen, choose an Encryption algorithm.

To secure a network, use the highest level of encryption possible within the Selected
Security mode.
The following Security Modes and Encryption levels are listed from least secure (WEP)
to most secure (WPA2 with AES)
a) WEP
b) WPA
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)
AES (Advanced Encryption System)
c) WPA2
TKIP
AES

AES is only supported by newer devices that contain a co-processor. To ensure

compatibility with all devices, select TKIP.
e. For authentication, enter a pre-shared key between 8 and 63 characters. This key is
shared by the Linksys device and all connected devices.
f. Choose a key renewal period between 600 and 7200 seconds. The renewal period is how
often the Linksys device changes the encryption key.
g. Save your settings before exiting the screen.

Step 7: Configure MAC address filtering

a. Choose the Wireless MAC Filter tab on the Wireless screen.
b. MAC address filtering allows only selected wireless client MAC addresses to have
access to your network. Select the radio button to Permit PCs listed below to access the
wireless network. Click the Wireless Client List button to display a list of all wireless
client computers on your network.

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c. The next screen allows you to identify which MAC addresses can have access to the
wireless network. Click the Save to MAC Address Filter List check box for any client
device you want to add, and then click the Add button. Any wireless clients, other than
those in the list will be prevented from accessing your wireless network. Save your
settings before exiting the screen.

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Backing-up and Restoring Configuration Files

Step 1: Using the browser window access the Linksys GUI

Step 2: Backup the current configuration file

 Click the Administration tab to navigate to the management page
 At the bottom of the page, click Backup Configurations.
 Specify the filename and click save

Step 3: Return all setting to factory defaults

 Select the Factory Defaults tab.
 Click the Restore Factory Defaults button to delete all information in the current
configuration
 Explore the Linksys GUI

Step 4: Restore the previously saved configuration file

 Return to the management page and click Restore Configurations.
 Select the file of the previously saved configuration and click open

Updating the Firmware

Step 1: Using the browser window access the Linksys GUI

Step 2: Upgrade the firmware

 Click the Administration tab to navigate to the management page
 Select the Firmware Upgrade tab
 Specify the filename and location by clicking the browser button
 Select the WRT300N_1.[Link] file from the list and click open
 Click Start to Upgrade
 Click continue within the complete window after the upgrade finishes

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