Q: What is a switch?
A: A switch is a device that connects several Ethernet devices together. A switch looks at the destination of the Ethernet packets and forwards those packets only to the port where the destination computer resides. This greatly decreases overall network traffic making switches more desirable than hubs which forward traffic to all ports.

Q: What is a router?
A: A router connects two networks. In the case of home networks, it will connect the router owner’s private Local Area Network (LAN) to the ISP’s highly public Wide Area Network (WAN.) A router makes it possible for multiple computers to connect to the Internet simultaneously through the single IP address provided by most Internet Service Providers(ISP.)

Q: Is NAT the same as “firewall”?
A: No. Network Address Translation (NAT) is the method by which several computers on a private network are represented to the Internet. When packets are sent to the Internet from one of these private computers, the router alters them to appear as if they originate from the router rather than the computer. When the router receives responses form the Internet, it alters them to appear they were destined for the private computer all along. Any packets received by the router from the Internet that are not in response to an outbound packet are discarded as unsolicited.
A firewall , on the other hand, explicitly blocks packets by application (TCP/UDP port), source (IP address), and direction (inbound/outbound). For Example, a firewall might be configured to block all packets except HTTP(web) packets, all packets from a certain computer on your LAN, or packets from a particular game. These two security features are commonly used together.

Q: How do I configure my router to make a server visible to the Internet?
A: By using Port Mapping. You can instruct your router to forward all packet destined for a particular port (and therefore application) to a particular IP address on your network. For instance, to map a web server residing at 192.168.0.3 on your private network,go to the port-mapping page in your router and instruct it to forward all traffic destined to port 80 (the HTTP port) to 192.168.0.3.

Q: What is the difference between an SPI firewall and a regular firewall?
A: A Stateful Packet Inspection firewall provides protection above and beyond a standard firewall. There is a protocol called TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) that is used in 80% of all Internet communications. It is said to be stateful, that is, there are times where it is appropriate to send types of TCP messages and times when it isn’t. Hackers commonly take advantage of this by sending packets with inappropriate TCP states to bog down a computer or force it to crash. Where a firewall will forward all packets mapped to a port. An SPI firewall inspects each packet to determine if that packet is legitimate. This protects your network against malicious attacks that flood your network with inappropriate packets. SPI can also protect computers designated as a DMZ.

Q: What is a DMZ?
A: A Demilitarized Zone is a computer on your network that receives all packets received from the Internet by your router. Packets received as responses to output from your LAN or for ports explicitly mapped to a given computer will continue to be routed as normal. All other traffic will be sent to the Demilitarized PC. This configuration is recommended only for servers that have firewalls running directly on them. Without the proper protection this is a highly dangerous operating configuration.

Q: What is VPN pass-thru?
A: Virtual Private Networks are used to allow remote access to a private network. A computer connected via VPN to a working network will actually appear to be on that network and will have access to all it’s resources. VPN itself depends on complicated encryption to provide security. This encryption however typically conflicts with the NAT function of most routers. VPN pass-thru is a modification to NAT that allows VPN packets to traverse the router without being mangled, thus allowing VPN connections.

Q: Can Uniden routers allow me to share files, documents, MP3s and printers?
A: Yes. Uniden’s routers allow you to connect all your desktop and laptop computers, creating your own Local Area Network (LAN). From your LAN, you’ll be able to share any files, folders, MP3s and printers between all computers.

Q: Can I change the factory default user name and password?
A: Yes. You can change either the user name and password. Please refer to the Owner’s Manual for more information on changing these settings.

Q: I forgot the user name and password. How can I find them?
A: You can reset the user name and password to the default settings by pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds. However, you will lose all configurations when this is done and you’ll need to re-configure any changes to the IP Address, WEP Settings, etc. after pressing the reset button.

Q: What is CardBus Interface?
A: “Cardbus” and “PC Card” are two alternative types of PCMCIA interfaces on laptops and desktops. PC Card is a 16-bit interface, while CardBus is a 32-bit interface. The CardBus supports higher data rates and is commonly used for high-speed networking devices.

Q: What is a PC Card Interface?
A: “PC Card” and “CardBus” are two alternative types of PCMCIA interfaces on laptops and desktops. PC Card is a 16-bit interface, while CardBus is a 32-bit interface. The CardBus supports higher data rates and is commonly used for high-speed networking devices.

Q: What is the difference between static IP Address and dynamic IP address?
A: Static IP address is an IP address that is “permanently” assigned to a subscriber when they first sign up for their Internet Service. Dynamic IP Addresses are assigned to subscribers temporarily when you connect to the internet. The address has a pre-determined time limit.

Q: Will my cordless phones interfere with my wireless network?

A: 802.11b operates in the 2.4GHz space. As a result, it may interfere with 2.4GHz cordless phones. You will not notice any performance issues with your cordless phone, however, while the cordless phone is in use it may shut down your 2.4GHz 802.11b/g wireless network.

If you have a Uniden 2.4GHz cordless phones you can operate both at the same time by switching the channel of your Wireless LAN within your wireless configuration utility. The default setting is channel one. If you find it inteferes with your cordless phone, switch your wireless LAN channel to 6 or 11.


Q: XP does not support the “pass phrase” feature for enabling WEP. How do I get around this?
A: You don’t. The pass-phrase feature is used to keep you from having to correctly enter four 128 bit numbers in each wireless device using your network. With Pass Phrase all you need do is enter a simple string and the keys will be generated by using the string as a randomizer. However, since XP does not support this feature, you will have to take note of the four large hexadecimal numbers and enter them by hand.

Q: I am not able to get to the Browser Based Configuration screen. What can I do?
A: Your PC may not be on the same IP Address network. As a result, the two cannot communicate with each other and you will need to change the IP Address of your computer to 192.168.1.2.
The following provides instructions for changing your IP Address on your computer. (Note – After you’ve changed the IP Address on your computer and you’ve configured the Router or Access Point to your satisfaction, you may need to re-configure the previous IP Address back into your computer.)

For Windows 95, 98, and ME:
1. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double click on Network.
2. In “The following network components are installed” box, select the TCP/IP associated with your network adapter. If you only have one network adapter installed, you will only see one TCP/IP mentioned with no association to a network adapter. Highlight it and click the Properties button.
3. In the “TCP/IP Properties” window, select the “IP Address” tab.
Note: PLEASE WRITE DOWN THE IP ADDRESS or THE BOX FOR “OBTAIN AN IP ADDRESS AUTOMATICALLY” WAS CHECKED ON THE “MEMO” PAGE OF THIS MANUAL, PAGE 57. After you’ve configured the Access Point, you will need to re-enter either the IP Address or check the box for “Obtain an IP Address Automatically” into your computer. Follow these same steps, but enter the information YOU wrote down on the “Memo” page of this manual, page 57.
4. Select “Specify an IP address”. Enter a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer connected to the network. You can only use an IP address in the range of 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254. Make sure that each IP address is unique for each PC or network device.
5. Enter the Subnet Mask, 255.255.255.0.
6. Click the OK button in the “TCP/IP Properties” window, and click OK in the “Network” window.
7. Restart the computer if asked.

For Windows 2000:
1. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double click on Network and Dial-up Connections.
2. Right click on the Local Area Connection that is associated with the network adapter you are using,
and select the Properties option.
3. In the “Components checked are used by this connection” box, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click the Properties button.
Note: PLEASE WRITE DOWN THE IP ADDRESS or THE BOX FOR “OBTAIN AN IP ADDRESS AUTOMATICALLY” WAS CHECKED ON THE “MEMO” PAGE OF THIS MANUAL, PAGE 57. After you’ve configured the Access Point, you will need to re-enter either the IP Address or check the box for “Obtain an IP Address Automatically” into your computer. Follow these same steps, but enter the information YOU wrote down on the “Memo” page of this manual, page 57.
4. Select Use the following IP address option. Enter a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer connected to the network. You can only use an IP address in the range of 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254. Make sure that each IP address is unique for each PC or network device.
5. Enter the Subnet Mask, 255.255.255.0.
6. Click the OK button in the “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window, and click the OK button in the “Local Area Connection Properties” window.
7. Restart the computer if asked.

For Windows NT 4.0:
1. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double click on Network.
2. Select the Protocol tab, and double click on TCP/IP Protocol.
3. When the window appears, make sure you have selected the correct Adapter for your network adapter.
Note: PLEASE WRITE DOWN THE IP ADDRESS or THE BOX FOR “OBTAIN AN IP ADDRESS AUTOMATICALLY” WAS CHECKED ON THE “MEMO” PAGE OF THIS MANUAL, PAGE 57. After you’ve configured the Access Point, you will need to re-enter either the IP Address or check the box for “Obtain an IP Address Automatically” into your computer. Follow these same steps, but enter the information YOU wrote down on the “Memo” page of this manual, page 57.
4. Select “Specify an IP address”, and enter a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer connected to the network. You can only use an IP address in the range of 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254. Make sure that each IP address is unique for each PC or network device.
5. Enter the Subnet Mask, 255.255.255.0.
6. Click the OK button in the “TCP/IP Properties” window, and click OK in the “Network” window.
7. Restart the computer if asked.

For Windows XP:
1. Click on Start, Control Panel. If your view is already Classic View, proceed to step 2. Otherwise, switch your view to Classic View, located at the top left of the window.
2. Double click on Network Connections.
3. Right click on the Local Area Connection that is associated with the network adapter you are using, and select the Properties option.
4. In the “This connection uses the following items” box, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click the Properties button.
Note: PLEASE WRITE DOWN THE IP ADDRESS or THE BOX FOR “OBTAIN AN IP ADDRESS AUTOMATICALLY” WAS CHECKED ON THE “MEMO” PAGE OF THIS MANUAL, PAGE 57. After you’ve configured the Access Point, you will need to re-enter either the IP Address or check the box for “Obtain an IP Address Automatically” into your computer. Follow these same steps, but enter the information YOU wrote down on the “Memo” page of this manual, page 57.
5. Enter a unique IP address that is not used by any other computer connected to the network. You can only use an IP address in the range of 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254. Make sure that each IP address is unique for each PC or network device.
6. Enter the Subnet Mask, 255.255.255.0.
7. Click the OK button in the “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window. Click the OK button in the “Local Area Connection Properties” window.
8. Restart your computer if asked.