Wireless Networking with the Actiontec™ Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway (1520/1524)
Wireless networking is just around the corner with your Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway. Before you expand into the world of wireless networking please familiarize yourself with the information provided below.
Why wireless?
Wireless networking provides the ability to set up a network in multiple rooms without the high cost of wiring. Wireless networking also provides the flexibility to roam in your wireless coverage area with a laptop PC.
The Actiontec 1520/1524 are wireless ready devices that can be upgraded to support wireless networking by simply inserting an Actiontec provided PC Card into the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway. All devices on the LAN you want to connect via wireless will need a wireless 802.11b adapter.
What is 802.11b?
802.11b is a standard for wireless networking. 802.11b devices will communicate in a LAN environment if configured correctly.
Wireless Technical Support
Qwest DSL technical support does not provide wireless support for the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway wireless feature. If you experience wireless problems please call Actiontec directly.
Actiontec Electronics provides free tier one wireless support for Actiontec supplied products. To obtain installation or repair support for Actiontec wireless products please call Actiontec toll free at 1-888-436-0657.
Actiontec provides wireless technical support for Non-Actiontec wireless products for $29.95 on a per incident basis. For Non-Actiontec wireless product support please call Actiontec pay for support at 1-888-825-9075.
Wireless Security
If LAN security is a major concern wireless may not be the solution for you. Wired LANs are inherently more secure than wireless LANs. Standard wireless security measures are available with the Actiontec wireless product offering.
*** NOTE: WIRELESS NETWORKING DEVICES USE PUBLIC RADIO
CHANNELS TO TRANSMIT VOICE AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS.
QWEST CANNOT GUARANTEE THE SECURITY, PRIVACY,
OR CONFIDENTIALITY OF ANY TRANSMISSIONS MADE
VIA SUCH DEVICES, AND QWEST MAKES NO ASSURANCES
OR WARRANTIES RELATING TO THEIR USE BY YOU. YOU
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL USE OF YOUR QWEST
DSL® SERVICE REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE OF A TRANSMISSION,
WHETHER BY YOU, OR AN AUTHORIZED OR
UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTY, OVER YOUR QWEST CHOICE
DSL SERVICE.***
What do I need to go Wireless?
In order to establish a wireless LAN with your Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway you will need to purchase the following.
- An Actiontec 802.11b PC Card wireless Adapter for the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway
- Insert the card in the slot on the side of the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway as shown below.
Actiontec 802.11b PC Card Wireless Adapter
NOTE: Only Actiontec 802.11b PC Card Wireless Adapters will work in the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway. Other manufacturer's wireless adapters will not work.
- A wireless peripheral for every PC you plan to connect via wireless
- The following peripherals are available for connecting your PC via wireless.
- Actiontec 802.11b PC Card Wireless Adapter
- Laptop only
- Windows® 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000 and XP
- Actiontec 802.11b USB Wireless Adapter
- Laptop or Desktop
- Windows® 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP
- Actiontec 802.11b PCI Wireless Adapter
- Desktop
- Windows® 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000 and XP
NOTE: Actiontec does not provide MAC® wireless peripherals at this time. If you have a MAC Airport wireless device it can be used to connect to the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway via wireless. You will need to purchase a wireless PC Card for your Actiontec gateway. Qwest DSL technical support does not provide MAC wireless networking support.
Purchasing Actiontec Wireless Devices
Actiontec wireless peripherals can be purchased from Actiontec through the Actiontec online store. Please click on the Actiontec online store icon below to visit the Actiontec store and purchase your wireless networking equipment.
If you would like to order Actiontec wireless adapters via telephone please contact an Actiontec sales representative at 1-800-720-9844. Inform the Actiontec sales representative you are a Qwest DSL user.
Wireless Common Questions
If I install several Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateways in different locations in my building, will they be able to talk to each other? Will I be able to stay connected as I move between them?
If you installed several Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway devices and were to move between coverage areas, your wireless device would actually have to reconnect to a separate network. The Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway does not act as a repeatable access point. You would need a separate DSL line for each device.
Can my wireless signal pass through floors, walls, and glass?
The effect of the physical environment can have varying effects on the signal strength and quality. The more dense the object (A concrete wall compared to a plaster wall), the greater the interference. Concrete or metal reinforced structures will experience a higher degree of signal loss than that of wood, plaster or glass construction.
What is the best placement for the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway to gain maximum throughput and distance?
The best placement of the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway would be in an elevated position centrally located to the area of service. To reduce the effect of physical barriers, attempt to place the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway in a location that places the least physical obstructions to the service area.
I have a MAC computer that uses an Airport wireless device. Is this device compatible with the Home Gateway?
Yes, the Airport wireless device complies with the 802.11b standards. If you will be using the WEP security feature, you will need to refer to your Airport documentation for information on the proper method to enter the WEP key for compatibility with the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway HEX WEP entry. Qwest does not provide technical support for MAC wireless products.
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