Escient FireBall SE-80, Startup Manual

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FireBall SE Advanced Users Guide WD049-1-1
9/23/2005
Page 9 of 46
6640 Intech Blvd. Suite 250 Indianapolis, IN 46278 317.616.6789 phone 317.616.6790 fax www.escient.com
FireBall Networking: Beyond Ethernet
FireBall contains built-in Ethernet networking and optional external dialup modem support. In
addition to these types of network connections, you may want to integrate FireBall into other
networks such as 802.11 Wireless (WiFi), Powerline, or HomePNA (HPNA).
Although there are dozens of brands on the market, Escient recommends and supports D-Link
and Linksys home networking products because of their wide availability and installed base
within our market. The Linksys web site is an excellent source for information on building home
networks.
Wireless Networking
Wireless Networking, commonly referred to as “WiFi” or 802.11a/b/g, is defined as a local area
network that uses 2.4GHz radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few
hundred feet using the ethernet protocol.
FireBall can be added to a wireless home network using an external Ethernet to Wireless
adapter such as the Linksys Wireless Ethernet Bridges. The Ethernet Bridge will “bridge” the
gap between the FireBall’s Ethernet port and the home network’s wireless access point. When
used with a broadband Internet connection, this networking configuration effectively converts
the FireBall’s wired Ethernet signals to travel wirelessly to the home network’s wireless access
point, then onto the Internet.
FireBall Connected to a Wireless Network
Be sure to use an adapter which supports the version of 802.11 (A, B, or G) that the user’s
Wireless Access Point supports. Refer to the Access Point’s documentation for more
information.