Linksys E2100L
Chapter 1: Product Overview
1
Advanced Wireless-N Router
Chapter 1: Product Overview
Thank you for choosing the Linksys E2100L Advanced
Wireless-N Router . The Router lets you access the Internet
via a wireless connection or through one of its four
switched ports . You can also use the Router to share
resources such as computers, printers and files . The
Router’s USB port connects to a USB storage device, so
you can access your portable files . (A USB hard drive may
require an external power supply .)
A variety of security features help to protect your data
and your privacy while you are online . Security features
include Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security, which
encrypts data on your wireless network; a Stateful Packet
Inspection (SPI) firewall to help block unauthorized access
to your Router; and Network Address Translation (NAT)
technology, which enhances network protection by
allowing your computers to share Internet access through
a single, public Internet (IP) address . (IP stands for Internet
Protocol .)
Setup and use of the Router is easy using Cisco Connect,
the software that is installed when you run the included
CD . Advanced configuration of the Router is available
through the provided browser-based utility .
Top
1, 2, 3, 4
(Blue) These numbered LEDs,
corresponding with the numbered ports on
the Router’s back panel, serve two purposes .
The LED is continuously lit when the Router
is connected to a device through that port . It
flashes to indicate network activity over that
port .
Wi-Fi Protected Setup Button
If you have
client devices, such as wireless adapters,
that support Wi-Fi Protected Setup, then you
can use the Wi-Fi Protected Setup button to
automatically configure wireless security for
your wireless network .
To use Wi-Fi Protected Setup, refer to
Wi-Fi Protected Setup, page 18 .
Wireless
(Blue) The Wireless LED lights up
when the wireless feature is enabled . It flashes
when the Router sends or receives data over
the wireless network .
Internet
(Blue) The Internet LED lights up
when there is a connection made through the
Internet port . It flashes to indicate network
activity over the Internet port .
Power
(Blue) The Power LED lights up when
the Router is powered on . When the Router goes
through its self-diagnostic mode during every
boot-up, the LED flashes . When the diagnostic
is complete, the LED is continuously lit .
Back
Internet
Ethernet
4
3
2
1
Power
12VDC
USB
Antenna Ports
The female R-SMA antenna
ports connect to the male R-SMA connectors of
the included antennas .
Internet
Using an Ethernet cable (also called
a network or Internet cable), the Internet
port connects the Router to your Internet
connection, which is typically a cable or Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) modem .
4, 3, 2, 1
Using Ethernet cables, these Ethernet
ports (4, 3, 2, 1) connect the Router to computers
and other Ethernet network devices on your
wired network .
USB Port
The USB port connects to a USB
storage device . If the storage device does not fit
(for example, it may block port 1), then use the
included USB extension cable .
Power
The Power port connects to the
included power adapter .
