Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card NETGEAR, Inc. 4500 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA Phone 1-888-NETGEAR M1-MA401NA-2 November 2002 © 2002 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks NETGEAR is a registered trademark of NETGEAR, INC. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Statement of Conditions In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to make changes to the products described in this document without notice. NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein. Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer It is hereby certified that the Model MA301 Wireless PCI Adapter has been suppressed in accordance with the conditions set out in the BMPT- AmtsblVfg 243/1991 and Vfg 46/1992. The operation of some equipment (for example, test transmitters) in accordance with the regulations may, however, be subject to certain restrictions. Please refer to the notes in the operating instructions. Federal Office for Telecommunications Approvals has been notified of the placing of this equipment on the market and has been granted the right to test the series for compliance with the regulations. VCCI Statement This equipment is in the Class B category (information equipment to be used in a residential area or an adjacent area thereto) and conforms to the standards set by the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Data Processing Equipment and Electronic Office Machines aimed at preventing radio interference in such residential areas. When used near a radio or TV receiver, it may become the cause of radio interference. Read instructions for correct handling. ii Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance Notice: Radio Frequency Notice This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: · · This device may not cause harmful interference. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: (1) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna, (2) Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver, (3) Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected, (4) Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. In order to avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio frequency exposure limits, human proximity to the antenna shall not be less than 20 cm (8 inches) during normal operation. EN 55 022 Statement This is to certify that the Model MA301 Wireless PCI Adapter is shielded against the generation of radio interference in accordance with the application of Council Directive 89/336/EEC, Article 4a. Conformity is declared by the application of EN 55 022 Class B (CISPR 22). Compliance is dependent upon the use of shielded data cables. Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations This digital apparatus (Model MA301 Wireless PCI Adapter) does not exceed the Class B limits for radio-noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. iii Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card iv Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card Contents Preface About This Reference Guide Chapter 1 Introduction About the MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card ..........................................1 Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products ......................................1 What's in the Box? ...................................................................................2 A Road Map for `How to Get There From Here' .......................................3 Chapter 2 Installing the MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card What You Will Need Before You Begin ....................................................1 Verify System Requirements .............................................................2 Observe Location and Range Guidelines ..........................................2 Two Basic Operating Modes ....................................................................3 MA401 Default Wireless Configuration Settings ......................................3 Using the MA401 to Connect to a Wireless Network Access Point in Infrastructure Mode ..................................................................................4 For Experienced Computer Users Installing a MA401 to Operate In Infrastructure Mode ...........................................................................5 Detailed Infrastructure Mode Setup Instructions for Various Version of Windows ..................................................................................................7 For Windows XP Users Installing a MA401 .......................................7 For Windows 98/ME Users Installing a MA401 ...............................10 For Windows 2000 Users Installing a MA401 ..................................13 For Windows 95B Users Installing a MA401 ...................................16 For Windows NT4 Users Installing a MA401 ...................................19 Using the MA401 to Connect in Ad-Hoc Mode ......................................23 v Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card Installing a MA401 to Operate in Ad-Hoc Mode ..............................23 MA401 Wireless Connection Indicators .................................................27 Interpreting the LED on the MA401 .................................................27 Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors ..............................................28 Troubleshooting Tips ..............................................................................29 Chapter 3 Protecting Your Wireless Connection Enabling Basic Wireless Security Features .............................................1 Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security Settings ..............................................................................................2 Setting the Wireless Network Name (SSID) ......................................3 Configuring WEP Encryption Security ...............................................4 Appendix A Technical Specifications Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics Related Publications ................................................................................1 Wireless Networking ................................................................................1 Wireless Network Configuration ........................................................1 Ad-hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) ....................................2 Infrastructure Mode .....................................................................2 Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) .....................................2 Authentication and WEP Encryption ..................................................3 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) .................................................3 Wireless Channel Selection ...............................................................4 Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking ..................................1 Configuring Windows 95, 98, and ME for TCP/IP Networking .................1 Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ...........................2 Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 95B, 98, and ME ................................................................................3 vi Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card Selecting Windows' Internet Access Method .....................................5 Verifying TCP/IP Properties ...............................................................6 Configuring Windows NT, 2000 or XP for IP Networking .........................6 Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ...........................6 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4 ..........7 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP ...............................7 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 ..........................10 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4 ............................13 Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP, 2000, and NT4 .........16 Index vii Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card viii Preface About This Reference Guide Thank you for purchasing the NETGEARTM MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card. The MA401 PC Card provides high-speed 11 Mbps access between your computer and other 802.11b compliant wireless devices. Note: If you are unfamiliar with networking, routing, and wireless communications, refer to Appendix B, "802.11b Wireless Networking Basics," to become more familiar with the terms and procedures used in this manual. This reference manual assumes that the reader has basic to intermediate computer and Internet skills. However, basic computer network, Internet, and wireless technologies tutorial information is provided in the Appendices. This guide uses the following typographical conventions: italics courier font Book titles, commands, and directory names. Screen text, user-typed command-line entries. Menu titles and window and button names. Named keys in text are shown enclosed in square brackets. The notation [Enter] is used for the Enter key and the Return key. Two or more keys that must be pressed simultaneously are shown in text linked with a plus (+) sign. DOS file and directory names. Initial Caps [Enter] [Ctrl]+C ALL CAPS About This Reference GuidePreface-1 Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card Preface-2About This Reference Guide Chapter 1 Introduction This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the NETGEAR MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card. About the MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card The MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card gives you ultimate mobility in your office or while you are traveling. It frees you from traditional Ethernet wiring and helps you create a wireless network for sharing your broadband cable or DSL Internet access among multiple PCs in and around your home. It is designed for notebook computers running Microsoft Windows. It is both 16-bit PCMCIA and 32-bit CardBus compatible and works in any available PCMCIA or CardBus slot. Its auto-sensing capability allows packet transfer at 11Mbps for maximum throughput, or dynamic range shifting to the lower speeds due to distance or operating limitations in an environment with a lot of electromagnetic interference. It provides reliable, standards-based 802.11b LAN connectivity that is protected with industry-standard security. It works with Windows® 95B, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, and XP operating systems. Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products The MA401 PC Card provides the following features: · · · Reliable IEEE 802.11b standard-based wireless technology. Supports roaming between access points when configured in Infrastructure mode. 11Mbps high rate speed. Wireless nodes negotiate to operate in the optimal data transfer rate. In a noisy environment or when the distance between the wireless nodes is far, the wireless nodes automatically fall back to operate at the lower transfer rate of two or one Megabit per second. Introduction1-1 Reference Guide for the Model MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card · Highest level of data encryption using128-bit Shared Key WEP data encryption method. Lower level of data encryption or no data encryption is available to simplify your network setup or to improve data transfer rate. The following Netgear products can be configured to communicate with the MA401 PC Card. · · ...