54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter Model #: 802EAG User Manual Ver 1.0 Solutions for the Digital LifeTM Table of Contents 1 Introduction Package Contents Features System Requirements Getting to Know the Adapter Technical Support 1 1 2 2 3 4 2 Understanding the Wireless Network Ad Hoc Mode Infrastructure Mode 5 5 6 3 Connecting the Adapter Connecting the Adapter 7 7 4 Configuring the Adapter Using the Configuration Utility Using the Web Configurator 11 11 16 5 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions 23 23 24 6 Glossary 7 Specifications General Wireless Operating Range LED Indicators Environmental 25 27 27 27 28 28 Notices Regulatory Compliance Notices Modifications Miscellaneous Legal Notices 29 29 29 30 Limited Warranty 31 i Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual This page left intentionally blank. ii Introduction Congratulations on becoming the owner of the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter. The Adapter provides bridging capabilities between a wireless LAN (local area network) and one or more gaming consoles or other Ethernet-ready devices, such as printers or storage devices. This manual shows you how to set up the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter and customize its configuration to get the most out of the wireless capabilities of your gaming console. It's especially useful for playing online and multi-player games, all without the hassle of running cables. The Adapter is compliant with the 802.11g specification and requires a wireless router, access point, or compatible wireless device. 1 Package Contents Make sure the following items came in this package: s s s s s Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter* with antenna Power Cord Yellow Ethernet Cable Utility CD (includes this manual) Quick Start Guide * This product may also be referred to as "Ethernet Adapter." 1 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual Features s s s s s s Fully compliant with 54 Mbps 802.11g standard Backward compatible with 802.11b wireless networks Supports Infrastructure and Ad Hoc modes Supports 64- and 128-bit WEP security Detachable antenna Web-based Configuration Utility and Windows Configuration Utility System Requirements For Configuration Utility s IBM compatible-system with 200 MHz Pentium processor, 64 MB of RAM, CDROM drive, and available Ethernet network adapter s s Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP TCP/IP network protocol installed For Usage s s s Sony PlayStation 2 with Ethernet port, Microsoft Xbox Online or network-capable game 802.11b/g compliant wireless router (for online gaming) 2 Chapter 1 Introduction Getting to Know the Adapter This section contains a quick description of the Adapter's external features. Front Panel The Adapter's front panel contains two lights (LEDs): Power and Wireless. Power Light The Power light glows green when the Adapter is powered on, and remains off (or dark) when no power is present. Wireless Light The Wireless light glows solid green when the Adapter is connected to a wireless network, and remains off (or dark) when not connected to a network. When the Wireless light flickers, data traffic is moving across the wireless network. Rear Panel The Adapter's rear panel contains three ports (Power, Antenna [unlabeled], and Ethernet), as well as the Reset button. 3 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual Power Port The Power port is used to connect the Adapter to an electrical wall outlet via the Power cord. Antenna Port The Antenna port (an RP-SMA connector) allows the user to connect various types of antenna to the Adapter. The antenna included in the Adapter package connects to the Antenna port. Ethernet Port The Ethernet Port is used to connect the Adapter to a computer or gaming console via the yellow Ethernet cable. Reset Button The Reset button is used to restore the Adapter's factory default settings. To do this, press the Reset button for 15 seconds. Technical Support Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making durable, high-quality, high-performance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department is available all day every day to provide professional support. Actiontec Electronics, Inc. 760 N. Mary Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Technical Support Phone: (USA) 1-888-436-0657 (UK) 0845-65-80411 E-mail: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php Internet: www.actiontec.com/support 4 Understanding the Wireless Network 2 Wireless local area networks (WLAN) perform the exact same functions as wired local area networks (LAN). Each device in the WLAN uses a data radio device to connect to the network, and all devices in the network share the same frequency and method for identifying wireless devices. Wireless local area networks differ from wired local area networks only in their operating mode. The two operation modes are Ad Hoc and Infrastructure. Ad Hoc Mode Ad hoc mode is a networking framework by which wireless devices or stations communicate directly with each other, without the need for an access point or wireless router/gateway. Ad hoc mode is also called peer-to-peer mode or independent basic service set (IBSS). This mode is used when playing heat-to-head games, in which all the participants are playing against each other in the same room, or at least within range of the wireless network adapters. 5 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual Infrastructure Mode Infrastructure mode is a networking framework where devices communicate with each other by first going through an access point or wireless router/gateway. Infrastructure mode lets wireless devices communicate with each other or with a wired network. With this type of network, and a router connected to the internet, online games can be played, with participants in the same room and/or across the internet. Two types of service can exist while in infrastructure mode: Basic Service Set (BSS) - An access point connected to a wired network and a set of wireless stations. Extended Service Set (ESS) - A set of two or more basic service sets forming a single subnetwork. 6 Connecting the Adapter 3 This chapter details the steps involved in connecting the Adapter to a game console or computer, including installing the antenna and connecting the yellow Ethernet cable and black Power cord. Note: The Adapter is designed with the utmost care for the safety of those who install and use it. However, special attention must be paid to the dangers of electric shock and static electricity when working with electronic equipment. All guidelines of this manual and of the computer manufacturer must be followed at all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment. Connecting the Adapter To connect the Adapter to a network: 1. Get the Adapter from the package. 7 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual 2. Get the yellow Ethernet cable from the package. Plug one end of the cable in Ethernet port on the back of the Adapter. When seated properly, the cable will "click" in the port. 3. Plug the other end of the yellow Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the back of the game console (Xbox, PlayStation 2, etc.) or computer. When seated properly, the cable will "click" in the port. 4. Get the black Power cord from the package. Plug the smaller end into the Power port on the back of the Adapter. 8 Chapter 3 Connecting the Adapter 3. Plug the larger end of the black Power Cord into an electrical outlet. When connected properly, the Adapter's "Power" light glows solid green. The Adapter is now connected to the network. For best performance, the Adapter should be placed in on a flat surface in a horizontal position with the antenna extended up, as shown below: 9 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual This page left intentionally blank. 10 Configuring the Adapter 4 This chapter explains how to configure the Adapter, including changing the IP address, setting up security, and creating a password. The Adapter can be configured through the Configuration Utility provided on the Utility CD (using a computer), or through an internet browser via the Web Configurator. Using the Configuration Utility The Configuration Utility allows the user to view or modify various settings of the Adapter, including configuring security, changing the IP address, and checking the link status. Installing the Utility To install the Configuration Utility 1. Insert the Adapter's Utility CD in the CD-ROM drive of a computer. 2. The installation should start automatically. If not, from the computer's desktop, click Start, then select Run. Type d:\C123.exe (where "d" is the drive letter of the computer's CD-ROM drive). Click OK. 3. When the following screen appears, click Finish. The Configuration Utility is installed on the computer and ready to use. 11 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual Using the Utility The Adapter must be connected via Ethernet cable to the computer with the Configuration Utility installed on it to use. To start the Utility, from the computer's desktop, select Start, and from the menu that appears, select Actiontec 54 Mbps Ethernet Utility. Link Information The first screen that appears is "Link Information." This screen displays information pertaining to the Adapter's wireless connection, including ESSID, IP Address, MAC Address, Channel, WEP Security, and Available AP. None of these settings can be changed from this screen. 12 Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter At the bottom of this screen and the three that follow are three buttons: Apply, Refresh, and Close. Apply Pressing this button causes all changes made to be saved, and a login window to appear. The Adapter's "UserName" and "Password" must be entered to make any changes active. Refresh Pressing this button causes information in the screen to reflect current conditions. Close Pressing this button causes the Utility window to close, and the Utility to quit, without saving changes. AP Settings Selecting AP Settings from the menu on the left side of the Utility window generates the "AP Settings" screen. Mode Select the option (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) that corresponds to the type of wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting by clicking in the appropriate circle. ESSID ESSID is the network name assigned to a wireless network. If changing the wireless network to which the Adapter connects, enter the name (ESSID) of the new network in this text box. Channel Channel assigns the frequency band at which the Adapter communicates. In the United States, use channels 1-11. To change the channel, click the arrow next to the text box and select a channel number. 13 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual IP Settings Selecting IP Settings from the menu on the left side of the Utility window generates the "IP Settings" screen. Fixed IP Address Select this option (by clicking in the appropriate circle) if the wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting requires the Adapter to have a fixed (or static) IP address. If Fixed IP Address is selected, enter the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway addresses in the appropriate text boxes. DHCP Client If the wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting is set up with a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, select the DHCP Client option by clicking in the appropriate circle. 14 Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter Security Selecting Security from the menu on the left side of the Utility window generates the "Security" screen. Data Encryption If the wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting has data encryption, click in the check box to activate Authentication Select the type of authentication (Open or Shared) running on the encrypted wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting. WEP Key Setting In this section of the screen, select the WEP (Wireless Encrypted Privacy) key type (Hex or ASCII) and length (64 bits or 128 bits). Then, enter the keys needed to join the encrypted wireless network in the appropriate text boxes. 15 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual Using the Web Configurator Once the Adapter has joined a wireless network, it can be further configured using the Web Configurator. To access the Web Configurator: 1. From a computer on the Adapter's network, open a Web browser. In the "Address" text box type: http://192.168.0.240 then press Enter on the keyboard. is on Note: If the theaddress of the computerupnotuse the same subnet as the Adapter, computer must be set to static IP. IP 2. A pop-up window appears. Enter the user name and password in the appropriate text boxes. The default user name is admin; the default password is admin. Status The first screen of the Web Configurator is the "Status" screen. 16 Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter In this screen, various network parameters are displayed, both for the LAN (local area network) and the wireless internet connection. This scr ...