54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter Model #: 802UIG User Manual Solutions for the Digital LifeTM Table of Contents 1 Introduction Package Contents Minimum System Requirements Features Technical Support 1 1 1 2 2 2 Understanding the Wireless Network Ad Hoc Mode Infrastructure Mode 3 3 4 3 Setting Up the Adapter 4 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Opening the Wireless Configuration Utility About Link Status Site Monitor View Available Networks Exit Hide Systray Icon 5 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 5 Troubleshooting and FAQs Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions 17 17 18 A Specifications General Wireless Operating Range LED Indicators Environmental 21 21 21 22 22 B Using the Adapter with Windows XP Connecting to an Unsecured Access Point Connecting to a Secured Access Point 23 23 25 Glossary Notices Regulatory Compliance Notices Modifications Miscellaneous Legal Notices 29 33 33 33 34 Limited Warranty 35 i Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual This page left intentionally blank. ii Introduction 1 Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter. The 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter features the latest wireless technology and security protocols to keep your data accessible and secure. This easy-to-set-up, easy-touse product is perfect for the mobile, home, or small office computer user. If you want to take your computing to the next level, the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter is one of the keys to your success. This User Manual will show you how to set up the 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter and customize its configuration to get the most out of your wireless network. The 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter is compliant with the 802.11g specifications and requires a wireless access point, router/gateway, or any other compatible wireless device. Package Contents s s s s Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter USB cable Installation CD (includes user manual) Quick Start guide Minimum System Requirements A computer with the following: s s s s s s USB connector (USB 1.1, 2.0 compatibility) Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Millennium Edition (Me), 2000, or XP TCP/IP network protocol installed Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape Navigator 5.0 (or higher) 64 Mb (or more) of RAM 200 MHz (or faster) processor 1 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual Features s s s IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standards conformity USB interface (USB 1.1 [11 Mbps max.], 2.0 [54 Mpbs max.] compatible) WEP, WPA, WPA_PSK, and 802.1x support Technical Support Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making durable, high-performance, highquality 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 United States 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 2 Understanding the Wireless Network 2 Wireless local area networks (WLAN) perform the exact same functions as wired local area networks (LAN). Each computer in the WLAN uses a data radio device to connect to the network, and all computers 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 useful when communicating among many computers locally without the need to connect to printers or file servers on a wired LAN. 3 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB 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. 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. Note: Corporate WLANs require infrastructure mode to use services such as file servers or printers. 4 Setting Up the Adapter 3 The instructions that follow in this chapter parallel the steps contained in the Actiontec Connection 1-2-3® setup utility, which provides a visual, step-by-step guide to setting up the USB Adapter. It is recommended the user run Connection 1-2-3 first, before attempting any other procedures. M Caution: Do not plug in the Adapter until instructed during the installation procedure. 1. Insert the Installation CD in the CD-ROM drive of the computer. Connection 1-2-3 starts automatically. Temporary files and drivers for the Adapter are loaded onto the hard drive, then the first Connection 1-2-3 screen appears. Read the onscreen instructions, then click Next. Note: If Connection 1-2-3 does not start automatically, click Start from the desktop, then select Run. Type d:\c123.exe (with "d" representing the drive letter of the computer's CDROM drive) in the "Open" text box, and click OK. 5 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual 2. Get the USB cable and Adapter from the box, then click on Next. 3. Plug the smaller end of the USB cable into the port on the front of the Adapter, then click Next. 6 Chapter 3 Setting Up the Adapter 4. Plug the other end of the USB cable into the USB port located on the back of the computer. After plugging for the Note:New Hardware in the Adapter to the computer, wait Next. "Add Wizard" to complete before clicking Click Next. 5. If using Windows XP, follow the steps on the next screen. Otherwise, click Next to continue. 7 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual the Note: For systems runningtoWindows duringWindows Installation may need be accessed the installation 98 SE, 98 SE CD process. If this occurs, a window will appear, asking for 98 SE Installation CD. Remove the Connection 1-2-3 CD from the CDROM drive, replace it with the 98 SE Installation CD, then, when finished, remove it and put the Connection 1-2-3 CD back in the CD-ROM drive. 6. Connection 1-2-3 detects the Adapter. Click Next. 7. When the Adapter is successfully detected, make sure the Power light (PW) glows steadily orange. The Link Activity light (LK) may blink, as well. Click Next. 8 Chapter 3 Setting Up the Adapter 8. The congratulations screen appears. Click Next. 9. Read the onscreen instructions, then click Finish. Reboot the computer. The USB Adapter is now ready to use. For additional configuration options, see chapter 4, "Using the Wireless Configuration Utility." If using Windows XP, see Appendix B, "Using the Adapter With Windows XP." 9 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual This page left intentionally blank. 10 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility 4 To monitor the wireless network to which the USB Adapter is connected, as well as check or adjust wireless network settings, use the Wireless Configuration Utility. This Utility offers the ability to check wireless network signal strength, connect to a wireless network, and many other options. Note: If the computer is using the Windows XP Wireless Configuration Utility, the Actiontec Wireless Configuration Utility cannot be used. To use the Actiontec Utility, disable the XP Utility by right-clicking on the appropriate network icon in the system tray, then selecting Status from the menu that appears. In the next window, click Properties. In the next window, make sure the check box next to "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" is deactivated (no check mark). Opening the Wireless Configuration Utility To open the Utility, go to the right-hand corner of the desktop. In the system tray (where the clock is located), right-click on the Actiontec Wireless Configuration Utility icon (shown in the red circle, below) Note: Depending on the operating system, the Utility icon may not appear in the system tray. A shortcut icon for the Utility will, however, appear on the desktop. 11 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual A menu appears, displaying the Utility's options. To select one, click on it, and the appropriate window will appear. About Selecting "About" from the Utility menu generates the "About" window. This window displays the version numbers for the Adapter's chipset, driver version, and firmware. 12 Chapter 4 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Link Status Selecting "Link Status" from the Utility menu generates the "Link Status" window. The Link Status window provides information regarding the current status of the USB Adapter and its settings, including how many packets are being received and transmitted, transfer rate, SSID, IP address, and other related settings. 13 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual Site Monitor Selecting "Site Monitor" from the Utility menu generates the "Site Monitor" window. The Site Monitor window displays information regarding nearby visible access points or wireless routers/gateways, as well as other computers available through ad hoc networks. To view more information about a particular network, select it from the "Visible Networks" list box and click Advanced Monitor. The "Advanced Site Monitor" appears, displaying more information about the selected network. 14 Chapter 4 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility View Available Networks Selecting "View Available Networks" from the Utility menu generates the "Single Source Card Utility" window. This window displays the available wireless networks, allowing the user to change networks. To configure the SSID or name of a wireless network, highlight the name ("Actiontec" in the figure above, for example) and click Configure. To automatically connect to a particular network every time the Adapter searches for a network, click Add, select the network, and, when the network name appears in the "Preferred networks" list box, select it. Using the "Move Up" button, make sure the selected network appears at the top of the list. 15 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual Advanced Clicking "Advanced" in the Single Source Card Utility window generates the "Advanced" window. Use this window to select the type of network to which the Adapter connects. Exit Selecting "Exit" from the Utility menu closes the Utility. Hide Systray Icon Selecting "Hide Systray Icon" removes the Utility icon from the system tray. To place it back in the system tray, start the Utility by selecting Start from the desktop, then Programs, Actiontec 54 Mbps, and Wireless Utility. 16 Troubleshooting and FAQs 5 This chapter describes some common problems that may be encountered when using the USB Adapter, and ways to resolve the problems. Also included is a list of frequently asked questions. Troubleshooting The Adapter can't connect to an access point. From the Network Properties applet, perform the following steps: · Make sure the operating mode is set to Infrastructure mode. · Make sure that the SSID is the same as the SSID of the access point. Many access points are case sensitive and require all devices to match the letter case as well. · Check the security settings. In the WEP Encryption window, for example, make sure all of the WEP settings match the WEP settings of the access point. Changing the Adapter's IP address. There are two methods to change the Adapter's IP address: · Open the USB Adapter Network Connection from the Network Properties applet. Click on the IP Settings screen, click the Static IP Address radio button, and change the IP address. · If you still have problems, unplug the Adapter from the computer and plug it back in. Then, change the IP address again. 17 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual The computer won't detect the Adapter. Make sure the USB cable is properly connected and that the orange Power light (PW) is on. Also, make sure the computer's USB drivers are properly installed. Frequently Asked Questions How far can I be from the access point and maintain a connection? The access point's range depends on the environment. Indoor range is approximately 91 meters (300 ft.) or more; outdoor range can reach up to 533 meters (1750 ft.). How fast is the wireless network? The rated speed of the wireless network under optimal conditions is 54 Mbps. This speed does vary, depending on distance from the access point and the amount of attenuation (physical barriers such as walls, glass, etc.) the wireless signal must go through. My Adapter se ...