User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMaxTM Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 NETGEAR, Inc. 4500 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA 202-10076-01 Version v1.0 February 2005 202-10076-01 Technical Support Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering your product at http://www.netgear.com/register, we can provide you with faster expert technical support and timely notices of product and software upgrades. NETGEAR, INC. Support Information Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR, for US & Canada only. For other countries, see your Support information card. E-mail: support@netgear.com Web site: http://www.netgear.com 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. © 2005 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, The Gear Guy and Everybody's Connecting are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. February 2005 Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer It is hereby certified that the Model WPN111 wireless USB 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 202-10076-01 FCC Information to User This product does not contain any user serviceable components and is to be used with approved antennas only. Any product changes or modifications will invalidate all applicable regulatory certifications and approvals FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Declaration Of Conformity We NETGEAR, Inc., 4500 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054, declare under our sole responsibility that the model WPN111 Cardbus Card Wireless Adapter complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: · · This device may not cause harmful interference, and This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Regulatory Compliance Information This section includes user requirements for operating this product in accordance with National laws for usage of radio spectrum and operation of radio devices. Failure of the end-user to comply with the applicable requirements may result in unlawful operation and adverse action against the end-user by the applicable National regulatory authority. NOTE: This product's firmware limits operation to only the channels allowed in a particular Region or Country. Therefore, all options described in this user's guide may not be available in your version of the product. FCC Requirements for Operation in the United States Radio Frequency Interference Warnings & Instructions 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 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 methods: · · · · Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver Connect the equipment into an electrical outlet on a circuit different from that which the radio receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. iii 202-10076-01 NETGEAR RangeMaxTM Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 Tested to Comply with FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE PY3WG111T Modifications made to the product, unless expressly approved byNETGEAR, Inc., could void the user's right to operate the equipment. Export Restrictions This product or software contains encryption code which may not be exported or transferred from the US or Canada without an approved US Department of Commerce export license. Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations This digital apparatus (NETGEAR RangeMaxTM Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111) 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. Canada ID: 4054A-WG111T iv 202-10076-01 Contents Chapter 1 About This Manual Audience, Scope, Conventions ......................................................................................1-1 How to Use this Manual ..................................................................................................1-2 How to Print this Manual .................................................................................................1-3 Chapter 2 Introduction About the WPN111 .........................................................................................................2-1 Key Features ..................................................................................................................2-1 What's in the Box? ..........................................................................................................2-2 A Road Map for `How to Get There From Here' .............................................................2-2 Chapter 3 Basic Setup What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................3-1 Verifying System Requirements ...............................................................................3-1 Observing Location and Range Guidelines ..............................................................3-2 Two Basic Operating Modes ...........................................................................................3-2 WPN111 Default Wireless Configuration Settings ..........................................................3-3 Basic Installation Instructions .........................................................................................3-3 For Windows XP Users Installing a WPN111 ...........................................................3-4 For Windows 2000 Users Installing a WPN111 ........................................................3-8 WPN111 Wireless Connection Indicators ..................................................................... 3-11 Interpreting the LED on the WPN111 ..................................................................... 3-11 Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors .....................................................................3-12 Chapter 4 Configuration Understanding the Configuration Options ......................................................................4-1 Using Configuration Profiles ...........................................................................................4-1 Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode ............................................4-2 How to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile .....................................................4-2 Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc Mode ....................................................................4-4 Contents 202-10076-01 v How to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode Profile ...............................................................4-4 How to Start a Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network .......................................4-6 Enabling Wireless Security Features ..............................................................................4-7 Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security Settings ...........4-7 How to Configure WEP Encryption Security ............................................................4-8 How to Configure WPA-PSK Encryption Security ....................................................4-9 Statistics Page ........................................................................................................4-10 Advanced Settings Page ........................................................................................ 4-11 Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Basic Tips .......................................................................................................................5-1 Frequently Asked Questions ..........................................................................................5-2 General Questions ...................................................................................................5-2 Appendix A Technical Specifications ......................................................................................................A1 Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics Wireless Networking Overview ...................................................................................... B-1 Infrastructure Mode ................................................................................................. B-1 Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) ................................................................ B-2 Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) ................................ B-2 Wireless Channels .................................................................................................. B-2 Wireless Security Overview ........................................................................................... B-6 WEP Overview .............................................................................................................. B-7 WEP Authentication ................................................................................................ B-7 WEP Keys ............................................................................................................... B-9 How to Use WEP Parameters ............................................................................... B-10 802.1x Port Based Network Access Control .................................................................B-11 WPA Wireless Security ................................................................................................ B-13 How Does WPA Compare to WEP? ...................................................................... B-14 How Does WPA Compare to IEEE 802.11i? ........................................................ B-15 What are the Key Features of WPA Security? ...................................................... B-15 WPA Data Encryption Key Management .............................................................. B-19 Is WPA Perfect? .................................................................................................... B-20 Product Support for WPA ...................................................................................... B-20 vi 202-10076-01 Contents Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking ....................................................... C-1 Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking .............................................. C-1 Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ................................................. C-1 Enabling DHCP in Windows 98 and Me . ...