Linksys WPC54G manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc . ® Model No . Notebook Adapter Wir eless- G WPC54G User Guide WIRELESS GH z 2.4 802.11g[...]

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Copyright and T rademarks Specifications are subject to change without notice . Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc . and/or its affiliates in the U.S . and certain other cou ntries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product name s are trademarks [...]

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Welcome 1 What’s in this Guide? 2 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 4 Network Topology 4 Roaming 4 Network Layout 5 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 6 The LED Indicators 6 Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration 7 The Installation [...]

Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter List of Figures Figure 3-1: Front Panel 6 Figure 4-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 7 Figure 4-2: The Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 8 Figure 4-3: The Setup Wizard’s Wireless Mode Screen 8 Figure 4-4: The Setup Wizard’s Ad-Hoc Mode Screen 9 Figure 4-5: The Setup Wizard’s WEP Screen 9 Figure 4-6: The Setu[...]

Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter Figure 6-21: EAP-MD5 Authentication 24 Figure 6-22: EAP-PEAP Authentication 24 Figure 6-23: EAP-LEAP Authentication 24 Figure 6-24: RADIUS Settings 25 Figure 6-25: EAP-TLS Authentication 25 Figure 6-26: EAP-TTLS Authentication 25 Figure 6-27: EAP-MD5 Authentication 26 Figure 6-28: EAP-PEAP Authentication 26 Figure 6-29:[...]

1 Chapter 1: Introductio n Welcome Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction We l c o me Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter . With this Adapter , your wireless networking experience will be faster and easier than ever . Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless n[...]

2 Chapter 1: Introductio n What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Notebook Adapter What’ s in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter . • Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide . • Chapter 2: Planning Y our Wireless Network This [...]

3 Chapter 1: Introductio n What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Notebook Adapter • Appendix G: Regulator y Information This appendix supplies the Adapter ’ s regulator y information. • Appendix H: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including T echnical Support.[...]

4 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network T opology A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter . Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wirel[...]

5 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Layout Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Network La yout Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11a, 802.11b , and 802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products incorporating both “a” and “g”, pr[...]

6 Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter The LED Indicators Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators The Network Adapter's LEDs display information about network activity . Po w e r Green . The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on. Link Green . [...]

7 Chapter 4: Software Installation an d Configuration Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure . T he Setup Wizard will install the Wireless Network Monitor and driver , as well as configure the Adapter . Insert the S[...]

8 Chapter 4: Software Installation an d Configuration The Installation Procedure Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The Installation Procedur e 1. T o install the Adapter , click the Install button on the Welcome screen. 2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree , or click the Cancel button to end the installation. 3. The [...]

9 Chapter 4: Software Installation an d Configuration The Installation Procedure Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 4. If you chose Infrastructure Mode , go to Step 5 now . If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode , select the correct operating channel for your network. Then, select the Network Mode from the drop-down menu. Click the Nex t button, and go to Step 5. Click[...]

10 Chapter 4: Software Installation an d Configuration The Installation Procedure Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WP A-PSK WP A-PSK offe rs the TKIP encr yption method with dynamic encr yption keys. Select the type of algorithm, TKIP , from the Security drop-down menu. Enter a WP A Shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field. Click the Next b[...]

11 Chapter 4: Software Installation an d Configuration The Installation Procedure Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 7. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear . Click the Exit butto n. Proceed to “Chapter 5: Hardwar e Installation. ” Figure 4-8: The Setup Wizard ’ s Congratulations Screen[...]

12 Chapter 5: Hardware Installation Connecting the Adapter Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 5: Hardware Installation Connecting the Adapter 1. T u rn off your notebook PC. 2. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook PC. 3. With the connector pin end facin g the CardBus slot and the label facing up, slide the Adapter into the CardBus slo[...]

13 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor Use the Wireless Network Monitor to check the status of your wireless connection, search for a vailable wireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings. A[...]

14 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Link Information Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Clicking the More Information button displays more information about the Adapter ’ s connection, as shown below: Wireless Network Status The Networks Settings screen provides information on your current network settings. Status - This shows the status, [...]

15 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Link Information Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Statistics The Wireless Networks Statistics screen provides statistics on your current network settings. T ransmit Rate - This is the data transfer rate of the cu rrent wireless connection. Receive Rate - This shows how fast data is recei[...]

16 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Site Survey Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Site Survey The Site Survey screen displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networks available for connection in the table on the right. This table shows the network’ s SSID, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the Adapter is receiving. Y ou [...]

17 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Profiles Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Profiles The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups. The table on the right displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networks available for connection This table shows the network’s profile name and the w[...]

18 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Creating a New Pr ofile 1. On the Profiles screen, click New to create a new profile . 2. Enter a name for th e new profile , and click the OK button. Click the Cancel button to return to the Profiles screen without entering a name . Figure 6-8: Cr [...]

19 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 3. The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computers on your wired network via a wireless access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode r[...]

20 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 5. The Network Settings screen will appear next. If your network has a DHCP server , click the radio button next to Obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP) . If your network does not have a DHCP server , click the radio button next to Specify the [...]

21 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 6. The Wireless Security screen will appear . Select WEP , WPA-PSK, WP A Radius, or Radius for the Encryption Method. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy , WP A-PSK sta nds for Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key , which is a security standard[...]

22 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WP A-PSK WP A-PSK offers the TKIP encr yption method with dynamic encryption keys. Click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen. Select TKIP for the Encr yption T ype . Enter a WPA Shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase f[...]

23 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WP A RADIUS . WP A RADIUS features WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server . (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is con nected to the Router .) WP A Radius offers the TKIP encr yption method with dynamic encryption keys. It offers f[...]

24 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Figure 6-19: EAP-TLS Authentication Figure 6-20: EAP-TTLS Authentication Now , you will need to select the Authentication Method from the drop-down menu. The options are described below . EAP-TLS Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the [...]

25 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features WP A used in coordination with a RADIUS ser ver . (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is conn ected to the Router .) It offers five authentication methods: EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS , EAP-MD5, EAP- PEAP , and LEAP . Click N[...]

26 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter EAP-MD5 Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the password of your wireless network in the Password field. Click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen. EAP-PEAP Enter the Login name of your [...]

27 Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Mon itor Creating a New Profile Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 7. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next showing the new settings. T o save the new settings, click Sav e . T o edit the new settings, click Back . T o exit the Wireless Network Monitor , Exit . 8. The Congratulations screen will appea r [...]

28 Appendix A: Troubleshoo ting Common Problems and Solutions Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix A: T roubleshooting This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Que stions. ” This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur d uring the installation and operation of the Wireless-G N[...]

29 Appendix A: Troubleshoo ting Frequently Asked Questions Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Frequently Ask ed Questions Can I run an application from a re mote computer over the wireless network? This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’ s user guid e to determine if it supports [...]

30 Appendix A: Troubleshoo ting Frequently Asked Questions Wireless-G Notebook Adapter What is ad-hoc mode? When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode , the wireless-equipped computers are configured to communicate directly with each other . The ad-hoc wireless network will not commu nicate with any wired network. What is infrastructure mode? Wh[...]

31 Appendix A: Troubleshoo ting Frequently Asked Questions Wireless-G Notebook Adapter the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency , a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise . There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and[...]

32 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Precautions Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wir eless networking as safe and easy for you as possible . Th e current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation. So,[...]

33 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Netwo rks Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 1. Disable Broadcast 2. Make it unique 3. Change it often Most wireless networking devices will give you the option of broadcasting the SSID . While this option may be more convenient, it allows anyone to log into your wireless network. This incl[...]

34 Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Netwo rks Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WP A-PSK . If you do not have a RADIUS server , Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, and enter a password in the Passphrase field of 8-63 char acters. WP A RADIUS . WP A used in coordination with a RADIUS server . (T his should only be used[...]

35 Appendi x C: Wind ows Hel p Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix C: Windows Help All wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier . These features can be accessed through Windows Help and are described in this appendix. TCP/IP Bef[...]

36 Appendix D: Glossary Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix D: Glossar y 802.11a - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz. 802.11b - A wireless networking standar d that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. 802.11g - A[...]

37 Appendix D: Glossary Wireless-G Notebook Adapter DHCP ( D ynamic H ost C onfiguration P rotocol) - A networking protocol that allows administrators to assign temporary IP addresses to network computers by "leasing" an IP address to a user for a limited amount of time, instead of assigning permanen t IP addresses. DNS ( D omain N ame S [...]

38 Appendix D: Glossary Wireless-G Notebook Adapter LAN - The computers and networking products that make up your local network. LEAP ( L ightweight E xtensible A uthentication P rotocol) - A mutual authentication method that uses a user name and password system. MAC ( M edia A ccess C ontrol) Address - The unique address that a manufacturer assign[...]

39 Appendix D: Glossary Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Static IP Address - A fixed address assigned to a computer or device that is connected to a network. Subnet Mask - An add ress code that determines the size of the network. Switch - 1. A data switch that connects computing devices to host compu ters, allowing a large number of devices to share a l[...]

40 Appendix E: Specifications Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix E: Specifications Standards 802.11g , 802.11b Channels 11 Channels (USA, Canada) 13 Channels (Europe , Japan) LEDs Power , Link T ransmit Power 18 dBm Protocols 802.11b: CCK (11 Mbps), DQPSK (2 Mbps), DBPSK (1 Mbps); 802.11g: OFDM Network Protocols TCP/IP , IPX/SPX, NetBEUI Security[...]

41 Appendix F: Warranty Information Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter Appendix F: W arranty Information LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys warrants to Y ou that, for a period of three years (the “Warranty Period”), your Linksys Product will be substantially free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use . Y our exclusive remedy and Linksys&apos[...]

42 Appendix G: Regulato ry Information Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter Appendix G: Regulator y Information FCC ST A TEMENT This product has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interfe rence in a re[...]

43 Appendix G: Regulato ry Information Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter EC DECLARA TION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE) Linksys declares that this product conform s to the specifications listed below , following the provisions of the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC: EN 301 489-1, 301 489-17 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment. EN 609 50 Safety E[...]

44 Appendix G: Regulato ry Information Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter SAFETY NOTICES Caution: T o reduce th e risk of fire , use only No.26 AW G or larger telecommunication line cord. Do not use this product near water , for example , in a wet basem ent or near a swimming pool. Avoid using this product during an electrical storm. There may be a remot[...]

45 Appendix H: Contac t Information Wireless-G Noteb ook Adapter Appendix H: Contact Information Need to contact Linksys? Visit us online for information on the latest products and updates to your existing products at: http://www .linksys.com or ftp.linksys.com Can't find information about a product you want to buy on the web? Do you want to k[...]