Belkin F5D7001A Wireless PCI Adapter User Manual P74485 F5D7001 man last indd

Belkin International, Inc. Wireless PCI Adapter P74485 F5D7001 man last indd

Contents

Users Manual Part 1

F5D7001
Connect your desktop computer to a
FASTER wireless network
User Manual
High-Speed Mode
Wireless G Desktop
Network Card
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1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Benefits of a Home Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Advantages of a Wireless Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Placement of your Wireless Networking
Hardware for Optimal Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Applications and Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Product Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3 Installing and Setting Up the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step 1: Install the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Step 2: Insert the Card into your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 3: Let Windows Finish the Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4 Using the Belkin Wireless LAN Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Setting Wireless Network Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Securing your Wi-Fi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Monitoring the Status of your Network Connection. . . . . . . . . . . 32
Monitoring Data Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Finding Available Networks in your Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Performing Diagnostic Tests on your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Table of Contents
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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin High-Speed Mode Wireless
G Desktop Network Card (the Card). Now you can take advantage
of this great new technology and gain the freedom you need
around the home or office without using cables. The Card works
like a conventional network card, but without the wires. The easy
installation and setup will have you networking wirelessly in minutes.
Please be sure to read through this User Manual completely, and pay
special attention to the section entitled “Placement of your Wireless
Networking Hardware for Optimal Performance”. By following our
simple setup instructions your Belkin Home Network will allow you to:
Share one high-speed Internet connection with all the computers
in your home
Share resources, such as files, and hard drives among all the
connected computers in your home
Share a single printer with the entire family
Share documents, music, video, and digital pictures
Store, retrieve, and copy files from one computer to another
Simultaneously play games online, check Internet e-mail,
and chat
Here are some of the advantages of setting up a Belkin
Wireless Network:
Mobility –you’ll no longer need a dedicated “computer room”—
now you can work on a networked laptop or desktop computer
anywhere within your wireless range
Easy installation – Belkin Easy Installation Wizards make
setup simple
Flexibilityset up and access printers, computers, and other
networking devices from anywhere in your home
Easy Expansionthe wide range of Belkin networking products
let you expand your network to include devices such as printers
and gaming consoles
No cabling requiredyou can spare the expense and hassle of
retrofitting Ethernet cabling throughout the home or office
Widespread industry acceptance – choose from a wide range
of interoperable networking products
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Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
Optimal Performance
Your wireless connection will be stronger the closer your computer
is to your Wireless Router (or Access Point). Typical indoor operating
range for your wireless devices is between 100 and 200 feet. In the
same way, your wireless connection and performance will degrade
somewhat as the distance between your Wireless Router (or Access
Point) increases. This may or may not be noticeable to you. As you
move further from your Wireless Router (or Access Point), connection
speed may decrease. Factors that can weaken signals simply by
getting in the way of your network’s radio waves are metal appliances
or obstructions, and walls.
If you have concerns about your network’s performance that might
be related to range or obstruction factors, try moving the computer
to a position between five and ten feet from the Wireless Router (or
Access Point), in order to see if distance is the problem. If difficulties
persist even at close range, please contact Belkin Technical Support.
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware
Note: While some of the items listed below can affect network
performance, they will not prohibit your wireless network from
functioning; if you are concerned that your network is not operating at
its maximum effectiveness, this checklist may help.
1. Placement of your Wireless Router or Access Point
Place your Wireless Router (or Access Point), the central connection
point of your network, as close as possible to the center of your
wireless network devices.
To achieve the best wireless network coverage for your “wireless
clients,” (i.e. computers enabled by Belkin Wireless Notebook Network
Cards, Wireless Desktop Network Cards, and Wireless USB Adapters):
Ensure that your Wireless Router (or Access Point) antennas
are parallel to each other, and are positioned vertically (toward
the ceiling). If your Wireless Router (or Access Point) itself is
positioned vertically, point the antennas as much as possible in
an upward direction.
In multistory homes, place the Wireless Router (or Access Point) on a
floor that is as close to the center of the home as possible. This may
mean placing the Wireless Router or Access Point on an upper floor.
Try not to place the Wireless Router (or Access Point) near a
cordless 2.4GHz phone.
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Introduction
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2. Avoid Obstacles and Interference
Avoid placing your Wireless Router (or Access Point) near devices
that may emit radio “noise”, such as microwave ovens. Other objects
that can inhibit Wireless communication can include:
Refrigerators
Washers and/or dryers
Metal cabinets
Large aquariums
Metallic-based UV tinted windows
If your wireless signal seems weak in some spots, make sure that
objects such as these are not blocking the signal’s path between your
computers and Wireless Router (or Access Point)
3. Cordless Phone Placement
If the performance of your wireless network is impaired after
attending to the above issues, and you have a cordless phone:
Try moving cordless phones away from your Wireless Router
or Access Point and your wireless-enabled computers
Unplug and remove the battery from any cordless phone
that operate on the 2.4GHz band (check manufacturers
information). If this fixes the problem, your phone may
be interfering.
If your phone supports channel selection, change the
channel on the phone to the furthest channel from your
wireless network, as possible. For example, change the
phone to channel 1 and move your Wireless Router to
channel 11. See your phone’s user manual for
detailed instructions.
If necessary, consider switching to a 900MHz or 5GHz
cordless phone.
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4. Choose the “quietest” channel for your wireless network
In locations where homes or offices are close together, such as
apartment buildings or office complexes, there may be wireless
networks nearby that can conflict with yours. Use the Site Survey
capabilities of your Wireless LAN Utility to locate any other wireless
networks, and move your Wireless Router (or Access Point) and
computers to a channel as far away from other networks as possible.
Experiment with more than one of the available channels, in order to
find the clearest connection and avoid interference from neighboring
cordless phones or other wireless devices.
Use the detailed Site Survey and wireless channel information
included in your User Guide for more information.
5. Secure connections, VPNs, and AOL
Secure connections are connections that typically require a user name
and password, and are used where security is important. Secure
connections include:
Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections, often used to connect
remotely to an office network
The “Bring Your Own Access” program from America Online
(AOL), which lets you use AOL through broadband provided by
another cable or DSL service
Most on-line banking websites
Many commercial websites which require a username and
password to access your account
Secure connections can be interrupted by a computer’s power
management setting, which causes it to “go to sleep.” The simplest
solution to avoid this is to simply reconnect by re-running the VPN or
AOL software, or by re-logging into the secure web site.
A second alternative is to change your computer’s power management
settings so it does not go to sleep; however, this may not be appropriate
for portable computers. To change your power management setting
under Windows, see the “Power Options” item in the Control Panel.
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If you continue to have difficulty with Secure Connection, VPNs and
AOL please review steps 1-4 above to be sure you have addressed
these issues.
These guidelines should allow you to cover the maximum possible area
with your Wireless Router. Should you need to cover an even wider
area, we suggest Belkin’s Wireless Range Extender/Access Point.
For more information regarding our networking products, visit our
website at www.belkin.com/networking or call Belkin Technical Support.
Introduction
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Product Features
The Card complies with the IEEE 802.11g standard in order to communicate
with other 802.11g-compliant wireless devices at 54Mbps or the
faster 125 High-Speed Mode (HSM). The Card is compatible with
all 802.11g devices as well as other 802.11b products at 11Mbps.
802.11g products run at speeds of up to 54Mbps (or 125Mbps* using
HSM) and operate on the same 2.4GHz frequency band as 802.11b
Wi-Fi products.
2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Science, and Medical) band operation
Integrated easy-to-use Wireless Configuration Utility
PCI interface, for operation in virtually any desktop computer
WPA, 64-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), or 128-bit encryption
Wireless access to networked resources
Support for both Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc (peer-to-peer)
networking modes
Data rate of up 125Mbps* in High-Speed Mode (802.11g
125HSM), 54Mbps (802.11g), or 11Mbps (802.11b)
Easy installation and use
External antenna
LED power and network link indicators
*When operating in High-Speed Mode, this Wi-Fi device may achieve an
actual throughput of up to or greater than 34.1 Mbps, which is the equivalent
throughput of a system following 802.11g protocol and operating at a signaling
rate of 125 Mbps. Actual throughput will vary depending on environmental,
operational and other factors.
Overview
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Applications and Advantages
Wireless roaming with a laptop around the home or office
Offers the freedom of networking without cables
Connection rates of up to 54Mbps or 125Mbps* using HSM
Provides immediate, higher-speed wireless connectivity at home,
work, and hot spot locations without compromising the use of
existing 802.11b and 802.11g products
Compatibility with 802.11b products
802.11g and 125HSM wireless LAN solutions are backward-
compatible with existing Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) products and with
other products that display the 54g and/or 125HSM mark
Difficult-to-wire environments
Enables networking in buildings with solid or finished walls, or
open areas where wiring is difficult to install
Frequently changing environments
Adapts easily in offices or environments that frequently rearrange
or change locations
Temporary LANs for special projects or peak time
Sets up temporary networks such as at trade shows, exhibitions,
and constructions sites, which need networks on a short-term
basis; also companies who need additional workstations for a
peak activity
SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) networking needs
Provides the easy and quick, small network installation SOHO
users need
*When operating in High-Speed Mode, this Wi-Fi device may achieve an
actual throughput of up to or greater than 34.1 Mbps, which is the equivalent
throughput of a system following 802.11g protocol and operating at a signaling
rate of 125 Mbps. Actual throughput will vary depending on environmental,
operational and other factors.
Overview
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(a) Activity LED (green)
Indicates wireless activity when blinking.
(b) Link LED (orange)
Lights up when the Card links to a wireless network.
(c) Card Connector
Indicates the side of the Card that fits into your computer’s PCI slot.
(d) Detachable Antenna
Product Specifications
Host Interface: 32-bit PCI
Power Consumption: Tx/Rx peak 550/350mA@3.3VDC (max.)
Certification: FCC Class B, CE Mark, C-Tick
Operating Temperature: 32–185 degrees F (0–85 degrees C)
Storage Temperature: -40–194 degrees F (-40–90 degrees C)
Humidity: Max. 95% (non-condensing)
Typical Operating Range: Up to 200 feet (Wireless performance
may vary depending on the
networking environment)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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System Requirements
PC-compatible desktop with one available PCI slot
Windows® 98SE, 2000, Me, XP
Package Contents
High-Speed Mode Wireless G Desktop Network Card
Quick Installation Guide
Installation Software CD
User Manual
Overview
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Step 1 Install the Software
WARNING: Install the software before inserting the Card.
1.1 Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
1.2 The Belkin Setup Utility screen will automatically appear.
Note: If the Setup Utility screen does not appear within 20 seconds,
open up your CD-ROM drive by double-clicking on the “My Computer”
icon. Then, double-click on the folder named “Files”. Next, double-click
on the icon named “Setup.exe”.
1.3 In the “Menu” window, drag your mouse over the “Install” button,
then click on the words “Click here” located to the right side of the
“Install” button to start the software installation program.
Installing and Setting Up the Card

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