Belkin F5D8011B N1 Wireless Notebook Card User Manual P75172 F5D8011 man indd

Belkin International, Inc. N1 Wireless Notebook Card P75172 F5D8011 man indd

Contents

Part 2

1312Installing and Setting up the CardInstalling and Setting up the Card13section123456Step 3 ConfigureUse the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility3.1 After restarting your computer, double-click the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon on the desktop screen.3.2 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility screen will appear.3.3 Select a network to connect to from the “Available Networks” list and click “Connect”.Note: In order to see your available networks, you must be near a working wireless router or access point.3.4 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon can also be found on the system tray.Note: Double-clicking on the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon on the system tray will bring up the “Utility” screen. Installation is now complete.
1514Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility15section123456The WNU’s default screen is the “Current Status” tab. The “Current Status” tab displays the current Network Status and Available Networks. Network Status This window displays the connectivity status of the current network. It even displays connectivity between the computer and router, and router and Internet. In the event of a connectivity problem, this window can be used to determine the problem’s source (e.g. computer, router, or Internet/modem). Available Networks This window displays the available networks at the current location as well as their SSID, Signal Strength, Security Type, Channel, and Network Type.Lost Wireless Connection If the current wireless connection is lost, a window will pop up and the WNU will attempt to reconnect.After successfully installing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility (WNU), configurations for wireless connection and security are just a few easy clicks away.Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from the Windows System TrayTo access the WNU, simply place your mouse pointer and right-click over the WNU icon on the Windows task tray.If the icon is not present, click on “Start > Programs > Belkin > Belkin Wireless Utility”.
1716Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility17section123456Connection Failure Other options will appear during attempts to reconnect. To stop connecting, click “Stop” and to reattempt connection, click “Retry”.Network Status and Solution Tips To further understand the current Network Status, click “Open Wireless Utility”. The default screen will be the “Current Status” tab and the “Network Status” section determines which connections are good and/or faulty.The WNU also features a “Solution Tips” section that provides troubleshooting guidelines.Setting Wireless Network Profiles The “My Connections” tab on the WNU allows you to add, edit, and delete connection profiles. It also displays signal strength, security, and network type.Securing your Wi-Fi® Network If you choose to connect to a secure network, determine the type of security (WPA or WEP*) and use the appropriate field in the dialog box.*Note: Types of security
1918Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility19section123456Note: When you select a network using encryption, you will first see the simple security screen. Click the “Advanced” button to see other security options (below).Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a less secure, but more widely adopted wireless security protocol. Depending on the security level (64- or 128-bit), the user will be asked to input a 10- or 26-character hex key. A hex key is a combination of letters, a–f, and numbers, 0–9.Wireless Protected Access (WPA) is the new standard in the wireless security. However, not all wireless cards and adapters support this technology. Please check your wireless adapter’s user manual to check if it supports WPA. Instead of a hex key, WPA uses only passphrases, which are much easier to remember.The following section, intended for the home, home-office, and small-office user, presents a few different ways to maximize the security of your wireless network.At the time of publication, four encryption methods are available:Encryption Methods:Name 64-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy128-bit EncryptionWi-Fi Protected Access-TKIPWi-Fi Protected Access 2Acronym 64-bit WEP 128-bit WPA-TKIP/AES (or just WPA)WPA2-AES (or just WPA2)Security Good Better Best BestFeatures Static keys Static keys Dynamic key encryption and mutual authenticationDynamic key encryption and mutual authenticationEncryption keys based on RC4 algorithm (typically 40-bit keys)More secure than 64-bit WEP using a key length of 104 bits plus 24 additional bits of system-generated dataTKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) added so that keys are rotated and encryption is strengthenedAES (Advanced Encryption Standard) does not cause any throughput lossWEPWEP is a common protocol that adds security to all Wi-Fi-compliant wireless products. WEP gives wireless networks the equivalent level of privacy protection as a comparable wired network.
2120Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility21section12345664-Bit WEP64-bit WEP was first introduced with 64-bit encryption, which includes a key length of 40 bits plus 24 additional bits of system-generated data (64 bits total). Some hardware manufacturers refer to 64-bit as 40-bit encryption. Shortly after the technology was introduced, researchers found that 64-bit encryption was too easy to decode.128-Bit EncryptionAs a result of 64-bit WEP’s potential security weaknesses, a more secure method of 128-bit encryption was developed. 128-bit encryption includes a key length of 104 bits plus 24 additional bits of system-generated data (128 bits total). Some hardware manufacturers refer to 128-bit as 104-bit encryption.Most of the new wireless equipment in the market today supports both 64-bit WEP and 128-bit WEP encryption, but you might have older equipment that only supports 64-bit WEP. All Belkin wireless products will support both 64-bit WEP and 128-bit encryption.Encryption KeysAfter selecting either the 64-bit WEP or 128-bit encryption mode, it is critical that you generate an encryption key. If the encryption key is not consistent throughout the entire wireless network, your wireless networking devices will be unable to communicate with one another. You can enter your key by typing in the hex key. A hex (hexadecimal) key is a combination of numbers and letters from A–F and 0–9. For 64-bit WEP, you need to enter 10 hex keys. For 128-bit WEP, you need to enter 26 hex keys.For instance:AF 0F 4B C3 D4 = 64-bit WEP keyC3 03 0F AF 0F 4B B2 C3 D4 4B C3 D4 E7 = 128-bit WEP key Write down the hex WEP key from your wireless router (or access point) and enter it manually into the hex WEP key table in your Card’s configuration screen.WPAWPA is a new Wi-Fi standard that improves upon the security features of WEP. To use WPA security, the drivers and software of your wireless equipment must be upgraded to support it. These updates will be found on your wireless vendor’s website. There are three types of WPA security: WPA-PSK (no server),WPA (with radius server), and WPA2.WPA-PSK (no server) uses what is known as a pre-shared key as the network key. A network key is a password that is between eight and 63 characters long. It can be a combination of letters, numbers, or characters. Each client uses the same network key to access the network. Typically, this is the mode that will be used in a home environment.WPA (with radius server) works best in a business environment, in which a radius server automatically distributes the network key to clients.WPA2 requires Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption of data, which offers much greater security than WPA. WPA uses both Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) and AES for encryption.Setting up your Belkin Wireless Router (or Access Point) to use SecurityTo start using security, you need to first enable WEP or WPA for your wireless router (or access point). For Belkin Wireless Routers (or Access Points), these security features can be configured by using the web-based interface. See your wireless router’s (or access point’s) manual for directions on how to access the management interface.IMPORTANT: You must now set all wireless network cards/adapters to match these settings.
2322Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility23section123456Configuring your Card to use SecurityAt this point, you should already have your wireless router (or access point) set to use WPA or WEP. In order for you to gain wireless connection, you will need to set your N1 Wireless Notebook Card to use the same security settings.Changing the Wireless Security SettingsThe Belkin N1 Wireless Notebook Card supports the latest WPA security feature as well as the legacy WEP security standard. By default, wireless security is disabled.To enable security, you will first need to determine which standard is used by the router (or access point). (See your wireless router’s or access point’s manual for directions on how to access the security settings.)To access the security settings on your Card, click the “My Connections” tab and point to the connection for which you want to change security settings. Click “Edit” to change settings.WEP Setup64-Bit WEP Encryption1. Select “WEP” from the “Data Encryption” drop-down menu.2. After selecting your WEP encryption mode, you can enter your key by typing in the hex key manually.A hex (hexadecimal) key is a combination of numbers and letters from A–F and 0–9. For 64-bit WEP, you need to enter 10 hex keys.For instance:AF 0F 4B C3 D4 = 64-bit WEP key
2524Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility25section123456 3. Click “Save” to finish. Encryption in the wireless router (or access point) is now set. Each of the computers on your wireless network will now need to be configured with the same security settings.WARNING: If you are using a wireless client to turn on the security settings in your wireless router (or access point), you will temporarily lose your wireless connection until you activate security on your wireless client. Please record the key prior to applying changes in the wireless router (or access point). If you don’t remember the hex key, your client will be locked out of the wireless router (or access point).3. Click “Save” to finish. Encryption in the wireless router (or access point) is now set. Each of your computers on your wireless network will now need to be configured with the same security settings.WARNING: If you are using a wireless client to turn on the security settings in your wireless router (or access point), you will temporarily lose your wireless connection until you activate security on your wireless client. Please record the key prior to applying changes in the wireless router (or access point). If you don’t remember the hex key, your client will be locked out of the wireless router (or access point).128-Bit WEP Encryption1. Select “WEP” from the drop-down menu.2. After selecting your WEP encryption mode, you can enter your key by typing in the hex key manually. A hex (hexadecimal) key is a combination of numbers and letters from A–F and 0–9. For 128-bit WEP, you need to enter 26 hex keys.For instance:C3 03 0F AF 0F 4B B2 C3 D4 4B C3 D4 E7 = 128-bit WEP key
2726Using the Belkin Wireless Networking UtilityUsing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility27section1234563. Click “Save” to finish. You must now set all clients (network cards) to match these settings.Wireless Networking Utility OptionsThe “Options” tab on the WNU provides the user the ability to customize his or her WNU settings.Wireless Networking Utility HelpThe WNU “Help” tab provides users with access to online and telephone support, one-click check for upgrades to updated versions of software, and advanced diagnostic tools.WPA-PSK (no server)Choose this setting if your network does not use a radius server. WPA-PSK (no server) is typically used in home and small office networking.1. From the “Network Authentication” drop-down menu, select “WPA-PSK (no server)”.2. Enter your network key. This can be from eight to 63 characters and can be letters, numbers, or symbols. This same key must be used on all of the clients (network cards) that you want to include in your wireless network.

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