Cisco Linksys NWU11B Wireless USB Network Adapter User Manual NWU11B user guide 5

Cisco-Linksys, LLC Wireless USB Network Adapter NWU11B user guide 5

Contents

Manual 1

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS Copyright © 2002 Network Everywhere. All rights reserved. Network Everywhere and theNetwork Everywhere logo are registered trademarks of The Linksys Group, Inc.Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of MicrosoftCorporation. All other companies and product names are trademarks of their respectivecompanies.Network Everywhere guarantees that every Wireless USB Adapter will be free from phys-ical defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase, whenused within the limits set forth in the Specifications section of this User Guide. If the prod-uct proves defective during this warranty period, call Network Everywhere TechnicalSupport in order to obtain a Return Authorization number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOURPROOF OF PURCHASE ON HAND WHEN CALLING. When returning a product, markthe Return Authorization number clearly on the outside of the package and include acopy of your original proof of purchase. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSEDWITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. All customers located outside of the United Statesof America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.IN NO EVENT SHALL NETWORK EVERYWHERE’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAIDFOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSE-QUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOM-PANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. NETWORK EVERYWHERE OFFERSNO REFUNDS FOR ITS PRODUCTS. Network Everywhere makes no warranty or repre-sentation, expressed, implied, or statutory, with respect to its products or the contents oruse of this documentation and all accompanying software, and specifically disclaims itsquality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. NetworkEverywhere reserves the right to revise or update its products, software, or documenta-tion without obligation to notify any individual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:Network Everywhere P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623. FCC STATEMENTThis Wireless USB Adapter has been tested and complies with the specifications for aClass B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed toprovide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. Thisequipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installedand used according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communi-cations. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular instal-lation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,which is found by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to cor-rect the interference by one or more of the following measures:• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistanceFCC Caution: Any changes or modifications nor expressly approved by the party respon-sible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the followingtwo conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This devicemust accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesiredoperation.FCC RF Radiation Exposure StatementThis device and its antenna(s) must operate with a separation distance of at least 20 cmfrom all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any otherantenna or transmitter. End-users must be provided with specific operations for satisfy-ing RF exposure compliance. UG-NWU11B-103002NC JLINDUSTRY CANADA (CANADA)This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.The use of this device in a system operating either partially or completely outdoors mayrequire the user to obtain a license for the system according to the Canadian regulations.
Wireless USB AdapterChapter 1:IntroductionConnect your USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to a wireless net-work with the Network Everywhere Wireless USB Adapter. Save the trouble ofopening up the case of your desktop computer. To install, simply plug theWireless USB Adapter into any available USB port. It gets its power throughthe USB connection, so no power cord is necessary. The included Setup Wizardwalks you through configuring the Adapter to your wireless network settings,step by step.The Wireless USB Adapter lets you put your computer almost anywhere in thebuilding, without the cost and hassle of running cables. Now you don’t have todrill holes in your walls and climb through the attic or cellar to get connectedto the network. Once you’re connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail,access the Internet, use instant messaging to chat with friends, and share filesand other resources such as printers and network storage with other computerson the network.The Network Everywhere Wireless USB Adapter is fully compliant with the802.11b wireless network standard, transferring data at up to 11Mbps in the2.4GHz radio band. And your wireless communications are protected by up to128-bit encryption, so your data stays secure.So don’t hassle with running cables through your house—get connected theeasy way with the Network Everywhere Wireless USB Adapter.• Up to 11Mbps High-Speed Data Transfer Rate with Automatic Fallback• Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Setup• 802.11b, DSSS, 2.4GHz Compliant• Compatible with Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP• Supports up to 128-bit WEP Encryption Security• 1-Year Limited WarrantyThe Wireless USB AdapterFeatures1Network Everywhere®Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction 1The Wireless USB Adapter 1Features 1Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 2Network Topology 2Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 2Chapter 3: About USB 4Overview 4USB Icon 4USB Cabling 5Chapter 4: Getting to Know the Wireless USB Adapter 6The Adapter’s Port and LEDs 6Chapter 5: Software Installation and Configurationfor Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 7Overview 7Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 8Chapter 6: Hardware Installation 12Hardware Detection for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 13Chapter 7: Driver Installation and Configurationfor Windows XP 14Overview 14Driver Installation for Windows XP 14Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 16Chapter 8: Using the WLAN Monitor for Windows98SE, Me, and 2000 18Overview 18Accessing the WLAN Monitor 18Link Information 18Site Survey 21Profiles 23Creating a New Profile 25Appendix A: Troubleshooting 30Common Problems and Solutions 30Frequently Asked Questions 30Appendix B: Glossary 34Appendix C: Specifications 39Environmental 40Appendix D: Warranty Information 41Appendix E: Contact Information 42
Wireless USB AdapterIf the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources onlywith the other computers on the wireless network, then the ad-hoc mode canbe used. (See Figure 2-2.) Ad-hoc mode allows computers equipped with wire-less transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, elimi-nating the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is that, in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate withcomputers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between thewireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference direct-ly between them.3Network Everywhere®2Figure 2-2Chapter 2:Planning YourWireless NetworkA wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area net-work (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device toconnect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequencychannel and SSID, which is an identification name for wireless devices.Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in whichthey may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configura-tion is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through anaccess point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers com-municating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modesdepends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or periph-erals with a wired network or not.If the computers on thewireless network need tobe accessed by a wirednetwork or need to share aperipheral, such as a print-er, with the wired networkcomputers, the wirelessnetwork should be set upin infrastructure mode.(See Figure 2-1.) Thebasis of infrastructuremode centers around anaccess point, which servesas the main point of communications in a wireless network. Access pointstransmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network cards, which can roamwithin a certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access points can bearranged to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set upto communicate with your Ethernet (wired) hardware as well. Network TopologyAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure ModeFigure 2-1
Wireless USB Adapter5Network Everywhere®4Chapter 3:About USBUSB, which is short for Universal Serial Bus, is a technology designed tomake it easier to connect devices to computers. First developed in 1996 by agroup of computer industry leaders that included Compaq, Digital, IBM, Intel,Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom, USB is one of the most widely usedtechnologies for users who want to add peripherals to their computers. USB is unique because it is Plug-and-Play, which allows a computer to instant-ly recognize when a device like a keyboard, mouse, or scanner has been con-nected to it. Once the device has been recognized, it’s ready to go—no specialsetup is required. Similarly, USB supports hot-swapping, the insertion orremoval of devices while the computer is turned on. You can swap one devicefor another without having to power down your system or install any specialsoftware—it really is that easy.The USB 1.1 standard supports two speed modes, 1.5 and up to 12Mbps.The USB icon marks a USB port on a PC or device.Figure 3-1OverviewUSB IconThere are two kinds of USB connectors, Type A and Type B. Type A is a rec-tangular connector, and Type B is a square connector. The USB cable that comes with the Adapter has a Type A connector on one endand a Type B connector on the other end. The Type A connector plugs into thePC’s USB port, and the Type B connector plugs into the Adapter.Figure 3-3 shows two USB ports as they might appear on yourcomputer. Note the two USB icons marking the ports.Figure 3-2USB CablingFigure 3-3USB Type A USB Type B
Wireless USB Adapter7Network Everywhere®6Chapter 5:Software Installationand Configuration for Windows98SE, Me, and 2000The Wireless USB Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installa-tion procedure for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000. The Setup Wizard will installthe WLAN Monitor and driver, as well as configure the Adapter. Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The SetupWizard should run automatically, and Figure 5-1 should appear. If it does not,click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears, enterD:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive). Figure 5-1Overview Chapter 4:Getting to Know theWireless USB AdapterThe USB PortUSB Port The USB Port connects to the included USB cable.The LED IndicatorsLink Green. The Link LED flashes when the Adapter has an activeconnection.Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is pow-ered on.The Adapter’s Port and LEDsFigure 4-1Note to Windows XP users: Do NOT run the Wireless USB AdapterSetup Wizard. Proceed directly to “Chapter 6: Hardware Installation.”Note to Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 users:You must run the SetupWizard to install the software before installing the hardware.
Wireless USB Adapter9Network Everywhere®81. To install the Adapter, click the Install button on the Welcome screen. Clickthe User Guide button to open the PDF file of this User Guide. Click theExit button to exit the Setup Wizard.2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree, orclick the Cancel button to end the installation.Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 Figure 5-33. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a wireless mode. Click theInfrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers tocommunicate with computers on your wired network using a wireless accesspoint. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wirelesscomputers to communicate directly with each other. Do not use the Ad-Hocmode if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computerson your wired network. In the SSID field, enter the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID mustbe identical for all devices in the network. The default setting is wireless (alllowercase). Click the Next button. Figure 5-4Figure 5-2
Wireless USB Adapter11Network Everywhere®106. For Windows 2000, you may be informed that a digital signature has notbeen found (see Figure 5-7). This is normal, and it has been verified that theAdapter does work with Windows 2000. Click the Yes button to continue.Windows will begin installing the driver files. If Windows asks you for theoriginal Windows CD-ROM, insert the CD-ROM, and direct Windows to theproper location for the CD-ROM (e.g., D:\).7. After the files have been successfully copied, the screen in Figure 5-8 willappear. Click the Finish button.Proceed to “Chapter 6: Hardware Installation.”Figure 5-7Figure 5-84. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 now. If you chose Ad-HocMode, select the correct operating channel for your network. The channelyou choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wire-less network. Click the Next button, and go to Step 5. Click the Back buttonto change any settings.5. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it starts to copyfiles. Click the Next button to save these settings, or click the Back buttonto change any settings.Figure 5-5Figure 5-6
Wireless USB Adapter13Network Everywhere®12After the Adapter has been physically connected to your computer, Windowswill detect the new hardware. For Windows 2000, you may be informed that adigital signature has not been found (see Figure 6-2). This is normal, and it hasbeen verified that the Adapter does work with Windows 2000. Click the Yesbutton to continue.Windows will begin installing the driver files. If Windows asks you for theoriginal Windows CD-ROM, insert the CD-ROM, and direct Windows to theproper location for the CD-ROM (e.g., D:\).Congratulations! The installation of the Wireless USB Adapter is com-plete. If you want to check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration changes,proceed to “Chapter 8: Using the WLAN Monitor for Windows 98SE,Me, and 2000.”Figure 6-2Hardware Detection for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000Chapter 6:Hardware Installation1. Connect one end of the USBcable to the Adapter.2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB port on your computer.Because the Adapter gets its power from the PC’s USB port, there is noexternal power supply for the Adapter. The Power LED should light up whenthe Adapter is plugged in and the PC is on. 3. Raise the antenna. Make sure the antenna is positioned straight up into theair, at a 90º angle to the ground. If your PC is running Windows 98SE, Me, or 2000, proceed to the nextsection, “Hardware Detection for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000.”If your PC is running Windows XP, proceed to the section, “Chapter 7:Driver Installation and Configuration for Windows XP.”Note to Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 users:You must run the SetupWizard to install the software before installing the hardware.Note to Windows XP users: You must install the Adapter’s hardwarebefore installing the software.Figure 6-1
Wireless USB Adapter2. Windows will notify you that the driver has not passed Windows Logo test-ing. This is normal, and it has been verified that the Adapter does work withWindows XP. Click the Continue Anyway button.3. After Windows has finished installing the driver, click the Finish button.You have now completed the driver installation forthe Wireless USB Adapter. To configure the Adapter, proceed to thenext section, “Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration.” 15Network Everywhere®Chapter 7:Driver Installation andConfiguration for Windows XPAfter connecting the Adapter to your computer, you will install the driver andconfigure the Adapter.1. Windows XP will automatically detect the Adapter. Insert the Setup CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. Click the radio button next to Install thesoftware automatically (Recommended). Then click the Next button.14OverviewFigure 7-1Driver Installation for Windows XPNote to Windows XP users: Do NOT run the Wireless USB AdapterSetup Wizard. If the Setup Wizard runs automatically after the SetupCD-ROM has been inserted, click the Exit tab.Figure 7-2Figure 7-3
Wireless USB Adapter17Network Everywhere®1. After installing the Adapter, theWindows XP Wireless ZeroConfiguration icon will appearin your computer’s system tray(see Figure 7-4). Double-clickthe icon. 2. The screen that appears will show any available wireless network. Select anetwork, and then click the Connect button.163. If your access point has WEP encryption enabled, the screen in Figure 7-6will appear. Enter the WEP key of your wireless network in the Network keyfield. Click the Connect button.To find the WEP encryption key settings of the other wireless devices inyour network, such as an access point or wireless router, you may use anydevice’s web-based utility to check the WEP encryption screen for the cor-rect key entries. If you are using other manufacturers’ access points, referto their documentation for more information about WEP encryption. 4. The screen in Figure 7-7 willappear if your connection isactive.For more information about WEP,refer to your access point’s docu-mentation, or visit www.networkeverywhere.com.For more information about wireless networking on a Windows XP computer,enter the keyword wireless in the Windows XP search engine.Congratulations! The installation of the Wireless USB Adapter is complete.Figure 7-5Figure 7-6Note: Windows XP does not support the use of a passphrase. Enter theexact WEP key used by your access point.Windows XP Wireless Zero ConfigurationFor Windows XP users: Windows XP has a built-in configuration tool.Use Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration (in the system tray atthe bottom of your screen) to configure the Adapter.Figure 7-4Note: These are the instructions and screenshots for Windows XPwithout Service Pack 1 installed. If you have already installed ServicePack 1, enter the keyword wireless in the Windows XP search enginefor your wireless networking instructions.Figure 7-7
Wireless USB AdapterClick the More Information button to view more information about the wire-less network connection (see Figure 8-3).Click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the WLAN Monitor.The More Information screen displays the Adapter’s network settings and infor-mation about the current wireless network connection (see Figure 8-3).19Network Everywhere®18Figure 8-2Figure 8-3Chapter 8:Using the WLANMonitor for Windows 98SE, Me,and 2000Use the WLAN Monitor to check the link information, search for availablewireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings.After installing the Adapter, the Wireless USB Adapter WLANMonitor icon will appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon(see Figure 8-1).The Link Information screen will appear (see Figure 8-2). From this screen, youcan find out how strong the current wireless signal is and how good the con-nection’s quality is. You can also click the More Information button to viewadditional status information about the current wireless connection. To searchfor available wireless networks, click the Site Survey tab. To perform configu-ration changes, click the Profiles tab.As shown in Figure 8-2, the Link Information screen displays signal strengthand link quality information about the current connection and provides a but-ton to click for additional status information. Ad-Hoc Mode or Infrastructure Mode - The screen indicates whether theAdapter is currently working in ad-hoc or infrastructure mode. Signal Strength - The Signal Strength bar indicates signal strength, from 0 to100%. Link Quality - The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of the wireless net-work connection, from 0 to 100%.Figure 8-1Accessing the WLAN MonitorOverviewLink Information
Wireless USB Adapter21Network Everywhere®20The Site Survey screen displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networksavailable for connection. SSID - The SSID or unique name of the wireless network. Signal - The quality of the signal.Site InformationNetwork Type - The mode of the wireless network currently in use.Channel - The channel to which the wireless network devices are set. WEP - The status of the WEP encryption security feature.MAC - The MAC address of the wireless network’s access point.Surveyed at - The time at which the wireless network was scanned. Refresh - Click the Refresh button to perform a new search for wirelessdevices. Figure 8-4Site SurveyAd-Hoc Mode or Infrastructure Mode - The screen indicates whether theAdapter is currently working in ad-hoc or infrastructure mode. TCP/IP SettingIP Address - The IP Address of the Adapter.Subnet Mask - The Subnet Mask of the Adapter.Default Gateway - The Default Gateway address of the Adapter.DHCP - The status of the DHCP client.DNS - The DNS address of the Adapter.Wireless Network StatusState - The status of the wireless network connection.SSID - The unique name of the wireless network. Network Type - The mode of the wireless network currently in use.Transfer Rate - The data transfer rate of the current connection.Channel - The channel to which the wireless network devices are set. WEP - The status of the WEP encryption security feature.MAC - The MAC address of the wireless network’s access point.Signal Strength - The Signal Strength bar indicates signal strength, from 0 to100%. Link Quality - The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of the wireless net-work connection, from 0 to 100%.Click the Back button to return to the initial Link Information screen. Click theX (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the WLAN Monitor.

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