Netgear orporated 07300069 RANGEMAX NEXT WIRELESS-N USB User Manual FullManual

Netgear Incorporated RANGEMAX NEXT WIRELESS-N USB FullManual

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202-10278-01 July 2007NETGEAR, Inc.4500 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 USANETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual

v1.0, July 2007iii• 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 change or modification to the product not expressly approved by Netgear could void the user’s authority to operate the device. For product available in the USA/Canada market, only channel 1~11 can be operated.Selection of other channels is not possible. This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR StatementsSAR Statement The NETGEAR WN111 has been tested for body-worn Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance. The FCC has established detailed SAR requirements and has established that these requirements have been met while installed in host notebook computer. RF Exposure InformationThe radio module has been evaluated under FCC Bulletin OET 65C (01-01) and found to be compliant to the requirements as set forth in CFR 47 Sections, 2.1093, and 15.247 (b) (4) addressing RF Exposure from radio frequency devices. This model meets the applicable government requirements for exposure to radio frequency waves. The highest SAR level measured for this device was 0.46 W/kg.Canadian Department of Communications Industry Canada (IC) Notice Operaton is subject to the following two conditions:(1)this device may not cause interference, andthis device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operaton of the device This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 et CNR-210 du Canada. “To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing.”“Pour empêcher que cet appareil cause du brouillage au service faisant l’objet d’une licence, il doit être utilisé à l’intérieur et devrait être placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournir un écran de blindage maximal. Si le matériel (ou son antenne d’émission) est installé à l’extérieur, il doit faire l’objet d’une licence.”Europe - EU Declaration of ConformityA printed copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity certificate for this product is provided in the WN111 product package. Èesky [Czech] NETGEAR, Inc. tímto prohlašuje, že tento NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 je ve shodì se základními požadavky a dalšími pøíslušnými ustanoveními smìrnice 1999/5/ES.Dansk [Danish]Undertegnede NETGEAR, Inc. erklærer herved, at følgende udstyr NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 overholder de væsentlige krav og øvrige relevante krav i direktiv 1999/5/EF.Deutsch [German]Hiermit erklärt NETGEAR, Inc., dass sich das Gerät NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderungen und den übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG befindet.

v1.0, July 2007ivEesti [Estonian]Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele.English Hereby, NETGEAR, Inc., declares that this NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.Español [Spanish]Por medio de la presente NETGEAR, Inc. declara que el NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 cumple con los requisitos esenciales y cualesquiera otras disposiciones aplicables o exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE.Ελληνική [Greek]ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑ NETGEAR, Inc. ΔΗΛΩΝΕΙ ΟΤΙ NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 ΣΥΜΜΟΡΦΩΝΕΤΑΙ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΣ ΟΥΣΙΩΔΕΙΣ ΑΠΑΙΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΙΣ ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΣΧΕΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΔΗΓΙΑΣ 1999/5/ΕΚ.Français [French]Par la présente NETGEAR, Inc. déclare que l'appareil NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 est conforme aux exigences essentielles et aux autres dispositions pertinentes de la directive 1999/5/CE.Italiano [Italian]Con la presente NETGEAR, Inc. dichiara che questo NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed alle altre disposizioni pertinenti stabilite dalla direttiva 1999/5/CE.Latviski [Latvian]Ar šo NETGEAR, Inc. deklarç, ka NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 atbilst Direktîvas 1999/5/EK bûtiskajâm prasîbâm un citiem ar to saistîtajiem noteikumiem.Lietuviø [Lithuanian] Šiuo NETGEAR, Inc. deklaruoja, kad šis NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 atitinka esminius reikalavimus ir kitas 1999/5/EB Direktyvos nuostatas.Nederlands [Dutch]Hierbij verklaart NETGEAR, Inc. dat het toestel NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 in overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen en de andere relevante bepalingen van richtlijn 1999/5/EG.Malti [Maltese]Hawnhekk, NETGEAR, Inc., jiddikjara li dan NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 jikkonforma mal-tiijiet essenzjali u ma provvedimenti orajn relevanti li hemm fid-Dirrettiva 1999/5/EC.Magyar [Hungarian]Alulírott, NETGEAR, Inc. nyilatkozom, hogy a NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 megfelel a vonatkozó alapvetõ követelményeknek és az 1999/5/EC irányelv egyéb elõírásainak.Polski [Polish] Niniejszym NETGEAR, Inc. oœwiadcza, ¿e NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 jest zgodny z zasadniczymi wymogami oraz pozosta³ymi stosownymi postanowieniami Dyrektywy 1999/5/EC.Português [Portuguese] NETGEAR, Inc. declara que este NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 está conforme com os requisitos essenciais e outras disposições da Directiva 1999/5/CE.Slovensko [Slovenian] NETGEAR, Inc. izjavlja, da je ta NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 v skladu z bistvenimi zahtevami in ostalimi relevantnimi doloèili direktive 1999/5/ES.

v1.0, July 2007vProduct and Publication DetailsSlovensky [Slovak] NETGEAR, Inc. týmto vyhlasuje, že NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 spåòa základné požiadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice 1999/5/ES.Suomi [Finnish] NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin muiden ehtojen mukainen.Svenska [Swedish]Härmed intygar NETGEAR, Inc. att denna [utrustningstyp] står I överensstämmelse med de väsentliga egenskapskrav och övriga relevanta bestämmelser som framgår av direktiv 1999/5/EG.Model Number: WN111Publication Date: July 2007Product Family: Wireless USB 2.0 AdapterProduct Name: NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111Home or Business Product: HomeLanguage: EnglishPublication Part Number: 202-10278-01

v1.0, July 2007vi

viiiv1.0, July 2007Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection ...........................2-9Wireless Security ..........................................................................................................2-10Using Wireless Security Features ................................................................................2-10Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ................................................ 2-11Setting up WEP Encryption Security ............................................................................2-12Setting up WPA-PSK Security ......................................................................................2-13Statistics Tab .................................................................................................................2-15About Tab .....................................................................................................................2-16Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................2-17Chapter 3 Wireless Network PerformanceOptimizing Wireless Performance ..................................................................................3-1Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth ..............................................................................3-3Overview of Home and Small Office Networking Technologies ......................................3-4Assessing Your Speed Requirements ......................................................................3-5Chapter 4 TroubleshootingTroubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................4-1Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly ..........................................................................4-3Windows XP Occasional Connection Problems .............................................................4-3Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default SettingsTechnical Specifications ................................................................................................. A-1Factory Default Settings ................................................................................................ A-2Appendix B Related Documents

ixv1.0, July 2007About This ManualThe NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual describes how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111. The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate computer and Internet skills.Conventions, Formats, and ScopeThe conventions, formats, and scope of this manual are described in the following paragraphs:•Typographical Conventions. This manual uses the following typographical conventions:•Formats. This manual uses the following formats to highlight special messages:•Scope. This manual is written for the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter according to these specifications:Italics Emphasis, books, CDs, URL namesBold User inputNote: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.Tip: This format is used to highlight a procedure that will save time or resources.Product Version NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111Manual Publication Date July 2007

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manualxv1.0, July 2007For more information about network technologies, see the links to the NETGEAR website in Appendix B, “Related Documents”.How to Use This ManualThe HTML version of this manual includes the following:• Buttons, and , for browsing forwards or backwards through the manual one page at a time• A button that displays the table of contents and an button. Double-click on a link in the table of contents or index to navigate directly to where the topic is described in the manual.• A button to access the full NETGEAR, Inc. online knowledge base for the product model.• Links to PDF versions of the full manual and individual chapters.How to Print this ManualTo print this manual you can choose one of the following several options, according to your needs.•Printing a Page in the HTML View. Each page in the HTML version of the manual is dedicated to a major topic. Use the Print button on the browser toolbar to print the page contents. •Printing a Chapter. Use the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page.– Click the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page in the chapter you want to print. The PDF version of the chapter you were viewing opens in a browser window. – Your computer must have the free Adobe Acrobat reader installed in order to view and print PDF files. The Acrobat reader is available on the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com.Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. website athttp://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WN111.asp.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manualxiv1.0, July 2007– Click the print icon in the upper left of the window. •Printing the Full Manual. Use the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page.– Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page in the manual. The PDF version of the complete manual opens in a browser window. – Click the print icon in the upper left of the window. Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manualxiiv1.0, July 2007

1-1v1.0, July 2007Chapter 1Basic SetupThis chapter describes how to install your RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless Security”.What You Need Before You BeginYou need to verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and identify the wireless network settings of the WLAN where you will connect before you can set up your wireless USB adapter and connect. Verify System RequirementsBefore installing the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111, please make sure that these minimum requirements have been met:• You must have a PC with a Pentium® 300 MHz or higher compatible processor with an available USB 2.0 or 1.1 port.•A CD drive.• 5 Mbytes of free hard disk space.Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet. Because walls do not always block wireless signals, others outside your immediate area could access your network. It is important to take steps to secure your network from unauthorized access. The RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter provides highly effective security features, which are covered in “Using Wireless Security Features” in Chapter 2. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.Note: The maximum speed of a USB v2.0 port is 480 Mbps. If your computer has a USB v1.1 port, the WN111 is limited to that port’s maximum speed, which is 14 Mbps.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-2v1.0, July 2007• Vista, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000. Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WN111 driver software.Observe Wireless Location and Range GuidelinesComputers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range which vary significantly based on the physical location of the computer with the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter. For best results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as: • Large metal surfaces•Microwaves• 2.4 GHz Cordless phonesIn general, wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are constructed with concrete, or have metal, or metal mesh, the effective range will decrease if such materials are between the devices.What Is In the BoxThe product package should contain the following items:• NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111• Installation Guide for the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111•Resource CD, including:– Driver and Configuration Utility Software–NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual (this document)– Animated Network Properties Configuration Tutorial– PC Networking Tutorial• Warranty and Support information cardIf any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.Note: Windows XP users must install SP2 or install the KB822603 Hot fix, which fixes the USB 2.0 Host controller driver. Go to the following link to install the Hot fix:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=733dd867-56a0-4956-b7fe-e85b688b7f86

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-3v1.0, July 2007WN111 Default Wireless SettingsIf this is a new wireless network installation, use the factory default settings to set up the network and verify wireless connectivity. If this is an addition to an existing wireless network, you will need to identify the wireless network and wireless security settings that are already defined. Your RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter factory default basic settings are: • Network Name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any (First available network)• Network Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-hoc): Infrastructure• Data security WEP, WPA2-PSK, or WPA-PSK encryption: DisabledInstallation To install the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter:1. First, install the WN111 software:Insert the Resource CD. If the Welcome screen does not open, double click Autorun.exe on the CD.a. Click Install the Software.The Check for Updates screen displays: Note: In order for the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter to communicate with a wireless access point or wireless adapter, all devices must be set up to use the same wireless network name (SSID).Figure 1-1

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-5v1.0, July 20073. Use the Smart Wizard to set up your wireless USB adapter.a. Windows 2000 users go to Step b. Windows XP or Vista users can set up the wireless adapter either with the NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended) or the Windows configuration utilities. •NETGEAR Smart Wizard: Reveals more information about each network and makes it easier to troubleshoot network connection problems.•Windows configuration utilities: See the Windows documentation or “Using Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities” at: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm.b. Click Next to accept the NETGEAR Smart Wizard.c. You will be prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended).d. Click Next to accept. Figure 1-3Figure 1-4

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-7v1.0, July 2007Connecting to Wireless Networks and the InternetThe WN111 has indicators in three locations that show the status of your connection to a wireless network and to the Internet:•WN111 Icon: After you install the WN111 software, the icon appears on the desktop and in the lower right of the Windows task bar. It is color coded to show the status of the connection. •Smart Wizard Status Bar: Clicking on the system tray icon opens the Smart Wizard. The status bar at the bottom of the page shows details about your wireless and Internet connection.See “Smart Wizard Status Bar”•LED: The LED on the wireless USB adapter shows the network connection. Solid indicates a connection. The LED blinks when the wireless USB adapter is looking for a network association.WN111 Icon ColorsThe WN111 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows System Tray. The System Tray is on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Note: The maximum speed of a USB v2.0 port is 480 Mbps. If your computer has a USB v1.1 port, the WN111 is limited to that port’s maximum speed, which is 14 Mbps.Color Condition DescriptionRed The wireless USB adapter has no connection to any other wireless node.The wireless USB adapter cannot link to any other wireless node or the link is lost. Check your configuration or try moving to a location where the wireless signal quality is better.Yellow The wireless USB adapter has a connection with another wireless node.The wireless link is weak. You may need to move to a better spot, such as closer to the wireless access point. Also, look for possible interference such as a 2.4 GHz cordless phone or large metal surface.Green The wireless USB adapter has a connection with another wireless node.The wireless USB adapter has established good communication with an access point and the signal quality is strong.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-8v1.0, July 2007Smart Wizard Status BarClick the icon to open the Smart Wizard so you can view the status bar. The Smart Wizard Settings screen displays. The status bar is located at the bottom of the Settings page.The following table describes how to interpret the Smart Wizard status barThe Connection status is useful in isolating a problem. For example, if you are connected to a router, but not to the Internet, then check the router’s Internet connection.Figure 1-7Understanding the Status BarWireless network Identifies which wireless network you have joined.Security • Locked: security enabled.• Unlocked: security not enabled.Channel The wireless channel used by the network. If many wireless networks in your area use the same channel they can interfere with one another.Throughput • Wireless throughput measured in Mega bits per second. To optimize throughput, connect to a network with a high-speed router or access point, and a high-speed Internet connection. See Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance”.• If your computer has a USB v1.1 port, the WN111 is limited to that port’s maximum speed, which is 14 Mbps.Signal strength More dots indicates a stronger signal. Usually, you will experience higher throughput when the signal is strongest.Join a Network Click Join a Network to open the Connection Wizard.Connection statusIdentifies the status of your network connection.•Connected to Internet: Wireless Internet connection is OK.•Connected to Router: Wireless connection to the router is OK but the router is not connected to the Internet.•169.254.x.x or ___.___.___.___ : The wireless connection to the router is OK but there is a problem with the router. See Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting”.WirelessnetworkConnection statusSecurityJoin a NetworkChannel ThroughputSignalstrength

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-9v1.0, July 2007If you right-click the system tray icon, you can disable the Internet notification feature by clearing the check mark enabling notification, as shown in the following figure. If you do so, then only the IP address is shown.In Vista, there is one more option: Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard. If you clear the check mark for Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard, the NETGEAR Smart Wizard will be disabled and you will need to setup the wireless adapter with Vista Auto configuration.WN111 LEDThe LED on the WN111 indicates the condition of wireless linkPlacing the USB Adapter CradleYou can attach the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter directly to a USB port on your computer, or use the USB cable to extend the range and obtain better wireless reception. Follow these instructions to use the USB cable, plastic cradle, and loop and hook fastener provided in the package for better USB Adapter placement on a notebook computer:1. The RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter comes with three black fasteners. Locate the one with a prickly side and attach it to the plastic cradle on the middle of the outside rear.Figure 1-8Figure 1-9LED MeaningOff • The WN111 in not plugged in to the PC.• Power save mode (default from power up or reset).Blink Looking for network association.On Associated or joined with network.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-10v1.0, July 20072. Insert the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter in the plastic cradle.3. Place one of the other pieces of loop and hook fastener on the back of your monitor near the top for better reception.Removing the WN111 SoftwareYou can remove the wireless adapter software in these two ways:• Navigate the Windows Start menu to the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter program group, select the uninstall option, and follow the screen prompts.• Navigate the Windows Start menu to the Control Panel Add or Remove Program item, select the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter option, and follow the screen prompts.Figure 1-10Figure 1-11Note: The last piece of the fastener can be placed on the side of your PC monitor nearest your wireless access point, if you are using the USB Adapter with a desktop PC.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-11v1.0, July 2007Upgrading the WN111 SoftwareUpgrades may be available at the NETGEAR website. To install an upgrade, follow these steps.1. Write down the settings for any profiles that you want to save. They will not be retained.2. Download the upgrade from the NETGEAR website Support page.3. Remove the WN111 software from your computer. 4. Remove the WN111 adapter from your computer, and if prompted restart your laptop computer.5. Run the installer that you downloaded (the file ends in .exe).6. Follow the installer instructions, and if prompted, then restart your computer.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual1-12v1.0, July 2007

2-1v1.0, July 2007Chapter 2Network Connections and Wireless SecurityThis chapter explains how to use your Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. If you chose the Windows XP or Windows Vista Zero Configuration utility during installation, and now you want to use the Smart Wizard, then you need to disable the Windows utility. If you are working with the Vista configuration utility, see the online document: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm Disabling the Windows Zero Configuration UtilityTo disable the Windows Zero Configuration utility:1. Attach the wireless adapter to a USB port for your computer.2. Go to Windows Start menu and select Network Connections. 3. On the Network connections page, select the Wireless Network Connection and right-click to choose the Properties option. 4. Click the Wireless Networks tab. Then clear the “Use Windows to configure my wireless settings” check box.Figure 2-1

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-2v1.0, July 2007Understanding the Smart WizardThese instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WN111 Smart Wizard to change the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter wireless settings. When you have installed the software from the Resource CD, the icon appears on your desktop and in the Windows System Tray. The Windows System Tray is located on the Windows taskbar. You can either double-click this icon on the desktop, or click it in the System Tray at any time, to use the Smart Wizard. This software automatically restarts when you reboot your computer. The Smart Wizard provides a complete and easy to use set of tools to:• View details about wireless networks in your area.• Choose the network that you want to use.• Configure wireless settings for your wireless USB adapter • Save your wireless network settings in profiles.• Remove or reinstall the wireless adapter software.The following sections in this chapter explain how to use the Smart Wizard. Viewing Wireless Networks in Your AreaYou can use the Networks tab to view all available wireless networks in your area. You can also scan to search for wireless networks and refresh the page.To view information about wireless networks:1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-3v1.0, July 20072. Click the Networks tab. The Networks screen displays:The buttons located at the bottom of the Networks tab are:•Help. Display online help.•Join a Network. View networks and join a network. See “Joining a Network” on page 2-4.•Connect. Connect to the network that you selected.•Scan. Check for wireless networks. Clicking Scan refreshes the page.•Close. Close the window of the Wizard.The screen shows the following information for each network scanned:•Network Name (SSID). The name assigned to a wireless network. This is the same as the SSID or ESSID configuration parameter. Note that as a security measure, some wireless access points do not broadcast their SSID. In such cases, the SSID field will be blank even though the rest of the information will still be displayed. •Channel. The channel determines which operating frequency will be used. •N. The access point supports wireless N mode.•WPS. The access point supports WPS.•Security. Identifies whether the wireless network uses security settings such as WEP, WPA2-PSK, or WPA-PSK.•Signal. Identifies the signal strength of the communications.Figure 2-2You can click a columnheading to sort.If many networks usethe same channel theycan interfere with eachother.The Status bar showsyour network connectionand Internet connection.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-4v1.0, July 2007•MAC Address. Identifies the hardware address (MAC Address) of the wireless device broadcasting this information.•Mode. Identifies the type of wireless network — Access Point (Infrastructure) or Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc)Joining a NetworkDuring the WN111 software installation, the Smart Wizard lists the available networks. After installation you can use the Join a Network button on the Network tab at any time to view the available networks and select the one that you want to use. To join a network:1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network. The following screen displays:Note: Make sure that you know the security settings for the network that you want to use. For example, if WEP is used then you need to know the WEP key. If you use secure networks frequently, set up profiles for each network with the wireless network and security settings.Figure 2-3

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-9v1.0, July 2007At this point the connection is established. Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection1. On the Settings tab page of the Smart Wizard, select or type the Network Name (SSID).2. Select the Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) network type.3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc. The Ad Hoc Setting dialog box opens:4. In the Start Ad Hoc field, choose the wireless standard (802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g) for your Ad Hoc computer-to-computer network.5. In the Channel field, Automatic should work. If you notice interference problems with another nearby wireless device, select a channel that is not being used by any other wireless networks near your wireless adapter. Use the Networks tab to view the channels in use in your area.6. Click OK.Note: If you cannot connect, see “Removing the WN111 Software” in Chapter 1. For problems accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed or configured properly on your computers. See the link to “Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing:” in Appendix B.Figure 2-8Note: The channel number differs depending on the country. The connection speed automatically defaults to the highest speed.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-10v1.0, July 2007Wireless SecurityMany networks use wireless security to encrypt wireless data communications. If you try to connect to a network with wireless security the Smart Wizard detects it. Before you can use that network you must set up the WN111 with exactly the same kind of wireless security settings. The main types of wireless security used for home networks are:• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key (WPA2-PSK)• Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK)• Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)• Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)For more information about wireless security, see the wireless reference document at:http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wireless/index.htmIn addition to the wireless security features, networks should use LAN network security features such as requiring a user name and password to access the shared resources in the network.Using Wireless Security FeaturesYou can strengthen the security of your wireless connection by enabling Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption of the wireless data communications. Or, you can use WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) encryption. For more information about wireless security, see the Web link to “Wireless Communications:” in Appendix B.In addition to the WN111 wireless security features, you should also configure appropriate LAN network security features such as requiring a user name and password to access the shared resources in your network.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-11v1.0, July 2007Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security SettingsPrint this form, fill in the configuration parameters and put it in a safe place for possible future reference. For an existing wireless network, the person who set up the network will be able to provide this information.•Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network. Any (First available network) is the default WN111 wireless network name (SSID). You may customize it using up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Write your customized wireless network name (SSID) on the line below. Wireless network name (SSID): ______________________________ •If WEP Authentication is Used. –WEP Encryption key size. Identify one: 64-bit or 128-bit. The encryption key size must the wireless network settings.–Data Encryption (WEP) Keys. There are two methods for creating WEP data encryption keys. Whichever method you use, record the key values in the spaces below.•Passphrase method. ______________________________ These characters are case sensitive. Enter a word or group of printable characters and click the Generate Keys button. Not all wireless devices support the passphrase method.•Manual method. These values are not case sensitive. For 64-bit WEP, enter 10 hex digits (any combination of 0-9 or a-f). For 128-bit WEP, enter 26 hex digits.Key 1: _____________________________ Key 2: _____________________________ Key 3: _____________________________ Key 4: _____________________________ •If WPA2-PSK or WPA-PSK Authentication is Used. –Passphrase: ______________________________ These characters are case sensitive. Enter a word or group of printable characters. When you use WPA-PSK, the other devices in the network will not connect unless they are set to WPA-PSK as well and are configured with the correct Passphrase. Note: The SSID in the wireless access point is the SSID you configure in the wireless USB adapter. For the access point and wireless nodes to communicate with each other, all must be configured with the same SSID.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-15v1.0, July 2007Statistics TabThe Statistics page provides real time and historical trend information on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter.•Transmit/Receive Performance (%). A real time graph identifying the total, receive, and transmit utilization as a percentage the total possible. •Transmit, Receive, and Total (TxRx). Radio buttons let you select whether to display the transmit performance, the receive performance, or both in the same graph.•Transmit Statistics. Identifies transmit megabits per second (Mbps), transmit packets per second (Tx Packets/s), total transmitted packets, and transmit errors.•Receive Statistics. Identifies receive megabits per second (Mbps), receive packets per second (Rx Packets/s), total received packets, and reception errors.Figure 2-11

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-16v1.0, July 2007About TabThe About Tab displays the current version information.The following information is displayed in the About screen:•Regional Domain. This is the region setting for the wireless adapter. The approved channels for the region are automatically scanned. Governments regulate the channels used for wireless transmission. Operating the wireless adapter in a different region may violate local laws.•Driver Version. The wireless adapter driver version. •Hardware Version.•Driver Date. The wireless adapter driver release date.•MAC Address. The MAC address of the adapter. The Media Access Control address is a unique 48-bit hardware address assigned to every network interface card. Some wireless networks will restrict access based on a list of known MAC addresses. If you are communicating with such a network, you would have to provide the address shown here to the network administrator before you would be allowed to connect. Restricting access by MAC address adds an obstacle against unwanted access to your network. However, unless you use data encryption security, the data broadcast over the wireless link is fully exposed.•IP Address. The IP address assigned to this adapter.•Smart Wireless Utility. The version and release date of the Smart Wizard.Figure 2-12

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-17v1.0, July 2007Advanced SettingsThe default advanced settings usually work fine. To view or change the advanced settings, from the Settings tab, click Advanced Settings. The Advanced Settings screen displays:•Figure 2-13

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual2-18v1.0, July 2007

3-1v1.0, July 2007Chapter 3Wireless Network PerformanceThis chapter explains how to use your RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. Optimizing Wireless PerformanceThe speed and operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the location of the wireless router. You should choose a location for your router that will maximize the network speed.The following list describes how to optimize wireless router performance.• Identify critical wireless links.If your network has several wireless devices, decide which wireless devices need the highest data rate, and locate the router near them. Many wireless products have automatic data-rate fallback, which allows increased distances without losing connectivity. This also means that devices that are further away may be slower. Therefore, the most critical links in your network are those where the traffic is high and the distances are great. Optimize those first. • Choose placement carefully.For best results, place your router:– Near the center of the area in which your computers will operate.– In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected computers have line-of-sight access (even if through walls).• Avoid obstacles to wireless signals.– Keep wireless devices at least two feet from large metal fixtures such as file cabinets, refrigerators, pipes, metal ceilings, reinforced concrete, and metal partitions.– Keep away from large amounts of water such as fish tanks and water coolers.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual3-2v1.0, July 2007• Reduce interference.Avoid windows unless communicating between buildings.Place wireless devices away from various electromagnetic noise sources, especially those in the 2400–2500 MHz frequency band. Common noise-creating sources are:– Computers and fax machines (no closer than one foot)– Copying machines, elevators, and cell phones (no closer than 6 feet)– Microwave ovens (no closer than 10 feet)• Choose your settings.– Use a scanning utility to determine what other wireless networks are operating nearby, and choose an unused channel.– Turn off SSID Broadcast, and change the default SSID. Other nearby devices may automatically try to connect to your network several times a second, which can cause significant performance reduction.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual3-3v1.0, July 2007Optimizing Your Network BandwidthThe speed of network connections depends on the type of equipment that you use. Try to use high-speed technologies for network connections with the heaviest traffic to avoid lower-speed bottlenecks in the path. The following figure shows a home network that includes many different connection speeds.In the network shown in Figure 3-1, the two PCs with gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet adapters have a gigabit connection through the router to the storage server. With a high-speed router this connection allows for extremely fast backups or quick access to large files on the server. The PC connected through a pair of Powerline HD adapters is limited to the 200 Mbps speed of the Powerline HD connection. Although any of the links in this example would be sufficient for high-traffic applications such as streaming HD video, the use of older devices such as 10 Mbps Ethernet or 802.11b wireless would create a significant bottleneck.In planning your network, think about which tasks will have the heaviest traffic flow between them. Examples are:Figure 3-1

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual3-4v1.0, July 2007• A media center in one room streaming high-definition video from a server in another room• A storage device that is used for backing up your computersOverview of Home and Small Office Networking TechnologiesCommon connection types and their speed and security considerations are:•Broadband InternetYour Internet connection speed is determined by your modem type, such as ADSL or cable modem, as well as the connection speed of the sites to which you connect, and general Internet traffic. ADSL and cable modem connections are asymmetrical, meaning they have a lower data rate to the Internet (upstream) than from the Internet (downstream). Keep in mind that when you connect to someone else who also has an asymmetrical connection, the data rate between your sites is limited by each side’s upstream data rate. A typical residential ADSL or cablemodem connection provides a downstream throughput of about one to three megabits per second (Mbps). Newer technologies such as ADSL2+ and Fiber to the Home (FTTH) will increase the connection speed to tens of Mbps.•WirelessA high-speed wireless router can provide a wireless data throughput of up to 300 Mbps using technology called Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), in which multiple antennas transmit multiple streams of data. The use of multiple antennas also provides excellent range and coverage. With the introduction of the newer WPA and WPA2 encryption and authentication protocols, wireless security is extremely strong.To get the best performance, use newer adapters such as RangeMax adapters for your computers. A high-speed router may be compatible with older 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, but the use of these older wireless technologies in your network can result in lower throughput overall (typically less than 10 Mbps for 802.11b and less than 40 Mbps for 802.11g). In addition, many older wireless products do not support the latest security protocols, WPA and WPA2.•PowerlineFor connecting rooms or floors that are blocked by obstructions or are distant vertically, consider networking over your building’s AC wiring. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD family of products delivers up to 200 Mbps to any outlet, while the older generation XE family of products delivers 14 Mbps or 85 Mbps. Data transmissions are encrypted for security, and you can configure an individual network password to prevent neighbors from connecting.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual3-5v1.0, July 2007The Powerline HD family of products can coexist on the same network with older generation XE family products or HomePlug 1.0 products, but they are not interoperable with these older products.•Wired EthernetAs Gigabit Ethernet ports become common on newer computers, wired Ethernet remains a good choice for speed, economy, and security. Gigabit Ethernet can extend up to 100 meters with twisted-pair wiring of CAT-5e or better. A wired connection is not susceptible to interference, and eavesdropping would require a physical connection to your network.Assessing Your Speed RequirementsBecause your Internet connection is likely to operate at a much lower speed than your local network, faster local networking technologies may not improve your Internet experience. However, many emerging home applications require high data rates. For example:• Streaming HD video requires 10 to 30 Mbps per stream. Because latency and packet loss can disrupt your video, plan to provide at least twice the capacity you need.• Streaming MP3 audio requires less than 1 Mbps per stream and does not strain most modern networks. Like video, however, streaming audio is also sensitive to latency and packet loss, so a congested network or a noisy link can cause problems.• Backing up computers over the network has become popular due to the availability of inexpensive mass storage. Table 3-1 shows the time to transfer one gigabyte (1 GB) of data using various networking technologies.Note: Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, can lower actual data throughput rate.Table 3-1. Theoretical Transfer Time for 1 GigabyteNetwork Connection Theoretical Raw Transfer TimeGigabit Wired Ethernet 8 secondsRangeMax NEXT Wireless-N 26 secondsPowerline HD 40 seconds100 Mbps Wired Ethernet 80 seconds802.11g wireless 150 seconds802.11b wireless 700 seconds10 Mbps Wired Ethernet 800 seconds

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual3-6v1.0, July 2007Cable Modem (3 Mbps) 2700 secondsAnalog Modem (56 kbps) 144,000 seconds (40 hours)Table 3-1. Theoretical Transfer Time for 1 GigabyteNetwork Connection Theoretical Raw Transfer Time

4-1v1.0, July 2007Chapter 4TroubleshootingThis chapter provides information about troubleshooting your RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter. For information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Basic Setup” in Chapter 1.Troubleshooting TipsUse the information below to solve common problems you may encounter. Also, refer to the knowledge base on the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com/support/main.asp.Table 4-1. Troubleshooting TipsProblem ActionThe LED is not lit The WN111 is not connected to the USB port properly or the WN111 software is not loaded. • Remove and reinsert the WN111.• Check the Windows device manager to see if the WN111 is recognized and enabled. Reload the WN111 software, if necessary.• Try to install the WN111 in a different USB slot on your system if one is available.The LED blinks but the WN111 is not connected to an access point.The WN111 is trying to connect to an access point, but cannot connect. • The access point may not be powered on. • Or, the access point and the WN111 are not configured with the same wireless parameters. Check the SSID and WEP settings.I cannot connect to an access point. The access point is available and there is good signal strength.• If the access point is WPA-PSK protected, you need the correct WPA-PSK passphrase. Otherwise, the WN111 will still be connected to the previous access point and you will not be able to change to the WPA-PSK access point.• If the access point is WEP protected (either 64 or 128 bit encryption), you will be prompted to enter the WEP encryption security information.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual4-2v1.0, July 2007Throughput is only 54 Mbps or only 14 Mbps.The RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter can operate at faster speeds. • At 54 Mbps you are probably connecting to a standard 802.11g network. See Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance”.• If you do not have a USB 2.0 port on your PC, the throughput is limited to the 14 Mbps of the USB 1.1 standard.The Smart Wizard keeps asking me to save settings.If you change the settings the Smart Wizard offers you the chance to save the changes. To avoid this prompt, simply click Apply before you close the Smart Wizard.Two WN111 icons are in the system tray. You have an older software version installed on your system and it needs to be removed. See “Removing the WN111 Software” in Chapter 1 or “Upgrading the WN111 Software” in Chapter 1.I can connect to the access point, but not the other computers on the network or to the Internet.This could be a physical layer problem or a network configuration problem.1. Check to make sure that the access point is physically connected to the Ethernet network.2. Make sure that the IP addresses and the Windows networking parameters are all configured correctly. See the link to “Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing:” in Chapter B.3. Restart the cable or DSL modem, router, access point, and computer.Viewing the IP address. To view the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter IP address, click the WN111 icon to open the Smart Wizard. Then check the IP address in the About page.No IP address is assigned to the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter.This may occur if you upgraded your RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter software and did not reboot your system. • Either restart your computer, or connect to a different access point.• It does not usually help to shut down the Smart Wizard or disable/enable the card.Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips (continued)Problem Action

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual4-3v1.0, July 2007Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working CorrectlyYou must click the Initiate Ad Hoc button before you click Apply. Here is how you start an Ad Hoc network:1. Fill in the Network Name (SSID).2. Select the Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Type.3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc.4. Accept the default settings or make your changes and click OK5. Click Apply.Windows XP Occasional Connection Problems Windows XP users who apply Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q815485 from the Windows XP Update Service may not be able to connect to the Internet, may have dropped wireless connections, or both when using the RangeMax WN111 Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter. You can delete this Hotfix from the Add or Remove Program utility in the Control Panel.To delete Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q815485:1. Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then double click Add/Remove Programs. 2. Click Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q815485, and then click Remove.• You may receive an error message that states that some program on the computer may not work correctly if the update is removed. • You can ignore this error message, and then click Yes to remove the update. 3. Restart your computer and rerun the Smart Display Setup Wizard. This should solve your connection issue. You can restore this hotfix by following the link below:http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=009D8425-CE2B-47A4-ABEC-274845DC9E91&displaylang=enNote: Be sure all computers in your Ad Hoc network are configured with static IP addresses in the same subnet.

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual4-4v1.0, July 2007

A-1v1.0, July 2007Appendix ATechnical Specifications and Factory DefaultSettingsTechnical SpecificationsThe following table provides technical specifications for the Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. Antenna 2 Integrated internal antennaStandards 802.11n, 802.11g, or 802.11bRadio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, 08, 140, 246, and 300 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing)Frequency 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz DSSS and OFDM Modulation)Power 5V Bus poweredEmissions FCC, CEBus interface USB 2.0Provided drivers Microsoft Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000Operating Environment Operating temperature: 0 to 45 degree CEncryption 40-bit (also called 64-bit) and 128-bit WEP data encryption, and WPA-PSKWarranty Limited 1-year warranty

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User ManualA-2v1.0, July 2007Factory Default SettingsThe following table lists the default settings of your Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter.Feature DescriptionSmart Wizard EnabledWirelessWireless Communication EnabledWireless Network Name (SSID) Any (will connect to first wireless network that responds)Security DisabledNetwork Type InfrastructureTransmission Speed Autoaa. Maximum wireless signal rate (IEEE Standard 802.11). Actual throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate.Country/Region United States (varies by region)Operating Mode 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11bData Rate Up to 300 Mbps

B-1v1.0, July 2007Appendix BRelated DocumentsThis appendix provides links to reference documents you can use to gain a more complete understanding of the technologies used in your NETGEAR product.Document LinkWindows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilitieshttp://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htmWireless Communications: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wireless/index.htmPreparing a Computer for Network Access: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wsdhcp/index.htmVirtual Private Networking (VPN): http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/vpn/index.htmGlossary: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/glossary/index.htm

NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User ManualB-2v1.0, July 2007