Netgear orporated 08100080 RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard Adapter User Manual FullManual
Netgear Incorporated RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard Adapter FullManual
Manual
202-10259-05
June 2008
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
NETGEAR RangeMax
Wireless-N ExpressCard
WN711 User Manual
ii
v1.0, June 2008
©2008 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved..
Technical Support
Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering your product at
http://www.netgear.com/register, we can provide you with faster expert technical support and timely notices of product
and software upgrades.
NETGEAR, INC. Support Information
Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR, for US & Canada only. For other countries, see your Support information card.
E-mail: support@netgear.com
North American NETGEAR website: http://www.netgear.com
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, Smart Wizard, and Auto Uplink are trademarks or registered trademarks of
NETGEAR, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.Other
brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to
make changes to the products described in this document without notice. NETGEAR does not assume any liability that
may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.
Maximum Wireless Signal Rate Derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 Specifications
Actual data 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.
Safety and Regulatory Notices
FCC Statement
The NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711 has been tested and complies with the specifications for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used according to the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. 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 correct 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 assistance
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iii
This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
For products available in the USA market, only channels 1through 11 can be operated. Selection of other channels is not
available.
FCC Caution
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR Statements
SAR Statement
The NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711 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 a host notebook computer.
RF Exposure Information
The 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.
Canadian Department of Communications Industry Canada (IC) Notice
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.
Europe – EU Declaration of Conformity
A printed copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity certificate for this product is provided in the WN711 product
package.
Česky
[Czech]
[NETGEAR Inc.] tímto prohlašuje, že tento [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] je ve shode se základními požadavky a dalšími príslušnými
ustanoveními smernice 1999/5/ES.
Dansk
[Danish]
Undertegnede [NETGEAR Inc.] erklærer herved, at følgende udstyr [NETGEAR RangeMax
Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711] 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
ExpressCard WN711] in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderungen und den
übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG befindet.
Eesti
[Estonian]
Käesolevaga kinnitab [NETGEAR Inc.] seadme [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist
tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele.
v1.0, June 2008
iv
English Hereby, [NETGEAR Inc.], declares that this [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] 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 ExpressCard WN711] cumple con los requisitos esenciales y cualesquiera otras
disposiciones aplicables o exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE.
Eλληνική
[Greek]
ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑ [NETGEAR Inc.] ΔΗΛΩΝΕΙ ΟΤΙ [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] 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
ExpressCard WN711] 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
ExpressCard WN711] è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed alle altre disposizioni pertinenti
stabilite dalla direttiva 1999/5/CE.
Latviski
[Latvian]
Ar šo [NETGEAR Inc.] deklarē, ka [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard
WN711] atbilst Direktīvas 1999/5/EK būtiskajām prasībām un citiem ar to saistītajiem
noteikumiem.
Lietuvių
[Lithuanian]
Šiuo [NETGEAR Inc.] deklaruoja, kad šis [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard
WN711] atitinka esminius reikalavimus ir kitas 1999/5/EB Direktyvos nuostatas.
Nederland
s [Dutch]
Hierbij verklaart [NETGEAR Inc.]. dat het toestel [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] 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
ExpressCard WN711] jikkonforma mal-htigijiet essenzjali u ma provvedimenti ohrajn
relevanti li hemm fid-Dirrettiva 1999/5/EC.
Magyar
[Hungarian]
Alulírott, [NETGEAR Inc.] nyilatkozom, hogy a [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] megfelel a vonatkozó alapvetõ követelményeknek és az 1999/5/EC
irányelv egyéb elõírásainak.
Polski
[Polish]
Niniejszym [NETGEAR Inc.] oświadcza, że [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] jest zgodny z zasadniczymi wymogami oraz pozostałymi
stosownymi postanowieniami Dyrektywy 1999/5/EC.
Português
[Portuguese]
[NETGEAR Inc.] declara que este [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard
WN711] 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 ExpressCard WN711]
v skladu z bistvenimi zahtevami in ostalimi relevantnimi določili direktive 1999/5/ES.
Slovensky
[Slovak]
[NETGEAR Inc.] týmto vyhlasuje, _e [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard
WN711] spĺňa základné po_iadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice 1999/5/ES.
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v
Product and Publication Details
Suomi
[Finnish]
[NETGEAR Inc.] vakuuttaa täten että [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard
WN711] tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien
direktiivin muiden ehtojen mukainen.
Svenska
[Swedish]
Härmed intygar [NETGEAR Inc.] att denna [NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711] står I överensstämmelse med de väsentliga egenskapskrav och
övriga relevanta bestämmelser som framgår av direktiv 1999/5/EG.
Model Number: WN711
Publication Date: June 2008
Product Family: Wireless Adapter
Product Name: NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711
Home or Business Product: Home
Language: English
Publication Part Number: 202-10259-05
v1.0, June 2008
vi
vii
v1.0, June 2008
Contents
About This Manual
Conventions, Formats, and Scope ................................................................................... ix
How to Use This Manual ................................................................................................... x
How to Print This Manual .................................................................................................. x
Chapter 1
Basic Setup
What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................1-1
Verify System Requirements ....................................................................................1-1
Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines ..................................................1-1
What Is in the Box ..........................................................................................................1-2
Default Wireless Settings .........................................................................................1-2
Installation ......................................................................................................................1-3
Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet ........................................................1-7
WN711 Icon Colors ..................................................................................................1-8
Smart Wizard Status Bar ..........................................................................................1-8
Removing the WN711 Software ....................................................................................1-10
Upgrading the WN711 Software ...................................................................................1-10
Chapter 2
Network Connections and Wireless Security
Disabling the Windows XP Zero Configuration Utility .....................................................2-1
Understanding the Smart Wizard ...................................................................................2-2
Viewing Wireless Networks in Your Area ........................................................................2-2
Joining a Network ...........................................................................................................2-4
Using WPS to Connect to a Wireless Network ........................................................2-5
Profiles ............................................................................................................................2-9
Adding Profiles .......................................................................................................2-10
Setting Up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router ...............................2-10
Setting up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile ............................................ 2-11
Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection .........................2-13
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Wireless Security ..........................................................................................................2-14
Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ..........................................2-15
Setting Up WEP Encryption Security .....................................................................2-16
Setting up WPA2-PSK Security ..............................................................................2-17
Setting Up WPA-PSK Security ...............................................................................2-18
Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................2-19
Statistics Tab .................................................................................................................2-20
About Tab .....................................................................................................................2-21
Chapter 3
Wireless Network Performance
Optimizing Wireless Performance ..................................................................................3-1
Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth ..............................................................................3-2
Overview of Home and Small Office Networking Technologies ......................................3-3
Assessing Your Speed Requirements ......................................................................3-4
Chapter 4
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................4-1
Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly ..........................................................................4-2
Appendix A
Default Configuration Settings and Technical Specifications
Default Configuration Settings ....................................................................................... A-1
Technical Specifications ................................................................................................. A-2
Appendix B
Related Documents
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v1.0, June 2008
About This Manual
The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711 User Manual describes how to
install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711.
The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate computer and Internet
skills.
Conventions, Formats, and Scope
The 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 Wireless Express Card according to these specifications:
Italic Emphasis, books, CDs, file and server names, extensions
Bold User input, IP addresses, GUI screen text
Fixed Command prompt, CLI text
italic URL links
Note: 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 ExpressCard WN711
Manual Publication Date June 2008
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711 User Manual
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For more information about network, Internet, firewall, and VPN technologies, see the links to the
NETGEAR website in Appendix B, “Related Documents”.”
How to Use This Manual
The HTML version of this manual includes the following:
• Buttons, and , for browsing forward or backward through the manual one page
at a time.
• A button that displays the table of contents and a button that displays an index.
Double-click 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 Manual
To print this manual, you can choose one of the following options, according to your needs.
•Printing a page from HTML. Each page in the HTML version of the manual is dedicated to
a major topic. Select File > Print from the browser menu to print the page contents.
•Printing from PDF. 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 Web site at
http://www.adobe.com.
– Printing a PDF chapter. Use the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left corner of any
page.
• Click the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left corner of any page in the chapter
you want to print. The PDF version of the chapter you were viewing opens in a
browser window.
• Click the print icon in the upper left of your browser window.
Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. website at
http://www.netgear.com/support.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711 User Manual
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–Printing a PDF version of the complete manual. Use the Complete PDF Manual link
at the top left corner of any page.
• Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left corner 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 corner of your browser 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.
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Chapter 1
Basic Setup
The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711 User Manual lets you connect a
computer to wireless networks. It is designed for laptop computers running Microsoft Windows.
For information about product features and compatible NETGEAR products, see the NETGEAR
website at http://www.netgear.com.
This chapter describes how to install your Wireless Express Card and set up basic wireless
connectivity on your wireless local area network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network settings
are covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless Security” in this manual.
What You Need Before You Begin
You must verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and identify the
wireless network settings of the wireless network where you will connect before you can set up
your wireless Express Card and connect.
Verify System Requirements
Before installing the Wireless Express Card, make sure that these minimum requirements have
been met. You must have a computer with:
• A Pentium 300 MHz or higher compatible processor with an available Express Card slot.
•A CD drive.
• 105 MB of free hard disk space.
• Microsoft Vista, Windows XP Home, or XP Professional
Some versions of Windows might ask for the original Windows operating system installation
files to complete the installation of the WN711 driver software.
Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines
Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range that can vary significantly based
on the location of the computer with the Wireless Express Card. For best results, avoid potential
sources of interference, such as:
• Large metal surfaces
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• Microwave ovens
• 2.4 GHz cordless phones
In general, wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are constructed
with concrete, or have metal or metal mesh, the effective range decreases if such materials are
between the devices. For more detailed information, see Chapter 3, “Wireless Network
Performance”.
What Is in the Box
The product package should contain the following items:
• NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N ExpressCard WN711
• Installation Guide
•Resource CD, including:
– The Smart Wizard Installation Assistant
– This manual
• Warranty and Support information card
If 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.
Default Wireless Settings
If 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 need the
wireless network and wireless security settings that are already defined.
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Your Wireless Express Card factory default basic settings are:
• Network Name Service Set Identifier (SSID): Any
• Network Mode (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc): Infrastructure
• Data security WEP, WPA2-PSK, or WPA-PSK encryption: Disabled
Installation
The instructions in this section explain how to install the Wireless Express Card to connect to a
network with an access point or router. Wireless security, advanced settings, and Computer-to-
Computer (Ad Hoc) instructions are covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless
Security”.
To install the Wireless Express Card:
1. First, install the WN711 software.
Insert the Resource CD. If the CD main screen does not display, double-click Autorun.exe on
the CD.
a. Click Install the Software. The Check for Updates screen displays.
Note: In order for the Wireless Express Card 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
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b. If you are connected to the Internet, click Check for Updates. If not, you can choose to
install from the CD.
c. Follow the onscreen instructions for the InstallShield wizard and the NETGEAR Smart
Wizard™.
• For Windows XP computers, if a Windows logo testing message displays, click
Continue Anyway.
• If a message that Windows Vista cannot verify the publisher of this driver displays,
click Install this driver software anyway.
d. When the Installation Complete message displays, click Next.
2. Now, insert the Wireless Express Card.
Locate an available Express Card slot in your computer, and insert the wireless Express Card
into the slot.
• For Windows XP computers, the Found New Hardware Wizard opens. Follow the wizard
prompts.
• For Windows Vista computers, the Express Card is automatically added with the installed
driver.
Figure 1-2
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3. Set up the wireless adapter 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. See “Smart Wizard Status Bar” on
page 1-8 and “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on page 1-7.
•Windows configuration utilities. See the Windows documentation or click the link to the
online document “Using Microsoft Vista and Windows XP to Manage Wireless Network
Connections” in Appendix B.
4. Use the Smart Wizard to set up your Wireless Express Card.
When prompted, click Next to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended).
Figure 1-3
Figure 1-4
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5. Depending on whether or not a wireless access point or router in the network supports a Wi-Fi
Protected Setup (WPS), there are two possibilities:
• If a wireless access point or router in the network supports WPS, a WPS screen displays.
Select Yes to connect to the access point or router through WPS, and then click Next.
Follow the wizard.
• If none of the wireless access points or routers in the network support WPS, the following
screen displays. Select the wireless network from the list, and then click Next. The wizard
records your choice. If the network uses security, then the Smart Wizard detects it. Follow
the wizard steps for security (if used) and for saving a profile.
Note: See “Using WPS to Connect to a Wireless Network” on page 2-5for a
detailed explanation of how to connect to an access point or router through
WPS.
Figure 1-5
Note: Hidden networks do not broadcast the network name (SSID). These
networks are in the list, but the Network Name (SSID) field is blank.
Hidden
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The WN711 icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop. The wizard initiates your
wireless connection. It could take up to a minute to establish your wireless connection. The
Smart Wizard Settings screen displays.
6. Use the status bar to verify your wireless connectivity. See “Connecting to Wireless Networks
and the Internet” on page 1-7.
Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet
The Wireless Express Card has indicators in three locations that show the status of your
connection to a wireless network and to the Internet:
• Icon: After you install the software, this 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. See
“Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-8.
•Smart Wizard status bar. Click the WN711 icon to open the Smart Wizard. The status bar at
the bottom of the screen shows details about your wireless and Internet connection.
•Wireless Express Card LED. The LED on the Wireless Express Card shows the network
connection. Solid indicates a connection. The LED blinks when the Wireless Express Card is
transferring data.
Figure 1-6
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WN711 Icon Colors
The WN711 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows system tray. The system tray is located on
one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop.
Smart Wizard Status Bar
Click the icon to open the Smart Wizard so that you can view the status bar. The Smart Wizard
Settings tab displays. The status bar is located at the bottom of the Settings tab.
The following table describes how to interpret the Smart Wizard status bar.
Color Condition Description
Red The Wireless Express Card
has no connection to any
other wireless node.
The Wireless Express Card 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 Express Card
has a connection with another
wireless node.
The wireless link is weak. You might 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 Express Card
has a connection with another
wireless node.
The Wireless Express Card has established good
communication with an access point, and the signal quality is
strong.
Figure 1-7
Understanding the Status Bar
Wireless network Identifies which wireless network you have joined.
Security • Locked. Security enabled.
•Unlocked. Security not enabled.
Wireless
network
Connection status
Security
Join a Network
Channel Throughput
Signal
strength
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To optimize throughput, connect to a network with a high-speed router or access point, and a high-
speed Internet connection. For more information about optimizing wireless performance, and
network bandwidth, see “Optimizing Wireless Performance” on page 3-1 and “Optimizing Your
Network Bandwidth” on page 3-2
The 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. If 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 set up the wireless adapter with Vista Auto configuration.
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.
Signal strength More dots indicates a stronger signal. Usually, you experience higher throughput
when the signal is strongest.
Join a Network Click Join a Network to open the Connection Wizard.
Connection
status
Identifies the status of your network connection.
•Connected to Internet. The Internet connection is OK.
•Connected to Router. The 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”.
Figure 1-8
Figure 1-9
Understanding the Status Bar (continued)
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Removing the WN711 Software
If necessary, you can remove the wireless adapter software in these ways:
• From the Windows taskbar, click Start, and select the NETGEAR WN711 Smart Wizard
program group Uninstall option, and follow the screen prompts.
• For Windows XP, from the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, select Control Panel, Add
or Remove Program, and follow the screen prompts.
• For Vista, from the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, select Control Panel, Programs
and Features. Then select the NETGEAR WN711 wireless adapter option, and follow the
screen prompts.
Upgrading the WN711 Software
Upgrades might be available at the NETGEAR website.
To install an upgrade:
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 Support page.
3. Remove the WN711 software from your computer.
4. Remove the Wireless Express Card adapter from your computer, and if prompted restart your
computer.
5. Run the installer that you downloaded (the file ends in .exe).
6. Follow the installer instructions, and if prompted, restart your computer.
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Chapter 2
Network Connections and Wireless Security
This chapter explains how to use your Wireless Express Card to connect to your wireless local area
network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the Wireless Express Card so that it
matches the wireless security settings for your network.
If you chose the Windows XP Zero configuration 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, click the link to the online document “Using Microsoft Vista and Windows
XP to Manage Wireless Network Connections” in Appendix B.
Disabling the Windows XP Zero Configuration Utility
To disable the Windows Zero Configuration utility:
1. Insert the wireless adapter into an Express Card slot in your computer.
2. From the Windows taskbar, click Start, select Control Panel, Network Connections.
3. On the Network Connections screen, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and select
Properties.
4. Click the Wireless Networks tab. Then clear the Use Windows to configure my wireless
settings check box.
Figure 2-1
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Understanding the Smart Wizard
These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WN711 Smart Wizard to change the
Wireless Express Card 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 connection
• 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 Area
You 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 screen.
To view information about wireless networks:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays.
2. Click the Networks tab to view the following screen:
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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 setting. Note that as a security measure, some wireless access points do not
broadcast their SSID. In such cases, the SSID field is blank even though the rest of the
information is still displayed.
•Channel. The channel determines which operating frequency will be used.
•N. The router 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.
•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).
The buttons located at the bottom of the Networks tab are:
•Help. Display online help.
•Join a Network. 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 screen.
•Close. Close the Wizard.
Figure 2-2
You can click a column
heading to sort.
If many networks use
the same channel they
can interfere with each
other.
The status bar shows
your network connection
and Internet connection.
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Joining a Network
During installation, the wireless adapter either connects to a wireless access point or router, or lists
the available networks to let you select a network. After installation you can use the Join a
Network button or the Networks tab at any time to connect to another access point or router or to
view the available networks and select one:
• If none of the wireless access points or routers in the network support WPS, or if you prefer to
manually select a network, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on
page 1-7.
• If a wireless access point or router in the network supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), see
“Using WPS to Connect to a Wireless Network”.
Depending on whether or not a wireless access point or router in the network supports Wi-Fi
Protected Setup (WPS), the Smart Wizard presents different screens.
To join a network:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network.
2. If the Smart Wizard detects an access point or router with WPS, it displays the WPS screen. To
connect manually, select No, and click Next.
Note: Unless you are using WPS, 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
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3. Select a network from the drop-down list. If you select a hidden network then you must enter
the SSID. Click Next.
4. Follow the steps of the wizard to specify the wireless security if used, and to create a profile.
5. Review your settings, and click Finish.
6. You can use the status bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see
“Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-8. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
Using WPS to Connect to a Wireless Network
If an access point or router in the wireless network that you try to connect to supports WPS, you
can use WPS to set up the WN711 wireless settings and connect securely to the access point or
router. (An access point or router that supports WPS has a WPS symbol.) WPS automatically
configures the network name (SSID) and WPA security key for the access point or router and the
WN711. Note that WPS is not a new security feature—it makes existing security features easier to
configure.
For an access point or router that supports WPS, there are two methods to enable WPS with a
client such as the WN711:
•Push Button Configuration (PBC). To enable WPS, press a push button or push dome on the
access point or router, or click an onscreen button in the software. This is a fairly new
technology, so only some access points and routers provide a PBC.
•PIN entry. To enable WPS, in the Smart Wizard for the WN711, enter a personal
identification number (PIN) that is associated with the access point or router.
Figure 2-4
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Using a WPS Button to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router
To join a network using a PBC:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network. The
adapter detects a network with WPS:
2. Select Yes to use WPS, and then click Next.
3. Select Yes (to use a push button), and then click Next.
4. On the access point or router that you have selected, open its Smart Wizard or configuration
utility.
5. Select Add WPS Client. On the Add WPS Client screen, select Push Button.
6. To start the WPS process, either press the push button on the access point or router, or click the
icon on the Add WPS Client screen.
7. Within 2 minutes, return to the Smart Wizard screen for the WN711, and click the icon.
The Smart Wizard initiates your wireless connection.
8. You can use the status bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see
“Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-8. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
9. Close the Smart Wizard or configuration utility for the access point or router.
Figure 2-5
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Using the Router PIN to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router
If you know the router PIN, then you can enter it to to connect to the router with WPS. If you do
not know the router PIN, then the wireless adapter can generate a PIN to connect to the router. See
“Generating a PIN to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router” on page 2-8.
To connect to a WPS router or access point using its PIN:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network. (or click
the Networks tab and select a network).
The wireless adapter detects the network with WPS.
2. Select Yes to use WPS, and then click Next.
3. Select No (to use a PIN), and then click Next.
Figure 2-6
Figure 2-7
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4. When prompted, enter the router PIN, and then click Next.
The Smart Wizard initiates your wireless connection. Within 4 minutes it displays a message
telling you whether or not it successfully connected to the WPS router or access point.
5. You can use the Status Bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see
“Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-8. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
Generating a PIN to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router
The wireless adapter can generate a PIN to connect to the router. This is useful if you do not know
what the router PIN is. If you know the router PIN and want to enter it, see“Using the Router PIN
to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router” on page 2-7.
To generate a PIN and connect to a WPS wireless router or access point:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network (or click
the Networks tab and select the network).
The wireless adapter detects a network with WPS.
2. Select Yes to use WPS, and then click Next.
3. Select No (to use a PIN), and then click Next.
Figure 2-8
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You are prompted to either enter the router PIN or generate a new PIN.
4. Select the radio button to generate a PIN, and then click Next. Write down (or copy) the PIN.
5. On the access point or router that you have selected, open its Smart Wizard or configuration
utility.
6. Select Add WPS Client. On the Add WPS Client screen, select PIN.
7. Within 4 minutes, enter the PIN in the client’s PIN field on the router Add WPS Client screen,
and then click Next. The Smart Wizard initiates your wireless connection.
8. You can use the Status Bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see
“Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-8. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
9. Close the Smart Wizard for the access point or router.
Profiles
The WN711 Smart Wizard uses profiles to store all the settings for a particular wireless network.
There are two special profile names: Default and Profile.
•Default. The Profile named Default automatically scans for any available network. You
cannot change this profile name.
•Profile. If you do not enter a name in the Profile Name field, then the name Profile is used to
save your settings. If you do this more than once, you are asked if you want to replace the
previous settings stored in Profile.
Figure 2-9
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Adding Profiles
You can store multiple profiles and recall the one which matches the network you want to join.
If you use your computer to connect to different wireless networks, you can create a profile for
each wireless network. Then, you can easily load the profile that has all the settings that you need
to join the network you are using at the time.
There are two types of wireless network profiles that you can set up:
•Access Point (Infrastructure). Connect to an access point or router with the 802.11
infrastructure mode.
•Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc). Connect directly to another computer with the 802.11 ad
hoc mode.
For more information on 802.11 wireless network modes, see the link to the online document
“Wireless Networking Basics” in Appendix B.
Setting Up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router
To set up the Wireless Express Card to connect to a wireless access point or router:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays:
2. Enter the network settings.
a. In the Network Type section, be sure that Access Point (Infrastructure) is selected.
b. In the Profile field, type the name of the profile.
Figure 2-10
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c. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select a network or enter the SSID.
3. Save your settings in a profile.
a. Click the Save Profile button.
All the configuration settings are saved in this profile.
b. Click Apply.
c. Click Close to exit the wizard, or Cancel to return to the previous settings.
4. Verify wireless connectivity to your network.
Use a browser to connect to the Internet, or check for file and printer access on your
network.You can check the status bar in the Smart Wizard for the current connection status.
Setting up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile
The Computer-to-Computer setting uses Ad Hoc mode. Ad Hoc mode is an 802.11 networking
framework in which devices or computers communicate directly with each other, without the use
of an access point. For example, this mode is used when two Windows computers are configured
with file and print sharing enabled and you want to exchange files directly between them.
Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the SSID that you enter
exactly matches the SSID used by the access point.
Note: If you cannot connect, see Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting. Also, for problems with
accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing
software might not be installed and configured properly on your computers. See the
link to the online document “TCP/IP Networking Basics” on page B-1.
Note: Ad Hoc mode will not work using DHCP settings. It requires either static IP
addresses (such as 192.168.0.1) or the IPX protocol. For help with static IP
addresses on Windows PCs, see the link to the online document “TCP/IP
Networking Basics” on page B-1.
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To create an Ad Hoc mode profile:
1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays.
2. Enter the network settings.
a. Select Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) for the network type.
b. Select or enter the network vame (SSID) for the Ad Hoc network.
c. In the Profile field, type the name of the profile.
d. Click Apply.
3. Save your settings in a Profile.
a. Click the Save Profile button.
The configuration settings are saved in this profile.
b. Click Apply, and then click Close to exit the Smart Wizard, or Cancel to return to the
previous settings.
4. Configure the PC network settings.
a. Configure each PC with either a static IP address or with the IPX protocol.
b. Restart the PCs.
Figure 2-11
Note: For instructions on configuring static IP addresses, see the link to the online
document “TCP/IP Networking Basics” on page B-1.
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5. Verify wireless connectivity between your peer devices using ping:
a. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and select Run.
b. Assuming that the target PC is configured with 192.168.0.1 as its IP address, type
ping -t 192.168.0.1 and then click OK.
c. This will cause a continuous ping to be sent to the device with the 192.168.0.1 static IP
address. The ping response should change to reply.
At this point the connection is established.
Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection
1. On the Settings tab of the Smart Wizard, select or type the network name (SSID).
2. Select the Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) network type.
Figure 2-12
Figure 2-13
Note: If you cannot connect, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” in
Chapter 1. If you have problems with accessing network resources, the Windows
Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed and configured
properly on your computers. Click the link to “TCP/IP Networking Basics” on
page B-1.
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3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc. The Ad Hoc Setting screen displays:
4. In the Start Ad Hoc drop-down list, select the wireless standard 802.11b, or 802.11g for your
Ad Hoc computer-to-computer network.
5. In the Channel drop-down list, Automatic should work. If there is interference with another
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.
Wireless Security
Many 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 Wireless Express Card with exactly the same kind of wireless
security settings. The Wireless Express Card supports the following types of wireless security:
• Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key (WPA2-PSK)
• Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK)
• Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
For more information about wireless security, see the link to the online document “Wireless
Networking Basics” in Appendix B. In 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.
Figure 2-14
Note: The channel number differs depending on the country. The connection speed
automatically defaults to the highest speed.
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Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings
Print this page, fill in the configuration details, and keep the information in a safe place for future
reference. For an existing wireless network, the person who set up the network can provide this
information.
•Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local
area network. Any (First available network) is the default 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. Select one: 64-bit or 128-bit. The encryption key size must be
the same for the access point and the wireless adapter.
–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: You must configure your Wireless Express Card with the SSID used by the
wireless access point. Otherwise the Wireless Express Card and the access
point will not be able to communicate with each other.
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Setting Up WEP Encryption Security
To configure WEP encryption security:
1. Run the Smart Wizard.
a. Make sure that the NETGEAR software is installed and that the Wireless Express Card is
fully inserted in the Express Card slot in your computer.
b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays.
2. Configure the security settings.
a. In the Profile field, select the profile or type in a profile name.
b. In the Network Name (SSID) field select the network, or enter the SSID.
c. In the Security section of the screen, select WEP.
3. Select the WEP encryption strength you will use:
• 64-bit WEP data encryption
• 128-bit WEP data encryption
Figure 2-15
Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID
matches exactly what is configured in the access point.
Note: Larger encryption keys require more processing and might slow the
communications response times.
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4. Select the Create with Passphrase radio button, and enter the passphrase. The configuration
utility automatically generates the WEP keys.
If the passphrase method is not available in the other devices, you must manually enter the
keys to match exactly what is in the access point and other 802.11n, 802.11b, or 802.11g
wireless devices.
5. Save your settings in a profile.
a. Click the Save Profile button. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile.
b. Click Apply, and then click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
Setting up WPA2-PSK Security
Follow these steps to configure WPA2-PSK s
1. Run the Smart Wizard.
a. Make sure that the NETGEAR software is installed and that the Wireless Express Card is
fully inserted in the Express Card slot in your computer.
b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays.
2. Configure the security settings.
a. In the Profile field, select the profile, or type in a profile name.
Note: The characters are case-sensitive. Be sure to use the same passphrase for all the
wireless devices in the network.
Figure 2-16
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b. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select the network, or enter the SSID.
c. In the Security section of the screen, select WPA2-PSK [AES], and enter the passphrase.
The passphrase can be a word or group of printable characters. For more information
about wireless security, see the link to the online document “Wireless Networking Basics”
in Appendix B.
3. Save your settings in a profile.
a. Click Save Profile. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile.
b. Click Apply, and then click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
Setting Up WPA-PSK Security
To configure WPA-PSK security:
1. Run the Smart Wizard.
a. Make sure that the NETGEAR software is installed and the Wireless Express Card is fully
inserted in the Express Card slot in your computer.
b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays.
2. Configure the security settings.
Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the SSID that you
enter exactly matches the SSID used by the access point.
Figure 2-17
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a. In the Profile field, select the profile, or type in a profile name.
b. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select the network, or enter the SSID.
c. In the Security section of the screen, select WPA-PSK [TKIP].
For more information about wireless security, see the link to the online document
“Wireless Networking Basics” in Appendix B.
3. Save your settings in a profile.
a. Click Save Profile. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile.
b. Click Apply, and then click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.
Advanced Settings
The default Advanced settings usually work fine. To view them, click the Advanced Settings
button on the Settings tab. Changing these settings is recommended only for advanced users who
have a specific reason to adjust them. Use the Help button to understand these options.
Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the SSID that you
enter exactly matches the SSID used by the access point.
Figure 2-18
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Statistics Tab
The Statistics tab provides real-time and historical trend information about the data traffic and
performance of your wireless adapter.
The Statistics tab shows the following information:
•Transmit/Receive Performance (%). A real-time graph identifying the total, receive, and
transmit utilization as a percentage of 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 2-19
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About Tab
The About tab displays the current software version information.
The following information is displayed in the About tab:
•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 might violate local laws.
•Driver Version. The wireless adapter driver 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 restrict access based on a list of known MAC addresses. If you are communicating
with such a network, you must provide the address shown here to the network administrator
before you can 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 2-20
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Chapter 3
Wireless Network Performance
This chapter explains how to use your Wireless Express Card to connect to your wireless local area
network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the Wireless Express Card so that it
matches the wireless security settings for your network.
Optimizing Wireless Performance
The 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 loss of
connectivity. This also means that devices that are farther away might 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 2 feet from large metal fixtures such as file cabinets,
refrigerators, pipes, metal ceilings, reinforced concrete, and metal partitions.
– Keep wireless devices away from large amounts of water such as fish tanks and water
coolers.
• 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 1 foot)
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– 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 might
automatically try to connect to your network several times a second, which can cause
significant performance reduction.
Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth
The 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.
Figure 3-1
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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:
• 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 computers
Overview of Home and Small Office Networking
Technologies
Common connection types and their speed and security considerations are:
•Broadband Internet. Your 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 another site that 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 cable modem connection provides a downstream
throughput of about 1 to 3 megabits per second (Mbps). Newer technologies such as ADSL2+
and Fiber to the Home (FTTH) increase the connection speed to tens of Mbps.
•Wireless. A 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 might 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.
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•Powerline. For 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 specify an individual network password to prevent neighbors from
connecting.
The 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 Ethernet. As 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 Requirements
Because your Internet connection is likely to operate at a much lower speed than your local
network, faster local networking technologies might 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.
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.
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• 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 1 gigabyte (GB) of data using
various networking technologies.
Table 3-1. Theoretical Transfer Time for 1 Gigabyte
Network Connection Theoretical Raw Transfer Time
Gigabit wired Ethernet 8 seconds
RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N 26 seconds
Powerline HD 40 seconds
100 Mbps wired Ethernet 80 seconds
802.11g wireless 150 seconds
802.11b wireless 700 seconds
10 Mbps wired Ethernet 800 seconds
Cable modem (3 Mbps) 2700 seconds
Analog modem (56 kbps) 144,000 seconds (40 hours)
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Chapter 4
Troubleshooting
This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your Wireless Express Card. For
information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Connecting to Wireless
Networks and the Internet” on page 1-7.
Troubleshooting Tips
Use the following information to solve common problems you might encounter. Also, refer to the
knowledge base on the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com.
Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips
Problem Action
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 WN711 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.
Throughput is only 54 Mbps. The Wireless Express Card can operate at faster speeds. You
are probably connecting to a standard 802.11g network. See
Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance” for help in
understanding how to get the best performance from your
Wireless Express Card.
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 WN711 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 WN711
Software” on page 1-10 or “Upgrading the WN711 Software”
on page 1-10.
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Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly
You must click the Initiate Ad Hoc button before you click Apply.
To start an Ad Hoc network:
1. Fill in the Network Name (SSID) field.
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 then click OK.
5. Click Apply.
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 “TCP/IP Networking Basics” in Appendix B.
3. Restart the cable or DSL modem, router, access point, and
computer.
How can I view the Wireless Express Card
IP address?
To view the Wireless Express Card IP address, click the
WN711 icon to open the Smart Wizard. Then check the IP
address in the About screen.
No IP address is assigned to the Wireless
Express Card.
This might occur if you upgraded your Wireless Express Card
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 and enable the card.
Note: Make sure that all computers in your Ad Hoc network are configured with static IP
addresses in the same subnet.
Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips (continued)
Problem Action
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Appendix A
Default Configuration Settings and Technical
Specifications
Default Configuration Settings
The following table lists the default settings of your Wireless Adapter.
Feature Description
Smart Wizard Enabled
Wireless
Wireless Communication Enabled
Wireless Network Name (SSID) Any (first available network)
Security Disabled
Network Type Infrastructure
Transmission Speed Autoa
a. Maximum wireless signal rate (IEEE Standard 802.11n draft specification). 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 and 802.11b
Data Rate up to 270 Mbps
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Technical Specifications
The following table describes technical specifications for the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless-N
ExpressCard WN711.
Antennas 2 separate PCB internal antennas
Standards 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b
Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 13.5, 18, 19.5, 24, 26, 27, 36, 39, 40.5,
48, 52, 54, 58.5, 65, 78, 81,104, 108, 117, 121.5, 130, 135, 162, 216,
243, and 270 Mbps
Frequency 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz CCK, OFDM, BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM
Modulations
LED Single LED
• Solid indicates connected to network
• Blinking indicates transferring data
Power 3.3V bus powered
Emissions FCC Part 15 Class B, CE, C-Tick, VCCI Class B, TELEC
Bus interface Express Card 3.3V
Provided drivers Microsoft Vista and Windows XP
Operating Environment Operating temperature: 0 to 45 degrees C
Encryption 40-bit (also called 64-bit) and 128-bit WEP data encryption, WPA2-PSK,
and WPA-PSK
Warranty Limited 1-year warranty
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Appendix B
Related Documents
This appendix provides links to reference documents you can use to gain a more complete
understanding of the technologies used in your NETGEAR product.
Document Link
Using Microsoft Vista and
Windows XP to Manage
Wireless Network
Connections
http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm
TCP/IP Networking Basics http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htm
Wireless Networking Basics http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wireless/index.htm
Preparing Your Network http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wsdhcp/index.htm
Virtual Private Networking
Basics http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/vpn/index.htm
Glossary: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/glossary/index.htm
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