User's Manual

Microsoft Wireless Home Networking USB Adapter or PC Card Adapter 9
Microsoft Wireless Home Networking works only with
broadband modems that have external, Ethernet
connections.
Routers and Gateways
You can use a router or gateway such as the Microsoft
Wireless Home Networking Router as the central point of
your wireless network. All your wireless and wired adapters
can access the Internet and other devices on the network
through the router, which also provides firewall security for
your Internet connection. For more information, see the
documentation for the Microsoft Wireless Home
Networking Router or other router or gateway.
You can set up a network by using only wireless adapters,
with no router or gateway, but your Internet connection will
not be as secure. See the Installation chapter for
instructions.
The Microsoft Wireless Home Networking USB Adapter
The USB Adapter is about 3” x 3”x 1” in size. It has a USB
cable, an adjustable antenna, and two indicator lights on
the front.
[insert picture of USB Adapter]
After the USB network adapter is connected, its indicator
lights will be on, off, or blinking, indicating the following
states:
υ Power (on the left when you are looking at the front of
the adapter): on when device is receiving power from
the USB port; off when device is not receiving power
(not plugged into USB port, computer shut down or
suspended, or USB port not working).
υ Wireless status (on the right): on when connected to
the wireless network, off when not connected, blinking
when data is being transmitted or received on the
wireless link.
The USB adapter must be located near a USB connection
on your computer. The adapter has no internal power
source, so the USB port must be powered. In general, the
ports on your computer are powered, while many USB
ports on keyboards or monitors are not powered.