® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. 2.4 GHz Wireless-G 802.11g Portable USB Adapter WIRELESS Model No. WUSB54GP Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Copyright and Trademarks Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Welcome What’s in this Guide? 1 2 Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout Chapter 3: Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 2000 Chapter 4: Connecting the Portable USB Adapter Using the USB Extension Base 4 4 4 5 6 10 11 Chapter 5: Driver Installation for Windows XP 12 Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 13 Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor 15 Overview Accessin
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix I: Windows Help Appendix J: Glossary Appendix K: Specifications Appendix L: Warranty Information Appendix M: Regulatory Information Appendix N: Contact Information 31 32 35 37 38 39
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter List of Figures Figure 3-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen Figure 3-2: The License Agreement Screen Figure 3-3: The Wireless Mode Screen Figure 3-4: The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen Figure 3-5: The Wireless Security Screen Figure 3-6: The Check Settings Screen Figure 3-7: The Congratulations Screen Figure 4-1: The Portable USB Adapter on Your Laptop Figure 4-2: A USB Port Figure 4-3: The Windows 2000 Digital Signature Screen Figure 5-1: XP Setup Welcome Screen Figure 5-2:
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Figure 6-14: Profiles - Confirm New Settings Figure 6-15: Profiles - Congratulations 23 23
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking experience will be faster and easier than ever. How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless network. Connecting to your PC via the USB port means that this Adapter leaves the PC’s slots open for other purposes. This adapter communicates over the 802.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter What’s in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B USB Network Adapter. • Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide. • Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter • Appendix F: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the Adapter’s warranty information. • Appendix G: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information. • Appendix H: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Network Layout Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products incorporating both “a” and “g”, products using these standards can communicate with each other. Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Chapter 3: Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 2000 The Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the WLAN Monitor and driver, as well as configure the Adapter. IMPORTANT: You must run the Setup Wizard to install the software before connecting the Adapter. If you are running Windows XP, connect the Adapter as shown in Chapter 4 and proceed to Chapter 5. 1.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 2. Read the License Agreement displayed on the following screen and click the Next button to continue the installation. If you click the Cancel button, you will end the installation. Figure 3-2: The License Agreement Screen 3. The Wireless Mode screen will ask for some information about your wireless network. In the SSID field, enter your network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier). The SSID is your network name and must be identical for all devices in the network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 4. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, select the correct operating channel for your network from the Channel drop-down menu. Then, select the Network Mode from the dropdown menu. Click the Next button, and go to Step 5. Click the Back button to change any settings. Channel - The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 6. At this point, a screen stating that a digital signature was not found may appear. This software has been tested and found to work properly with Windows 2000. Click the Yes button to continue installation. 7. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it starts to copy files. Click the Next button to save these settings, or click the Back button to change any settings. Figure 3-6: The Check Settings Screen 8.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Chapter 4: Connecting the Portable USB Adapter 1. To connect the Portable USB Adapter to your PC, simply plug the USB end into your PC’s available USP port. IMPORTANT: Windows 2000 users must run the Setup Wizard to install the software before connecting the Portable USB Adapter. IMPORTANT: Windows XP users must connect the Portable USB Adapter before installing the software, shown in Chapter 5.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 2. When Windows 2000 begins installing the Network Adapter’s driver file, a screen stating that a digital signature was not found may appear. This software has been tested and found to work properly with Windows 2000. Click the Yes button to continue installation. If your PC is running Windows XP, proceed to “Chapter 5: Driver Installation for Windows XP.” If your PC is running Windows 2000, the installation of the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter is complete.
Wireless-G Broadband Router Chapter 5: Driver Installation for Windows XP After connecting the Adapter to your PC, as shown in Chapter 4, you’ll need to install the driver. Windows XP will automatically detect the Adapter. Insert the Setup CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. Click the radio button next to Install the software automatically (Recommended). Then, click the Next button. Figure 5-1: XP Setup Welcome Screen A Windows logo testing screen may appear, asking if you wish to discontinue installation.
Wireless-G Broadband Router Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration NOTE: Windows XP has a built-in configuration tool. Use Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration (in the system tray at the bottom of your screen) to configure the Adapter. 1. After installing the Adapter, the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration icon will appear in your computer’s system tray. Double-click the icon.
Wireless-G Broadband Router 3. If WEP is enabled, you will be asked to enter the network (WEP) key. Enter the WEP key of your wireless network in the Network key field, and re-enter it in the Confirm network key field. Then, click the Connect button, and proceed to step 4. Figure 5-6: Network Connection - WEP NOTE: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration does not support the use of a passphrase. Enter the exact WEP key used by your access point. 4.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor Overview Use the WLAN Monitor to check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings. Accessing the WLAN Monitor After installing the Adapter, the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter WLAN Monitor icon will appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon. Figure 6-1: The Wireless Icon The Link Information tab will appear.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Clicking the More Information button displays much more information about the Adapter’s connection, as shown below: wep: a method of encrypting data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security. Wireless Network Status Status - The status of the wireless network connection. SSID - The unique name of the wireless network. Wireless Mode - The mode of the wireless network currently in use. Transfer Rate - The data transfer rate of the current connection.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter The Site Survey Tab The Site Survey tab displays available networks and allows you to connect to them. The information about these networks are displayed as below: SSID - The SSID or unique name of the wireless network. CH - The channel upon which the network broadcasts. Signal - The percentage of signal strength, from 0 to 100%. Site Information Figure 6-4: The Site Survey Tab SSID - The SSID or unique name of the wireless network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter The Profiles Tab The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups. You can also import or export profiles. The default profile holds the initial configuration saved when you ran the Setup Wizard. Profile - Name of the connection profile. SSID - The wireless network’s unique name, as set in the connection profile. Profile Information Wireless Mode - The mode of the wireless network currently in use.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Import - Click the Import button to import a profile that has been saved in another location. Select the appropriate file and click the Open button. Figure 6-6: Importing a Profile Export - To save the profile(s) in a different location, click the Export button. Direct Windows to the appropriate folder and click the OK button. Figure 6-7: Optional Settings Delete - Click the Delete button to delete a profile.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Creating a New Profile 1. On the Profiles tab, click the New button to create a new profile. Figure 6-8: The Profiles Tab 2. When the Create connection profile screen appears, enter a name for the new profile. Click OK to save the profile name or click Cancel to return to the previous screen.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 3. Enter your network’s settings on the Network Settings screen, which appears next. If your network has a DHCP server (or Router), click the radio button next to Obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP) and click the Next button to continue. If your network does not have a DHCP server (or router), click the radio button next to Specify the IP address. Enter an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS appropriate for your network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 5. The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen, for those who chose an Ad-hoc network, will appear next. Select the correct operating channel for your network from the Channel drop-down menu. Then, select the Network Mode from the drop-down menu. Click the Next button to continue or click the Back button to change any settings. Channel - The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 7. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To cancel the settings and return to the Profiles screen, click the Exit button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. Figure 6-14: Profiles - Confirm New Settings 8. The Congratulations screen shows that the new Profile has successfully been configured. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings immediately and return to the Link Information screen.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix provides solutions to problems usually encountered during the installation and operation of the Adapter. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com. Common Problems and Solutions 1.My computer does not recognize the USB Network Adapter. • Make sure that the USB Network Adapter is properly inserted into the USB port.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Frequently Asked Questions Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network? This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports operation over a network. Can I play computer games with other members of the wireless network? Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area network).
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter What is ad-hoc mode? When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode, the wireless-equipped computers are configured to communicate directly with each other. The ad-hoc wireless network will not communicate with any wired network. What is infrastructure mode? When a wireless network is set to infrastructure mode, the wireless network is configured to communicate with a wired network through a wireless access point.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation. So, keep the following in mind whenever you are setting up or using your wireless network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter 1. Disable Broadcast 2. Make it unique 3. Change it often Most wireless networking devices will give you the option of broadcasting the SSID. While this option may be more convenient, it allows anyone to log into your wireless network. This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.) Hackers know these defaults and can check these against your network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter WPA-RADIUS. WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router or other device.) WPA-RADIUS offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Implementing encryption may have a negative impact on your network’s performance, but if you are transmitting sensitive data over your network, encryption should be used.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix C: Windows Help All wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed through Windows Help and are described in this appendix. TCP/IP Before a computer can communicate with the Access Point, TCP/IP must be enabled. TCP/IP is a set of instructions, or protocol, all PCs follow to communicate over a network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix D: Glossary 802.11b - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. 802.11g - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices. Access Point - Device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Ethernet - An IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium. Firmware - 1. In network devices, the programming that runs the device. 2. Programming loaded into read-only memory (ROM) or programmable read-only memory (PROM) that cannot be altered by end-users. Fragmentation - Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) - A type of modulation technology that separates the data stream into a number of lower-speed data streams, which are then transmitted in parallel. Used in 802.11a, 802.11g, and powerline networking. Packet - A unit of data sent over a network. Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix E: Specifications Model WUSB54GP Standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, USB 1.1, and USB 2.0 Cabling Type USB extension base with integrated USB Cable LEDs Link (Blue- Blinking when 802.11g RF signal is active Frecuency Band 2.400~2.4835GHz (Subject to local regulation) Peak Gain of Antenna 2.4 GHz => 2dBi Transmit Power 16dBm (Typical)@11Mbps DSSS, 14 dBm (Typical)@54Mbps OFDM Receive Sensitivity 802.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Dimensions 1.25" x 4.50" x 0.38" WxHxD 31.8 mm x 114.3 mm x 9.5 mm) Unit Weight 4.5 oz. (0.13 kg) USB Base 2.5 inches Diameter, approx. 6 foot cable Certifications FCC, CE Operating Temp. 0°C ~ 65°C (32°F ~ 150°F) Storage Temp.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix F: Warranty Information LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys warrants to the original end user purchaser ("You") that, for a period of [ ], (the "Warranty Period") Your Linksys product will be free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Your exclusive remedy and Linksys's entire liability under this warranty will be for Linksys at its option to repair or replace the product or refund Your purchase price less any rebates.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix G: Regulatory Information FCC STATEMENT This (Series and Product name) has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter Appendix H: Contact Information Need to contact Linksys? Visit us online for information on the latest products and updates to your existing products at: http://www.linksys.com or ftp.linksys.
