2.4 GHz Wireless-N Notebook Adapter WIRELESS Model No.
Wireless-N Notebook 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 © 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What’s in this User Guide? Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Starting the Setup Connecting the Adapter Setting up the Adapter Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor Using the Wireless Netw
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix G: Warranty Information Appendix H: Regulatory Information Appendix I: Contact Information 50 51 58
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter List of Figures Figure 3-1: Front Panel Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement Figure 4-3: Connecting the Adapter Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Networks Figure 4-5: WEP Key Needed for Connection Figure 4-6: PSK Personal Needed for Connection Figure 4-7: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection Figure 4-8: Congratulations Figure 4-9: Available Wireless Network Figure 4-10: Network Settings Figure 4-11: Wireless Mode Figure 4-12: Ad-Hoc
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Figure 5-7: PSK Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-8: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-9: Profiles Figure 5-10: Creating a Profile Figure 5-11: WEP Key Needed for Connection Figure 5-12: PSK Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-13: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-14: Congratulations Figure 5-15: Available Wireless Networks Figure 5-16: Network Settings Figure 5-17: Wireless Mode Figure 5-18: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Figure 5-19: Wireless Security - W
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter. Setting up your network and your Wireless-N Notebook Adapter is easier than ever. adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC. How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless network, whether it’s using the Wireless-G (802.11g) or Wireless-B (802.11b) standard.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter • Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor This chapter show you how to use the Adapter’s Wireless Network Monitor. • Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding installation and use of the Adapter. • Appendix B: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration This appendix describes how to use Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration.
Wireless-N Notebook 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. Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router.
Wireless-N Notebook 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-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators The Network Adapter's LEDs display information about network activity. Link/Act Power Figure 3-1: Front Panel Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on. Link/Act Green. The Link/Act LED lights up when the Adapter has an active connection.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Starting the Setup The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the driver and Wireless Network Monitor, as well as connect and configure the Adapter. IMPORTANT: Do not connect the Adapter until you are instructed to do so or the setup will not work. Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Connecting the Adapter 1. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook PC. 2. With the connector pin end facing the CardBus slot and the label facing up, slide the Adapter into the CardBus slot until it locks in place. 3. Windows will begin copying the driver files to your computer. 4. Click Next. Setting up the Adapter The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Networks screen. This screen provides two options for setting up the Adapter.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 2. If your network has WEP, PSK, or PSK2 wireless security enabled, then that security screen will appear. Continue to the screen for your wireless security. • WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) If you have WEP enabled, this screen will appear. Select 64-bit or 128-bit. Then enter a passphrase or WEP key. Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter • PSK2 If your network has the wireless security PSK2 enabled, this screen will appear. Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field. Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3. Figure 4-7: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection 3. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Finish to exit.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Advanced Setup If your network is not listed with the available networks, you can use Manual Setup. 1. Click Advanced Setup on the Available Wireless Network screen to set up the adapter manually. 2. The Network Settings screen from the Wireless Network Monitor will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 4. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen will appear. Network Mode - Select the Network Mode in which your wireless network will operate. In Mixed mode, Wireless-N, Wireless-B and Wireless-G devices can operate on the same network. In Wireless-G Only mode, no Wireless-B devices can operate in the network. Standard Channel - Select the correct channel for your wireless network.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption, enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. For 128-bit encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”. Advanced Users TX Key - The default transmit key number is 1. If your network’s access point or wireless router uses transmit key number 2, 3, or 4, select the appropriate number from the TX Key drop-down box.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK+RADIUS PSK+RADIUS features PSK security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK Enterprise offers two authentication methods, EAPTLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK2+RADIUS PSK2+RADIUS features PSK2 security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK2+RADIUS offers two authentication methods, EAPTLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the name of the authentication server in the Server Name field (this is optional).
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 4. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next and show the new settings. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. To exit the Advanced Setup through the Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit. Figure 4-22: Confirm New Settings 5. The Congratulations screen will appear next. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings and return to the Link Information screen.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor Use the Wireless Network Monitor to check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings. Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor After installing the Adapter, the Wireless Network Monitor icon will appear in the system tray of your computer. If the Wireless Network Monitor is enabled, then the icon will be green.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Status The Wireless Network Status screen provides information on your current network settings. Radio Band - This shows the radio band used on the network. Wireless Network Name- This is the unique name (SSID) of the wireless network. Wireless Mode - The mode of the wireless network currently in use is displayed here. Wide Channel - This displays the Wireless-N primary channel used with a 40 MHz radio band network.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Statistics The Wireless Networks Statistics screen provides statistics on your current network settings. Transmit Rate - This is the data transfer rate of the current connection. (In Auto mode, the Adapter dynamically shifts to the fastest data transfer rate possible at any given time.) Receive Rate - This is the rate at which data is received.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Connect The Connect screen displays a list of available networks in the table on the left. The table shows each network’s Wireless Network Name, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the Adapter is receiving. You may click Wireless Network Name, CH (Channel), or Signal, to sort by that field. Wireless Network Name - The SSID or unique name of the wireless network is displayed here. CH - This is the channel that the network uses.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter • If the network has PSK2 wireless security enabled, then you will see the PSK2 Needed for Connection screen. Enter the network’s Pre-shared Key in the Pre-shared Key field. To connect to the network, click Connect. To cancel the connection, click Cancel. Profiles The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups. The table on the left displays a list of available profiles with their profile names and Wireless Network Names.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Create a New Profile The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Networks screen. This screen provides two options for setting up the Adapter. • Available Wireless Networks. (For most users.) Use this option if you already have a network set up. The networks available to this Adapter will be listed on this screen. You can choose one of these networks and click the Connect button to connect to it.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.) WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption, enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. For 128-bit encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Advanced Setup If your network is not listed with the available networks, you can use Advanced Setup. 1. Click Advanced Setup on the Available Wireless Networks screen to set up the adapter manually. Figure 5-15: Available Wireless Networks 2. The Network Settings screen from the Wireless Network Monitor will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 3. The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a wireless router or access point. Enter the Wireless Network Name for your network. Infrastructure Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 5. If your wireless network doesn’t have wireless security, select Disabled and then click the Next button to continue. Proceed to Step 6. If your wireless network has wireless security, select the method of security used: WEP, PSK, PSK2, PSK+RADIUS, PSK2+RADIUS, or RADIUS. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. PSK is a stronger security method than WEP. PSK2 is a stronger security method than PSK. RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK PSK two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for encryption. Then enter a Pre-shared Key that is 8-63 characters in length. Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu. Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK+RADIUS PSK+RADIUS features PSK security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK+RADIUS offers two authentication methods, EAPTLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK2+RADIUS PSK2+RADIUS Enterprise features PSK2 security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK2+RADIUS offers two authentication methods, EAPTLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the name of the authentication server in the Server Name field (this is optional).
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 6. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next and show the new settings. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. To exit the Advanced Setup through the Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit. Figure 5-28: Confirm New Settings 7. The Congratulations screen will appear next. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings immediately and return to the Link Information screen.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Wireless-N Notebook 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.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter What is the IEEE 802.11g standard? It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11g standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to communicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11g standard. The 802.11g standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. What 802.11b features are supported? The product supports the following 802.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technology that links access points and nodes. In such a system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates such factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currently being carried by each access point and the distance of each access point to the wired backbone.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter What is WPA? WPA is Wi-Fi Protected Access, a wireless security protocol that can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server. What is RADIUS? RADIUS is Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, which uses an authentication server to control network access.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix B: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration If your computer is running Windows XP, then this choice will be available. If you want to use Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration to control the Adapter, instead of using the Wireless Network Monitor, then rightclick on the Wireless Network Monitor and select Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 2. The screen that appears will show any available wireless network. Select the network you want. Click the Connect button. NOTE: Steps 2 and 3 are the instructions and screenshots for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed. If your network does not have wireless security enabled, go to step 3. If your network does have wireless security enabled, go to step 4. Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 3.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 4. If your network uses wireless security WEP, enter the WEP Key used into the Network Key and Confirm network key fields. If your network uses wireless security WPA Personal, enter the Passphrase used into the Network Key and Confirm network key fields. Click the Connect button. Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security NOTE: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration does not support the use of a passphrase. Enter the exact WEP key used by your access point. 5.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix C: 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-N Notebook 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-N Notebook Adapter WPA Personal. If you do not have a RADIUS server, Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, and enter a password in the Passphrase field of 8-63 characters. WPA Enterprise. 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 Enterprise offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. RADIUS. WEP used in coordination with a RADIUS server.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix D: 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 an access point or wireless router, TCP/IP must be enabled. TCP/IP is a set of instructions, or protocol, all PCs follow to communicate over a network.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix E: Glossary This glossary contains some basic networking terms you may come across when using this product. For more advanced terms, see the complete Linksys glossary at http://www.linksys.com/glossary. Access Point - A device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) - Removes the Router's firewall protection from one PC, allowing it to be "seen" from the Internet. DNS (Domain Name Server) - The IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP addresses. Domain - A specific name for a network of computers. Download - To receive a file transmitted over a network. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - An always-on broadband connection over traditional phone lines.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter IP Address - The address used to identify a computer or device on a network. IPCONFIG - A Windows 2000 and XP utility that displays the IP address for a particular networking device. IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) - A VPN protocol used to implement secure exchange of packets at the IP layer. ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet. LAN - The computers and networking products that make up your local network.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45) - An Ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires. Roaming - The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection. Router - A networking device that connects multiple networks together. Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) - a wireless encryption protocol that provides dynamic encryption keys for each packet transmitted. Topology - The physical layout of a network. TX Rate - Transmission Rate. Upgrade - To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version. Upload - To transmit a file over a network. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - The address of a file located on the Internet.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix F: Specifications Standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, draft IEEE 802.11n Channels 802.11b/802.11g/Wireless-N (20MHz) 11 Channels (USA, Canada) 13 Channels (Europe) LEDs Power, Link/Act Protocols 802.11b: CCK, QPSK, BPSK 802.11g: OFDM Wireless-N: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM Transmitted Power 802.
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Storage Humidity Appendix F: Specifications 5% to 90% Non-Condensing 49
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix G: Warranty Information LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys warrants to You that, for a period of three years (the “Warranty Period”), your Linksys Product will be substantially free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Your exclusive remedy and Linksys' 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-N Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Regulatory Information FCC Statement This product 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-N Notebook Adapter User Information for Consumer Products Covered by EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) This document contains important information for users with regards to the proper disposal and recycling of Linksys products.
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster For more information, visit www.linksys.com.
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Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix I: 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.
