802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) User Manual Note: This document is for certification purposes. Images are for position only and may differ from the actual product.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Support Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit http://support.netgear.com. Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Contents Chapter 1 Set Up Your Wireless USB Adapter USB Adapter Placement and Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Attach the USB Adapter to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 NETGEAR genie Desktop Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 NETGEAR genie Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Status Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Set Up Your Wireless USB Adapter 1 This chapter describes how to set up the 802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) and includes the following sections: • USB Adapter Placement and Performance • NETGEAR genie Desktop Icon • NETGEAR genie Home • Join a Wireless Network with NETGEAR genie • Install a Standalone Driver without NETGEAR genie For help installing your USB adapter, see the installation guide that came in the package.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) USB Adapter Placement and Performance You can position the USB adapter to best suit your own environment and to ensure maximum performance. Attach the USB Adapter to Your Computer To attach the USB adapter directly: Connect the USB directly into a USB port on your computer. NETGEAR genie Desktop Icon When you install your USB adapter, the NETGEAR genie icon appears in the Windows system tray and on the desktop.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) NETGEAR genie Home When you launch NETGEAR genie, the Home screen displays. This screen shows you at a glance if you are connected to a network, and if you have Internet access. The following options are available: • Select Language. If more than one language is available, you can select a language from this drop-down list. NETGEAR genie screens are displayed in the language that you select. • Home button. The currently selected Home screen.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) • Network name. The network name (SSID) of the wireless network to which the USB adapter is connected. • Connection status. The connection status is one of the following (this status is also shown in the diagram in the middle of this screen): - Connected to the Internet - Connected to the Router - No Connection • Network security. The lock symbol shows whether the network you are connected to uses wireless security.
02.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Network Details From the Join a Network screen, you can view more details about a specific network. To view network details: 1. In the network list, click a network to select it. 2. Click the Details button to display a screen similar to the following one: The following information is displayed: • Network name (SSID). The name assigned to a wireless network. As a security measure, some wireless access points do not broadcast their SSIDs.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) • WPS support. Identifies whether the router or access point for this network supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). • MAC address. The unique hardware address of the wireless device broadcasting this information. Typically, the wireless device is a wireless router or access point. Join a Network or Connect to a Different Network If your wireless network supports WPS, you can use WPS to join a wireless network.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) To select and join a wireless network: 1. From NETGEAR genie, click Join a Network. 2. Look for the network you want to join in the list on this screen. If you do not see your network, you might need to scroll down to view more networks. If the network name is not displayed, that indicates a hidden network that does not broadcast its SSID. Use the manual method to connect to a hidden network. See Join a Hidden Network on page 11.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Join a Hidden Network A hidden network does not broadcast its SSID. 1. From NETGEAR genie, click Join a Network. 2. Select the Manually Connect to a network (for hidden networks) link. You can use WPS to connect, or enter the wireless information yourself. To manually connect using WPS: 1. Click the Start button. A pop-up window displays WPS instructions telling you to press the WPS button both on the USB adapter and the router. 2.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) To manually connect without WPS: 1. Select the Enter wireless information myself radio button. There are four security types that can be displayed for the network: None, WEP, WPA-PSK, and WPA2-PSK. • None. There is no password. • WEP. The password (key) is a 10 or 26 hexadecimal digit. • WPA-PSK. The password (passphrase) is 8–63 characters in length or a 64 hexadecimal digit. • WPA2-PSK.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Install a Standalone Driver without NETGEAR genie For Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista, you can install the Windows driver without the NETGEAR genie and use the Windows WLAN Autoconfig service to join a network. For Windows XP, you can install the Windows driver without the NETGEAR genie and use the Wireless Zero Configuration service to join a network. To install the standalone driver and join a network: 1. Insert the resource CD in your computer CD drive.
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802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Other Screen In NETGEAR genie, click the Other button to display the following screen: Sent/Receive Activity • Sent Packets. Total number of packets sent during communication with the wireless network. • Received Packets. Total number of packets received during communication with the wireless network. Network • IPv4 Address. The IPv4 address assigned to this USB adapter. The IPv4 address can change if you disconnect from the network and rejoin it later.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) • Region. The region setting for the USB adapter. Wireless channels in use depend on the country or region. Your USB adapter automatically scans approved channels for your region when it checks to see which networks are available in your area. Governments regulate the channels used for wireless transmission. Operating the USB adapter in a different region might violate local laws. Support • Get Diagnostics Info.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) - Windows Vista. Select Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features, and then select NETGEAR A6100 genie. Click Uninstall/Change from the top menu and follow the screen prompts. - Windows XP. Select Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs, and then select NETGEAR A6100 genie. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The USB adapter LED is not lit. The USB adapter is not inserted securely in the USB port (or USB cable if used) or the A6100 software is not installed.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) • If the network uses wireless security, you need to either know the wireless security settings or use Push 'N' Connect if the network supports WPS. Some networks also restrict use to only computers or wireless devices with known MAC addresses. If that is the case, on the NETGEAR genie screen, click Other to find the MAC address for your USB adapter and provide it to the network administrator. When I connect to the network, I cannot access the Internet.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) How can I improve the speed of my wireless connection? You can use the USB cable and USB adapter that came in the package to position the USB adapter for better wireless communication. The connection speed can vary depending on the type of USB port on your computer, the capacity of the router or access point for the wireless network, and the type of Internet connection. You can view the throughput in the status bar at the bottom of the Smart Wizard screen.
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802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Technical Specifications The following table provides technical specifications for the USB adapter. Table 1. Feature Description Antenna 1 PIFA antenna Standards • • • • • Radio data rate Autosensing Frequency • • 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz CCK and OFDM Modulation 5 GHz OFDM, 802.11n MCS0-7, and 802.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Factory Default Settings The following table lists the default settings of your USB adapter. Table 2. Default Settings Wireless communication Enabled Country/region United States (varies by region) Operating mode 802.11ac draft 2.0, 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11g, or 802.11b Data rate • • Up to 450 Mbps with a router or access point that supports 802.11ac Up to 150 Mbps with a router or access point that supports 802.
B. Notification of Compliance N E T GEAR Ad ap ters B Regulatory Compliance Information This section includes user requirements for operating this product in accordance with National laws for usage of radio spectrum and operation of radio devices. Failure of the end-user to comply with the applicable requirements may result in unlawful operation and adverse action against the end-user by the applicable National regulatory authority.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) frequency devices. This model meets the applicable government requirements for exposure to radio frequency waves. The highest SAR level measured for this device was 1.17 W/kg. This product complies with the US / Canada portable RF exposure limit set forth for an uncontrolled environment and are safe for intended operation as described in this manual.
802.11ac USB WiFi Adapter (A6100) Caution: (i) The device for operation in the band 5150–5250 MHz is only for indoor use to reduce the potential for harmful interference to co-channel mobile satellite systems; (ii) The maximum antenna gain permitted for devices in the bands 5250–5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz shall comply with the e.i.r.p. limit. (iii) The maximum antenna gain permitted for devices in the band 5725–5825 MHz shall comply with the e.i.r.p.
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