A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter User Manual September 2013 202-11274-01 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 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 Getting Started Set Up the Mini Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 View Network Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Join a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Join a Network Using WPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Join a Network Using NETGEAR genie . . . . . . . . . . .
1. 1 Getting Started The A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter wirelessly connects your notebook or desktop computer to an 11ac network for applications such as lag-free video streaming throughout your home, online gaming, and secure and reliable Internet connections. In addition, Beamforming+ technology boosts the speed, reliability, and range of WiFi connections. The mini adapter automatically uses NETGEAR Beamforming+ technology to enhance WiFi performance with 802.11ac WiFi devices.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Set Up the Mini Adapter Before you begin using your mini adapter, set up the mini adapter using the resource CD that came in the package. To set up your mini adapter: 1. Insert the resource CD in your computer CD drive. Note: If your computer does not have a CD drive, or if you do not have your resource CD, download the resource CD driver by visiting http://support.netgear.com. Click the Support for Home Products button and enter A6100 in the search field.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter The Software Update Check screen displays: 3. Install the setup software. Choose an option based on whether you are connected to the Internet: • Connected to the Internet. If you are connected to the Internet, click the Check for Updates button. After the software checks for software updates, the Update Check Complete screen displays. Click the Continue button. The Welcome screen displays: • Not Connected to the Internet.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter The Welcome screen displays: 4. Click the I agree radio button to accept the license agreement and click the Next button. A message displays asking you to wait while the software is installed. After a few minutes, NETGEAR genie prompts you to insert your mini adapter.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 5. Insert the mini adapter into a USB port on your computer. The NETGEAR genie screen displays: The NETGEAR genie icon also displays in the Windows system try and on the desktop. The color of the icon indicates the strength of your wireless connection: • White. 3–5 bars (strong connection) • Yellow. 1–2 bars (weak connection) • Red. 0 (zero) bars (no connection) Note: If you remove your mini adapter, NETGEAR genie is not available, and the icon is not displayed.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter View Network Details Before you join a network, you can view details to help you determine which network to join: • Network name (SSID). The name assigned to a wireless network. As a security measure, some wireless access points do not broadcast their SSIDs. In such cases, the network is hidden. The name (SSID) field is blank even though the rest of the information is displayed. • Channel. The channel on which the wireless network operates.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter The Details button and Connect button display. 5. Click the Details button. The Details pop-up window displays: 6. Click the OK button to close the Details pop-up window. Join a Network The mini adapter can join a network using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) method, through the mini adapter’s NETGEAR genie, or by installing the mini adapter’s standalone driver. You can also join hidden networks. For more information, see Join a Hidden Network on page 14.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Join a Network Using WPS Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a standard for easily adding computers and other devices to a home network while maintaining security. Before you use the WPS method to join a network, make sure that your router or access point supports WPS. Note: If the security type on your router or access point is set to WEP, you cannot use WPS to connect the mini adapter to the network. To use WPS to join a wireless network: 1.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter To join a network using NETGEAR genie: 1. Insert the adapter into a USB port on your computer. 2. Click the NETGEAR genie icon that displays on the Windows systems tray or on the desktop. The NETEGAR genie Home screen displays. 3. Click the Join a Network button. The Join a Network screen displays: 4. Click a network name. The Details button and Connect button display.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 5. Click the Connect button. Note: If your network does not display in the network list, click the Refresh button. If the network name is not displayed, that indicates a hidden network that does not broadcast its SSID. You can use the NETGEAR genie to join a hidden network. For more information, see Join a Hidden Network on page 14. The Connecting to your Wireless Network pop-up window displays: 6. In the Security Key (Password) field, enter the network password.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Note: Select the Hide characters as I type check box if you want to hide the characters as you type the password. 7. Click the Next button. NETGEAR genie validates the settings and connects the adapter to the network. This process might a few minutes. Note: After the mini adapter joins the network, it automatically saves the network connection information to a Windows profile. Windows profiles can be used by genie and the Windows utility.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter The Join a Network screen displays: 4. Expand the Manually Connect to a network (for hidden networks) section. 5. Select the Use WPS Push ‘N’ Connect radio button. 6. Click the Start button.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter A WPS instructions window displays: 7. (Optional) Click the Learn More button to learn more about how to connect to the network using WPS. 8. Press and hold the WPS button on the mini adapter for two seconds. The WPS LED blinks. 9. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your wireless router or access point. The mini adapter joins the network, which can take a few minutes. Your settings are saved in a profile.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 3. Click the Join a Network button. The Join a Network screen displays: 4. Expand the Manually Connect to a network (for hidden networks) section.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 5. Select the Enter wireless information myself radio button. 6. Type the network name (SSID) in the Network Name (SSID) field. 7. Select the network’s security type from the Security Type drop-down menu: • None. The network does not require a 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.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Note: After the mini adapter joins the network, it automatically saves the network connection information to a Windows profile. Windows profiles can be used by genie and the Windows utility. If the network information does not change, the next time you launch NETGEAR genie, it automatically connects to the network you previously joined.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter If the CD main screen does not display, browse the files on the CD and double-click Autorun.exe. The Welcome screen displays: 2. Click the Install Windows Standalone Driver button. The driver installs on your computer. 3. When prompted, insert the mini adapter into a USB port on your computer. 4. Click the OK button. The driver finishes installing. 5. Click the Finish button. A pop-up window displays when the diver finishes installing. 6. Click the OK button. 7.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter For Windows XP, use the Wireless Zero Configuration service. For more information, see your computer’s documentation. Note: After the mini adapter joins the network, it automatically saves the network connection information to a Windows profile. Windows profiles can be used by genie and the Windows utility. If the network information does not change, the next time you launch NETGEAR genie, it automatically connects to the network you previously joined.
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A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Update the Mini Adapter’s Software You can use the mini adapter’s NETGEAR genie to check for software updates and upgrade the mini adapter’s software. Note: During the software update process, the old software version is removed and all saved profiles are deleted before the new software version is installed. When the software update process is complete, the mini adapter no longer connects to the network automatically.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter The Live Check pop-up window displays. NETGEAR genie checks for available software upgrades. If new software is found, the following screen displays: 5. Click the OK button. The mini adapter software is updated.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter The following screen displays: 4. Click the Get Info button. The System Status pop-up window displays: NETGEAR genie starts collecting system information, IP information, client driver and profile information, and site survey information. 5. (Optional) Click the Save to File button to save the system information to your computer. 6. Click the Exit button.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter View Additional Information About the Mini Adapter You can view the following additional information about the mini adapter: • Sent/Received Activity. The total number of packets sent or received during communication with the wireless network. • Network. The following information about the mini adapter’s network displays: • - IPv4 Address. The IPv4 address assigned to this mini adapter. The IPv4 address can change if you disconnect from the network and rejoin it later.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter To view additional information about the mini adapter: 1. Insert the adapter into a USB port on your computer. 2. Click the NETGEAR genie icon that displays on the Windows systems tray or on the desktop. The NETGEAR genie Home screen displays. 3. Click the Other button. The following screen displays. Uninstall the Mini Adapter’s Software You can remove the mini adapter software.
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A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Troubleshooting The mini adapter LED is not lit. Try these troubleshooting tips: • Remove and reinsert the mini adapter. • Check the Windows device manager to see if the mini adapter is recognized and enabled. Reinstall the mini adapter software, if necessary. • Insert the mini adapter in a different USB port on your computer if one is available. I do not see the icon. Check to make sure that your mini adapter is inserted in the USB port.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter When I connect to the network, I cannot access the Internet. to open NETGEAR genie. The following screen displays if the mini adapter can Click connect to the network that you selected but you cannot access the Internet: Make sure that you are connected to the correct network. If you are, check to see if the router’s Internet connection is working. If the router’s Internet connection is not working, restart the modem, router, and computer.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Frequently Asked Questions Do USB ports go into a sleep mode if no traffic is going to or from the port? USB devices go into sleep mode if a USB feature called Selective Suspend is enabled, which it is by default. If a USB device goes into Selective Suspend mode, the network disconnects. To prevent this type of network disconnection, disable Selective Suspend. To disable Selective Suspend mode: 1.
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A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Factory Default Settings The following table lists the default settings of your mini adapter. Table 1. Factory Default Settings 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 433 Mbps with a router or access point that supports 802.11ac Up to 150 Mbps with a router or access point that supports 802.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Technical Specifications The following table provides technical specifications for the mini adapter. Table 2. Technical Specifications 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.
B. Notification of Compliance 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.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 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.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 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.
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter Interference Reduction Table The following table shows the recommended minimum distance between NETGEAR equipment and household appliances to reduce interference (in feet and meters).
