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© 2001 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks NETGEAR is a registered trademark of NETGEAR, INC. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION BENEFITS FEATURES RELATED NETGEAR PRODUCTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION The MA101 802.11b Wireless USB adapter enables you to effortlessly network avoiding the hassles of Ethernet wiring. It is designed for computers running Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, or Millennium. Its auto-sensing capability allows packet transfer at 11Mbps for maximum throughput, or speed reduction to the lower 1Mbps speed for distance or working in a noisy environment. Benefits #" #" #" #" Quickly networks your employees without the time or expense of Ethernet cabling.
CHAPTER 2: WIRELESS NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS Wireless Network Configuration Ad-hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard for wireless LANs (WLANs), 802.11, offers two methods for configuring a wireless network — ad hoc and infrastructure. In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed points to the network — each node can generally communicate with any other node.
Service Set Identification (SS ID) The Service Set Identification (SS ID) is a thirty-two alphanumeric character (maximum) string identifying the wireless local area network. Some vendors refer to the SS ID as network name. For stations to communicate with each other, all stations must be configured with the same SS ID. A wireless LAN consisting of nodes operating in ad hoc configuration without an access point is called a Basic Service Set (BSS).
Wireless Channel Selection IEEE 802.11 wireless nodes communicate with each other using radio frequency signals in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band between 2.4Ghz and 2.5Ghz. Neighboring channels are 5Mhz apart. However, due to spread spectrum effect of the signals, a node sending signals using a particular channel will utilize frequency spectrum12.5Mhz above and below the center channel frequency.
CHAPTER 3: Hardware Installation Package Contents The product package should contain: #" Model MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter #" USB cable #" MA101 Wireless USB Adapter Resource CD #" Installation Guide #" Support Information Card Call your reseller or customer support in your area if there are any wrong, missing, or damaged parts. Refer to the Support Information Card for the telephone number of customer support in your area. Keep the Support Information Card, along with the original packing materials.
CHAPTER 4: Driver Installation Windows 98 Driver Software Installing Driver Software To install the NETGEAR MA101 Wireless USB Adapter LAN driver for the first time in Windows 98: 1. Follow the procedure described in the hardware installation chapter to install the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter. 2. Upon connection, Windows 98 automatically detects the existence of the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter. An Add New Hardware Wizard window opens. Click on “Next” to continue. 3.
Windows Me Driver Software Installing Driver Software To install the NETGEAR MA101 Wireless USB Adapter LAN driver for the first time in Windows Me: 1. Follow the procedure described in the hardware installation chapter to install the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter. 2. Upon connection, Windows Me automatically detects the existence of the MA101 USB Adapter. An Add New Hardware Wizard window opens and indicates that new hardware has been found. Insert the MA101 USB adapter Resource CD into the CD-ROM drive.
Windows 2000 Driver Software Installing Driver Software 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Follow the procedure described in the hardware installation chapter to install the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter. Upon connection, Windows 2000 automatically detects the existence of the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter. A Found New Hardware Wizard window opens and indicates that new hardware has been found. Click on Next. In the next Found New Hardware Wizard window, click to select “Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended)”.
Windows XP Driver Software Installing Driver Software 1. Follow the procedure described in the hardware installation chapter to install the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter. 2. Upon connection, Windows XP automatically detects the existence of the MA101 USB Adapter. An Add New Hardware Wizard window opens and indicates that new hardware has been found. Insert the MA101 USB Adapter Resource CD into the CD-ROM drive. Make sure that “Install the software automatically (Recommended)” is selected.
CHAPTER 5: Wireless LAN Configuration Adapter Properties Configuration Device Properties Page When running Windows 98 or Me Wireless parameters for the MA101 Wireless USB Adapter can be modified from the Network control window. 1. 2. 3. From the Windows desktop, right-click on the Network Neighborhood icon. When a pop-up menu opens, move to select the Properties selection. The Network window opens. Click on the “NETGEAR MA101 Wireless USB Adapter” selection in the component window.
Device Properties Modification Table 5-1. Device Properties Parameters General Specifications Model MA101 Wireless USB Adapter Network Type Configurable between 802.11 ad hoc and infrastructure modes. In 802.11 ad hoc mode, the wireless nodes form their own local network where the end nodes communicate peer-to-peer without an access point. In infrastructure mode, the wireless searches all available wireless channels to associate with an access point. The default value for Network Type is Infrastructure.
Table 5-1. Device Properties Parameters (continued) General Specifications Model MA101 Wireless USB Adapter Fragment Threshold This is the packet length used for fragmentation. Packets larger than the size programmed in this field will be fragmented. The Fragment Threshold value must be larger than RTS Threshold value. The default value for Fragment Threshold is 2346.
WLAN Configuration Utility A wireless LAN configuration utility program is provided to give you information on your wireless network such as signal quality and link conditions, and to let you modify the various configurable wireless parameters. WLAN Configuration Utility Installation When running Windows 95/B or NT 4.0 1. Insert the MA101 USB adapter Resource CD into the CD-ROM drive. Windows will Auto-setup the utility. 2. The InstallShields Wizard opens. Click on “Next” to continue. 3.
WLAN Parameter Modification Double-clicking on the wireless SysTray icon activates the wireless LAN configuration utility for the MA101 Wireless USB adapter. You can click on any of the folder tab in the Wireless LAN configuration utility window to modify the operational parameters. . Status Network type Configurable between 802.11 ad-hoc and infrastructure modes. In 802.11 ad hoc mode, the wireless nodes form their own local network where the end nodes communicate peer-to-peer without an access point.
Site Survey Mac Address The Mac Address of the Access Point. SSID The SSID of the Access Point. Signal The signal strength of the Access Point. Channel The channel used by the Access Point. Encryption The encryption of the Access Point is enable or disable. Encryption Encryption Set the data encryption level for the wireless node. The data encryption level must be the same between all wireless nodes and access points in the same network.
Advanced Preamble Mode The Long mode is set for 144 bits. The Short mode is set for 72 bits. Fragmentation Threshold This is the packet length used for fragmentation. Packets larger than the size programmed in this field will be fragmented. The Fragment Threshold value must be larger than RTS Threshold value. The default value for Fragment Threshold is 2346.
APPENDIX A: HARDWARE SPECIFICATION General Specifications Model MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4Ghz to 2.5Ghz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Range outdoor environment 1Mbps - 1650 ft (503 m) 2Mbps - 1320 ft (402 m) 5.
