NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual NETGEAR, Inc.
Technical Support Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering your product at http://www.netgear.com/register, we can provide you with faster expert technical support and timely notices of product and software upgrades. NETGEAR, INC. Support Information Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR, for US & Canada only. For other countries, see your support information card. E-mail: support@netgear.com Website: http://www.netgear.
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna • Increase the separation between the equipment or devices • Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s • Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance FCC Caution: Any change or modification to the product not expressly approved by Netgear could void the user’s authority to operate the device.
Deutsch [German] Hiermit erklärt NETGEAR, Inc., dass sich das Gerät NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderungen und den übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG befindet. Eesti [Estonian] Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele.
Português [Portuguese] NETGEAR, Inc. declara que este NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 está conforme com os requisitos essenciais e outras disposições da Directiva 1999/5/CE. Slovensko [Slovenian] NETGEAR, Inc. izjavlja, da je ta NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 v skladu z bistvenimi zahtevami in ostalimi relevantnimi doloèili direktive 1999/5/ ES. Slovensky [Slovak] NETGEAR, Inc. týmto vyhlasuje, že NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.
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Contents About This Manual Conventions, Formats, and Scope ................................................................................... ix How to Use This Manual ................................................................................................... x How to Print this Manual .................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 Basic Setup What You Need Before You Begin ...........................................................
Setting up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router ......................................2-12 Setting up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile ..................................................2-14 Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection .........................2-16 Wireless Security ..........................................................................................................2-17 Using Wireless Security Features ..................................................
About This Manual The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual describes how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111. The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate computer and Internet skills. Conventions, Formats, and Scope The conventions, formats, and scope of this manual are described in the following paragraphs: • • Typographical Conventions.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual For more information about network technologies, see the links to the NETGEAR website in Appendix B, “Related Documents”. Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. website at http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WN111.asp.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual — Click the print icon in the upper left of the window. Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature. • Printing the Full Manual. Use the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page. — Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page in the manual. The PDF version of the complete manual opens in a browser window.
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Chapter 1 Basic Setup This chapter describes how to install your RangeMax Next WN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless Security”. Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • Vista, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000. Some versions of Windows might ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WN111 driver software. Note: Windows XP users must install SP2 or install the KB822603 Hot fix, which fixes the USB 2.0 Host controller driver. Go to the following link to install the Hot fix: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ details.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • • • • Warranty and Support information card A plastic cradle to hold the WN111 Velcro fasteners to attach the WN111 to the plastic cradle USB adapter cable If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual a. Click Install the Software.The Check for Updates screen displays: Figure 1-1 b. If you are connected to the Internet, click Check for Updates. If not, you can choose to install from the CD. c. Follow the onscreen instructions for the InstallShield wizard and the NETGEAR Smart Wizard. • For Windows XP, if a Windows logo testing message appears, click Continue Anyway.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual a. Locate an available USB port on your PC. Note: If you do not have a USB 2.0 port on your PC, the throughput of the WN111 will be limited to the 14 Mbps of the USB 1.1 standard. b. Insert the wireless adapter in a USB port on your PC. — For best results, put the wireless adapter at least 4 feet (1 meter) from your router. — To use the USB cable, connect it to the wireless USB adapter and a USB port.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 4. Use the Smart Wizard to set up your wireless USB adapter. Figure 1-4 a. Windows 2000 users go to Step b. Windows XP or Vista users can set up the wireless adapter either with the NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended) or the Windows configuration utilities. • NETGEAR Smart Wizard: Reveals more information about each network and makes it easier to troubleshoot network connection problems.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 5. Depending on whether or not a wireless access point or router in the network supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), there are two possibilities: — If a wireless access point or router in the network supports WPS, the following screen displays. Select Yes to connect to the access point or router through WPS, and click Next. Follow the Wizard.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Note: Hidden networks do not broadcast the Network Name (SSID). These networks are in the drop-down list, but the Network Name (SSID) is blank. Note: See “Manually Selecting a Wireless Network” on page 2-9 for a detailed explanation of how to connect to an access point or router through manually selecting a wireless network. 6. After you have reviewed the settings, click Finish.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet Note: The maximum speed of a USB v2.0 port is 480 Mbps. If your computer has a USB v1.1 port, the WN111 is limited to that port’s maximum speed, which is 14 Mbps.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Smart Wizard Status Bar Click the icon to open the Smart Wizard so you can view the status bar. The Smart Wizard Settings screen displays. The status bar is located at the bottom of the Settings page.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual If you right-click the system tray icon, you can disable the Internet notification feature by clearing the check mark enabling notification, as shown in the following figure. If you do so, then only the IP address is shown. Figure 1-10 In Vista, there is one more option: Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 2. Insert the RangeMax Next WN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter in the plastic cradle. Figure 1-12 3. Place one of the other pieces of loop and hook fastener on the back of your monitor near the top for better reception. Figure 1-13 Note: The last piece of the fastener can be placed on the side of your PC monitor nearest your wireless access point, if you are using the USB Adapter with a desktop PC.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Upgrading the WN111 Software Upgrades might be available at the NETGEAR website. To install an upgrade, follow these steps. 1. Write down the settings for any profiles that you want to save. They will not be retained. 2. Download the upgrade from the NETGEAR website Support page. 3. Remove the WN111 software from your computer. 4. Remove the WN111 adapter from your computer, and if prompted restart your laptop computer. 5.
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Chapter 2 Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use your Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. If you chose the Windows XP or Windows Vista Zero Configuration utility during installation, and now you want to use the Smart Wizard, then you need to disable the Windows utility.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Understanding the Smart Wizard These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WN111 Smart Wizard to change the RangeMax Next WN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter wireless settings. When you have installed the software from the Resource CD, the icon appears on your desktop and in the Windows System Tray. The Windows System Tray is located on the Windows taskbar.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 2. Click the Networks tab. The Networks screen displays: You can click a column heading to sort. If many networks use the same channel they can interfere with each other. The Status bar shows your network connection and Internet connection. Figure 2-2 The buttons located at the bottom of the Networks tab are: • Help. Displays utility help contents. • • • • Join a Network. View networks and join a network.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • MAC Address. Identifies the hardware address (MAC Address) of the wireless device broadcasting this information. • Mode. Identifies the type of wireless network — Access Point (Infrastructure) or Computerto-Computer (Ad Hoc) Joining a Network During the WN111 software installation, the Smart Wizard connects the WN111 to a wireless access point or router, or lists the available networks to let you select a network.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Using a PCB to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router To join a network using a PCB: 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network. Figure 2-3 Note: Instead of clicking Join a Network on the status bar, you can also click the Networks tab on the Smart Wizard Settings screen. Then, select a network. 2. The following screen displays. Select Yes, and click Next. Figure 2-4 2-5 v1.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 3. The following screen displays. Select Yes (to use a push button), and click Next. Figure 2-5 4. Open the Smart Wizard for the access point or router that you have selected. 5. Select Add WPS Client from the menu of the Smart Wizard for the access point or router. 6. On the Add WPS Client page, select Push Button. 7.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Using a PIN to Connect to a Wireless Access Point or Router To join a network using a PIN: 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network. Figure 2-7 Note: Instead of clicking Join a Network on the status bar, you can also click the Networks tab on the Smart Wizard Settings screen. Then, select a network. 2. The following screen displays. Select Yes, and click Next. Figure 2-8 2-7 v1.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 3. The following screen displays. Select No (to use a PIN), and click Next. Figure 2-9 4. Generate a client security PIN for the WN111. Write down (or copy) the PIN. Figure 2-10 5. Open the Smart Wizard for the access point or router that you have selected. 6. Select Add WPS Client from the menu of the Smart Wizard for the access point or router. 7. On the Add WPS Client page, select PIN. 8.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Manually Selecting a Wireless Network During the WN111 software installation, the Smart Wizard lists the available networks. After installation you can use the Join a Network button or the Networks tab at any time to view the available networks and select the one that you want to use. Note: Make sure that you know the security settings for the network that you want to use. For example, if WEP is used then you need to know the WEP key.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 2. The following screen displays. Select No, and click Next. Figure 2-12 3. Select a network from the drop-down list. If you select a hidden network then you must enter the SSID. Click Next. Figure 2-13 4. Follow the steps of the wizard to specify the wireless security if used, and to create a profile. 5. Review you settings, and click Finish. 6. You can use the Status Bar to verify your network connection.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Manually Selecting a Wireless Network in a Configuration without WPS To manually join a network in which none of the wireless access points or routers support WPS: 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. On the status bar, click Join a Network. Figure 2-14 Note: Instead of clicking Join a Network on the status bar, you can also click the Networks tab on the Smart Wizard Settings screen. Then, select a network. 2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Profiles The WN111 Smart Wizard uses profiles to store all the settings for a particular wireless network. There are two special profile names: Default and Profile. • Default. The Profile named Default automatically scans for any available network. You cannot change this profile name. • Profile. If you do not enter a name in the Profile Name box, then the name Profile is used to save your settings.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings screen displays. Figure 2-16 2. Enter the network settings. a. In the Network Type section, make sure that Access Point (Infrastructure) is selected. b. In the Profile box, type the name of the profile. c. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select a network or enter the SSID.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Use a browser to connect to the Internet, or check for file and printer access on your network.You can check the status bar in the Smart Wizard for the current connection status. Note: If you cannot connect, see Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting”. For problems with accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed and configured properly on your computers.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 2. Enter the network settings. a. Select Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) for the Network Type. b. Select or enter the Network Name (SSID) for the Ad Hoc network. c. In the Profile box, type the name of the profile. d. Click Apply. 3. Save your settings in a Profile. a. Click Save Profile and all the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b. Click Apply. c.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual At this point the connection is established. Note: If you cannot connect, see “Removing the WN111 Software” in Chapter 1. For problems accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed or configured properly on your computers. See the link to “Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing:” in Appendix B. Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection 1.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Wireless Security Many networks use wireless security to encrypt wireless data communications. If you try to connect to a network with wireless security the Smart Wizard detects it. Before you can use that network you must set up the WN111 with exactly the same kind of wireless security settings.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network. Any (First available network) is the default WN111 wireless network name (SSID). You might customize it using up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Write your customized wireless network name (SSID) on the line below. Note: The SSID in the wireless access point is the SSID you configure in the wireless USB adapter.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings screen displays. Figure 2-21 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b. In the Network Name (SSID) field select the network, or enter the SSID. Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID matches exactly what is configured in the access point. c. In the Security section, select WEP. 3.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 4. Select Create with Passphrase and enter the passphrase. The configuration utility will automatically generate the WEP keys. Note: The characters are case sensitive. Be sure to use the same passphrase for all the wireless devices in the network. If the passphrase method is not available in the other devices, you must manually enter the keys to match exactly what is in the access point and other 802.11b wireless devices. 5.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b. In the Network Name (SSID) field select the network, or enter the SSID. Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID matches exactly what is configured in the access point. c. In the Security section, select WPA-PSK [TKIP] and enter the passphrase.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b. In the Network Name (SSID) field select the network, or enter the SSID. Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID matches exactly what is configured in the access point. c. In the Security section, select WPA2-PSK [AES] and enter the passphrase.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • • • Transmit, Receive, and Total (TxRx). Radio buttons let you select whether to display the transmit performance, the receive performance, or both in the same graph. Transmit Statistics. Identifies transmit megabits per second (Mbps), transmit packets per second (Tx Packets/s), total transmitted packets, and transmit errors. Receive Statistics.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • MAC Address. The MAC address of the adapter. The Media Access Control address is a unique 48-bit hardware address assigned to every network interface card. Some wireless networks will restrict access based on a list of known MAC addresses. If you are communicating with such a network, you would have to provide the address shown here to the network administrator before you would be allowed to connect.
Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance This chapter explains how to use your RangeMax Next WN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the wireless USB adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. Optimizing Wireless Performance The speed and operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the location of the wireless router.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual • Reduce interference. Avoid windows unless communicating between buildings. Place wireless devices away from various electromagnetic noise sources, especially those in the 2400–2500 MHz frequency band. Common noise-creating sources are: — Computers and fax machines (no closer than one foot) — Copying machines, elevators, and cell phones (no closer than 6 feet) — Microwave ovens (no closer than 10 feet) • Choose your settings.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth The speed of network connections depends on the type of equipment that you use. Try to use highspeed technologies for network connections with the heaviest traffic to avoid lower-speed bottlenecks in the path. The following figure shows a home network that includes many different connection speeds.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual The Powerline HD family of products can coexist on the same network with older generation XE family products or HomePlug 1.0 products, but they are not interoperable with these older products. • Wired Ethernet As Gigabit Ethernet ports become common on newer computers, wired Ethernet remains a good choice for speed, economy, and security. Gigabit Ethernet can extend up to 100 meters with twisted-pair wiring of CAT-5e or better.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Table 3-1. Theoretical Transfer Time for 1 Gigabyte Network Connection Theoretical Raw Transfer Time Cable Modem (3 Mbps) 2700 seconds Analog Modem (56 kbps) 144,000 seconds (40 hours) 3-6 v1.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your RangeMax Next WN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. For information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Basic Setup” in Chapter 1. Troubleshooting Tips Use the following information to solve common problems you might encounter. Also, refer to the knowledge base on the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com/support/main.asp. Table 4-1.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips (continued) Problem Action Throughput is only 54 Mbps or only 14 Mbps. The RangeMax Next WN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter can operate at faster speeds. • At 54 Mbps you are probably connecting to a standard 802.11g network. See Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance”. • If you do not have a USB 2.0 port on your PC, the throughput is limited to the 14 Mbps of the USB 1.1 standard.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly You must click the Initiate Ad Hoc button before you click Apply. Here is how you start an Ad Hoc network: 1. Fill in the Network Name (SSID). 2. Select the Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Type. 3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc. 4. Accept the default settings or make your changes and click OK 5. Click Apply.
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Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default Settings Technical Specifications The following table provides technical specifications for the Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. Antenna 1 Integrated internal antenna Standards 802.11n, 802.11g, or 802.11b Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, 08, 140, 246, and 300 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz CCK and OFDM Modulation) Power 5V Bus powered Emissions FCC, CE Bus interface USB 2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Next Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN111 User Manual Factory Default Settings The following table lists the default settings of your Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. Feature Description Smart Wizard Enabled Wireless Wireless Communication Enabled Wireless Network Name (SSID) Any (will connect to first wireless network that responds) Security Disabled Network Type Infrastructure Transmission Speed Autoa Country/Region United States (varies by region) Operating Mode 802.11n, 802.
Appendix B Related Documents This appendix provides links to reference documents you can use to gain a more complete understanding of the technologies used in your NETGEAR product. Document Link Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/ index.htm Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htm Wireless Communications: http://documentation.netgear.
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