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Table Of Contents

User’s Manual for the NETGEAR Super AG Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111U
Technical Support
Statement of Conditions
FCC Information to User
Regulatory Compliance Information
Export Restrictions
Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity
Requirements For Operation in the European Community
Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations
Chapter 1 About This Manual
- Audience, Scope, Conventions
  - Table 1. Typographical conventions
  - Table 1-1. Manual Specifications
- How to Use this Manual
  - Figure 1-1: HTML version of this manual
- How to Print this Manual
Chapter 2 Introduction
- About the WG111U
- Key Features
  - 802.11a and 802.11b/g Wireless Networking
- Comparing the 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g Modes
  - Table 2-1. Comparison of Wireless Modes
- What’s in the Box?
- A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’
Chapter 3 Basic Setup
- What You Need Before You Begin
- Two Basic Operating Modes
- WG111U Default Wireless Configuration Settings
- Basic Installation Instructions
  - For Windows XP Users Installing a WG111U
  - For Windows 2000, ME, and 98SE Users Installing a WG111U
- WG111U Wireless Connection Indicators
  - Interpreting the LED on the WG111U
    - Table 3-1: LED Descriptions
  - Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors
Chapter 4 Configuration
- Understanding the Configuration Options
- Using Configuration Profiles
  - Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode
  - How to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile
    - Figure 4-1: Settings page
- Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc Mode
  - How to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode Profile
    - Figure 4-2: Settings page
    - Figure 4-3: Ad-Hoc Setting dialog box
- What’s on the Statistics Page?
  - Figure 4-4: Statistics page
- Understanding the Advanced Settings Page
  - Figure 4-5: Advanced Settings page
  - European Regulatory Requirements for Transmit Power Control
Chapter 5 Wireless Security Configuration
- Understanding the Security Options
- Using WEP Security
- Using WPA-PSK Advanced Security
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
- Basic Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
  - General Questions
Appendix A Technical Specifications
Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics
- Wireless Networking Overview
- WEP Wireless Security
- WPA Wireless Security
- Appendix C Preparing Your Network to Work with a Router
What You Need To Use a Router with a Broadband Modem
- Cabling and Computer Hardware
- Computer Network Configuration Requirements
- Internet Configuration Requirements
- Where Do I Get the Internet Configuration Parameters?
- Record Your Internet Connection Information
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking
Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP Networking
- Installing or Verifying Windows Networking Components
- Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 95B, 98, and Me
- Selecting the Windows’ Internet Access Method
- Verifying TCP/IP Properties
Configuring Windows NT4, 2000 or XP for IP Networking
- Installing or Verifying Windows Networking Components
- Configuring DHCP of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4
- DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP
- DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000
- DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4
- Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP, 2000, and NT4
Configuring the Macintosh for TCP/IP Networking
- MacOS 8.6 or 9.x
- MacOS X
- Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Macintosh Computers
Verifying the Readiness of Your Internet Account
- Are Login Protocols Used?
- What Is Your Configuration Information?
- Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Windows Computers
- Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Macintosh Computers
Restarting the Network
Glossary
Index

User’s Manual for the NETGEAR Super AG Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111U

B-16 Wireless Networking Basics

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Is WPA Perfect?

WPA is not without its vulnerabilities. Specifically, it is susceptible to denial of service (DoS)

attacks. If the access point receives two data packets that fail the Message Integrity Code (MIC)

check within 60 seconds of each other then the network is under an active attack, and as a result,

the access point employs counter measures, which includes disassociating each station using the

access point. This prevents an attacker from gleaning information about the encryption key and

alerts administrators, but it also causes users to lose network connectivity for 60 seconds. More

than anything else, this may just prove that no single security tactic is completely invulnerable.

WPA is a definite step forward in WLAN security over WEP and has to be thought of as a single

part of an end-to-end network security strategy.

Product Support for WPA

Starting in August, 2003, NETGEAR, Inc. wireless Wi-Fi certified products will support the WPA

standard. NETGEAR, Inc. wireless products that had their Wi-Fi certification approved before

August, 2003 will have one year to add WPA so as to maintain their Wi-Fi certification.

WPA requires software changes to the following:

• Wireless access points

• Wireless network adapters

• Wireless client programs

Supporting a Mixture of WPA and WEP Wireless Clients

To support the gradual transition of WEP-based wireless networks to WPA, a wireless AP can

support both WEP and WPA clients at the same time. During the association, the wireless AP

determines which clients use WEP and which clients use WPA. The disadvantage to supporting a

mixture of WEP and WPA clients is that the global encryption key is not dynamic. This is because

WEP-based clients cannot support it. All other benefits to the WPA clients, such as integrity, are

maintained.

However, a mixed mode supporting WPA and non-WPA clients would offer network security that

is no better than that obtained with a non-WPA network, and thus this mode of operation is

discouraged.

Changes to Wireless Access Points

Wireless access points must have their firmware updated to support the following: