NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B 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.
reception, which is found by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: • 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 th
Eesti [Estonian] Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele. English Hereby, NETGEAR, Inc., declares that this NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. Español [Spanish] Por medio de la presente NETGEAR, Inc.
Slovensky [Slovak] NETGEAR, Inc. týmto vyhlasuje, že NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B spåòa základné požiadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice 1999/5/ ES. Suomi [Finnish] NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin muiden ehtojen mukainen. Svenska [Swedish] Härmed intygar NETGEAR, Inc.
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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 ...........................................................
Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ................................................ 2-11 Setting up WEP Encryption Security ............................................................................2-12 Setting up WPA2-PSK Security ....................................................................................2-13 Setting up WPA-PSK Security ......................................................................................2-14 Advanced Settings ....................................
About This Manual The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual describes how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B. 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual For more information about network, Internet, firewall, and VPN 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/WN311B.asp.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B 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 The WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter lets you connect a PC computer to wireless networks. It is designed for PC computers running Microsoft Windows. For information about product features and compatible NETGEAR products, see the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com. This chapter describes how to install your Wireless PCI Adapter and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual What You Need Before You Begin You need to verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and get the wireless network configuration settings of the WLAN where you will connect before you can configure your wireless PCI adapter and connect.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Your WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter factory default basic settings are: • Network Name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any (First available network) Note: In order for the WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter to communicate with a wireless access point or wireless adapter, all devices must be set up to use the same wireless network name (SSID).
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual c. Follow the Wizard steps and click Next to continue, and to install the software. 2. Now, insert the wireless PCI adapter. Figure 1-2 a. When prompted, shut down the computer. b. Unplug the computer, open the case, and install the WN311B into a PCI slot. c. Connect the antenna to the adapter and position the antenna to the up position. d. Close the case, plug the power cord back in, and restart your computer. 3.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual • Windows configuration utilities: See the Windows documentation or “Using Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities” at: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm b. Click Next to accept the NETGEAR Smart Wizard. You will be prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended). Figure 1-4 c. Click Next to accept. 4. Connect to a wireless network. a.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual b. The Smart Wizard detects if the network uses security or not. Follow the Wizard steps for Security (if used) and for saving a Profile. c. After you have reviewed the settings, click Finish. The WN311B icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop, and the Settings page opens. The wizard initiates your wireless connection. It could take up to a minute for your wireless connection to be established.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual The WN311B Icon Colors The WN311B icon is on the desktop and in the Windows System Tray. The System Tray is located on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Color Condition Description Red The wireless PCI adapter has The WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter cannot link to any other no connection to any other wireless node or the link is lost. Check your configuration or wireless node.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Understanding the Status Bar (continued) Throughput • Wireless throughput measured in Mega bits per second. To optimize throughput, connect to a network with a high-speed router or access point, and a high-speed Internet connection. See Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance”. • If your computer has a USB v1.1 port, the WN311B is limited to that port’s maximum speed, which is 14 Mbps. Signal strength More dots indicates a stronger signal.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Upgrading the WN311B Software Upgrades may 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 WN311B software from your computer. 4. Remove the WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter adapter from your computer, and restart your computer. 5.
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Chapter 2 Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use your WN311B Wireless PCI 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Understanding the Smart Wizard These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WN311B Smart Wizard to change the WN311B Wireless PCI 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual 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 screen shows the following information for each network scanned: • Network Name (SSID): The name assigned to a wireless network. This is the same as the SSID or ESSID configuration parameter.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Finding a Network During the WN311B software installation, the Smart Wizard lists the available networks. After installation you can use the Find a Network button on the Network 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Profiles The WN311B 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings page opens. Figure 2-4 2. Enter the network settings. a. In the Network Type section, be sure that Access Point (Infrastructure) is selected. b. In the Profiles 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Use a browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual 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 Profiles box, type the name of the profile. d. Click Apply. 3. Save your settings in a Profile. a. Click the Save Profile button. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b. Click Apply. c. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard, or Cancel to return to the previous settings. 4.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual c. This will cause a continuous ping to be sent to the device with the 192.168.0.1 static IP address. The ping response should change to “reply.” Figure 2-7 At this point the connection is established. Note: If you cannot connect, see “Removing the WN311B Software” in Chapter 1. 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual 6. Click OK. Note: The channel number differs depending on the country. The connection speed automatically defaults to the highest speed. 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 WN311B with exactly the same kind of wireless security settings.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings Print this form, fill in the configuration parameters and put it in a safe place for possible future reference. For an existing wireless network, the person who set up the network will be able to provide this information. • Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Setting up WEP Encryption Security To set up WEP Encryption Security: 1. Run the WN311B Smart Wizard. a. Make sure that the WN311B software is installed and the WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter is installed in a PCI slot in your computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens: Figure 2-9 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profiles box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual • • 64-bit WEP data encryption 128-bit WEP data encryption Note: Larger encryption keys require more processing and may slow the communications response times. 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.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. Figure 2-10 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profiles 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.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual a. Make sure the WN311B software is installed and the WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter is properly installed in a PCI slot in your computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. Figure 2-11 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profiles box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b. In the Network Name (SSID) field select the network, or enter the SSID.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Advanced Settings The Advanced Settings normally work in their default settings. To view Advanced Settings, click the Advanced Settings button on the Settings tab. Changing these settings is only recommended for advanced users who have a specific reason to adjust them. Statistics Page The Statistics page provides real-time and historical trend information on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual About Page The About page displays the current software version information. Figure 2-13 The following information is displayed in the About page: • Regional Domain: This is the region setting for the wireless adapter. The approved channels for the region are automatically scanned. Governments regulate the channels used for wireless transmission. Operating the wireless adapter in a different region may violate local laws.
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Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance This chapter explains how to use your WN311T Wireless PCI Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the WN311T Wireless PCI 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 PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual — 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. — Use a scanning utility to determine what other wireless networks are operating nearby, and choose an unused channel. — Turn off SSID Broadcast, and change the default SSID.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual In the network shown in Figure 3-1, the two PCs with gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet adapters have a gigabit connection through the router to the storage server. With a high-speed router this connection allows for extremely fast backups or quick access to large files on the server. The PC connected through a pair of Powerline HD adapters is limited to the 200 Mbps speed of the Powerline HD connection.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual To get the best performance, use newer adapters such as RangeMax adapters for your computers. A high-speed router may be compatible with older 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, but the use of these older wireless technologies in your network can result in lower throughput overall (typically less than 10 Mbps for 802.11b and less than 40 Mbps for 802.11g).
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual • Backing up computers over the network has become popular due to the availability of inexpensive mass storage. Table 3-1 shows the time to transfer one gigabyte (1 GB) of data using various networking technologies. Table 3-1.
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Chapter 4 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter. For information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on page 1-6. Troubleshooting Tips Use the information below to solve common problems you may 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 PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips (continued) Problem Action Throughput is only 54 Mbps. The WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter can operate at faster speeds. You are probably connecting to a standard 802.11g network. See Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance” for help in understanding how to get the best performance from your WN311B Wireless PCI Adapter.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly You need to 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 Default Settings and Technical Specifications Default Settings The following table lists the default settings of your Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter.
NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual Technical Specifications This table below describes technical specifications for the NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B. Antennas Detachable antenna Standards 802.11g, 802.11b Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 13.5, 18, 19.5, 24, 26, 27, 36, 39, 40.5, 48, 52, 54, 58.5, 65, 81,104, 108, 117, 121.5, 130, 135, 162, 216, 243, and 270 Mbps Frequency 2.4GHz to 2.
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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