NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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.
• 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. FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR Statements SAR Statement The NETGEAR WPN111 has been tested for body-worn Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance.
Eesti [Estonian] Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele. English Hereby, NETGEAR, Inc., declares that this NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 spåòa základné požiadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice 1999/5/ES. Suomi [Finnish] NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 ...........................................................
Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection ...........................2-9 Wireless Security ..........................................................................................................2-10 Using Wireless Security Features ................................................................................2-10 Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ................................................ 2-11 Setting up WEP Encryption Security ..................................
About This Manual The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual describes how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111. 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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/WPN111.asp.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual • Vista, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000. Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual 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. WPN111 Default Wireless Settings If this is a new wireless network installation, use the factory default settings to set up the network and verify wireless connectivity.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual a. Click Install the Software.The Check for Updates window will open. 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. When the Installation Complete message appears, click Next. d. On the Smart Wizard screen, click Next to proceed with the Smart Wizard setup. 2. Now, connect the wireless USB adapter. Figure 1-2 1-4 v2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual a. Locate an available USB port on your PC. Connect the USB cable to the WPN111 and insert the other end of the cable into the USB slot on your PC. See “Placing the USB Adapter Cradle” on page 1-10. Note: If you do not have a USB 2.0 port on your PC, the throughput of the WPN111 will be limited to the 14 Mbps of the USB 1.1 standard. b. Restart your computer. You will be prompted to select the country where you are located. c.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual 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. Select the wireless network from the drop-down list, and the wizard records your choice. Hidden Figure 1-5 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. b.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual The icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop; and the Settings page opens . Figure 1-6 The wizard initiates your wireless connection, which could take up to a minute. 5. Use the status bar to verify your wireless connectivity. For more information about connecting, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on page 1-7. Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet Note: The maximum speed of a USB v2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual WPN111 Icon Colors The WPN111 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows System Tray (SysTray). The System Tray resides on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Color Condition Description Red The wireless USB adapter has no connection to any other wireless node. The wireless USB adapter cannot link to any other wireless node or the link is lost.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Understanding the Status Bar (continued) Channel The wireless channel used by the network. If many wireless networks in your area use the same channel they can interfere with one another. 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”.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Placing the USB Adapter Cradle You can attach the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter directly to a USB port on your computer, or use the USB cable to extend the range and obtain better wireless reception. Follow these instructions to use the USB cable, plastic cradle, and loop and hook fastener provided in the package for better USB Adapter placement on a notebook computer: 1. The RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Removing the WPN111 Software You can remove the wireless adapter software in these two ways: • Navigate the Windows Start menu to the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter program group, select the uninstall option, and follow the screen prompts. • Navigate the Windows Start menu to the Control Panel Add or Remove Program item, select the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter option, and follow the screen prompts.
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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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual 4. Click the Wireless Networks tab. Then clear the “Use Windows to configure my wireless settings” check box. Understanding the Smart Wizard These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WPN111 Smart Wizard to change the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter wireless settings. When you have installed the software from the NETGEAR CD, the icon appears on your desktop and in the Windows System Tray.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual 2. Click the Networks tab to view the following page: 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Finding a Network During the WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual 3. Select a network from the drop down list. If you select a hidden network then you must enter the SSID. Click Next. 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. The Smart Wizard initiates your wireless connection. You can use the Status Bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see “Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-8.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Setting up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router Follow these instructions to set up the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to a wireless access point or router. 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 Profile box, type the name of the profile. c.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 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. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard, or Cancel to return to the previous settings. 4.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual At this point the connection is established. Note: If you cannot connect, see “Removing the WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 WPN111 with exactly the same kind of wireless security settings.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Setting up WEP Encryption Security Follow the steps below to configure WEP Encryption Security. 1. Run the WPN111 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPN111 software is installed and the WPN111 is connected to the USB port 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 Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 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].
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Setting up WPA-PSK Security Follow the steps below to configure WPA-PSK Security. 1. Run the WPN111 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPN111 software is installed and the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter is fully inserted in a USB port 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 Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Advanced Settings The Advanced Settings should normally work in their default settings. On the Settings tab click the Advanced Settings button to display the dialog box shown below: Figure 2-12 Statistics Page The Statistics page provides real time and historical trend information on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 v2.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111. For information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Basic Setup” in Chapter 1. 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 User Manual Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips (continued) Problem Action Throughput is only 54 Mbps or only 14 Mbps. The RangeMax WPN111 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 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 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 This appendix provides technical specifications for the RangeMax WPN111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter. Antenna 1 Integrated internal antenna Standards 802.11g, 802.11b Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, and 108 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4GHz to 2.
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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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