TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Rev: 4.0.
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark of TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Copyright © 2012 TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
FCC STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. Thes e limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
CE Mark Warning This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may berequired to take adequate measures. Industry Canada Statement: This device complies with RSS-210of the Industry Canada Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)This device must accept any interference re ceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Radiation Exposure Statement: This equipment complies with Canada radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator & your body. Ce dispositif est conforme à la norme CNR-210 d’Industrie Canada applicable aux appareils radio exempts de licence.
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY For the following equipment: Product Description: 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Model No.
CONTENTS Package Contents .................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 Product Overview ................................................................................. 2 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Features .................................................................................................................. 2 1.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Package Contents Please verify that all the package contents below are available. One TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Quick Installation Guide One USB cable One Resource CD for TL-WN821N, including: TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility (TWCU) and Drivers User Guide Other helpful information Make sure that the above items are contained in the package. If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your distributor.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 1 Product Overview 1.1 Introduction The adapter is a 802.11n client device designed to deliver a high-speed and unrivaled wireless performance for your desktop. With a faster wireless connection, you can get a better Internet experience, such as downloading, gaming, video streaming. With the 802.
TL-WN821N 1.3 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Hardware Overview LED status: Status Off Working Status The driver has not been installed; The adapter's radio has been disabled. Flashing Slowly The driver has been installed but no data is being transmitted or received. Flashing Quickly Data is being transmitted or received. Note: When the card failed to connect to a wireless network, the LED may be off. Please choose your network and try to connect again.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 2 Installation 2.1 Hardware Installation There are two ways to install the Adapter: 1. Plug the Adapter directly to the USB port on your computer. 2. Connect the Adapter and your computer through the USB cable attached in package. Note: The promoted Found New Hardware Wizard screen will pop up when the adapter is installed correctly. Click Cancel. 2.
TL-WN821N 2. 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter The InstallShield Wizard window will appear. Click Next to continue. Figure 2-2 3. Choose a setup type. It is recommended to select Install TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility and Driver. Selecting Install Driver Only will only install driver. Click Next to continue.
TL-WN821N 4. Click Change… to specify the destination location for the software or you can leave it default. Click Next in the screen below to continue. Figure 2-4 5. 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Click Install to continue the setup.
TL-WN821N 6. 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter The utility and drivers will install. This may take 1~2 minutes. Figure 2-6 7. After all the steps above, you will see the screen below. Click Finish to complete the setup. Figure 2-7 8. After installation, the utility configuration page will automatically pop up as shown in the following figure and the icon will appear in your system tray. To connect to a network, please refer to Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network.
TL-WN821N Figure 2-8 8 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network With both the hardware and software successfully installed into your computer, you can quickly connect to a wireless network using one of the following methods. Method One: To connect using TWCU (TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility) TL-WN821N uses the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility as the management software.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Connect. If you tick Connect automatically, the adapter will automatically connect to your target network next time. Figure 3-2 3. You will be prompted different windows when you choose wireless network of different security types. 1) Wireless network of WPA/WPA2-Personal If you selected a wireless network of the security type WPA/WPA2-Personal, you will be prompted to enter the password in the security key field, as shown in Figure 3-3.
TL-WN821N 2) 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Wireless network of WPA/WPA2-Enterprise If you selected a wireless network of the security type WPA/WPA2-Enterprise, you will be prompted to choose a type of authentication, either certificate or password. With Certificate as your authentication, you need to select one specific certificate from the drop-down list, as shown in Figure 3-4.
TL-WN821N 4. 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Please wait a few minutes for the connection process. Figure 3-6 5. You have now successfully connected to your network. Click Close to enjoy the Internet. Figure 3-7 6. To view more information about the network currently connected, click Status in the tools section and the page will display information such as the network type, link quality and wireless mode.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-8 3.2 To connect using WPS WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) function allows you to add a new wireless device to an existing network quickly. If the wireless router supports QSS or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you can establish a wireless connection between wireless card and router using either Push Button Configuration (PBC) method or PIN method. 3.2.1 PBC (Push Button Configuration) method 1.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-9 Method Two: Open TWCU and click WPS tab. Select Push the button on my access point or wireless router and then click Connect. Figure 3-10 3. The adapter will be connecting to the target network.
TL-WN821N 4. 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter When the following window appears, you have successfully connected to the network. Figure 3-12 3.2.2 PIN method There are two ways to configure the WPS by PIN method: 1) Enter the PIN from your AP device. 2) Enter a PIN into your AP device. Following are detailed configuration procedures of each way. 3.2.2.1. Enter the PIN from your AP device 1. Open TWCU and click WPS tab. Select Enter the PIN of my access point or wireless router.
TL-WN821N 2. 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter The adapter will be connecting to the target network. Figure 3-14 3. When Figure 3-12 appears, you have successfully connected to the network. 3.2.2.2. Enter a PIN into your AP device 1. Open TWCU and click WPS tab. Select Enter the PIN of this device into my access point or wireless router. In the field beside PIN, you will see the PIN value of the adapter which is randomly generated. Click Connect to continue. Figure 3-15 2.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-16 3. When Connect successfully appears on the screen, the WPS configuration is complete. Or you can view the adapter’s utility page to see whether the connection has been successful as shown in Figure 3-18. Figure 3-17 Figure 3-18 3.3 To connect using Windows built-in wireless utility 3.3.1 In Windows 7 Windows 7 users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below.
TL-WN821N 1. Left-click the wireless icon 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter in your system tray (lower-right corner). The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area. Highlight the wireless network (displayed using the SSID) to be connected and then click Connect. Figure 3-19 2. If the network you would like to connect is security-enabled, enter the same security key or passphrase that is on your router.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-21 3.3.2 In Windows Vista Windows Vista users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1. Open the wireless utility by right-clicking on the wireless computer icon in your system tray as shown in the figure below. Select Connect to a network. Figure 3-22 2. The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area. Highlight the wireless network you would like to connect and then click Connect.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-23 3. If the network you would like to connect is security-enabled, enter the same security key or passphrase that is on your router. If the network to be connected is not secure, the connection will be built without entering a key. Figure 3-24 4. You have now successfully connected to the network.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-25 3.3.3 In Windows XP Windows XP users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1. Right-click on the utility icon in your system tray (lower-right corner). Select Switch to Windows wireless configuration tool. Figure 3-26 Or double-click the utility icon to load the utility configuration page. Click Advanced in the tools section and then select Use Windows wireless configuration tool in the figure shown below.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-27 Figure 3-28 2. Right-click on the wireless computer icon in your system tray (lower-right corner). Select View Available Wireless Networks. Figure 3-29 3. The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area. Click on a network (displayed using the SSID) and click the Connect button.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-30 4. If the network is security-enabled, you will be prompted to enter the key as shown below. If not, you will connect to the network directly without entering a key.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 4 Management This section will show you how to configure your TL-WN821N adapter using the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility (TWCU). The TL-WN821N adapter uses the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility as the management software. The utility provides users with an easy interface to change any settings related to the adapter. Double-clicking on the 4.1 icon on your desktop will start the utility.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 4-2 Figure 4-3 The following items can be found on the screen. Profile Name: Enter a name for your profile (e.g. Home, Office, CoffeeShop). The same name is not allowed. Please also note that no space is allowed between words. SSID: Select the target network from the drop-down list. Network Type: Select the network type. If you are connecting to a wireless router or access point, select Infrastructure.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Note: You will see Figure 4-2 if you selected the security type WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK; while, if you selected the security type WPA/WPA2 (-Enterprise), Figure 4-3 will be displayed. Encryption Type: From the drop-down menu, select the encryption type that is the same as on your router or access point. Security Key: Enter the passphrase exactly as it is on your wireless router or access point. Click the Show characters box to see the passphrase.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 4-5 4.1.3 Delete a profile To delete an existing profile, highlight the profile name and click Remove on the bottom of the screen or press the Delete button on your keyboard. When the following figure appears, click OK to continue. Figure 4-6 4.2 Advanced The following configurations can be made on the Advanced page: 1) To select wireless configuration tool.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 4-7 4.3 About The About screen gives you information about the Driver and Utility versions of the adapter. Right-click on the icon in your system tray and select About from the list.
TL-WN821N Figure 4-9 29 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 5 AP Mode In Soft AP mode, the adapter will work as an AP. Suppose that only one computer in your house can access the Internet for various reasons like only one WLAN port is available on your wired broadband router, however, other wireless-capable devices also want to share the Internet. Then the adapter can be configured as an AP under the Soft AP mode, saving you the trouble of having to get a separate access point or a router.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter The Soft AP icon should then appear beside Advanced icon in the utility. Figure 5-3 SoftAP mode: Select to enable or disable the function. Internet Connecting Share(ICS): Specify a connection through which devices connected to your AP can access the Internet. SSID: Enter the name for your soft AP (for example, Jone) so that others can know which AP is yours when trying to connect to it. The default name (SSID) is “tp-link”.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 6 Uninstall Software 6.1 1. 2. Uninstall the utility software from your PC On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, click All programsTP-LINK, and then click Uninstall-TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility. Figure 6-1 Uninstall Utility Follow the Install Shield Wizard to uninstall the utility software from your PC. Figure 6-2 3. Click Finish when the figure below appears.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 6-3 6.2 1. 2. Uninstall the driver software from your PC On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, click All programsTP-LINK, and then click Uninstall-TL-WN821N Driver. Figure 6-4 Uninstall Driver Following the steps, then the system will uninstall the driver software of the adapter from your PC.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Appendix A: Specifications Normal Interface USB 2.0 Interface Standards IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b Button Wi-fi Protected Setup (WPS) Button (QSS Compatible) Operating System Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 Throughput 300Mbps (Maximal) 11b: 1/2/5.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Appendix B: Glossary 802.11b - The 802.11b standard specifies a wireless product networking at 11 Mbps using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and operating in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.4GHz, and WEP encryption for security. 802.11b networks are also referred to as Wi-Fi networks. 802.
TL-WN821N 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter Spread Spectrum - Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability, integrity, and security.
