Alpha Networks 11g Users Manual

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802.11g USB Adapter

Manual

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Contents

Contents.............................................................................................2

Package Contents..............................................................................3

Introduction ........................................................................................4

Product Features................................................................................5

LEDs ..................................................................................................6

Wireless Basics..................................................................................7

Getting Started .................................................................................10

First Time Setup...............................................................................18

Before You Begin .............................................................................18

Software Installation .........................................................................19

Installing the WLAN Adapter Utility...................................................23

Uninstalling.......................................................................................26

Connecting to a Network ..................................................................31

Using the Configuration Utility for Windows XP................................38

Troubleshooting................................................................................43

Technical Specifications...................................................................49

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Package Contents

Contents of Package:

• 802.11g USB Adapter USB Wireless

• USB Extension Cable

• Manual and Drivers on CD

• Hardware Installation Guide (printed)

If any of the above items is missing, please contact your reseller.

System Requirements:

• A computer with an available USB slot

• Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows 98 SE

• At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor or higher

• An 802.11g Access Point for Infrastructure Mode or another

802.11g wireless adapter for Ad-Hoc mode.

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Introduction

The Wireless USB Stick Adapter is an advanced IEEE 802.11g compatible,
high-performance wireless adapter that supports data transfer speeds of up
to 54 Mbps. Amazingly compact, the 802.11g USB Adapter is literally small
enough to fit in your pocket.
USB technology makes installation and configuration quick and easy. The

802.11g USB Adapter is an ideal way to connect your laptop computer to a
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN.)
After completing the steps outlined in the Quick Installation Guide (included
in your package) you will have the ability to share information and resources,
such as files and printers, and take full advantage of a “connected”
environment for work or play. Please take a look at our Getting Started
section in this manual. You will see several options for setting up a network
using the 802.11g US B Ad apter.
The 802.11g USB Adapter comes with software drivers for the most popular
Microsoft Windows operating systems and can be integrated into a larger
network, running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows
98SE, in either Ad Hoc mode (without an Access Point) or Infrastructure
mode (with an Access Point.)
This manual provides a quick introduction to wireless technology and its
application as it relates to networking. Take a moment to read through this
manual and see how wireless technology can help you do things better and
more easily.

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Product Features

• Adheres to 802.11g standard in providing high data wireless transfer
rates of up to 54 Mbps.

• Operation in the 2.4GHz Unlicensed National Information
Infrastructure (U-NII) frequency band

• Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) – a new
technique for transmitting high speed data over a radio wave.

• Dynamic date rate scaling at 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps for
IEEE 802.11g

• Maximum reliability, throughput and connectivity with automatic data
rate switching.

• Supports Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption at
64/128/152-bit encryption with dynamic key exchange for security.

• Supports infrastructure networks via Access Point and ad-hoc
networks via peer-to-peer communication.

• Requires an available USB slot.

• User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.

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LEDs

LED stands for light-emitting diode.
The 802.11g USB Adapter has two LEDs: Activity and Link

Network Mode LED Activity

LEDA on the left side
of PCB---LINK
Off: All other states
Blink - Radio On and
Scanning
LEDB on the right side
of PCB---ACTIVITY
Off: Radio Transmit
Disabled All other states
On(Flash): TX/RX Data

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Wireless Basics

The 802.11g USB Adapter is based on industry standards to provide easyto­use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home or
business. Strictly adhering to IEEE 802.11g, the 802.11g USB Adapter will
allow you to access the data you want, when and where you want it. No
longer will you be limited to one location or forced to run new wiring through
your home or office. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless
networking delivers.
A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits and
receives data with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless LANs are used
increasingly in both home and office environments. Innovative ways to utilize
WLAN technology are helping people to work and communicate more
efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed
infrastructure has proven to be beneficial for many users.
Wireless users can use the same network applications they use on an
Ethernet LAN. Wireless adapters used on laptop and desktop systems,
support the same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards. For most users, there
is no noticeable functional difference between a wired Ethernet desktop
computer and a computer equipped with a wireless adapter - other than the
added benefit of the ability to roam within the wireless cell. Under many
circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices to link to a
conventional Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an Internet
connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Access Point (AP) is
a device used to provide this link.
People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes.
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Ad-hoc management
decisions based on real-time information can significantly improve worker
efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change, both physically and logically,
can benefit from WLANs’ ease of implementation. WLANs can operate in
locations where installation of wiring may be impractical. Furthermore, IEEE

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standardization mandates interoperability of all WLAN devices that conform
to the 802.11g set of standards.
Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can
be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and
ceilings.
Installa tion Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where
wires cannot go.
Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for
wireless LAN hardware might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware,
overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs will be significantly lower.
Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring
frequent moves, adds, and changes.
Scalability - Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of
topologies to meet the needs of specific applications and installations.
Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer networks
suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of
thousands of users that allow roaming over a broad area.

Standards - Based Technology

The IEEE 802.11g standard designates that devices operate at an optimal
data rate of 54 Megabits per second. This means you will be able to transfer
large files quickly or even watch a movie in MPEG format over your network
without noticeable delays. This technology works by transmitting high-speed
digital data over a radio wave utilizing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing) technology. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal
into multiple smaller sub-signals that are then transmitted simultaneously at
different frequencies to the receiver. OFDM reduces the amount of crosstalk
(interference) in signal transmissions. The 802.11g USB Adapter will
automatically sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the
greatest speed and range possible with the technology.

Installation Considerations

Designed to go up to 900 feet (~300 meters), 802.11g USB Adapter lets you
access your network with your laptop computer from virtually anywhere you

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want. Keep in mind, however, that the number and thickness of walls,
ceilings or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through may
limit range. Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and
background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to
maximizing range is to follow these basic principles:

1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the Access Point and
your receiving device to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce
your 802.11g USB Adapter’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) For
some businesses or for a large residential home deployment, it may be
beneficial to have more than one access point with overlapping coverage.

2. Be aware of the direct line between Access Points and computers with
wireless adapters - a wall that is 1.5 feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree
angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it
looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Try to make sure that the Access
Points and adapters are positioned so that the signal will travel straight
through a wall or ceiling for better reception.

3. Building materials make a difference - a solid metal door or aluminum
studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position Access Points,
and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through
drywall or open doorways and not other materials.

5. Keep the 802.11g USB Adapter away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters)
from electrical devices or appliances that generate extreme RF noise.
For the average residence, range should not be a problem. If you experience
low or no signal strength in areas of your home that you wish to access,
consider positioning the Access Point in a location directly between the
computers with wireless adapters that will be connected. Additional Access
Points can be connected to provide better coverage in rooms where the
signal does not register as strongly as desired.

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Getting Started

To begin, select the type of wireless network you will be building.
We will discuss the following types of networks in this section:

1. A Home Internet Network with A Residential Gateway/Router

2. A Home Internet Network with Multiple IP Addresses

3. An Ad Hoc Network

4. An Ad Hoc Network with Internet Sharing

Please select, from the four types of networks described above, the type of
network that is appropriate for your needs. Please follow the instructions in
the corresponding section that follows.

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1. A Home Internet Network with A Residential Gateway/Router

(Network administrators with Dynamic IPs can also follow these instructions.)
If you have two or more computers (laptops or desktops) and want to share
files, printers, and Internet access using a DHCP-capable Residential
Gateway/Router – or - if you want to connect to an Ethernet network that
uses Dynamic (DHCP) IP addresses, then follow the instructions on the next
page.

Requirements: A Residential Gateway/Router connected with an Ethernet
(CAT5) cable to an 802.11g Access Point.

This type of installation requires that you provide a dynamic IP address for
each computer on your network. You will need a DHCP-capable Residential
Gateway/Router for your network.

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To complete the installation, please follow these steps:

1. Connect the Router/Gateway to a Broadband connection (e.g., a
Cable modem or a DSL modem.)

2. Connect the 802.11g Access Point to the router.

3. Install the 802.11g USB Adapter into a laptop or desktop computer
on your wireless network

4. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is
installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in
this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for the
Wireless Adapter.

5. By default, the wireless adapter is set to obtain a Dynamic IP
Address. If you are having difficulty connecting, check to make sure

that the IP Address of the wireless adapter is within the IP address
range of your network. Please refer to the Networking Basi cs
section in this manual entitled: Checking the IP Address.

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2. A Home Internet Network with Multiple IP Addresses

(Network administrators with Static IPs can also follow these instructions.)

If you have two or more computers (laptops or desktops) and want to share
files, printers, and Internet access using multiple IP addresses that you have
purchased from your Internet Service Provider -or- you want to connect to
an Ethernet network that uses Static IP Addresses, then follow the
instructions on the next page. When you have completed your network, it
should look similar to this:

Please note that this type of installation requires that your ISP (Internet
Service Provider) provides you a static IP address for each computer and
the Access Point on your network. Please refer to the manual that came
with your Access Point to determine its configuration.
Please follow these steps to complete the installation:

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1. Connect the Wireless Access Point to a Broadband connection (i.e.,
a Cable modem or a DSL modem.)

2. Install the 802.11g USB Adapte r in the computer(s) on your wireless
network

3. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is
installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in
this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for the
Wireless Adapter.

4. Set the Static IP Address of the wireless adapters if Multiple Dynamic
IP are not used.

Note: The IP Address for all computers must be in the same IP Address
range, and the Subnet Mask must be the same for all the computers on the
network. For example: If the first computer is assigned an IP Address of

192.168.0.2 with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second
computer can be assigned an IP Address of 192.168.0.3 with a Subnet Mask
of 255.255.255.0, etc.
If you are using a PPPoE client (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet),
please contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) for further instructions
regarding connecting to the Internet.

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3. An Ad Hoc Network

If you have two or more computers (desktops or laptops) and want to share
files and printers, but no Internet connection, please complete the following
instructions. When your Ad Hoc network is complete it may look similar to
this:

(Requirements: Wireless network adapters for all computers in the ad-hoc network.)

To complete this installation, please follow these steps:

1. Install the 802.11g USB Adapter into your computers.

2. Set the Static IP Address of the wireless adapters.

Note: The IP Address for all computers must be in the same IP Address range, and
the Subnet Mask must be the same for all computers on your network. For example:
If the first computer is assigned an IP Address of 192.168.0.2 with a Subnet Mask of

255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be assigned an IP Address of

192.168.0.3 with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, etc.

3. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is
installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in
this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for the
Wireless Adapter.

4. Check the Wireless Configuration for each wireless adapter. Please
refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled:
Checking the Wireless Configuration.

5. Learn to share printers and files. Please refer to the Networking
Basics section in this manual entitled: Adding and Sharing Printers in
Windows XP.