ASRock WiFi-802.11n User Manual

ASRock WiFi-802.11n Module

Operation Guide

1

1. Introduction

ASRock WiFi-802.11n module is an easy-to-use wireless local area network (WLAN)
adapter to support WiFi+AP function. With ASRock WiFi-802.11n module, you can
easily create a wireless environment and enjoy the convenience of wireless network
connectivity. Therefore, from anywhere within the signal range, you will be able to
play LAN games, connect to the internet, access and share printers, and make Internet
phone calls easily. Please read this operation guide carefully before you start to set up
ASRock WiFi-802.11n module.

1.1 Specifications

Standard
Data Rate
Security
Network Architecture T ypes

Frequency Band
Operating Range

Number of Connected Devices
(AP Mode)
Antenna

LED

- IEEE 802.11n

- 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 135, 150Mbps

- AES, TKIP , WEP

- Access Point mode (AP mode)

- Station mode: Infrastructure mode and

Ad-Hoc mode

- 2.4GHz ISM radio band

- Indoor: 330ft (100m)

- Outdoor: 980ft (300m)
* The range varies in different

environments

- up to 16 stations

- ASRock WiFi-802.11n

omni-directional antenna

- Green data transmission (AIR) LED

Support OS

Compatibility

Software Support

- Windows® XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM /
VistaTM 64-bit

- Full compatible with IEEE 802.11n
standard products

- ASRock WiFi-802.11n Wizard

2

1.2 LED Indicators and Antenna Ports

ASRock W iFi-802.11n module has a green LED for transmission status mounted
onboard, and two antenna ports for connection to the external antennas.

Antenna Ports

LED

LED Status Indication

On Power on, transmit/receive/site survey
Off Power off, no wireless connection

1.3 Signal Range

The signal range of ASRock WiFi-802.11n module varies from the operating
environment. Obstacles such as walls and metal barriers could reflex and absorb ratio
signals. Devices like microwave ovens may also interfere with the wireless network
greatly.

Signal range:
Indoor 330ft (100m), outdoor 980ft (300m)

By default, ASRock WiFi-802.11n module should automatically adjust the data rate.
The closer the wireless stations are the better the signal and transmission speed they
will receive.

Note:

* To reach higher data rate, we advise users to adjust the channel bandwidth of Wireless AP to
40MHz instead of 20MHz. However, under the circumstances of a noisy environment, users
may adjust the setting back to 20MHz, which may get less interference.

3

2. Hardware & Software Installation

2.1 System Requirements

Before installing ASRock WiFi-802.11n module to your motherboard, please make
sure your system satisfies the following requirements.

1. ASRock motherboard with a USB/WiFi (yellow), WiFi (black) or WiFi/E (black)

header. (Please refer to ASRock motherboard manual for the location of
USB/WiFi, WiFi or W iFi/E header.)

USB/WiFi Header (2 x 6 Pin) WiFi Header (2 x 6 Pin) WiFi/E Header (2 x 8 Pin)

2. A minimum of 256MB system memory

3. Operating system: Windows® XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit

4. An optical drive / CD-ROM for driver and utility installation

2.2 Installing ASRock WiFi-802.11n Module and Antennas

After you make sure your system satisfies the requirements above, please follow
below steps for installing your ASRock WiFi-802.11n module. If the motherboard you
purchase is equipped with ASRock WiFi-802.11n module, which is screwed next to
the audio jack of the I/O panel, please skip step 2 to 6.

1. Shut off the PC before installing ASRock WiFi-802.11n module.

2. Move out your motherboard from the chassis.

3. Fasten the bracket to the proper position of the chassis with screws.

4. Plug ASRock WiFi-802.11n module with its connector-side to the USB/WiFi
(yellow), WiFi (black) or WiFi/E (black) header on the motherboard. (The location
of the USB/WiFi, WiFi or WiFi/E header may vary on motherboard models. Please
refer to your motherboard manual for the motherboard layout.)

Connector-side

USB/WiFi, WIFI or WIFI/E Header

5. Fasten ASRock WiFi-802.11n module to the motherboard with screws.

4

6. Place your motherboard to the chassis.

7. Connect the cable-end from the antennas to the antenna ports on ASRock
WiFi-802.11n module.

8. Place the antennas at an elevated location. A wide and open position will enhance

the operating range.

Note:

* You may connect two antennas to ASRock WiFi-802.11n module. However, please place

the two antennas apart for a distance of at least 50cm and put them on different elevation of
height to avoid interference of each others.

2.3. Driver and Utility Installation

After you finish the hardware installation, you need to install WiFi driver and utility
to your system. Please boot your system and follow below steps to install the WiFi
driver and utility.

1. Insert ASRock motherboard support CD to the optical drive.

2. The system will automatically display the driver menu. Click “ASRock
WiFi-802.11n Driver and Utility” and follow screen instructions to finish the driver
installation.

After above steps, the WiFi driver and utility are installed to your system
simultaneously.

Note:

®

* Microsoft
network in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928152/en-us

had released a hotfix to improve the connectivity and performance of wireless

®

Vista-based system. To download the hotfix, please go to:

®

* Microsoft
file in Windows

z http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932045/en-us to download the necessary hotfix when this

had also released three hotfix to improve the connectivity for transferring large

®

Vista-based system. Please go to:

5

situation happened: "The connection has been lost" – this error message may occur when you try
to copy a large file from one Windows

®

Vista-based computer to another Windows Vista-based

computer.

z http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932170/en-us

to download the necessary hotfix when this

situation happened: When you copy large files to or from earlier operating systems, the copy
operation may be slower than expected on some Windows

z http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931770/en-us

to download the necessary hotfix when this

®

Vista-ba sed computers.

situation happened: The copy process may stop responding when you try to copy files from a
server on a network to a Windows

®

Vista- based computer.

2.4 Utility Setup

After you have installed the driver and utility to your system, now you are ready to set
up the utility in your network. ASRock WiFi-802.11n module supports two kinds of
wireless network mode: Access Point Mode (AP Mode) and Station Mode. Please
refer to below introduction and select the most appropriate mode when setting it up.

A. Access Point Mode (AP Mode)

If you want to share the Internet access with the wireless stations in your
environment, such as PC, notebook and other devices, you can configure ASRock
WiFi-802.11n module in an access point mode (AP mode). In this mode, ASRock
WiFi-802.11n module becomes the wireless access point that provides local area
network and Internet access for your wireless stations. The AP Mode feature is ideal
for home/SOHO networks with several computers, a shared printer, and a shared
Internet connection.

Internet

ADSL or Cable
Modem (if any)

Station 1

Printer 1

ASRock MB With
WiFi-802.11n
Module

Station 4

Station 3

Station 2

6

B. Station Mode

If you do not plan to use AP function with ASRock WiFi-802.11n module, but just
want to use the wireless function to connect the access point (AP), or connect
with other stations in the wireless range instead, please set up ASRock WiFi-802.11n
module in station mode. There are two choices provided in station mode:
Infrastructure mode and Ad-hoc mode. Please read below introduction for the
differences of these two modes.

B-1. Infrastructure Mode

If you have a present access point (AP) in your wireless network environment for this
station to join, you can set up ASRock WiFi-802.11n module in Infrastructure mode.
In this mode, ASRock WiFi-802.11n module acts as a wireless adapter. In other words,
it is centered on an AP that provides Internet access and LAN communication for the
wireless stations, such as PC, notebook and other devices.

ADSL or Cable

Internet

Modem (if any)

Access Point

Station 2

ASRock MB With
WiFi-802.11n Module

Station 1

B-2. Ad-hoc Mode

If you don’t have a present access point in your wireless network environment, you
can set up ASRock WiFi-802.11n module in Ad-hoc mode. The wireless network
brings together workstations, PC, notebook and other devices for wireless
communication.

7

Station 2

ASRock MB With
WiFi-802.11n Module

Station 1

8

3. General Setup with ASRock WiFi-802.11n Wizard

If you want to easily set up ASRock WiFi-802.11n for general use, please use ASRock
WiFi-802.11n Wizard and follow below procedures according to the mode you
choose.
Here we take Windows® VistaTM for example in the following pictures. Since
the setup procedures are quite similar in different operating systems, please refer to
below procedures when setting up ASRock WiFi-802.11n wizard under other
operating systems.

3.1 Setting up the AP Mode

1. Move your mouse cursor to the icon on the Windows® taskbar and
right-click the icon.

2. Select Wizard to launch the WiFi setup wizard.

3. Select Create a wireless access point and click Next.

9

4. The system will automatically generate a SSID for the AP mode. You can rename
the SSID if you want.

5. Select a Network Security level for your AP mode. The configurable options are
None, WEP, WPA-Personal and WPA2-Personal. Select an appropriate level and
click Next.

10

Note:

®

* If your operating system is Windows

XP with Service Pack 2, it is required to install the

Microsoft hotfix in order to support WPA2-Personal function. Please go to this link to
download the necessary hotfix:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=662BB74D-E7C1-48D6-95EE-145923
4F4483&displaylang=en

6. If you select WEP, WPA-Personal or WPA2-Personal. You need to input a
password. Follow the wizard guidelines for key entry rules. Then click Next to
continue.

7. Select your Internet connection and click Next.

11