Belkin F5D8055A User Manual

N+ Wireless USB Adapter

User Manual

PM00730 F5D8055

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Con tent s

Introduction ...........................................1

Benefits of a Home Network 1
Advantages of a Wireless Network 1
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
Optimal Performance 2

Over view .............................................5

Product Features 5
Applications and Advantages 6
Product Specifications 6
System Requirements 7
Package Contents 7

Inst alling and Set ting up t he Ad apte r .....................8

A. Installation Process for Windows Vista 8
B . Installation Process for Windows Operating Systems other
than Windows Vista 17
C. Configuration 23

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 105SECTION

Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility .............24

Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from
the Windows System Tray 24
Network Status 24
Available Networks 25
Network Status and Solution Tips 25
Setting Wireless Network Profiles 26
Securing your Wi-Fi Network 26
Configuring your Adapter to use Security 30

5 Troubl eshooting .....................................39

6 Information ........................................ 46

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INTRODUCTION

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1

Thank you for purchasing the Belkin N+ Wireless USB Adapter. Now you can take advantage of this great new technology and
gain the freedom to network your home and of fice computers wirelessly. This Adapter allows you to connect a notebook computer
to your network. Please be sure to read through this User Manual completely, and pay special attention to the section entitled
“Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for Optimal Performance”.

Benefits of a Home Network

Your Belkin Home Network will allow you to

• Share one high-speed Internet connection
with all the computer s in your home

• Share resources, such as files and hard drives among
all the connected computer s in your home

• Share a single printer with the entire family

• Share documents, music, video, and digital pictures

• Store, retrieve, and copy files from one computer to another

• Simultaneously play games online, check Internet email, and chat

Advantages of a Wireless Network

• Mobility – you’ll no longer need a dedicated “computer
room”—now you can work on a networked laptop or
desktop computer anywhere within your wireless range

• Easyinstallation – The Belkin Setup Assistant
software makes setup simple

• Flexibility – set up and access printers, computers, and
other networking devices from any where in your home

• EasyExpansion – the wide range of Belkin networking
products lets you expand your network to include
devices such as printers and gaming consoles

• Nocablingrequired – you can spare the expense and hassle
of retrofitting Ethernet cabling throughout the home or office

• Widespreadindustryacceptance – choose from a
wide range of interoperable networking products

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INTRODUCTION

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1

Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for Optimal Performance

Your wireless connection will be stronger the closer your computer is
to your wireless router (or access point). Typical indoor operating range
for your wireless devices is between 100 and 200 feet. In the same
way, your wireless connection and per formance will degrade somewhat
as the distance bet ween your wireless router (or access point) and
connected devices increases. This may or may not be noticeable to
you. As you move farther from your wireless router (or access point),
connection speed may decrease. Factors that can weaken signals
simply by getting in the way of your network’s radio waves are metal
appliances or obstructions, and walls.

If you have concerns about your network’s performance that might be
related to range or obstruction factors, try moving the computer to a
position between five and 10 feet from the wireless router (or access
point) in order to see if distance is the problem. If difficulties persist
even at close range, please contact Belkin Technical Support.

Note: While some of the items listed below can af fect network
performance, they will not prohibit your wireless network from
functioning; if you are concerned that your network is not operating at
its ma ximum effec tiveness, this checklist may help

1. Placement of your Wireless Router (or Access Point)

Place your wireless router (or access point), the central conne ction point
of your network, as close as possible to the center of your wireless
network devices.

To achieve the best wireless net work coverage for your “wireless
clients,” (i.e., computers enabled by Belkin Adapters or Cards):

• Ensure that your wireless router’s (or access point’s)
antenna s are parallel to each other, and are positioned
vertically (toward the ceiling). If your wireless router (or
access point) itself is positioned ver tically, point the
antenna s as much as possible in an upward direction

• In multistory homes, place the wireless router (or
access point) on a floor that is as close to the center
of the home as possible. This may mean placing the
wireless router (or access point) on an upper floor.

• Try not to place the wireless router (or access
point) near a cordless 2.4GHz phone.

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2. Avoid Obstacles and Interference

Avoid placing your wireless router (or access point) near devices that
may emit radio “noise”, such as microwave ovens. Other objects that
can inhibit wireless communication can include:

• Refrigerators

• Washers and/or dryers

• Metal cabinets

• Large aquariums

• Metallic-based, UV-tinted windows

If your wireless signal seems weak in some spots, make sure that
objects such as these are not blocking the signal’s path between your
computers and wireless router (or access point).

1

3. Cordless Phone Placement

If the performance of your wireless network is impaired after attending
to the above issues, and you have a cordless phone:

• Try moving cordless phones away from the wireless router
(or access point) and your wireless-enabled computers.

• Unplug and remove the batter y from any cordless phone that
operates on the 2.4GHz band (check manufacturer’s information).
If this fixes the problem, your phone may be inter fering.

• If your phone suppor ts channel selection, change the channel
on the phone to the farthest channel from your wireless net work
as possible. For example, change the phone to channel 1 and
move your wireless router (or access point) to channel 11.
(Your channel selection will vary depending on your region.)
See your phone’s user manual for detailed instructions.

• If necessar y, consider switching to a 900MHz or 5GHz cordless
phone.

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4. Choose the “Quietest” Channel for your Wireless Network

In locations where homes or offices are close together, such as
apartment buildings or of fice complexes, there may be wireless
networks nearby that can conflict with yours. Use the Site Survey
capabilities of your Belkin Wireless Networking Utility to locate any other
wireless net works, and move your wireless router (or access point) and
computers to a channel as far away from other net works as possible

Experiment with more than one of the available channels in order to
find the clearest connection and avoid interference from neighboring
cordless phones or other wireless devices.

For more Belkin wireless networking products, use the detailed Site
Survey and wireless channel information included in your User Manual.

5. Secure Connections, VPNs, and AOL

Secure connections typically require a user name and password, and
are used where security is important. Secure connections include:

• Virtual Private Network ( VPN) connections, often
used to connect remotely to an office network

• The “Bring Your Own Access” program from America
Online (AOL), which lets you use AOL through broadband
provided by another cable or DSL service

• Most online banking websites

• Many commercial websites that require a user

name and password to access your account

1

Secure connections can be interrupted by a computer’s power
management setting, which causes it to “go to sleep.” The simplest
solution to avoid this is to simply reconnect by re -running the VPN or
AOL software, or by re-logging into the se cure website.

A second alternative is to change your computer’s power management
settings so it does not go to sleep; however, this may not be appropriate
for portable computers. To change your power management setting in
Windows, see the “Power Options” item in the Control Panel.

If you continue to have difficulty with Secure Connections, VPNs, and
AOL, please review steps 1–4 in the previous page s to be sure you have
addres sed these issues.

These guidelines should allow you to cover the maximum possible area
with your wireless router. Should you need to cover an even wider area,
we suggest the Belkin Wireless Range Extende r/Access Point.

For more information regarding our networking products, visit our
website at ww w.belkin.com/networking or call Belkin Technical Support.

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OVERVIEW

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SECTION

2

Product Features

The Adapter complies with the IEEE draft-802.11n specification to
communicate with other draf t-802.11n-compliant wireless devices at up
to 300Mbps*. The Adapter is also compatible with 802.11g devices at
54Mbps as well as 802.11b products at 11Mbps. The Adapter operates
on the same 2.4GHz frequency band as 802.11b/g Wi-Fi

• 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Science, and Medical) band operation

• Integrated easy-to-use Belkin Wireless Networking Utility

• USB 2.0 interface, for operation in virtually any computer with a

USB 2.0 bus-power port

• WPA, WPA2, 64-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), or 128-bit
encryption

• Wireless access to networked resources

• Data rate of up to 300Mbps* (draft 802.11n), 54Mbps (802.11g), or

11Mbps (802.11b)

• Easy installation and use

• LED power and network link/activity indicator

®

products.

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Applications and Advantages

• Wirelessroamingwithalaptoparoundthehomeor

office Offers the freedom of networking without cables

• Connectionra tesofupto300Mbp s*Provides immediate high­speed wirele ss connectivity at home, work, and hotspot locations
without compromising the use of existing 802.11b/g products

• Compatibilitywith802.11b/gproducts The Adapter is backwa rd­compatible with existing Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g) products

• Difficult-to-wireenvironments Enables networking
in buildings with solid or finished walls, or open
areas where wiring is difficult to install

• FrequentlychangingenvironmentsAdapts easily in offices or
environments that frequently rearrange or change locations

• SOHO(SmallOffice/HomeOffice) networking needs Provides
the easy and quick, small network installation SOHO users need

SECTION 2

Product Specifications

Host Interface: USB 2.0

Operating Temperature: 32–131 degrees F (0– 55 degrees C)

Storage Temperature: -4 –149 degrees F (-20–65 degrees C)

Humidit y: Ma x. 90% (non-condensing)

Typical Operating Range: Up to 1,200 ft.**

*NOTE: The standard transmission rate—300Mbps—is the physical data
rate. Actual data throughput will be lower.

**Wireless performance may vary depending on the networking
environment.

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SECTION 2

(b)

(a)

(c)

a) Power/Activit yLED

Lights when the Adapter is powered on and flashes when it is active.

(b) WPS/SecurityLED

Indicates security status and provides feedback during Wi-Fi

Protected Setup™ handshaking.

(c) WPS Push Button

Used for Wi-Fi Protected Setup handshaking with routers (on

Windows XP and 2000 systems with the Belkin utility only). This
button is nonfunctional when using the Windows utility, including
Windows Vista.

(d) USB Connector

Part of the Adapter that fits into your computer’s USB por t.

(e) Desktop Stand

Lets you move the Adapter away from interfering

objects around your computer.

SystemRequirements

• PC -compatiblelaptopwithoneavailableUSB2.0bus-powerport

• Windows

Package Contents

•N+WirelessUSBAdapter

•QuickInstallationGuide

•CDwithInstallationSoftwareandUserManual

•Desk topStand

®

2000, XP with SP2, or Vista®***

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INSTALLING AND SETTING UP THE ADAPTER

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3

A. Installation Process for Windows Vista

***NOTE:For information on updated drivers, please visit the Belkin
website at www.belkin.com/support

IMPORTANT: INSTALL THE SOFTWARE BEFORE INSERTING THE
ADAPTER.

A.1 Insert the Installation Soft ware CD into your CD-ROM drive.

A.2 Click “Next” to begin the installation process.

Note: If the Belkin Wireless Card Installer screen does not appear

within 20 seconds, access your CD -ROM by double-clicking on the
“My Computer” icon; then double-click on the CD-ROM drive into
which the installation CD has been placed. If the Installer does not start
automatically, double-click on the icon named “Setup.exe”.

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A.3 The InstallShield Wizard starts the installation process.

SECTION 3

A.4 Select a destination folder for the software installation by clicking

“Browse”; or, simply click “Next” to select a default location.

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A.5 A Setup Status screen will let you know

where you are in the setup process.

SECTION 3

A.6 A window may appear a second time showing the message,

“Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software”.
This DOES NOT indicate a problem. Our software has been
fully te sted and is compatible with this operating system.

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your Adapter. Your installation is now complete.

SECTION 3

A.8 When the installation completes, click on “Finish”. A.7 When prompted, turn off your computer and plug in

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A.9 The Found New Hardware Wiz ard might appear within 3 –15

seconds. If it does, continue to follow the prompts. Select
“Locate and install the driver sof tware” to continue.

SECTION 3

A.10 You might see a screen similar to the one pictured below. This

Next, a screen appears indicating
that hardware installation is taking
place; then, another indicate s that
the process is complete.

DOES NOT mean there is a problem. Our sof tware has be en fully
tested and is compatible with this operating system. Select “Install
this driver software anyway” and follow the on-screen instructions.

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INSTALLING AND SETTING UP THE ADAPTER

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by first opening the Control Panel from the “Start” menu.

SECTION 3

A.12 In the Control Panel, click on “View network status and tasks”.A.11 To connect to the Internet, open the Network and Sharing Center

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A.13 In the Net work and Sharing Center, click

on “Connect to a network”.

SECTION 3

A.14 In the next screen, select an available wireless

network and click “Connect”.

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