Cisco Systems WUSB300N User Manual
USER GUIDE
Wireless-N USB
Network Adapter
Model: WUSB300N
About This Guide
Icon Descriptions
While reading through the User Guide you may see
various icons that call attention to specific items. Below is
a description of these icons:
NOTE: This check mark indicates that there is
a note of interest and is something that you
should pay special attention to while using the
product.
WARNING: This exclamation point indicates
that there is a caution or warning and it is
something that could damage your property or
product.
About This Guide
WEB: This globe icon indicates a noteworthy
website address or e-mail address.
Online Resources
Website addresses in this document are listed without
http:// in front of the address because most current web
browsers do not require it. If you use an older web browser,
you may have to add http:// in front of the web address.
Resource Website
Linksys www.linksys.com
Linksys International www.linksys.com/international
Glossary www.linksys.com/glossary
Network Security www.linksys.com/security
Copyright and Trademarks
Linksys, Cisco and the Cisco Logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of
Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates
in the U.S. and certain other countries.
Copyright © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product
names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Product Overview 4
Front Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
USB Extension Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 2: Wireless Security Checklist 5
General Network Security Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Additional Security Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 3: Conguration 6
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using the Wireless Network Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Link Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 17
Appendix B: Specications 18
Appendix C: Warranty Information 19
Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Appendix D: Regulatory Information 21
FCC Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Safety Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Industry Canada Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Règlement d’Industry Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Wireless Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Avis de non-responsabilité concernant les appareils sans l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
User Information for Consumer Products Covered by EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste
Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Appendix E: Software License Agreement 27
Software in Linksys Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Software Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Table of Contents
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Chapter 1
Product Overview
Chapter 1: Product Overview
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-N USB Network
Adapter. Setting up your network and your Wireless-N
USB Network Adapter is easier than ever.
How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products,
the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within
your wireless network, especially with the Wireless-N
(802.11n) standard. Expect excellent range and mobility
with the Wireless-G (802.11g) or Wireless-B (802.11b)
standard as well.
Front Panel
USB Extension Base
Power (Green) The Power LED lights up and
will stay on while the Adapter is powered on.
Link/Act (Green) The Link/Act LED lights up
when the Adapter has an active connection.
A USB Extension Base is provided for easy access to the
USB port. The USB Extension Base is connected to the
USB port in your PC, then the Adapter is connected to the
Base.
NOTE: Do not restore the factory defaults unless
you are having difficulties with the Adapter
and have exhausted all other troubleshooting
measures. Once the Adapter is reset, you will
have to re-enter all of your configuration
settings.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
4
Chapter 2
Wireless Security Checklist
Chapter 2: Wireless Security Checklist
Wireless networks are convenient and easy to install, so
homes with high-speed Internet access are adopting them
at a rapid pace. Because wireless networking operates by
sending information over radio waves, it can be more
vulnerable to intruders than a traditional wired network.
Like signals from your cellular or cordless phones, signals
from your wireless network can also be intercepted. Since
you cannot physically prevent someone from connecting
to your wireless network, you need to take some additional
steps to keep your network secure.
1. Change the default wireless
network name or SSID
Wireless devices have a default wireless network name
or Service Set Identifier (SSID) set by the factory. This
is the name of your wireless network, and can be up
to 32 characters in length. Linksys wireless products
use linksys as the default wireless network name. You
should change the wireless network name to something
unique to distinguish your wireless network from other
wireless networks that may exist around you, but do not
use personal information (such as your Social Security
number) because this information may be available for
anyone to see when browsing for wireless networks.
2. Change the default password
For wireless products such as access points, routers, and
gateways, you will be asked for a password when you
want to change their settings. These devices have a default
password set by the factory. The Linksys default password
is admin. Hackers know these defaults and may try to
use them to access your wireless device and change your
network settings. To thwart any unauthorized changes,
customize the device’s password so it will be hard to
guess.
4. Enable encryption
Encryption protects data transmitted over a wireless
network. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) and Wired
Equivalency Privacy (WEP) offer different levels of security
for wireless communication.
A network encrypted with WPA/WPA2 is more secure
than a network encrypted with WEP, because WPA/WPA2
uses dynamic key encryption. To protect the information
as it passes over the airwaves, you should enable the
highest level of encryption supported by your network
equipment.
WEP is an older encryption standard and may be the
only option available on some older devices that do not
support WPA.
General Network Security Guidelines
Wireless network security is useless if the underlying
network is not secure.
Password protect all computers on the network and •
individually password protect sensitive files.
Change passwords on a regular basis. •
Install anti-virus software and personal firewall •
software.
Disable file sharing (peer-to-peer). Some applications •
may open file sharing without your consent and/or
knowledge.
Additional Security Tips
Keep wireless routers, access points, or gateways away •
from exterior walls and windows.
Turn wireless routers, access points, or gateways •
off when they are not being used (at night, during
vacations).
Use strong passphrases that are at least eight characters •
in length. Combine letters and numbers to avoid using
standard words that can be found in the dictionary.
3. Enable MAC address filtering
Linksys routers and gateways give you the ability to
enable Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering. The
MAC address is a unique series of numbers and letters
assigned to every networking device. With MAC address
filtering enabled, wireless network access is provided
solely for wireless devices with specific MAC addresses.
For example, you can specify the MAC address of each
computer in your home so that only those computers can
access your wireless network.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
WEB: For more information on wireless
security, visit www.linksys.com/security
5
Chapter 3
Configuration
Chapter 3: Configuration
Configuration is done through the Wireless Network
Monitor (the Monitor). You can use the Monitor to check the
link information, search for available wireless networks, or
create profiles that hold different configuration settings.
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor
After installing the Adapter, the Wireless Network Monitor
icon appears in the system tray of your computer. If the
Wireless Network Monitor is enabled, the icon is green. If
the Wireless Network Monitor is disabled or the Adapter is
not connected, the icon is gray.
Using the Wireless Network Monitor
The opening screen of the Wireless Network Monitor is
the Link Information screen. From this screen, you can
find out how strong the current wireless signal is and how
good the connection’s quality is. You can also click More
Information to view additional status information about
the current wireless connection. To search for available
wireless networks, click the Connect tab. To perform
configuration changes or create connection profiles, click
the Profiles tab.
Ad-Hoc Mode or Infrastructure Mode The screen
indicates whether the Adapter is currently working in
ad-hoc or infrastructure mode.
Signal Strength The Signal Strength bar indicates signal
strength.
Link Quality The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of
the wireless network connection.
Click More Information to view additional information
about the wireless network connection on the Wireless
Network Status screen.
Wireless Network Status
The Wireless Network Status screen provides information
on your current network settings.
Wireless Network Status
Link Information
The Link Information screen displays network mode, signal
strength, and link quality information about the current
connection. It also provides a More Information button
to click for additional status information.
Link Information
Radio Band This shows the radio band used on the
network.
Wireless Network Name This is the unique name (SSID)
of the wireless network.
Wireless Mode This is the mode of the wireless network
currently in use.
Wide Channel This displays the Wireless-N primary
channel used with a 40 MHz radio band network.
Standard Channel This displays the channel used by
your wireless network.
Security This is the status of the wireless security
feature.
Authentication This is your wireless network’s
authentication method.
IP Address This is the IP Address of the Adapter.
Subnet Mask This is the Adapter’s Subnet Mask.
Default Gateway This is the Default Gateway address.
DNS1 This is the DNS address of the Adapter.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Chapter 3
Configuration
MAC Address This is the MAC address of the wireless
network’s access point or wireless router.
Signal Strength The Signal Strength bar indicates the
signal strength.
Link Quality The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of
the wireless network connection.
Click Statistics to go to the Wireless Network Statistics
screen. Click Back to return to the initial Link Information
screen. Click Save to Profile to save the currently active
connection settings to a profile.
Wireless Network Statistics
The Wireless Network Statistics screen provides statistics
on your current network settings.
Transmit Power This is the power output at which the
Adapter transmits.
Up Time This indicates the length of the most recent
connection to a wireless network.
Total Up Time This indicates the cumulative total of the
Adapter’s connection time.
Signal Strength The Signal Strength bar indicates the
signal strength.
Link Quality The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of
the wireless network connection.
Click Back to return to the initial Link Information
screen. Click Status to go to the Wireless Network Status
screen. Click Save to Profile to save the currently active
connection settings to a profile. Click Refresh to reset the
statistics.
Connect
The Connect screen displays a list of available networks
in the table on the left. The table shows each network’s
wireless network name, channel, and the quality of
the wireless signal the Adapter receives. You may click
Wireless Network Name, CH (Channel), or Signal, to sort
by that field.
Wireless Network Statistics
Transmit Rate This is the data transfer rate of the current
connection. (In Auto mode, the Adapter dynamically shifts
to the fastest data transfer rate at any given time.)
Receive Rate This is the rate that the Adapter receives
data.
Packets Received This shows the packets that the
Adapter receives, in real time, after connecting to the
wireless network or after clicking Refresh.
Packets Transmitted This shows the packets that the
Adapter transmits, in real time, after connecting to the
wireless network or after clicking Refresh.
Bytes Received This shows the bytes that the Adapter
receives, in real time, after connecting to the wireless
network or after clicking Refresh.
Bytes Transmitted This shows the bytes that the Adapter
transmits, in real time, after connecting to the wireless
network or after clicking Refresh.
Driver Version This shows the Adapter’s driver version.
Signal Strength This is the intensity of the wireless signal
that the Adapter receives.
Connect
Wireless Network Name The SSID or unique name of
the wireless network is displayed here.
CH This is the channel that the network uses.
Signal This is the percentage of signal strength, from 0
to 100%.
Site Information
For each network selected, the following settings are
listed:
Wireless Mode This is the SSID or unique name of the
Wireless Network.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Chapter 3
Network Type This is the network type used by your
wireless network.
Radio Band This is the radio band used by your wireless
network.
Security This is the status of the wireless security
feature.
MAC Address This is the MAC address of the wireless
network’s access point.
Refresh Click Refresh to perform a new search for
wireless devices.
Connect To connect to one of the networks on the list,
select the wireless network, and click Connect. If the
network’s wireless security is enabled, then one of these
wireless security screens appears:
Configuration
WPA-Personal Security
WEP
If the network has WEP encryption enabled, then you
see the WEP Key Needed for Connection screen. Select the
appropriate level of WEP encryption, 64-Bit or 128-Bit.
Then enter the network’s Passphrase or WEP Key. Click
Connect. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
WEP Security
WPA2 Personal
If the network has WPA2 Personal wireless security enabled,
then you will see the WPA2 Personal Needed for Connection
screen. Enter the network’s Passphrase or pre-shared key
in the Passphrase field. To connect to the network, click
Connect. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
WPA2 Personal Security
WPA
If the network has the WPA Personal security enabled,
then you see the WPA Personal Needed for Connection
screen. Select the appropriate encryption type, TKIP or
AES. Enter the network’s Pre-shared Key in the Pre-shared
Key field. Then click Connect. To cancel the connection,
click Cancel.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
Profiles
The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration
profiles for different network setups. The table on the left
displays a list of available profiles with their profile names
and wireless network names.
8
Chapter 3
Profiles
Profile This is the name of the profile.
Configuration
Create a New Profile
The next screen is the Available Wireless Networks screen.
Wireless Network Name This is the SSID or unique name
of the wireless network.
Profile Information
For each profile selected, the following are listed:
Wireless Mode This is the mode of the wireless network
currently in use.
Wide Channel This displays the Wireless-N primary
channel used with a 40 MHz radio band network.
Standard Channel This displays the channel used by
your wireless network.
Security This is the status of the wireless security.
Authentication This is the authentication setting for the
network.
Connect To connect to a wireless network using a specific
profile, select the profile, and click Connect.
New Click New to create a new profile. See the next
section, “Creating a New Profile,” for instructions.
Edit Select the profile you want to change and click Edit.
Import Click Import to import a profile that is saved in
another location. Select the appropriate file, and click
Open.
Export Select the profile you want to save in a different
location, and click Export. Direct Windows to the
appropriate folder, and click Save.
Delete Select the profile you want to delete and click
Delete.
NOTE: If you want to export more than one
profile, you must export them one at a time.
Available Wireless Networks
This screen provides two options for setting up the
Adapter.
Available Wireless Networks (For most users.) Use this
option if you already have a network set up. The networks
available to this Adapter are listed on this screen. You
can choose one of these networks and click Connect
to connect to it. Click Refresh to update the Available
Wireless Networks list.
Advanced Setup If your network is not listed on this
screen, select Advanced Setup to set up the adapter
manually. This method of setting up the Adapter is
intended for Advanced Users only.
The setup for each option is described, step by step, under
the appropriate heading on the following pages.
Click Exit to close the Setup Wizard and set up the Adapter
later.
Available Wireless Networks
The available networks are listed in the table on the
center of the screen by Wireless Network Name. Select
the wireless network you wish to connect to and click
Connect. (If you do not see your network listed, you can
click Refresh to bring the list up again.) If the network
utilizes wireless security, you will need to configure
security on the Adapter. If not, you will be taken directly to
the Congratulations screen.
If you have wireless security enabled on your network, 1.
continue to step 2. If you don’t have wireless security
enabled, continue to step 3.
If your network has WEP, WPA, or WPA2 wireless security 2.
enabled, then that security screen appears. Continue
to the screen for your wireless security.
3.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Chapter 3
Configuration
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
If you have WEP enabled, this screen appears. Select 64-Bit
or 128-Bit. Then enter a passphrase or WEP key.
WEP Security
Passphrase Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field,
so a WEP key is automatically generated. The passphrase
is case sensitive and must be 31 or fewer alphanumeric
characters. It must match the passphrase of your other
wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys
wireless products only. (For non-Linksys wireless products,
enter the WEP key manually.)
WEP Key The WEP key must match the WEP key of your
wireless network. For 64-Bit encryption, enter exactly 10
hexadecimal characters (“0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.) For 128-Bit
encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters.
Click Connect and proceed to Step 3.
WPA Personal (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
If your network has WPA Personal enabled, this screen
appears.
Pre-shared Key Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters
in the Pre-shared Key field.
Click Connect and proceed to Step 3.
WPA2 Personal
If the network has WPA2-Personal wireless security
enabled, then you will see the WPA2-Personal Needed
for Connection screen. Enter the network’s Passphrase or
pre-shared key in the Passphrase field. To connect to the
network, click Connect. To cancel the connection, click
Cancel.
WPA2 Personal Security
Passphrase Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared
key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field. The longer
and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure
your network will be.
Click Connect and proceed to Step 3.
After the profile installs, the 3. Congratulations screen
appears. Click Connect to Network to implement
the new settings immediately and return to the Link
Information screen. Click Return to Profiles Screen
to keep the current settings active and return to the
Profiles screen.
WPA Personal Security
Encryption Select the type of algorithm you want to use,
TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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Chapter 3
Configuration
Network Settings
Congratulations
Congratulations! The profile is successfully configured.
Advanced Setup
If your network is not listed with the available networks,
you can use Advanced Setup.
Available Wireless Networks
Click 1. Advanced Setup on the Available Wireless
Networks screen to set up the adapter manually.
The 2. Network Settings screen appears.
If your network has a router or other DHCP server, select
Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).
If your network does not have a DHCP server or router,
select Specify network settings. Enter an IP Address,
Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS addresses
appropriate for your network. You must specify the
IP Address and Subnet Mask on this screen. If you are
unsure about the Default Gateway and DNS addresses,
leave these fields empty.
IP Address This IP Address must be unique to your
network.
Subnet Mask The Adapter’s Subnet Mask must be the
same as your wired network’s Subnet Mask.
Default Gateway Enter the IP address of your network’s
Gateway here.
DNS 1 and DNS 2 Enter the DNS address of your wired
Ethernet network here.
Click Next to continue, or click the Back button to
return to the previous screen.
The 3. Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two
wireless modes. Select Infrastructure Mode if you
want to connect to a wireless router or access point.
Select Ad-Hoc Mode if you want to connect to another
wireless device directly without using a wireless router
or access point. Enter the Wireless Network Name for
your network.
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
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