Cisco Systems WUSB54G User Manual

USER GUIDE

Wireless-G USB

Network Adapter

Model: WUSB54G

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 is a registered trademark or
trademark 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-G USB Network Adapter

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Product Overview 1

LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chapter 2: Wireless Security Checklist 2

General Network Security Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Additional Security Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chapter 3: Conguration 3

Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Using the Wireless Network Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Link Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Site Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Proles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 16

Appendix B: Specications 17

Appendix C: Warranty Information 18

Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Appendix D: Regulatory Information 20

FCC Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Safety Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Industry Canada Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Règlement d’Industry Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Wireless Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Avis de non-responsabilité concernant les appareils sans l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

User Information for Consumer Products Covered by EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste

Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Appendix E: Software License Agreement 26

Software in Linksys Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Software Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Product Overview

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G USB Network
Adapter. Setting up your network and your Wireless-G
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, whether it’s using the Wireless-G
(802.11g) or Wireless-B (802.11b) standard.

LEDs

Product Overview

Power (Green) The Power LED lights up when

the Adapter is powered on.

Link (Green) The Link LED lights up when the

Adapter has an active connection.

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

1

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-G USB Network Adapter

WEB: For more information on wireless

security, visit www.linksys.com/security

2

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

Status This shows the status of the wireless network

connection..

SSID This is the unique name (SSID) of the wireless

network.

Wireless Mode This is the mode of the wireless network

currently in use.

Transfer Rate The data transfer rate of the current

connection is shown here.

Channel This is 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.

DNS This is the DNS address of the Adapter.

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

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Chapter 3

Configuration

DHCP Client This displays the Adapter’s status as a DHCP

client.

MAC Address This is the MAC address of the wireless

network’s access point or wireless router.

Cisco AP IP This displays the Cisco AP IP Address when

LEAP wireless security is used.

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.

Bytes Transmitted This shows the bytes transmitted by

the Adapter, in real time, since connecting to the wireless
network or since the Refresh Statistics button was last
pressed.

Driver Version This shows the Adapter’s driver version.

Noise Level This shows the level of background noise

that affects the wireless signal. A lower reading translates
into a higher quality signal.

Signal Strength This is the intensity of the wireless signal

that the Adapter receives.

Transmit Power This is the power output at which the

Adapter is transmitting.

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.

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 received by the

Adapter, in real time, since connecting to the wireless
network or since the Refresh Statistics button was last
pressed.

SecureEasySetup

While using the Monitor, you might see the
SecureEasySetup button on the right-hand side of the
screen. This button can be used to set up the Adapter, if
this has not already been done. With SecureEasySetup,
setting up the Adapter is as simple as pushing a couple
of buttons. Before you press any buttons, though, you
should locate the SecureEasySetup button on the device
you’re connecting the Adapter to, such as a wireless router
or access point.

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

4

Chapter 3

Locate the Button

After clicking the SecureEasySetup button, you will be
asked to locate the SecureEasySetup button or Cisco
logo button on the device with which the Adapter will
be communicating. If you are not sure where to find this
button, click Where can I find the button?

Where can I find the Button?

This will walk you through a couple of screens to help you
find the button, which is usually located on the front of
the wireless router or access point.

Configuration

SecureEasySetup

Congratulations! SecureEasySetup is complete.

Site Survey

The Site Survey screen displays a list of available networks
in the table on the left. The table shows each network’s
SSID, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the
Adapter is receiving. You may click SSID, CH (Channel), or
Signal, to sort by that field.

If you’ve clicked the button by accident or do not wish to
use SecureEasySetup, you can click Back to return to the
previous screen.

Press the Cisco logo or SecureEasySetup button on
the wireless router or access point. When it turns white
and begins to flash, click the Next button on the Setup
Wizard screen. The logo or button will stop flashing on the
wireless router or access point when the Adapter has been
successfully added to the network. Repeat this procedure
for any additional SecureEasySetup device.

NOTE: You can only add one SecureEasySetup

device at a time.

SecureEasySetup is now complete and a configuration
profile will has been created automatically. You may save
your configuration profile to a text file by clicking the

Save button, or print the configuration by clicking the
Print button. Click Connect to Network to connect to

your network.

Site Survey

SSID 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-G USB Network Adapter

SSID This is the SSID or unique name of the Wireless

Network.

5

Chapter 3

Wireless Mode This is the mode of the wireless network

currently in use.

Channel This is the channel to which the wireless network

devices are set.

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

PSK2

If the network has PSK2 wireless security enabled, then you
will see the PSK2 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.

PSK2 Security

WPA Personal

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 Passphrase in the Passphrase field. Then click

Connect. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.

Wireless-G 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.

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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.

SSID 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.

Channel This is the channel to which the wireless network

devices are set.

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.

SecureEasySetup This Adapter features SecureEasySetup.

This means that you can set it up with just the press of
a button when connecting to wireless routers or access
points that also feature SecureEasySetup. Both points
on the network must feature SecureEasySetup for this to
work.

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.

Manual Setup If your network is not listed on this screen,

select Manual 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.

SecureEasySetup

While using the Monitor, you might see the
SecureEasySetup button on the right-hand side of the
screen. This button can be used to set up the Adapter, if
this has not already been done. With SecureEasySetup,
setting up the Adapter is as simple as pushing a couple
of buttons. Before you press any buttons, though, you
should locate the SecureEasySetup button on the device
you’re connecting the Adapter to, such as a wireless router
or access point.

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

7

Chapter 3

Locate the Button

After clicking the SecureEasySetup button, you will be
asked to locate the SecureEasySetup button or Cisco
logo button on the device with which the Adapter will
be communicating. If you are not sure where to find this
button, click Where can I find the button?

Configuration

SecureEasySetup is now complete and a configuration
profile will has been created automatically. You may save
your configuration profile to a text file by clicking the

Save button, or print the configuration by clicking the
Print button. Click Connect to Network to connect to

your network.

SecureEasySetup

Where can I find the Button?

This will walk you through a couple of screens to help you
find the button, which is usually located on the front of
the wireless router or access point.

If you’ve clicked the button by accident or do not wish to
use SecureEasySetup, you can click Back to return to the
previous screen.

Press the Cisco logo or SecureEasySetup button on
the wireless router or access point. When it turns white
and begins to flash, click the Next button on the Setup
Wizard screen. The logo or button will stop flashing on the
wireless router or access point when the Adapter has been
successfully added to the network. Repeat this procedure
for any additional SecureEasySetup device.

Congratulations! SecureEasySetup is complete.

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.

NOTE: You can only add one SecureEasySetup

device at a time.

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

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Chapter 3

Configuration

Available Wireless Network

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.)

WPA Personal

Encryption Select the type of algorithm you want to use,

TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

Passphrase Enter a Passphrase of 8-63 characters in the

Passphrase field.

Click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous
screen.

PSK2 Needed For Connection

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.

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

WPA Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and
AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for
encryption. Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters
in length.

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter

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.

9