D-Link DWL-G120 User Manual

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D-Link AirPlusTM G

DWL-G120

802.11g (2.4GHz)

Wireless USB Adapter

Manual

Building Networks for People

Contents

Package Contents ................................................................................

3

Introduction............................................................................................

4

Wireless Basics ....................................................................................

6

Getting Started ....................................................................................

10

Using the Configuration Utility ..............................................................

13

Networking Basics ..............................................................................

19

Troubleshooting...................................................................................

32

Technical Specifications ......................................................................

35

Contacting Technical Support ..............................................................

36

Warranty and Registration ...................................................................

37

2

Package Contents

Contents of Package:

D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120

802.11g (2.4 GHz) Wireless USB Adapter

Manual on CD-ROM

Quick Installation Guide

USB Cable

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

System Requirements:

A computer or laptop with an available USB port

Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE

At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor

Properly installed and working USB Controller

3

Introduction

The D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120 802.11g (2.4GHz) Wireless USB Adapter is a convenient Plug & Play USB 2.0 solution that brings wireless networking to your laptop or desktop PC. It provides up to a 128-bit level of WEP security to your wireless data transfers.

Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G120 provides data transfers at up to 54 Mbps when used with other D-Link AirPlus G products. The 802.11g standard is backwards compatible with 802.11b products.

The DWL-G120 comes with software drivers for the most popular Microsoft Windows operating systems and can be integrated into a larger network, running Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE in either Ad-Hoc mode (without an access point or router) or Infrastructure mode (with an access point or router). The IEEE 802.11g Ethernet standard allows you to connect computers and 802.11g compatible devices at speeds up to 54Mbps*, dependent upon the distance between wireless adapters, the configuration of your working environment, or the capabilities or limitations of your computer systems.

* This is the theoretical maximum of the chipset used in the DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter. Actual through-put may vary.

4

Features and Benefits

Five times faster - achieve data transfer speeds up to 54 Mbps; up to 5x faster than conventional 802.11b networks, when used with other 802.11g devices.

Convenience of Plug & Play installation.

Fully 802.11g compatible. Backwards compatible with 802.11b devices.

USB 2.0 standard.

Network Security with 128-bit WEP encryption.

Supports Infrastructure networks via an access point or router and Peer-to-Peer communication in Ad-Hoc mode.

User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.

Connects at up to 328 feet indoors.*

Three year warranty (USA only).

* Environmental factors may adversely affect range

5

Features

Antenna

Used to wirelessly connect to 802.11g networks

Mini-USB 2.0 port

Used to connect the DWL-G120 to your computer

Link/Activity LED

Power - Indicates that the DWL-G120 is properly installed in the computer.

Link - Blinks when data is being transmitted through the wireless connection.

Wireless Basics

D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to- use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or public access wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you access to the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking brings.

A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities. 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 have proven to be beneficial for many users.

Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.

6

Wireless Basics (continued)

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. 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 can benefit from WLANs ease of implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be impractical.

Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even outside the home or office.

Scalability – WLANs 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 larger infrastructure networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.

Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as conventional Ethernet network devices.

7

Wireless Basics (continued)

Standards-Based Technology

The DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter utilizes the 802.11g standard.

The IEEE 802.11g standard is an extension of the 802.11b standard. It increases the data rate up to 54 Mbps within the 2.4GHz band, utilizing OFDM technology.

This means that in most environments, within the specified range of this device, 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 D-Link DWL-G120 will automatically sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the greatest speed and range possible.

The DWL-G120 is backwards compatible with 802.11b devices. This means that if you have an existing 802.11b network, the devices in that network will be compatible with 802.11g devices at speeds up to 11Mbps in the 2.4GHz range.

8

Wireless Basics (continued)

Installation Considerations

The D-Link AirPlus GTM DWL-G120 lets you access your network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep in mind, however, that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through, may limit the 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 wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G120 and other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DWL-G120’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.

2Be aware of the direct line between network devices. 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! Position devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better reception.

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

4Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices or appliances that generate RF noise.

9

Getting Started

With its default settings, the DWL-G120 will connect with other D-Link AirPlusTM G products, right out of the box.

There are basically two modes of networking:

Infrastructure – using an access point or router, such as the DI-624.

Ad-Hoc – directly connecting to another computer, for Peer-to-Peer communication, using wireless network adapters on each computer, such as two or more DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapters.

On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure Network and an Ad-Hoc Network.

An Infrastructure network contains an access point or router. The Infrastructure Network example shown on the following page contains the following D-Link network devices (your existing network may be comprised of other devices):

A wireless broadband Router-

TM

D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624

A laptop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -

D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120

A desktop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -

D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120

A Cable modem -

D-Link DCM-201

10

D-Link DWL-G120 User Manual

Getting Started (continued)

Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network

2

1

3

DI-624

802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless

108Mbps USB Adapter

4

6

DWL-G120

802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless

USB Adapter

5

DWL-G120

802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless USB Adapter

For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the following:

You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into your home or office).

Consult with your Cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the modem.

Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broadband router. (See the

Quick Installation Guide included with your router.)

Install the D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter into an available USB slot on your desktop computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G120.)

Install the D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120 Wireless USB adapter into a laptop computer.

(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G120.)

If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an Ethernet network adapter (such as a DFE-530TX+) to the router also.

11

Getting Started (continued)

Setting up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network

D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G120

802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless USB Adaper

Install the DWL-G120 Wireless USB adapter into the desktop computer.

(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for installation instructions.)

Install another DWL-G120 into the laptop computer. Or you may install another wireless adapter such as the D-Link DWL-G650 wireless PC Card adapter. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for installation instructions.)

Set the wireless configuration for the adapters to Ad-Hoc mode, set the adapters to the same channel, and assign an IP address to each computer on the Ad-Hoc network. (See Box below.)

IP Address

When assigning IP addresses to the computers on the network, please remember that the IP address for each computer must be in the same IP address range as all the computers in the network, and the subnet mask must be exactly the same for all the computers in 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.

IMPORTANT: If computers or other devices are assigned the same IP address, one or more of the devices may not be visible on the network.

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