D-Link DWL-122 User Manual
D-Link
2.4GHz Wireless USB Adapter
Air DWL-122
Manual
Building Networks for People
Contents
Package Contents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
Inserting and Removing the DWL-122; Using the Extension Cord ..........9
Getting Started....................................................................................10
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS..................................13
Using the Configuration Utility with Macintosh OS ................................20
Networking Basics ..............................................................................25
Troubleshooting...................................................................................38
T echnical S pecifications ......................................................................41
Contacting T echnical Support ..............................................................43
Warranty and Registration ...................................................................44
2
Package Contents
Contents of Package:
D-Link Air DWL-122
!
2.4 GHz Wireless USB Adapter
Manual on CD-ROM
!
Quick Installation Guide
!
USB Extenstion 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
!
Mac OSX (v10.2x or later)
!
At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
!
Properly installed and working USB Controller
!
3
Introduction
The D-Link Air DWL-122 Wireless USB Adapter is a convenient Plug & Play
USB 1.1 solution that brings wireless networking to your laptop or desktop PC.
With transfer rates up to 11Mbps you can connect to a wireless network at
home, at the office or at any wireless hotspot. Now you can stay connected
wherever you are and wherever you go.
The DWL-122 is Wi-Fi compliant, meaning that it can connect and interoperate
with other 802.11b Wi-Fi-compliant wireless routers, access points and
adapters. The DWL-122 connects to any available USB port on a laptop or
desktop Windows and Macintosh-based computer and also includes a standard
USB extension cable. With the optional USB extension cable, the DWL-122
can be positioned virtually anywhere at a workstation to achieve the best available
wireless signal reception - whether that workstation is in your office, on your
deck or patio, by the pool, at the local coffee shop, or in an airport terminal while
waiting to board your next flight.
The adapter works with Apple Mac OS X (10.2x or later) Jaguar, Microsoft
Windows XP, Windows 2000 and other Windows operating systems to ensure
that you’ll be up and running on a wireless network in just a matter of seconds.
The DWL-122 also features 64 or 128-bit WEP encryption providing a level of
security for the data that you wirelessly transmit.
Using its default settings, the DWL-122 automatically connects to other D-Link
Wireless products as soon as it’s active.
4
Features and Benefits
Compact size for placement anywhere
!
Convenience of Plug & Play installation
!
Fully 802.1 1b compatible
!
Powered by the USB port; no external power source is needed
!
USB 1.1 standard
!
Network Security with with 64-bit and 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*
!
One year warranty (USA only)
!
**
* Environmental factors may adversely affect range
5
Features
Internal Antenna
Used to wirelessly connect
to 802.11b networks
USB connector
Used to connect the
DWL-122 to your
computer
Link/Activity LED
Power - Indicates that the
DWL-122 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-touse 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 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)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link Air DWL-122 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. T ypical
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:
1.
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-122 and other
network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DLink wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your
devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
2.
Be 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.
3.
Building Materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door or
aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range. T ry to position wireless
devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes
through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
4.
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate extreme RF noise.
8
Getting Started
Inserting the DWL-122
Insert the DWL-122 into an available USB
port.
Using the DWL-122 with
the extension cord
Plug one end of the USB extension cord into
the USB port on your computer and plug the
other end into the DWL-122.
Removing the DWL-122 (Windows XP)
After installing the DWL-122,
this icon will appear in the
taskbar at the bottom of the
screen (for WinXP service
pack I and above).
Before you disengage the
DWL-122 from the USB
port, you must click on the
icon (illustrated above) that
resides in the taskbar.
When the screen at right
appears, highlight the
DWL-122.
Click Stop
Windows will notify you when it is safe to remove the DWL-122 from the USB
port.
9
Getting Started (continued)
With its default settings, the DWL-122 will connect with other
D-Link Air products, right out of the box.
There are basically two modes of networking:
Infrastructure – using an Access Point or Router, such as the DI-614+.
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-122 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
D-Link network devices listed here; (your existing network may be comprised
of other devices).
A wireless broadband Router-
D-Link AirPlus DI-614+
A laptop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link Air DWL-122
A desktop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link Air DWL-122
A Cable modem -
D-Link DCM-201
10
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
2
3
1
4
DWL-122
DWL-122
5
For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the
following:
Y ou 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 Air DWL-122 wireless USB adapter into an available USB port
on your desktop computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the
DWL-122.)
If you are connecting a laptop computer to your network, you can install the
DWL-122 into an available USB port on your laptop. (See the Quick Installation
Guide included with the DWL-122.)
11
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Ad Hoc Network
Install the D-Link Air DWL-122 Wireless USB adapter into the desktop
computer.
installation instructions.)
Install another DWL-122 into the laptop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for installation
instructions.)
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for
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.
12
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
D-Link Air DWL-122 uses the Configuration Utility as the management
software. The utility provides the user an easy interface to change any settings
related to the wireless adapter. When the computer is started, the
Configuration Utility starts automatically and the system tray icon is loaded
in the toolbar (see illustration below.) Clicking on the utility icon will start the
Configuration Utility. Another way to start the Configuration Utility is to
click on Start>Programs>D-Link DWL-122.
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility
or the D-Link Configuration Utility .
T o use the D-Link Configuration Utility
with XP, click on the D-Link
Configuration Utility icon in the taskbar
in the lower corner of your computer
screen.
Select the Wireless Networks tab;
uncheck the box in the properties
window that enables windows
configuration. After you have done
this, you can then use the D-Link
Configuration Utility with XP by clicking
on the D-Link Configuration Utility icon
again.
A new icon will appear in your Icon tray .
Double-click on the D icon shown in
the tray .
13
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued)
Status:
Displays the MAC Address
of the Access Point or
Router to which the DWL-
122 is associated
SSID:
The Service Set Identifier is
the name assigned to the
wireless network. The
factory SSID setting is
default.
Frequency:
802.1 1b indicates that the
DWL-122 is communicat-
ing in the 2.4GHz band.
Wireless Mode:
Either Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc will be displayed here. (Please see the
Getting Started section in this manual for an explanation of these two modes.)
Encryption:
You can see if WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is Enabled or Disabled here.
Link Info
Tx Rate:
The default setting is Auto; Tx Rate settings are automatically determined for
an optimal speed up to a maximum of 1 1Mbps.
Channel:
The default setting is Auto. The channel selection is automatically determined
by the DWL-122.
Signal Strength:
Displays the signal strength of the DWL-122’s wireless connection to the
Access Point or Router.
Packet Count:
Displays the statistics of the data packets that are transmitted and received.
Rescan Button:
Rescans for the strongest signal with the current SSID and associates with
that Access Point or Router
14
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