D Link DWLG120B1 User Manual
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D-Link AirPlus 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
T echnical S pecifications ......................................................................35
Contacting T echnical Support..............................................................36
Warranty and Registration ...................................................................37
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Package Contents
Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120
802.1 1g (2.4 GHz) W ireless USB Adapter
Manual on CD-ROM
Quick Installation Guide
USB Cable
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
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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
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Introduction
The D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120 802.1 1g (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.
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* This is the theoretical maximum of the chipset used in the DWL-G120 Wireless USB
Adapter. Actual through-put may vary .
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Features and Benefits
Five times faster - achieve data transfer speeds up to 54 Mbps; up to
5x faster than conventional 802.1 1b networks, when used with other
802.1 1g 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
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Features
Antenna
Used to wirelessly
connect to 802.1 1g
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-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 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.
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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.
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Wireless Basics (continued)
Standards-Based Technology
The DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter utilizes the 802.11g standard.
The IEEE 802.11g st andard is an extension of the 802.1 1b 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 802.1 1b network, the devices in that network will be
compatible with 802.1 1g devices at speeds up to 1 1Mbp s in the 2.4GHz range.
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Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus G 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. 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:
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G120 and
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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.
Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5
2
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.
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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.
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Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate RF noise.
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Getting Started
With its default settings, the DWL-G120 will connect with other
D-Link AirPlus 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-
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624
A laptop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120
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A desktop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120
A Cable modem -
D-Link DCM-201
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Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
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66
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66
DI-624
802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless
108Mbps USB Adapter
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DWL-G120
802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless
USB Adapter
DWL-G120
802.11g/2.4GHz Wireless
USB Adapter
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 AirPlus 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 AirPlus 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.
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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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