D-Link DWL-G520+ User Manual
D-Link
AirPlus X
TREME
DWL-G520+
High-speed 2.4GHz
Wireless PCI Adapter
Ma nual
TM
G+
Building Networks for People
Contents
Package Contents.................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics ....................................................................................6
Getting Started....................................................................................10
Using the Configuration Utility..............................................................13
Networking Basics ..............................................................................20
Troubleshooting...................................................................................33
Technical Specifications......................................................................38
Contacting Technical Support ..............................................................4 0
Warra nty and Registration....................................................................41
2
Package Contents
Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ DWL-G520+
2.4 GHz - 54Mbps W ireless PCI Adapter
Manual, Warranty and Drivers on CD
Printed Quick Installation Guide
TM
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements for Configuration:
A des ktop computer with an available 32-bit PCI slot
Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, or Windows 98SE
At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
An 802.11g or 802.11b Access Point (for Infrastructure mode),
or another 802.11g or 802.11b wireless a dapter (for Ad-Hoc,
peer-to-peer networking mode.)
3
Introduction
The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ DWL-G520+ Wireless PCI Adapter is a 802.11g highperforma nce, wireless ada pter that supports high-speed wirele ss networking at home, at
work or in public places.
Unlike most network cards, the D WL-G520+ provides data tran sfers at up to 8X (compared
to the standard 1 1 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus Xtre me G+ products. The
802.1 1g standard is backwards compatible with 802.11b products.This me a n s that you
do not need to change your entire network to maintain connectivity. You may sa crifice
some of 802.1 1g’s speed when you mix 802.11b and 802.11g devices, but you will not
lose the ability to communicate when you incorporate the 802.11g standard into your
802.1 1b network. You may choose to slowly change your network by gradually repla cing
the 802.1 1b devices with 802.11g devices .
In addition to offering fa ster data tra nsfer speeds when used with other 802.1 1g products,
the DWL-G520+ has the newest, strongest, most a dvanced security features available
today. When used with other 802.11g WPA (WiFi Protected Access) and 802.1x
compatible products in a network with a radius server, the security features include:
WP A*: A new security feature, Wi-Fi Prote cted Access authorizes a nd identif ies users
based on a secret key that changes automatically at a regular interval.
WPA uses TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) to change the temporal
key every 10,000 packets (a packet is a kind of message transmitted over a
network.) This insures much greater se curity than the standard WEP security.
(By contrast, the older WEP encryption required the keys to be changed
manually.)
802.1x*:Authentication is a first line of defense against intrusion. In the Authentication
process the server verifies the identity of the client attempting to connect to the
network. Unfamiliar clients would be denied access.
TM
For home users that will not incorporate a RADIUS server in their network, the security
for the DWL-G520+, used in conjunction with other 802.1 1g products, will still be much
stronger than ever before. Utilizing the Pre Shared Key mode of WPA, the D WL-G520+
will obtain a new security key every time it connects to the 802.11g network. Y ou only
need to input your encryption information once in the configuration menu. No longer will
you have to manually input a new WEP key frequently to ensure security, with the D WLG520+, you will automatically receive a new key every time you conne ct, va stly increa sing
the safety of your communications.
* Available Q4 2003 as a free download
4
Fe atures
Fully compatible with the 802.1 1g sta ndard to provide a wireless data rate of
up to 54Mbps
Backwards compatible with the 802.11b standard to provide a wireless data
rate of up to 1 1Mbps
WPA* (Wi Fi Protected Acce ss) authorizes and identifies users based on a
secret key that change s automatically at a regular interval, f or example:
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), in conjunction with a RADIUS
server, cha nges the temporal key every 10,000 pa ckets, ensuring greater
security
Pre Shared Key mode means that the home user, without a RADIUS
server, will obtain a new security key every time the he or she connects
to the network, vastly improving the safety of communications on the
network.
802.1x* Authentication in conjunction with the radius server verifies the
identity of would be clients
Utilizes OFDM technology (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
User-friendly configuration and di agnostic utilities
Operates in the 2.4GHz frequency range
LEDS
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. The DWL-G520+ has the following
LEDs:
LED
Activity
Link
* Available Q4 2003 as a free download
A blinking light indicate s data is being transmitted
A steady light indicates a connection to a n Access Point
LED Activity
5
Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-touse and compatible high-speed wireless conne ctivity 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 incre asingly 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 ef f iciently. 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 a nd de sktop systems support the same
protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.
6
Wireless Basics (continued)
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. M a nagement decisions based
on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs – WLANs are e asy to set up, manage, cha nge
and relocate. Networks that frequently change, both physically and logically,
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
fa st and e a sy a nd can eli minate the need to pull cable through walls a nd ceilings.
Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even
outside the home or office.
Inexpensive Solution – Wirele ss network devices are a s competitively priced
as conventional Ethernet network devices.
Scalability – WLANs ca n be configured in a variety of ways 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 infra structure networks to a ccommodate hundreds or thousa nds of users,
depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.
The DWL-G520+ is compatible with the following wireless products:
D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+, D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ D WL-G650+
Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers
D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+, D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ D WL-G520+
Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ and D-Link AirPlus Xtre me G+
DWL-2000AP+
Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Access Points
D-Link AirPlus DWL-800AP+
Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Range Extender
D-Link AirPlus DWL-810+
Enhanced 2.4GHz Ethernet-to-Wireless Bridge
7
Wireless Basics (continued)
Standards-Based Technology
The DWL-G520+ Wireless PCI Adapter utilizes the 802.11g standard.
The IEEE 802.1 1g sta ndard is a n extension of the 802.1 1b sta ndard. It increases
the data rate up to 54 Mbps within the 2.4GHz band, utilizing OFDM technology .
This mea ns that in most environments, within the spe cified ra nge 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 ra dio 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 tran smissions. The D-Link DWL-G520+ will automatically
sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the greatest speed and
range possible.
802.11g offers the most advanced network security features available today,
including: WP A , 802.1x TKIP, AES and Pre-Shared Key mode. The se se curity
*
features are explained in more detail in the Introduction a nd the Feature s section
of this manual.
*
The DWL-G520+ 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 802.1 1g device s at speeds up to 11Mbps in the 2.4GHz range.
Also based on the IEEE 802.11b standard, the DWL-G520+ is interoperable
with existing compatible 2.4GHz wireless technology with data tran s fer speeds
of up to 1 1Mbps.
1
* Available Q4 2003 as a free download
8
Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ DWL-G520+ 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:
1.
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G520+ and
other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce
your D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ 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 ra nge. T ry to position wirele ss
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 may generate extreme RF noise.
9
Getting Started
There are basically two modes of networking:
Infrastructure – using an Access Point, or Wireless 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-G520+ wireless
network PCI 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 a Wireless 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 Router - D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ DI-624+
A laptop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ D WL-G650+
or D-Link AirPlus D WL-650+
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G+ DWL-G520+
or D-Link AirPlus D WL-520+
A Cable modem - D-Link DCM-200
10
Getting Started
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
11
1
11
22
2
22
33
3
33
55
5
55
DWL-G520+ with
44
4
44
Destop Computer
Plea se re m ember that D-Link AirPlus Xtre me G+ wireless devices are pre-
configured to connect together, right out of the box, with their default settings.
For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the
following:
Y ou will need broa dba nd Internet a cce ss (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into
your home or office)
Consult with your Cable or DSL provider f or proper installation of the modem
Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broa dba nd router (see the Quick
Installation Guide included with your router.)
If you are connecting a desktop computer to your network, install the D-Link
AirPlus Xtreme G+ DWL-G520+ wireless PCI adapter into an available PCI slot
on your desktop computer. You may also install the DWL-520+.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter.)
Install the drivers for the D-Link DWL-G650+ wireless Cardbus adapter into a
laptop computer. You may also in stall DWL-650+.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter.)
11
Getting Started
Setting up a Wireless Ad Hoc Network
Install the D-Link D WL-G520+ Wireless Network adapter into one
desktop computer.
product for installation instructions.
Install another DWL-G650+ into a la ptop computer. See the Quick
Installation Guide included with the product.
See the Quick Installation Guide included with the
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 Addres s
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 exa mple: 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
a ssigned 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
If you wish to change the default settings or optimize the performance of the
D WL-G520+, D-Link has included a configuration utility for this purpose. However, in Windows XP, you will instead use zero configuration utility.
Before you use the configuration utility for the DWL-G520+, you must install the
drivers and the conf iguration utility from the CD-ROM that ca me with the DWL-
G520+. (Please see the Quick Installation Guide that came with the product.)
After you have completed this installation and re started your computer , you can
access the Configuration Utility at any time by clicking on this icon that will
a ppe ar on your de sktop.
After double-clicking on the icon on the desktop (shown at right),
the Link Info window shown on the next page will appear:
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