D Link DWLG550A1 Users Manual
D-Link
AirPlus G
DWL-G550
Wireless G PCI Adapter
Manual
®
Building Networks for People
Contents
Package Contents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics ....................................................................................5
Installation Considerations .................................................................... 7
Getting Started ......................................................................................8
Using the Configuration Utility ..............................................................11
Networking Basics ..............................................................................18
Troubleshooting...................................................................................31
Technical Specifications ......................................................................36
Contacting Technical Support ..............................................................39
Warranty and Registration ................................................................... 40
2
Package Contents
Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G550
802.11g (2.4GHz) Wireless G PCI Adapter
CD-ROM with Manual, Warranty, and Drivers
Printed Quick Installation Guide
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
®
System Requirements for Configuration:
A desktop computer with an available 32-bit PCI slot
Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
At least 32MB of memory and a 300MHz processor
An 802.11g or 802.11b access point (for Infrastructure mode),
or another 802.11g or 802.11b wireless adapter (for Ad-Hoc,
Peer-to-Peer networking mode.)
3
3
Introduction
The D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter is an 802.11b/802.11g (2.4GHz)
wireless adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking.
Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G550 provides data transfers at up to 54 Mbps
(compared to the standard 11 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus® G products.
The 802.11g standard is backwards compatible with 802.11b products.
Features
Faster Wireless Networking - Faster data transfers mean increased productivity.
With the DWL-G550 in your desktop PC, you will have the flexibility of wireless
networking speeds that save you time and money.
Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g Devices - Fully compatible with the IEEE
802.11b and 802.11g standards, the DWL-G550 can connect with existing 802.11bor 802.11g- compliant routers, access points and cards. That means you can still
communicate with colleagues and friends while you have the ability to link to even
more wireless networks.
32-bit PCI Performance/Plug & Play Connectivity - The DWL-G550 is a powerful
32-bit PCI adapter that installs quickly and easily into desktop PCs, and when used
with other D-Link Air Plus® G products will automatically connect to the network out
of the box.
User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.
LED
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. The DWL-G550 has two LEDs:
Power
A steady light indicates a
connection to an access
point.
Activity
A blinking light indicates
activity on the network.
4
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 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 to 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.
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility
within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time
information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
- Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location
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.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventional Ethernet network devices.
Scalability - WLANs can 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 Infrastructure
networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of users, depending on the number
of wireless devices deployed.
5
Wireless Basics (continued)
The DWL-G550 is compatible with the following wireless products:
D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G630
Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers
D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G570
Wireless PCI Adapters used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G700AP
Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Access Point
D-Link AirPlus®G DI-524
Wireless Router
The DWL-G630 is also interoperable with other 802.11g and 802.11b standards-
compliant devices.
Standards-Based Technology
The DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter utilizes the 802.11b and the 802.11g standards.
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 DWLG510 will automatically sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the greatest
speed and range possible.
The DWL-G550 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.
6
Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550 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-G550 and other network
devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DWL-G550’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 feet thick
2
(.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. Try 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 RF noise.
7
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-G550 Wireless G 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® G DWL-G630
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550
A cable modem - D-Link DCM-201
TM
8
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
For a typical wireless
setup at home (as shown
above), please do the
following:
66
6
66
22
2
22
33
3
33
11
1
11
44
4
44
DWL-G550
55
5
55
DWL-G630
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 AirPlus®G DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter into an
available PCI slot on your desktop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter).
Install the D-Link DWL-G630 Wireless G Cardbus Adapter into a laptop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G630).
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.
9
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network
DWL-G550
Wireless PCI Adapter with a
desktop computer
Install the D-Link DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter into one desktop
computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for
installation instructions.)
Install another DWL-G550 into a desktop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product.)
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 the box below).
DWL-G550
Wireless PCI Adapter with a
desktop computer
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.
10
Using the Configuration Utility
D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550 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. After you have completed the installation of the DWL-G550
(refer to the Quick Installation Guide that came with your purchase) whenever you
start the computer, 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 AirPlus®G >D-Link AirPlus® G Utility.
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility or the
D-Link Configuration Utility.
To use the D-Link Configuration Utility with XP, right-click
on the wireless network icon in the taskbar in the lower
right-hand corner of your computer screen.
In the window that appears, select View
Available Wireless Networks and click
the Advanced button. The screen at right
will appear.
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.
If the icon does not display in the taskbar, then click on
this icon on your desktop to open.
11
*Configuration Utility icon
in the system tray
Configuration Utility (continued)
Link Info
Status: Displays the MAC Address of the Access Point that is associated with the
DWL-G550.
SSID: Displays the Service Set Identifier assigned to the wireless network.
Frequency: Displays the current frequency used by the adapter.
Wireless Mode: Displays the wireless mode. The default is Infrastructure.
Encryption: Displays whether Encryption is enabled or disabled.
Connection Info: Indicates if the adapter is connected to the network.
TxRate: Displays the current data transmission rate.
Channel: Displays the channel information. By default, the channel is set to 6 and
selection is automatically determined by the DWL-G550.
Signal Quality: The percentage coincides with the graphical bar.
Signal Strength: Represents the wireless signal between the access point
and the DWL-G550.
Packet Count: Graphically displays the statistics of data transmitted and received.
12
Configuration Utility (continued)
Configuration
SSID: The Service Set Identifier is the name assigned to the wireless network. The
factory SSID setting is set to default. Make changes here to match the SSID on
existing Wireless Router or Access Point.
Wireless Mode: Click on the pull-down menu; select from the following options:
Infrastructure - Connecting to the WLAN using an access point. (This is the
default setting.)
Ad-Hoc - Wireless mode used when connecting directly to a computer equipped
with a wireless adapter in a Peer-to-Peer environment.
Data Encryption: The default setting is set to Disabled. The adapter supports WEP
and WPA when encryption is enabled.
Authentication: Allows you to specify the authentication mode for the network. The
default setting is set to Open Authentication.
Key Length: When encryption is enabled, you will have the option to specify the level
and key format of the encryption used. Select the appropriate Key Index: 1-4 and enter
ASCII or hexadecimal digits in the appropriate field.
IEEE 802.1x: When encryption is enabled, you will have the option to specify if you wish
to use 802.1x authentication.
Click Apply to save the changes.
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