LINKSYS HGA5S-4 User Manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.

®

2.4

Model No.

GHz

802.11g

PCI Adapter

WIRELESS

WMP54Gv4

Wireless-G

User Guide

Wireless-G PCI Adapter

Copyright and Trademarks

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco
Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S . and certain other countries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc . All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.

How to Use This User Guide

This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G PCI Adapter easier
than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:

This checkmark means there is a note of interest and is
something you should pay special attention to while
using the Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

This exclamation point means there is a caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the
Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:

word: definition.

Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like
this:

Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description

Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the “List of Figures” section in the “Table of Contents”.

WMP54G v4-UG-40412NC KL

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 4

Network Topology 4
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5

Chapter 3: Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 2000, 98, and ME 6
Chapter 4: Connecting the PCI Adapter 11
Chapter 5: Driver Installation for Windows XP 13

Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 14

Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 16

Overview 16
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 16
The Link Information Tab 16
The Site Survey Tab 19
The Profiles Tab 20
Creating a New Profile 22

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 26

Common Problems and Solutions 26
Frequently Asked Questions 27

Appendix B: Wireless Security 30

Security Precautions 30
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 30

Appendix C: Windows Help 33
Appendix D: Glossary 34
Appendix E: Specifications 38
Appendix F: Warranty Information 39
Appendix G: Regulatory Information 40
Appendix H: Contact Information 42

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

List of Figures

Figure 3-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6
Figure 3-2: The License Agreement Screen 7
Figure 3-3: The Wireless Mode Screen 7
Figure 3-4: The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen 8
Figure 3-5: The Wireless Security Screen 8
Figure 3-6: The Check Settings Screen 9
Figure 3-7: The Windows Digital Signature Screen 9
Figure 3-8: The Congratulations Screen 10
Figure 4-1: Your Computer’s PCI slot with Adapter installed 11
Figure 4-2: Proper Positioning of the Antenna 12
Figure 5-1: XP Setup Welcome Screen 13
Figure 5-2: Windows logo testing screen 13
Figure 5-3: New Hardware Found screen 13
Figure 5-4: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration icon 14
Figure 5-5: Network Connection - No WEP 14
Figure 5-6: Network Connection - WEP 15
Figure 5-7: Optional Settings 15
Figure 6-1: The Link Information Tab 16
Figure 6-2: The Link Information Tab - More Information 17
Figure 6-3: The Link Information Tab - Statistics 18
Figure 6-4: The Site Survey Tab 19
Figure 6-5: The Profiles Tab 20
Figure 6-6: Importing a Profile 21
Figure 6-7: Exporting a Profile 21
Figure 6-8: The Profiles Tab 22
Figure 6-9: Create Connection Profile 22
Figure 6-10: Profiles - Network Settings 23
Figure 6-11: Profiles - Wireless Mode 23
Figure 6-12: Profiles - Ad-Hoc Settings 24
Figure 6-13: Profiles - Security Settings 24

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

Figure 6-14: Profiles - Confirm New Settings 25
Figure 6-15: Profiles - Congratulations 25

Wireless-G PCI Adapter

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G PCI Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking experience will
be faster and easier than ever.

Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless network. This
adapter communicates over the 54Mbps 802.11g wireless standard, which is almost five times faster than

802.11b. But since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, the Adapter can also communicate with the widely
used 11Mbps 802.11b standard.

PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network.

The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step .
Then just slide it into your computer's PCI Card slot and enjoy network access with the freedom of wireless.

Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, and share files and other
resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network. At home, you can surf the
web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out on the patio. Your wireless connection is
protected by the new, industrial-strength security of Wireless Protected Access (WPA).

Get connected to current-standard 802.11b networks today, and be prepared for the future with the Wireless-G
PCI Adapter from Linksys.

network: a series of computers or devices
connected for the purpose of data sharing,
storage, and/or transmission between users.

adapter: a device that adds network functionality
to your PC.

Mbps: one million bits per second; a unit of
measurement for data transmission

802.11g an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and
backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz

Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome

1

Wireless-G PCI Adapter

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide.

• Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.

• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G PCI Adapter
This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.

• Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration
This chapter instructs you on how to install the Adapter’s Setup Wizard and Configure the Adapter

• Chapter 5: Hardware Installation
This chapter shows you how to connect the Adapter to your PC.

• Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor
This chapter show you how to use the Adapter’s Wireless Network Monitor.

• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding
installation and use of the Adapter.

• Appendix B: Wireless Security
This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help
protect your wireless network.

• Appendix C: Windows Help
This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing
the TCP/IP protocol.

• Appendix D: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.

• Appendix E: Specifications
This appendix provides the Adapter’s technical specifications.

• Appendix F: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s warranty information.

Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?

2

Wireless-G PCI Adapter

• Appendix G: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information.

• Appendix H: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?

3

Wireless-G PCI Adapter

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless
network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.

Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless
router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an
infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless
router.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the
effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.

Roaming

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same channel and SSID.

Before enabling you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position.
Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.

topology: the physical layout of a network.

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices

communicating directly with each other (peer­to-peer) without the use of an access point.

access point: a device that allows wireless-equipped
computers and other devices to communicate with a wired
network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network

infrastructure: a wireless network that is
bridged to a wired network via an access point.

roaming: the ability to take a wireless device
from one access point's range to another without
losing the connection.

ssid: your wireless network's name.

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology

4