LINKSYS HGA5S-5 User Manual

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

Import - Click the Import button to import a profile that has been saved in another location. Select the appropriate file and click the Open button.

Export - To save the profile(s) in a different location, click the Export button. Direct Windows to the appropriate folder and click the OK button.

Delete - Click the Delete button to delete a profile.

Click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the Wireless Network Monitor.

Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor

Figure 6-6: Importing a Profile

Figure 6-7: Exporting a Profile

The Profiles Tab

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

Creating a New Profile

1. On the Profiles tab, click the New button to create a new profile.

Figure 6-8: The Profiles Tab

2.When the Create connection profile screen appears, enter a name for the new profile. Click OK to save the profile name or click Cancel to return to the previous screen.

Figure 6-9: Create Connection Profile

Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor

Creating a New Profile

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

3.Enter your network’s settings on the Network Settings screen, which appears next.

If your network has a DHCP server (or Router), click the radio button next to Obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP) and click the Next button to continue.

If your network does not have a DHCP server (or router), click the radio button next to Specify the IP address. Enter an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS appropriate for your network. Enter each address in this format: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (the x’s represent the numbers that make up each address). You must specify the IP Address and Subnet Mask on this screen. If you are unsure about the Default Gateway and DNS addresses, then leave these fields alone.

IP Address - This IP Address must be unique to your network.

Subnet Mask - The Adapter’s Subnet Mask must be the same as your wired network’s Subnet Mask. Default Gateway - Enter the IP address of your network’s Gateway here.

DNS - Enter the DNS addresses of your network here.

Click the Next button to continue or the Cancel button to return to the previous screen.

4.The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computers on your wired network via a wireless access point, and continue to Step 6. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wireless computers to communicate directly with each other. Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

SSID - The SSID is the unique name shared among all devices in your wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the wireless network. It is case-sensitive and must not exceed 32 alphanumeric characters, which can be any keyboard character.

Infrastructure Mode - This mode allows wireless and wired networks to communicate through an access point. Continue to Step 6 if selecting this mode.

Ad-Hoc Mode - This mode allows wireless-equipped computers to communicate directly with each other. No access point is used.

Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor

Figure 6-10: Profiles - Network Settings

Figure 6-11: Profiles - Wireless Mode

Creating a New Profile

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

5.The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen, for those who chose an Ad-hoc network, will appear next. Select the correct operating channel for your network from the Channel drop-down menu. Then, select the Network Mode from the drop-down menu. Click the Next button to continue or click the Back button to change any settings.

Channel - The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network. If you are unsure about which channel to use, select the default channel (Channel 6).

Network Mode - Select Mixed Mode, and both Wireless-G and Wireless-B computers will be allowed on the network, but the speed will be reduced. Select G-Only Mode for maximum speed, but no Wireless-B users will be allowed on the network.

6.The Security Settings screen allows you to set the security level for your network. Enable or disable Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption for your wireless network. If you enable WEP, enter a Passphrase or WEP key. Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen. For more information about the information on this screen, you can also click the Help button.

WEP - If you do not want to use WEP encryption, choose Disabled. To use WEP encryption (recommended to increase network security), select 64-bit or 128-bit WEP from the drop-down menu, and enter either a Passphrase or WEP key.

Passphrase - Instead of manually entering WEP keys, you can enter a Passphrase, so that a WEP key is automatically generated. It is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. This passphrase must match the passphrase of your wireless network and is compatible with other Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key(s) manually on those products.)

WEP Key - This WEP key must match the WEP key of your wireless network. If you are using 64-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exactly ten hexadecimal characters. If you are using 128-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.

TX Key - This allows you to access different WEP keys used by different routers or access points in your network. Choose the TX Key used in that network. For instance, if the device uses TX Key 3, use TX Key 3. If you’re not using multiple WEP Keys, leave this set at 1.

Authentication - Select the Authentication method used by your network. Open Authentication does not employ WEP keys. Shared Authentication employs WEP encryption. Auto (the default setting) chooses the method of the network to which you're connecting.

Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor

Figure 6-12: Profiles - Ad-Hoc Settings

Figure 6-13: Profiles - Security Settings

Creating a New Profile

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

7.The Confirm New Settings screen will appear. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To cancel the settings and return to the Profiles screen, click the Exit button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button.

8.The Congratulations screen shows that the new Profile has successfully been configured. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings immediately and return to the Link Information screen. Click Return to Profiles Screen to keep the current settings active, and return to the Profiles screen so that you can edit your profile or create another profile.

You have successfully created a connection profile. Click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the Wireless Network Monitor.

Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor

Figure 6-14: Profiles - Confirm New Settings

Figure 6-15: Profiles - Congratulations

Creating a New Profile

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Wireless-G PCI Adapter. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.

Common Problems and Solutions

1.The Wireless-G PCI Adapter does not work properly.

•Reinsert the Wireless-G PCI Adapter into your PC’s PCI slot.

•Right click on My Computer and select Properties. Select the device manager and click on the Network Adapter. You will find the Wireless-G PCI Adapter if it is installed successfully. If you see the yellow exclamation mark, the resources are conflicting. You will see the status of the Wireless-G PCI Adapter. If there is a yellow question mark, please check the following:

•Make sure that your PC has a free IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest, a hardware interrupt on a PC.)

•Make sure that you have inserted the right adapter and installed the proper driver.

If the Wireless-G PCI Adapter does not function after attempting the above steps, remove the adapter and do the following:

•Uninstall the driver software from your PC.

•Restart your PC and repeat the hardware and software installation as specified in this User Guide.

2.I cannot communicate with the other computers linked via Ethernet in the Infrastructure configuration.

•Make sure that the PC to which the Wireless-G PCI Adapter is associated is powered on.

•Make sure that your Wireless-G PCI Adapter is configured on the same channel and with the same security options as with the other computers in the Infrastructure configuration.

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Common Problems and Solutions

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with SpeedBooster

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network?

This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports operation over a network.

Can I play computer games with other members of the wireless network?

Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area network). Refer to the game’s user guide for more information.

What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?

It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11b standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to communicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11b standard. The 802.11b standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

What IEEE 802.11b features are supported?

The product supports the following IEEE 802.11b functions:

•CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol

•Multi-Channel Roaming

•Automatic Rate Selection

•RTS/CTS feature

•Fragmentation

•Power Management

What is ad-hoc mode?

When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode, the wireless-equipped computers are configured to communicate directly with each other. The ad-hoc wireless network will not communicate with any wired network.

What is infrastructure mode?

When a wireless network is set to infrastructure mode, the wireless network is configured to communicate with a wired network through a wireless access point.

What is roaming?

Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user to communicate continuously while moving freely throughout an area greater than that covered by a single access point. Before using the roaming function, the workstation must make sure that it is the same channel number with the access point of dedicated coverage area.

To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless LAN must incorporate a number of different functions. Each node and access point, for example, must always acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node must

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

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