LINKSYS WMP200 Users Manual

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

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 © 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known
to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

How to Use This User Guide

This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G PCI Adapter with
RangeBooster 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 with RangeBooster.

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

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

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”.

WMP54GR-UG-51219NC BW

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

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: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster 6

Starting the Setup 6
Connecting the Adapter 7
Setting up the Adapter 7

Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 16

Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 16
Using the Wireless Network Monitor 16
Link Information 16
Site Survey 19
Profiles 20
Create a New Profile 21

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 30

Common Problems and Solutions 30
Frequently Asked Questions 31

Chapter B: Using Windows XP Wireless Configuration 34
Appendix C: Wireless Security 37

Security Precautions 37
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 37

Appendix D: Windows Help 40
Appendix E: Glossary 41
Appendix F: Specifications 44
Appendix G: Warranty Information 46
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 47
Appendix I: Contact Information 53

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

List of Figures

Figure 3-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6
Figure 3-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 6
Figure 3-3: Connecting the Adapter 7
Figure 3-4: Available Wireless Network 7
Figure 3-5: WEP Key Needed for Connection 8
Figure 3-6: WPA - Personal Needed for Connection 8
Figure 3-7: PSK2 Needed for Connection 9
Figure 3-8: Congratulations 9
Figure 3-9: Available Wireless Network 10
Figure 3-10: Network Settings 10
Figure 3-11: Wireless Mode 10
Figure 3-12: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 11
Figure 3-13: Wireless Security - WEP 11
Figure 3-14: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 12
Figure 3-1: Wireless Security - PSK2 12
Figure 3-15: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS 13
Figure 3-16: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP 13
Figure 3-17: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 14
Figure 3-18: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 14
Figure 3-19: Confirm New Settings 15
Figure 3-20: Congratulations screen 15
Figure 4-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 16
Figure 4-2: Link Information 16
Figure 4-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status 17
Figure 4-4: More Information-Network Statistics 18
Figure 4-5: Site Survey 18
Figure 4-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection 19
Figure 4-7: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 19
Figure 4-8: PSK2 Needed for Connection 19
Figure 4-9: Profiles 20

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

Figure 4-10: Import a Profile 20
Figure 4-11: Export a Profile 20
Figure 4-12: Create a New Profile 21
Figure 4-1: WEP Key Needed for Connection 21
Figure 4-2: WPA - Personal Needed for Connection 22
Figure 4-3: PSK2 Needed for Connection 22
Figure 4-4: Congratulations 22
Figure 4-13: Available Wireless Network 23
Figure 4-14: Network Settings 23
Figure 4-15: Wireless Mode 24
Figure 4-16: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 24
Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - WEP 25
Figure 4-18: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 25
Figure 4-19: Wireless Security - PSK2 26
Figure 4-20: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using EAP-TLS 27
Figure 4-21: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using PEAP 27
Figure 4-22: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-TLS 28
Figure 4-23: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using PEAP 28
Figure 4-24: Confirm New Settings for New Profile 29
Figure 4-25: Congratulations 29
Figure B-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 34
Figure B-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 34
Figure B-3: Windows XP Wireless Configuration Icon 34
Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 35
Figure B-5: No Wireless Security 35
Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security 36
Figure B-7: Wireless Network Connection 36

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

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

How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility
within your wireless network. And with RangeBooster, the range and speed will be even greater. This adapter
communicates over the 54Mbps 802.11g wireless standard, but can also communicate with the widely used
11Mbps 802.11b standard.

But what does all of this mean? Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one
printer from different computers and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even
used for playing multiplayer video games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be
fun.

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.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Adapter, set it up, and configure it for your network.
These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.

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 with RangeBooster

What’s in this Guide?

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

• 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: Setting Up and Connecting the PCI Adapter
This chapter shows you how to setup and connect the Adapter.

• Chapter 4: 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: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration
This chapter instructs you on how to install Window XP Wireless Zero Configuration

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?

2

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

• Appendix I: 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 with RangeBooster

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 (peer-to­peer) without the use of an access point.

access point: a device that allows wireless­equipped 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