LINKSYS WMP200 Users Manual

Wireless-G PCI Adapter with RangeBooster

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

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?

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?

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-to- peer) 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

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