Linksys WMP55AG User Manual
A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
Dual-Band
®
5
2.4
Model No.
GHz
802.11a
GHz
802.11g
WIRELESS
WMP55AG
+
Dual-Band
Wireless A+G
PCI Adapter
User Guide
Dual-Band Wireless A+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 © 2005 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.
This User Guide
The User Guide to the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter has been designed to make understanding
networking easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this guide:
This checkmark means there is a note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to while
using the Adapter.
This exclamation point means there is a caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Adapter.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about
something you might need to do while using the 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 numbers and descriptions can also be found in the “List of Figures” section in the “Table of Contents”.
WMP55AG_V1.3-UG-50330 KL
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
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 4
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter 6
The LED Indicator 6
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter 7
Using the Setup Wizard 7
Chapter 5: Hardware Installation 16
Connecting the Adapter 16
Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 17
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 17
Using the Wireless Network Monitor 18
Link Information 18
Site Survey 21
Profiles 22
Creating a New Profile 23
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 32
Common Problems and Solutions 32
Frequently Asked Questions 33
Appendix B: Wireless Security 37
Security Precautions 37
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 37
Appendix C: Windows Help 40
Appendix D: Glossary 41
Appendix E: Specifications 46
Appendix F: Warranty Information 47
Appendix G: Regulatory Information 48
Appendix H: Contact Information 50
Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: The ACT LED 6
Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 7
Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 7
Figure 4-3: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Network Screen 8
Figure 4-4: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Mode Screen 8
Figure 4-5: Setup Wizard’s Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen 9
Figure 4-6: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security Screen 9
Figure 4-7: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - WEP Screen 10
Figure 4-8: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - WPA Personal Using TKIP Screen 11
Figure 4-9: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using EAP-TLS Screen 12
Figure 4-10: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using PEAP Screen 12
Figure 4-11: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-TLS Screen 13
Figure 4-12: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - RADIUS Using PEAP Screen 13
Figure 4-13: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - LEAP Screen 14
Figure 4-14: Setup Wizard’s Check Settings Screen 14
Figure 4-15: Digital Signature Not Found Screen 15
Figure 4-16: Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen 15
Figure 5-1: Insert the Adapter into Your Notebook 16
Figure 5-2: Digital Signature Not Found Screen 16
Figure 6-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 17
Figure 6-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 17
Figure 6-3: Windows XP - Use Linksys Wireless Network Monitor 17
Figure 6-4: Link Information 18
Figure 6-5: More Information - Wireless Network Status 19
Figure 6-6: More Information-Network Statistics 20
Figure 6-7: Site Survey 21
Figure 6-8: WEP Key Needed for Connection 21
Figure 6-9: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 21
Figure 6-10: Profiles 22
Figure 6-11: Import a Profile 22
Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Figure 6-12: Export a Profile 22
Figure 6-13: Create a New Profile 23
Figure 6-14: Enter Profile Name 23
Figure 6-15: Network Settings for New Profile 23
Figure 6-16: Wireless Network for New Profile 24
Figure 6-17: Wireless Mode for New Profile 24
Figure 6-18: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings for New Profile 25
Figure 6-19: Wireless Security for New Profile 26
Figure 6-20: Wireless Security - WEP for New Profile 26
Figure 6-21: Wireless Security - WPA Personal for New Profile 27
Figure 6-22: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using EAP-TLS for New Profile 28
Figure 6-23: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using EAP-PEAP for New Profile 28
Figure 6-24: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-TLS for New Profile 29
Figure 6-25: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using PEAP for New Profile 29
Figure 6-26: Wireless Security - LEAP for New Profile 30
Figure 6-27: Confirm New Settings for New Profile 30
Figure 6-28: Congratulations for New Profile 31
Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter. 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, whether it’s using the Wireless-A (802.11a), Wireless-G (802.11g), or Wireless-B
(802.11b) standard. Using this Adapter, your notebook has the flexibility to communicate using any of the three
wireless networking standards.
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.
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.
802.11a: an IEEE wireless networking standard that
specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps
and an operating frequency of 5GHz.
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 walks you through configuring the Adapter to your wireless network settings, step by
step. Use the instructions in this Guide to help you set up the Adapter using the Setup Wizard and connect the
Adapter. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
802.11g: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Dual-Band Wireless A+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 Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.
• Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
This chapter instructs you on how to run the Adapter’s Setup Wizard and configure the Adapter.
• Chapter 5: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
This chapter shows you how to connect the Adapter to your PC.
• Chapter 6: Using the Wireless Network Monitor
This chapter explains how to use the Adapter’s Wireless Network Monitor.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some potential 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?
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Dual-Band Wireless A+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?
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Dual-Band Wireless A+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.
topology: the physical layout of a network.
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
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, provided that they
both share the same channel and SSID.
Choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access point positioning combined
with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
Network Layout
Dual-Band Wireless A+G products offer the most flexibility, because they can connect to 802.11a networks, or
they can connect to networks with 802.11g and/or 802.11b devices—depending on the settings you configure on
the dual-band products.
The Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter is compatible with all 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g routers, as well
as access points. It will also communicate with other wireless notebook adapters for your laptop computers,
wireless PCI adapters for your desktop PCs, and wireless USB adapters when you want to enjoy USB connectivity.
Wireless products will also communicate with wireless print servers.
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 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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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on access points and
wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or routers.
With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at
www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter.
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Layout
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
The LED Indicator
The Adapter's LED display information about network activity.
Figure 3-1: The ACT LED
ACT Green. The ACT LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on and has an active connection. It
flashes when data is transmitted or received.
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
The LED Indicator
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
The Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The
Setup Wizard will install the driver and Wireless Network Monitor, as well as configure the Adapter.
NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard before connecting the Adapter to your computer.
Using the Setup Wizard
Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The Setup Wizard should run automatically, and the
Welcome screen should appear. If it does not, click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears,
enter D:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).
On the Welcome screen, you have the following choices:
Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen
Install - Click the Install button to begin the software installation process.
User Guide - Click the User Guide button to open the PDF file of this User Guide.
Exit - Click the Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.
1. To install the Adapter, click the Install button on the Welcome screen.
2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree, or click the Cancel button to end the
installation.
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Using the Setup Wizard
Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
3. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a network type. Click the 5GHz or 2.4GHz radio button if you will
connect to 802.11a networks, as well as 802.11g and/or 802.11b networks. Click the 5GHz only radio button
if you will connect only to 802.11a networks. Click the 2.4GHz only radio button if you will connect only to
802.11g and/or 802.11b networks.
Click the Next button.
4. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a network mode. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you
want your wireless computers to network with computers on your wired network using a wireless access
point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wireless computers to network directly with
each other.
Figure 4-3: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Network Screen
In the SSID field, enter the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the
network. The default setting is linksys (all lowercase). Click the Next button.
NOTE: An SSID is the network name shared by all devices in a wireless network. Your network’s
SSID should be unique to your network and identical for all devices within the network.
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Using the Setup Wizard
Figure 4-4: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Mode Screen
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
5. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 6 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings
screen will appear.
Select the correct operating channel for your wireless network. 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, keep
the default setting, Auto.
Click the Next button. Click the Back button to change any settings.
6. If you don’t want to use encryption, select Disabled. Then, click the Next button and proceed to Step 8.
To utilize encryption, first select the method of security you want to use: WEP, WPA-Personal, WPA-
Enterprise, RADIUS, or LEAP. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected
Access. WPA is a stronger security method than WEP. RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User
Service, and LEAP stands for Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol. Click the Next button to
continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 4-5: Setup Wizard’s Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Using the Setup Wizard
Figure 4-6: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security Screen
encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network.
wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of encrypting network
data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
7. Proceed to the appropriate section for your security method: WEP, WPA-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, RADIUS, or
LEAP.
WEP
WEP - For 802.11g and/or 802.11b networking, select 64-bit or 128-bit encryption from the drop-down
menu. For 802.11a networking, select 64-bit, 128-bit, or 152-bit encryption (152-bit is available only for
802.11a networking).
Then enter a passphrase or WEP key.
Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. The
passphrase is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. It must match the
passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If
you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)
WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption,
enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. For 128-bit encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters.
For 152-bit encryption, enter exactly 32 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9”
and “A” to “F”.
For Advanced Users
TX Key - The default transmit key number is 1. If your network’s access point or wireless router uses transmit
key number 2, 3, or 4, select the appropriate number from the TX Key drop-down box.
Figure 4-7: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security -
WEP Screen
Authentication -The default is set to Auto, so it will auto-detect for Shared Key or Open System
authentication. For Shared Key authentication, both the sender and the recipient share a WEP key for
authentication. For Open System authentication, the sender and the recipient do not share a WEP key for
authentication. If you are not sure which authentication method to select, keep the default, Auto.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Using the Setup Wizard
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
WPA Personal
WPA Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or
AES for encryption. Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters in length.
Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down
menu.
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.
The longer and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure your network will be.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 4-8: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security -
WPA Personal Using TKIP Screen
wpa (wi-fi protected access: a wireless security
protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)
encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a
RADIUS server.
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Using the Setup Wizard
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Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
WPA Enterprise
WPA Enterprise features WPA security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used
when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) WPA Enterprise offers two authentication methods, EAPTLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys.
Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.
EAP-TLS
If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the
name of the authentication server in the Server Name field (this is optional). From the Certificate drop-down
menu, select the certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network. Select the type
of encryption, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
PEAP
If you selected PEAP, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the
password of your wireless network in the Password field. Enter the name of the authentication server in the
Server Name field (this is optional). From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate you have
installed to authenticate you on your wireless network; if you want to use any certificate, keep the default
setting, Trust Any. Then select the authentication method used inside the PEAP tunnel, EAP-MSCHAP v2 or
Generic Token Card. Select the type of encryption, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.
Figure 4-9: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security -
WPA Enterprise Using EAP-TLS Screen
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Using the Setup Wizard
Figure 4-10: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security -
WPA Enterprise Using PEAP Screen
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