LINKSYS WMP55AGV13 Users Manual

Dual-Band Wireless A+G

PCI Adapter

Use this guide to install:
WMP55AG ver. 1.3

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 a re
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Welcome
What’s in this Guide?

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 4

Network Topology
Roaming
Network Layout

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI
Adapter

The LED Indicators

Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration

The Installation Procedure

Chapter 5: Hardware Installation

Connecting the Adapter

Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor

Accessing the WLAN Monitor
Link Information
Site Survey

Profiles Creating a New Profile
Common Problems and Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Precautions

Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

Appendix C: Windows Help
Appendix D: Glossary
Appendix E: Specifications
Appendix F: Warranty Information
Appendix G: Regulatory Information
Appendix H: Contact Information

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

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.
The Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter lets your PC communicate with all three
wireless network standards. With one PCI Adapter, you can connect to Wireless-A (802.11a),
Wireless-G (802.11g) and Wireless-B (802.11b) networks.
Wireless-B networks have a data rate of 11Mbps, and are commonly found in corporate
environments and in homes for household Internet connectivity without the need for running
cables. They're also popping up all over the country in coffee shops, airports, hotels, convention
centers, and other public spaces offering “on the go” connectivity to mobile users.
In high speed or heavy usage environments, Wireless-B is quickly being replaced by a new
standard, Wireless-G, which uses the same 2.4GHz radio band, but at 54Mbps, is almost five
times faster. The third wireless network standard is Wireless-A, which also runs at 54Mbps, but
operates in the less-crowded 5GHz radio band.
Wireless-A is mostly used in corporate installations.
Whichever standard you encounter, the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter is ready to
connect. And it's simple to use. Just run the included Setup Wizard, which will walk you through
the configuration, and insert the PCI Adapter into one of your PC’s empty PCI slots. All wireless
communications can be protected by up to 256-bit encryption, so your data stays secu re.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you set up and install the Adapter. These instructions
should be all you need to get the most out of the 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: Software Installation and Configuration
This chapter instructs you on how to use the Adapter’s Setup Wizard and co nfigure the Adapter.

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

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

• 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 2: Planning Your
Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Comput ers
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 net work 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 SSID.
Before enabling 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.

infrastructure: a wireless network that is
bridged to a wired network via an access point.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly with each other (peerto-
peer) without the use of 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.
topology: the physical layout of a network.

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 80 2.11g
routers, as well as access points. It will also communicate with 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.
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 wired
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 wir eless products.

Chapter 3: Getting to Know
the Dual-Band Wireless A+G
PCI Adapter

The LED Indicators

The Adapter's LEDs display information about network activity.
ACT Green. The ACT LED lights up when the Adapter has an active connection. It flashes when
data is transmitted or received.

Chapter 4: Software
Installation and Configuration

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 WLAN Monitor, as well as configure the
Adapter.
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:

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.

The Installation Procedure

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.

3. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a network mode. Click the 5GHz + 2.4GHz radio

button if you will connect to both 802.11a and 802.11g networks. Click the 5GHz radio button if
you will connect only to 802.11a networks. Click the 2.4GHz radio button if you will connect only
to 802.11g or 802.11b networks.
Click the Next button.

4. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a wireless 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.
The Setup Wizard provides three SSID fields. In the SSID 1 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).
In the SSID 2 and SSID 3 fields, enter alternative SSIDs. When attempting to connect to the
network, the Adapter will first try SSID 1. If the Adapter fails to connect, then it will try SSID 2 and
SSID 3 until it establishes a connection. Click the Next button.

5. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 6 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, select the
correct operating channel for your network. If you have an 802.11g network, then sele ct the
Network Mode from the drop-down menu. Click the Next button, and go to Step 6. 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 Auto, which enables the
Adapter to match the channel setting of the strongest wireless signal it detects.
Network Mode - If you have 802.11b and 802.11g devices in your network, then select Mixed
Mode. Both Wireless-G and Wireless-B computers will be allowed on the network, but
transmission speeds will be reduced. If you have only 802.11g devices in your network, select
G-Only Mode for maximum speed (no Wireless-B users will be allowed on the network).

6. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it starts to copy files. Click the
Next button to save these settings, or click the Back button to change any settings.

7. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear.
Click the Exit button. At this point, you may be asked to restart your computer.

Proceed to “Chapter 5: Hardware Installation.”

Chapter 5: Hardware Installation

Connecting the Adapter

1. Turn off your desktop PC.

2. Open your PC’s case, and locate an available PCI slot on the motherboard. Check with your
computer’s manufacturer if you need instructions.

3. Slide the Adapter into the PCI slot. Make sure that all of its pins are touching the slot’s contacts.
You may have to apply a bit of pressure to slide the Adapter all the way in.

4. After the Adapter is set firmly in place, secure its fastening tab to your PC’s chassis with a
mounting screw.
Then close your PC’s case.

5. Rotate the antenna so that it is positioned straight up and perpendicular to the horizon. This will
ensure optimum wireless operating range and performance.

6. Power on your desktop PC.

7. Windows will detect the new hardware and begin installing the driver files in your operating
system.
Note: For Windows 2000 users, you may be informed that a digital signature has not been found
after Windows detects the new hardware. This is normal, and it has been verified that the Adapter
does work with Windows 2000. Click the Yes button to continue. Some Windows users may be
asked to restart their computers.

Congratulations! The installation of the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter is complete.
If you want to check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make
additional
configuration changes, go to “Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor.”

Chapter 6: Using the WLAN
Monitor

Use the WLAN Monitor to check the link information, search for available wireless networ ks, or
create profiles that hold different configuration settings.

Accessing the WLAN Monitor

After installing the Adapter, the Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter WLAN Monitor icon will
appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon.
The Link Information screen will appear. From this screen, you can find out how strong the
current wireless signal is and how good the connection’s quality is. You can also click the More
Information button to view additional status information about the current wireless connection.
To search for available wireless networks, click the Site Survey tab. To perform configuration
changes, click the Profiles tab.

Link Information

The Link Information screen displays network mode, signal strength, and link quality information
about the current connection. It also provides a button to click for additional status information.
Ad-Hoc Mode or Infrastructure Mode - The screen indicates whether the Adapter is currently
working in ad-hoc or infrastructure mode.

Signal Strength - The Signal Strength bar indicates signal strength, from 0 to 100%.
Link Quality - The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of the wireless network connection, from

0 to 100%.
Click the More Information button to view additional information about the wireless network
connection.
Click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the WLAN Monitor.