LINKSYS WPC200 User Manual

Wireless-G Notebook 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 Notebook Adapter 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 Notebook Adapter.

This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Notebook Adapter.

This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Notebook 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 0-1: Sample Figure Description

Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section.

WPC200-UG-51102NC BW

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Welcome 1 What’s in this User Guide? 1

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 3

Network Topology 3 Roaming 3 Network Layout 4

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 5

The LED Indicators 5

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 6

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

Chapter 5: 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

Appendix B: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 34

Windows XP Wireless Zero 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 46

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Appendix G: Warranty Information 47 Appendix H: Regulatory Information 48 Appendix I: Contact Information 54

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster. Setting up your network and your Wireless-G Network Adapter with RangeBooster is 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-G (802.11g) or Wireless-B (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.

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 and connect the Adapter using the Setup Wizard. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.

What’s in this User Guide?

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

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide.

adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

network: a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users.

802.11g a wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11b: a wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

bit: a binary digit.

encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network

• Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.

• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.

• Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter This chapter instructs you on how to install and configure the Adapter.

Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

• Chapter 5: 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: 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 1: Introduction What’s in this User Guide?

Wireless-G Notebook 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.

access point: a device that allows wireless-

equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peerto-peer) without the use of an access point.

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

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Network Layout

Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11a, 802.11b, and

802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products

incorporating both “a” and “g”, products using these standards can communicate with each other.

Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such at the PC Cards for your laptop computers, PCI Card for your desktop PC, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with the wireless PrintServer.

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 wireless products.

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Layout

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

Starting the Setup

The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the driver and Wireless Network Monitor, as well as connect and configure the Adapter.

IMPORTANT: Do not connect the Adapter until you are instructed to do so or the setup will not work.

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:

Click Here to Start- Click the Click Here to Start 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 Click Here to Start button on the Welcome screen.

2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree and want to continue the installation, or click the Cancel button to end the installation.

3. Windows will begin copying the files onto your PC.

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Starting the Setup

Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Connecting the Adapter

1. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook PC.

2. With the connector pin end facing the CardBus slot and the label facing up, slide the Adapter into the CardBus slot until it locks in place.

3. Windows will begin copying the driver files to your computer. If Windows asks you for the original Windows CD-ROM, insert the CD-ROM, and direct Windows to its correct location (e.g., D:\).

4. Then, click Next.

5. Windows 98 and Windows Me users may need to restart their PCs again when prompted to do so. The Power LED should light up when the Adapter is installed correctly.

Setting up the Adapter

The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Network screen.

This screen provides two options for setting up the Adapter.

• Available Wireless Network. (For most users.) Use this option if you already have a network set up. The networks available to this Adapter will be listed on this screen. You can choose one of these networks and click the Connect button to connect to it. Click the Refresh button to update the Available Wireless Network list.

• Manual Setup. If your network is not listed on this screen, select Manual Setup to set up the adapter manually. This method of setting up the Adapter is intended for Advanced Users only.

The setup for each option is described, step by step, under the appropriate heading on the following pages.

Click Exit to close the Setup Wizard, if you wish to set up the Adapter later.

Available Wireless Network

The available networks are listed in the table on the center of the screen by SSID. Select the wireless network you wish to connect to and click the Connect button. (If you do not see your network listed, you can click the Refresh button to bring the list up again.) If the network utilizes wireless security, you will need to configure security on the Adapter. If not, you will be taken directly to the Congratulations screen.

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Connecting the Adapter

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

1. If you have wireless security enabled on your network, continue to step 2. If you don’t have wireless security enabled, continue to step 3.

2. If your network has the wireless security WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) enabled, this screen will appear. Select 64-bit or 128-bit.

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. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.

Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3.

If your network has the wireless security WPA Personal (Wi-Fi Protected Access) enabled, this screen will appear.

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.

Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3.

Figure 4-2: WEP Key Needed for Connection

Figure 4-3: WP A - Personal Needed for Connection

wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of encrypting network data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.

encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network.

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 and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

If your network has the wireless security PSK2 (Pre-shared key 2) enabled, this screen will appear.

Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.

Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3.

3. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Connect to Network to connect to your network. For more information about the Wireless Network Monitor, refer to Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Figure 4-4: PSK2 Needed for Connection

Congratulations! The installation of the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter is complete.

To check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration

changes, proceed to Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

Manual Setup

If your network is not listed with the available networks, you can use Manual Setup.

1. Click Manual Setup on the Available Wireless Network screen to set up the adapter manually.

2. The Network Settings screen from the Wireless Network Monitor will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).

If your network does not have a DHCP server, click the radio button next to Specify network settings. Enter an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS addresses appropriate for your network. You must specify the IP Address and Subnet Mask on this screen. If you are unsure about the Default Gateway and DNS addresses, leave these fields empty.

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 1 and DNS 2 - Enter the DNS address of your wired Ethernet network here.

Click the Next button to continue, or click the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 4-5: Available Wireless Network

3. The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a wireless router or access point. Enter the SSID for your network.

Infrastructure Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point.

Ad-Hoc Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a

wireless router or access point.

SSID - This is the wireless network name that must be used for all the devices in your wireless network. It is case- sensitive and should be a unique name to help prevent others from entering your network.

Click the Next button to continue, or click the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Figure 4-6: Network Settings

Figure 4-7: Wireless Mode

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

4. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 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.

Click the Next button. Click the Back button to change any settings.

5. If your wireless network doesn’t have wireless security, select Disabled and then click the Next button to continue. Proceed to Step 6.

If your wireless network has wireless security, select the method of security used: WEP, WPA-Personal, PSK2, WPA-Enterprise, or RADIUS. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. PSK2 stands for Pre-shared Key2. WPA is a stronger security method than WEP. RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service. Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Proceed to the appropriate section for your security method: WEP, WPA-Personal, PSK2, WPA-Enterprise, or RADIUS.

Figure 4-8: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings

WEP

WEP - Select 64-bit or 128-bit encryption

Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so 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 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.)

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.

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Figure 4-9: Wireless Security - WEP

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

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 click the Back button to return to the previous screen.

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.

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

PSK2

Enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters in length.

Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.

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

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Figure 4-10: Wireless Security - WPA Personal

Figure 4-11: Wireless Security - PSK2

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

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. 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.

Figure 4-12: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS

Figure 4-12: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

RADIUS

RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP.

Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.

EAP-TLS

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

PEAP

Figure 4-13: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS

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

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

Figure 4-14: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster

6. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next and show the new settings. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. To exit the Manual Setup through the Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit.

7. The Congratulations screen will appear next. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings and return to the Link Information screen. Click Return to Profiles screen to return to the Profiles screen.

Congratulations! Your manual setup through the Wireless Network Monitor is complete.

To check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration

changes, proceed to Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter

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