Linksys WPC300N (EU/LA) User Manual

Model No.
Notebook Adapter
Wireless-N
WPC300N (EU/LA)
User Guide
WIRELESS
GHz
2,4
Wireless-N Notebook 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 © 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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:
In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:
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.
This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Notebook Adapter.
word: definition.
This checkmark means there is a note of interest and is something you should pay special attention to while using the Notebook Adapter.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Notebook Adapter.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
wpc300n-eu-UG-60322NC BW
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
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-N Notebook Adapter 5
The LED Indicators 5
Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 6
Starting the Setup 6 Connecting the Adapter 7 Setting up the Adapter 7
Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 15
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 15 Using the Wireless Network Monitor 15 Link Information 15 Connect 18 Profiles 19 Create a New Profile 20
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 28
Common Problems and Solutions 28 Frequently Asked Questions 28
Appendix B: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 32
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 32
Appendix C: Wireless Security 35
Security Precautions 35 Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 35
Appendix D: Windows Help 38 Appendix E: Glossary 39 Appendix F: Specifications 44
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Appendix G: Warranty Information 46 Appendix H: Regulatory Information 47 Appendix I: Contact Information 58
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: Front Panel 5 Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6 Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 6 Figure 4-3: Connecting the Adapter 7 Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Networks 7 Figure 4-5: WEP Key Needed for Connection 8 Figure 4-6: WPA Personal Needed for Connection 8 Figure 4-7: WPA2 Personal Needed for Connection 9 Figure 4-8: Congratulations 9 Figure 4-9: Available Wireless Network 10 Figure 4-10: Network Settings 10 Figure 4-11: Wireless Mode 10 Figure 4-12: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 11 Figure 4-13: Wireless Security - WEP 11 Figure 4-14: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 12 Figure 4-15: Wireless Security - WPA2 Personal 12 Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 13 Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 13 Figure 4-18: Confirm New Settings 14 Figure 4-19: Congratulations screen 14 Figure 5-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 15 Figure 5-2: Link Information 15 Figure 5-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status 16 Figure 5-4: More Information - Network Statistics 17 Figure 5-5: Connect 17 Figure 5-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection 18 Figure 5-7: WPA Personal Needed for Connection 18 Figure 5-8: WPA2 Personal Needed for Connection 18 Figure 5-9: Profiles 19 Figure 5-10: Creating a Profile 20
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Figure 5-11: WEP Key Needed for Connection 20 Figure 5-12: WPA Personal Needed for Connection 21 Figure 5-13: WPA2 Personal Needed for Connection 21 Figure 5-14: Congratulations 21 Figure 5-15: Available Wireless Networks 22 Figure 5-16: Network Settings 22 Figure 5-17: Wireless Mode 23 Figure 5-18: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 23 Figure 5-19: Wireless Security - WEP 24 Figure 5-20: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 25 Figure 5-21: Wireless Security - WPA2 Personal 25 Figure 5-22: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 26 Figure 5-23: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 26 Figure 5-24: Confirm New Settings 27 Figure 5-25: Congratulations 27 Figure B-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 32 Figure B-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 32 Figure B-3: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Icon 32 Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 33 Figure B-5: No Wireless Security 33 Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security 34 Figure B-7: Wireless Network Connection 34
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Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter. Setting up your network and your Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 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 with Wireless-N, it has even better range and speed.
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-N Notebook 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 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.
• Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter This chapter instructs you on how to install and configure the Adapter.
802.11b: a wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
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.
bit: a binary digit.
encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network
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Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this User Guide?
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
• 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: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration This appendix describes how to use Windows 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.
• Appendix I: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.
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Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology
Wireless-N Notebook 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.
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.
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.
access point: a device that allows wireless-
equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network
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Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Layout
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Network Layout
Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11b and 802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard, products using these standards can communicate with each other and with Wireless-N products. Wireless-N products are backward compatible with
802.11b and 802.11g products.
Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 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.
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Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
The LED Indicators
The Network Adapter's LEDs display information about network activity.
Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on.
Link/Act Green. The Link/Act LED lights up when the Adapter has an active connection.
Figure 3-1: Front Panel
Power
Link/Act
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Starting the Setup
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Starting the Setup
The Wireless-N 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.
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.
Diagnostic - Click the Diagnostic button to run a diagnostic check on your installed Notebook Adapter’s Wireless Network Monitor and driver.
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.
Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen
Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement
IMPORTANT: Do not connect the Adapter until you are instructed to do so or the setup will not work.
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Connecting the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
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.
4. Click Next.
Setting up the Adapter
The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Networks screen.
This screen provides two options for setting up the Adapter.
• Available Wireless Networks. (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 Advanced 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 Networks
The available networks are listed in the table on the center of the screen by Wireless Network Name. 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.
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.
Figure 4-3: Connecting the Adapter
Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Networks
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
2. If your network has WEP, WPA Personal, or WPA2 Personal wireless security enabled, then that security screen will appear. Continue to the screen for your wireless security.
• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
If you have WEP 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.
• WPA Personal (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
If your network has the wireless security WPA Personal enabled, this screen will appear.
Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.
Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field.
Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3.
Figure 4-5: WEP Key Needed for Connection
Figure 4-6: WPA Personal Needed for Connection
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.
wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of encrypting network data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
• WPA2 Personal (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)
If your network has the wireless security WPA2 Personal enabled, this screen will appear.
Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field.
Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3.
3. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Finish to exit. For more information about the Wireless Network Monitor, refer to Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.
Congratulations! The installation of the Wireless-N 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.
Figure 4-7: WPA2 Personal Needed for Connection
Figure 4-8: Congratulations
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
Advanced Setup
If your network is not listed with the available networks, you can use Manual Setup.
1. Click Advanced 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 or router, 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.
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 Wireless Network Name 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.
Wireless Network Name- This is the wireless network name (SSID) 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.
Figure 4-9: Available Wireless Network
Figure 4-11: Wireless Mode
Figure 4-10: Network Settings
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
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.
Network Mode - Select the Network Mode in which your wireless network will operate. In Mixed mode, Wireless-N, Wireless-B and Wireless-G devices can operate on the same network. In Wireless-G Only mode, no Wireless-B devices can operate in the network.
Standard Channel - Select the correct 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.
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, WPA2 Personal, or RADIUS. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. WPA2 stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2. WPA is a stronger security method than WEP. WPA2 is a stronger security method than WPA. 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, WPA2 Personal, or RADIUS.
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.)
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”.
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 4-13: Wireless Security - WEP
Figure 4-12: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
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 Pre-shared Key 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.
Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
WPA2 Personal
Enter a Pre-shared Key that is 8-63 characters in length.
Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 4-14: Wireless Security - WPA Personal
Figure 4-15: Wireless Security - WPA2 Personal
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
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
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.
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.
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS
Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP
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Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setting up the Adapter
Wireless-N Notebook Adapter
4. 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 Advanced Setup through the Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit.
5. 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 advanced 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.
Figure 4-18: Confirm New Settings
Figure 4-19: Congratulations screen
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