LINKSYS WPC300NV1 Users Manual

2.4

GHz

Wireless-N

Notebook Adapter

User Guide

WIRELESS

Model No.

WPC300N

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.

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.

wpc300n-UG-60313NC 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 17

Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 17
Using the Wireless Network Monitor 17
Link Information 17
Connect 20
Profiles 21
Create a New Profile 22

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 32

Common Problems and Solutions 32
Frequently Asked Questions 32

Appendix B: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 36

Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 36

Appendix C: Wireless Security 39

Security Precautions 39
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 39

Appendix D: Windows Help 42
Appendix E: Glossary 43
Appendix F: Specifications 48

Wireless-N Notebook Adapter

Appendix G: Warranty Information 50
Appendix H: Regulatory Information 51
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: PSK Personal Needed for Connection 8
Figure 4-7: PSK2 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 - PSK 12
Figure 4-15: Wireless Security - PSK2 12
Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - PSK+RADIUS - EAP-TLS 13
Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - PSK+RADIUS - PEAP 13
Figure 4-18: Wireless Security - PSK2+RADIUS - EAP-TLS 14
Figure 4-19: Wireless Security - PSK2+RADIUS - PEAP 14
Figure 4-20: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 15
Figure 4-21: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 15
Figure 4-22: Confirm New Settings 16
Figure 4-23: Congratulations screen 16
Figure 5-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 17
Figure 5-2: Link Information 17
Figure 5-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status 18
Figure 5-4: More Information-Network Statistics 19
Figure 5-5: Connect 19
Figure 5-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection 20

Wireless-N Notebook Adapter

Figure 5-7: PSK Personal Needed for Connection 20
Figure 5-8: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection 20
Figure 5-9: Profiles 21
Figure 5-10: Creating a Profile 22
Figure 5-11: WEP Key Needed for Connection 22
Figure 5-12: PSK Personal Needed for Connection 23
Figure 5-13: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection 23
Figure 5-14: Congratulations 23
Figure 5-15: Available Wireless Networks 24
Figure 5-16: Network Settings 24
Figure 5-17: Wireless Mode 25
Figure 5-18: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 25
Figure 5-19: Wireless Security - WEP 26
Figure 5-20: Wireless Security - PSK Personal 27
Figure 5-21: Wireless Security - PSK2 Personal 27
Figure 5-22: Wireless Security - PSK+RADIUS - EAP-TLS 28
Figure 5-23: Wireless Security - PSK+RADIUS - PEAP 28
Figure 5-24: Wireless Security - PSK2+RADIUS - EAP-TLS 29
Figure 5-25: Wireless Security - PSK2+RADIUS - PEAP 29
Figure 5-26: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 30
Figure 5-27: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 30
Figure 5-28: Confirm New Settings 31
Figure 5-29: Congratulations 31
Figure B-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 36
Figure B-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 36
Figure B-3: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Icon 36
Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 37
Figure B-5: No Wireless Security 37
Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security 38
Figure B-7: Wireless Network Connection 38

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.

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-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.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome

1

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.

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

2

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.

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

3

Wireless-N Notebook Adapter

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

4