Linksys WPC54GX4 User Manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
2.4
Model No.
802.11g
WIRELESS
WPC54GX4
Wireless-G
Notebook Adapter with SRX400
User Guide
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
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.
How to Use This User Guide
This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 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 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter.
This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Wireless-G 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 numbers and descriptions can also be found in the “List of Figures” section in the “Table of Contents”.
WPC54GX4-UG-51018NC JL
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
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 with SRX400 5
The LED Indicators 5
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
with SRX400 6
Starting the Setup Wizard 6 Setting Up the Adapter 8
Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 18
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 18 Link Information Screens 18 Site Survey 21 Profiles 23 Creating a New Profile 24
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 34
Common Problems and Solutions 34 Frequently Asked Questions 34
Appendix B: Using Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 38 Appendix C: Wireless Security 41
Security Precautions 41 Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 41
Appendix D: Windows Help 44 Appendix E: Glossary 45 Appendix F: Specifications 50 Appendix G: Warranty Information 51 Appendix H: Regulatory Information 52 Appendix I: Contact Information 58
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: Adapter’s LEDs 5 Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6 Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 6 Figure 4-3: Insert the Notebook Adapter Screen 7 Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Network Screen 8 Figure 4-5: Available Wireless Network Screen 9 Figure 4-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection 9 Figure 4-7: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 10 Figure 4-8: WPA2-Personal Needed for Connection 10 Figure 4-9: Congratulations Screen 10 Figure 4-10: Available Wireless Network Screen 11 Figure 4-11: Network Settings Screen 11 Figure 4-12: Wireless Mode Screen 12 Figure 4-13: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen 12 Figure 4-14: Wireless Security Screen 13 Figure 4-15: Wireless Security - WEP Screen 13 Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - WPA Personal Screen 14 Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - WPA2 Personal Screen 14 Figure 4-18: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using EAP-TLS Screen 15 Figure 4-19: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using PEAP Screen 15 Figure 4-20: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-TLS Screen 16 Figure 4-21: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using PEAP Screen 16 Figure 4-22: Confirm New Settings Screen 17 Figure 4-23: Congratulations Screen 17 Figure 5-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 18 Figure 5-2: Link Information Screen 18 Figure 5-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status Screen 19 Figure 5-4: More Information - Wireless Network Statistics Screen 20 Figure 5-5: Site Survey Screen 21 Figure 5-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection 21 Figure 5-7: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 22 Figure 5-8: WPA2-Personal Needed for Connection 22 Figure 5-9: Profiles Screen 23
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
Figure 5-10: Import a Profile 23 Figure 5-11: Export a Profile 23 Figure 5-12: Create a New Profile 24 Figure 5-13: Available Wireless Network Screen 24 Figure 5-14: Available Wireless Network Screen 25 Figure 5-15: WEP Key Needed for Connection 25 Figure 5-16: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 26 Figure 5-17: WPA2-Personal Needed for Connection 26 Figure 5-18: Congratulations Screen 26 Figure 5-19: Available Wireless Network Screen 27 Figure 5-20: Network Settings Screen 27 Figure 5-21: Wireless Mode Screen 28 Figure 5-22: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen 28 Figure 5-23: Wireless Security Screen 29 Figure 5-24: Wireless Security - WEP Screen 29 Figure 5-25: Wireless Security - WPA Personal Screen 30 Figure 5-26: Wireless Security - WPA2 Personal Screen 30 Figure 5-27: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using EAP-TLS Screen 31 Figure 5-28: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise Using PEAP Screen 31 Figure 5-29: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-TLS Screen 32 Figure 5-30: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using PEAP Screen 32 Figure 5-31: Confirm New Settings Screen 33 Figure 5-32: Congratulations Screen 33 Figure B-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 38 Figure B-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 38 Figure B-3: Windows XP Wireless Configuration Icon 38 Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 39 Figure B-5: No Wireless Security 39 Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security 40 Figure B-7: Wireless Network Connection 40
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400. 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-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?
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.
802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
802.11g an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400.
• 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-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.
• Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 This chapter shows you how to set up and connect the Adapter.
Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
• Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor This chapter explains 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: Using Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration This chapter instructs you on how to use Window 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?
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400

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.
topology: the physical layout of a network.
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.
Before you consider 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.
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology
ssid: your wireless network's name.
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
Network Layout
Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11b and 802.11g products. Products using the 802.11g and 802.11b standards can communicate with each other.
Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such as the notebook adapters for your laptop computers, PCI adapters for your desktop PCs, and USB adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with a wireless print server.
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.
switch: a data switch that connects computing devices to host computers, allowing a large number of devices to share a limited number of ports
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.
router: a networking device that connects multiple networks together
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Layout
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400

The LED Indicators
The Adapter's LEDs display information about the Adapter and its wireless connection.
Figure 3-1: Adapter’s LEDs
POWER Green. The LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on.
LINK Green. The LED lights up when the Adapter has an active wireless connection. It flashes when
the Adapter is transmitting or receiving data.
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 The LED Indicators
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400

Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400

The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter is set up with the Setup Wizard that comes on the CD enclosed with the Adapter. This chapter will guide you through the setup procedure.
IMPORTANT: Do not connect the Adapter until you are instructed to do so or the setup will not work.
Starting the Setup Wizard
To begin the setup process, 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 this User Guide.
Exit - Click Exit 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 Next if you agree and want to continue the installation, or click Cancel to end the installation.
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Starting the Setup Wizard
Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen
Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
3. Windows will begin copying the files onto your notebook.
4. The Setup Wizard will now prompt you to insert the Adapter into your notebook. After installing the Adapter, as shown below, click Next.
Proceed to the “Setting Up the Adapter” section.
Figure 4-3: Insert the Notebook Adapter Screen
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Starting the Setup Wizard
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
Setting Up the Adapter
The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Network screen. This provides two options for setting up the Adapter.
Available Wireless Network. Most users should use this option. 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. To set up the Adapter manually, select Manual Setup.
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.
Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Network Screen
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
Setting Up the Adapter with an Available 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.
1. If wireless security has been enabled on this network, you will see a wireless security screen. If your network uses WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption, the WEP Key Needed for Connection screen will appear. If your network uses WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal security, a screen will appear for one of those encryption methods.
WEP Key Needed for Connection
Select the level of encryption you want to use, 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 31 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.)
Figure 4-5: Available Wireless Network 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.
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 Key 1 - 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 the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
Figure 4-6: WEP Key Needed for Connection
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
WPA-Personal for Connection
WPA Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select one of these methods. Then enter a passphrase.
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.
Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
WPA2 - Personal Needed for Connection
AES is automatically used as the encryption method. Enter a passphrase on this screen.
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.
Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.
2. After the Adapter has been configured for the network, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Connect
to Network to connect to your network.
Congratulations! Setup is complete.
Figure 4-7: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection
Figure 4-8: WPA2-Personal Needed for Connection
To check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration
changes, refer to “Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.”
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
Figure 4-9: Congratulations Screen
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
Setting Up the Adapter with Manual Setup
Click Manual Setup on the Available Wireless Network screen to set up the Adapter manually.
1. After clicking Manual Setup, the Network Settings screen 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(es) of your wired Ethernet network here.
Figure 4-10: Available Wireless Network Screen
Click Next to continue, or click Back to return to the Available Wireless Network screen.
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
Figure 4-11: Network Settings Screen
ip address: the address used to identify a computer or device on a network.
subnet mask: an address code that determines the size of a network.
default gateway: a device that forwards Internet traffic from your local area network.
dns (domain name server): the IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP addresses.
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
2. 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. Then, 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 Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.
3. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 4 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen will appear. Select your channel and network mode settings on this screen.
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.
Network Mode - Select the mode in which your wireless network will operate. Select Mixed Mode if you want both Wireless-B and Wireless-G devices operating on the network, though at a slower speed. Select G- Only Mode if you do not want any Wireless-B devices operating on the network.
Click Next to continue or click Back to change any settings.
Figure 4-12: Wireless Mode Screen
Figure 4-13: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
4. The Wireless Security screen will appear.
If your wireless network doesn’t use wireless security, select Disabled and then click the Next button to continue. Proceed to Step 5.
From the Security drop-down menu, select the security method you want to use: WEP, WPA Personal, WPA2 Personal, WPA Enterprise, or RADIUS. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and WPA uses a security standard stronger than WEP encryption. RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service. Then proceed to the appropriate instructions for your security method.
WEP
Select a level of WEP encryption to use, and then enter a passphrase or WEP key.
WEP - To use WEP encryption, select 64-bit or 128-bit characters from the drop-down menu.
Passphrase - Instead of manually entering a WEP key, you can enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field,
so a WEP key is automatically generated. This case-sensitive passphrase must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non­Linksys 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. If you are using 64-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. If you are using 128-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of 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.
Authentication - The default is set to Auto, where it auto-detects for Shared Key or Open system. Shared Key is when both the sender and the recipient share a WEP key for authentication. Open key is when the sender and the recipient do not share a WEP key for authentication. All devices on your network must use the same authentication type.
Click the Next button to continue to the Confirm New Settings screen or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 4-14: Wireless Security Screen
Figure 4-15: Wireless Security - WEP Screen
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
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Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400
WPA Personal
Select an encryption method, TKIP or AES, and then enter a passphrase.
Encryption - Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.
Click the Next button to continue to the Confirm New Settings screen or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
WPA2 Personal
WPA2 Personal automatically uses AES, which is a stronger encryption method than TKIP. Enter a passphrase on this screen.
Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - WPA Personal Screen
Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.
Click the Next button to continue to the Confirm New Settings screen or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Chapter 4: Setting Up and Connecting the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX400 Setting Up the Adapter
Figure 4-17: Wireless Security - WPA2 Personal Screen
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