Linksys WUSB12 Owner's Manual
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Wireless Compact
USB Adapter
Use this guide to install:
WUSB12
User Guide
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless is a trademark of Linksys.
Linksys is a registered trademark of Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the
property of their respective proprietors.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Linksys guarantees that every Instant Wireless™ Wireless Compact USB Adapter will be free
from physical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one year from the
date of purchase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications chapter of this User
Guide. If these products prove defective during this warranty period, call Linksys Technical
Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization Number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR PROOF
OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT'S PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN
CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. When returning a product, mark the Return Authorization Number clearly on the outside of the package and include a copy of your original proof of purchase. All customers located outside of the United States of America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping
and handling charges.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT
FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS
DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANY PRODUCT. Linksys
makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory, with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and all accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, perfor mance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
Linksys reserves the right to revise or update its products, software, or documentation without
obligation to notify any individual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:
Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
FCC STATEMENT
This Instant Wireless™ Wireless Compact USB Adapter has been tested and complies with the
specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which is found by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s
• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications nor expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement
This device and its antenna(s) must operate with a separation distance of at least 20 cm from
all persons using the cable provided and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter. End-users must be provided with specific operations for
satisfying RF exposure compliance.
UG-WUSB12-092002A JL
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
The Wireless Compact USB Adapter 1
Features 1
Package Contents 2
System Requirements 2
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 3
Network Topology 3
Roaming 3
Chapter 3: About USB 5
Overview 5
USB Icon 5
USB Cabling 6
Chapter 4: Getting To Know the Wireless Compact
USB Adapter 7
The Wireless Compact USB Adapter’s Port and LEDs 7
Chapter 5: Software Installation and Configuration
for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 8
Overview 8
Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 9
Instant WirelessTMSeries
Chapter 6: Connecting the Wireless Compact
USB Adapter 13
Hardware Detection for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 14
Chapter 7: Driver Installation and Configuration
for Windows XP 15
Overview 15
Driver Installation for Windows XP 15
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 17
Chapter 8: Using the WLAN Monitor for
Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 19
Overview 19
Starting the WLAN Monitor 19
Link Information 20
Site Survey 21
Profiles 23
Creating a New Profile 25
Using the Expert Mode 32
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 38
Common Problems and Solutions 38
Frequently Asked Questions 38
Instant Wireless™Series
Appendix B: Glossary 42
Appendix C: Specifications 47
Environmental 48
Appendix D: Warranty Information 49
Appendix E: Contact Information 50
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
Chapter 1:Introduction
Add your PC to your wireless network the easy way—with the Wireless
Compact USB Adapter. It’s so easy to install—simply connect the Compact
Adapter to your PC’s USB port, click open the antenna, and run the Linksys
Setup Wizard. Your PC is ready to share high-speed Internet access, f iles, and
printers through the network—without wires.
The Adapter’s compact design and hot-swappable flexibility are tremendous
advantages for notebook users. Take the pocket-sized Adapter w here ver y ou go.
When you want to join a wireless network, install the Adapter on the fly—no
need to reboot. The Adapter draws power from the PC, so you don’t need an
external power supply.
Transfer data at speeds up to 11Mbps. Improved error correction keeps the
Adapter operating at higher transmission rates for longer distances. With the
Wireless Compact USB Adapter, you get the mobility of wireless networking
combined with the convenience of USB.
• Pocket-Sized Design and Convenient Neck Strap for Portability
• Compliant with USB 1.1 Specification
• Compliant with 802.11b, DSSS, 2.4GHz Standard
• High-Speed Data Transfer Rates up to 11Mbps with Automatic Fall-Back
• Plug-and-Play Compatibility with Windows 98SE, 2000, Millennium, and
XP
• Hot-swappable Flexibility for Instant Wireless Network Access
• Supports up to 128-bit WEP Encryption Security
• Uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) to Maintain Connectivity
• Integrated Equalizer Recovers Weak Signals and Enhances Sensitivity
• Clear Channel Assessment Increases Network Throughput
• Hardware Buffer Chaining Provides High Performance While Reading and
Writing Buffers
• Conveniently Powered by Host Computer
• Toll-Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a W eek for U.S. Only
• 1-Year Limited Warranty
The Wireless Compact USB Adapter
Features
1
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
3
Chapter 2:Planning Yo ur Wireless Network
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to
connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency
channel and SSID, which is an identif ication name for wireless devices.
The Wireless Compact USB Adapter provides access to a wired LAN for wireless computers.
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which
they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configura-
tion is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an
access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes
depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or peripherals with a wired network or not.
If the computers on the
wireless network need to
be accessed by a wired
network or need to share a
peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network
computers, the wireless
network should be set up
in infrastructure mode.
(See Figure 2-1.) The
basis of infrastructure
mode centers around an
access point, which serves
as the main point of communications in a wireless network. Access points transmit data to PCs
equipped with wireless network cards, which can roam within a certain radial
range of the access point. Multiple access points can be arranged to work in
succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set up to communicate with
your Ethernet (wired) hardware as well.
Network Topology
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode
Figure 2-1
Instant Wireless™Series
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• One Wireless Compact USB Adapter
• One USB Extension Cable
• One Neck Strap
• One Setup Wizard CD-ROM with User Guide
• One Quick Installation guide
• One Registration Card
One PC with the following:
• 90MHz or Higher CPU
• Minimum 32MB RAM
• Windows 98SE, Millennium, 2000, or XP
• Available USB Port
• CD-ROM Drive
System Requirements
Package Contents
Figure 1-1
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
5
Instant Wireless™Series
If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only
with the other computers on the wireless network, then the ad-hoc mode can
be used. (See Figure 2-2.) Ad-hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is that, in AdHoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with
computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the
wireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference directly between them.
4
Chapter 3:About USB
USB, which is short for Universal Serial Bus, is a technology designed to
make it easier to connect devices to computers. First developed in 1996 by a
group of computer industry leaders that included Compaq, Digital, IBM, Intel,
Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom, USB is one of the most widely used
technologies for users who want to add peripherals to their computers.
USB is unique because it is Plug-and-Play, which allo ws a computer to instantly recognize when a device like a keyboard, mouse, or scanner has been connected to it. Once the device has been recognized, it’s ready to go—no special
setup is required. Similarly, USB supports hot-swapping, the insertion or
removal of devices while the computer is turned on. You can swap one device
for another without having to power down your system or install any special
software—it really is that easy.
The USB 1.1 standard supports two speed modes, 1.5 and up to 12Mbps.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device and its antenna(s) must operate with a separation distance of at
least 20 cm from all persons using the cable provided and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. End-users
must be provided with specific operations for satisfying RF exposure compliance.
The USB icon marks a USB port on a PC or device.
Figure 3-1
Overview
USB Icon
Figure 2-2
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
7
Instant Wireless™Series
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Chapter 4: Getting to Know the Wireless Compact USB Adapter
The USB Port
USB Port The USB Port connects to your PC’s USB port or the includ-
ed USB extension cable.
The LED Indicators
Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Wireless
Compact USB Adapter is powered on.
Link Green. The Link LED lights up when the Adapter has an
active connection.
The Wireless Compact USB Adapter’s Port and LEDs
Figure 4-1
There are two kinds of USB connectors, Type A and Type B. Type A is a rectangular connector, and Type B is a square connector.
The USB extension cable that comes with the Adapter has Type A connectors
on both ends. One is a male Type A connector that plugs into the PC’s USB
port, and the other is a female Type A connector that plugs into the Adapter.
Figure 3-4 shows two USB ports as they might appear on your
computer. Note the two USB icons marking the ports.
Figure 3-2
USB Cabling
Figure 3-4
USB Type A
USB Type B
Male USB Type A
Female USB Type A
Figure 3-3
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
9
Instant Wireless™Series
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• Install - Click the Install button to begin the software installation process.
• User Guide - Click the User Guide button to open the PDF file of this User
Guide.
• LINKSYS Web - Click the LINKSYS Web button to access the Linksys
website using an active Internet connection.
• Exit - Click the Exit button to exit the Setup Wizard.
1. To install the Adapter, click the Install button on the Welcome screen.
2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree, or
click the Cancel button to end the installation.
Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000
Figure 5-2
Chapter 5:Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000
The Wireless Compact USB Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the
installation procedure for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000. The Setup Wizard
will install the WLAN Monitor and Device Driver, as well as configure the
Adapter.
Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The Setup
Wizard should run automatically, and Figure 5-1 should appear. If it does not,
click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears, enter
D:\setup.exe (where “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).
Important for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 users: You must run
the Setup W izard to install the softw are before installing the hardware.
Figure 5-1
Important for Windows XP users: Do NOT run the Wireless
Network Adapter Setup Wizard. Proceed directly to “Chapter 6:
Connecting the Wireless Compact USB Adapter.”
Overview
Wireless Compact USB Adapter
11
Instant Wireless™Series
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4. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc
Mode, select the correct operating channel for your network. The channel
you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network. Click the Next button, and go to Step 5.
5. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it starts to copy
files. Click the Next button to save these settings, or click the Back button
to change any settings.
Figure 5-5
3. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a wireless mode. Click the
Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers to
network with computers on your wired network using a wireless access
point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wireless
computers to network directly with each other. Do not use the Ad-Hoc mode
if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computers on
your wired network.
In the SSID field, enter the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID must
be identical for all devices in the network. The default setting is linksys (all
lowercase). Click the Next button.
Figure 5-3
Figure 5-4
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