LINKSYS WUSB54GSV2 Users Manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.

®

2.4

Model No.

GHz

802.11g

Wireless-G

USB Network Adapter

WIRELESS

with SpeedBooster

WUSB54GS ver. 2

User Guide

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

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 © 2004 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 USB Network 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 Wireless-G USB Network Adapter.

This exclamation point means there is a Caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter.

This question mark provides you with a reminder
about something you might need to do while using
the Wireless-G USB Network 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 in the “Table of Contents”.

WUSB54GS-UG-40811A JL

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 4

Network Topology 4
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard 6
Chapter 4: Connecting the USB Network Adapter 13

The LED Indicators 14

Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 15

Using the Wireless Network Monitor Icon 15
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 16
Link Information 16
Site Survey 19
Profiles 20
Creating a New Profile 21

Appendix A: Troubleshooting 28

Common Problems and Solutions 28
Frequently Asked Questions 29

Appendix B: Wireless Security 32

Security Precautions 32
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 32

Appendix C: Windows Help 35
Appendix D: Glossary 36
Appendix E: Specifications 39
Appendix F: Warranty Information 41
Appendix G: Regulatory Information 42
Appendix H: Contact Information 43

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

List of Figures

Figure 3-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6
Figure 3-2: The License Agreement Screen 7
Figure 3-3: The Wireless Mode Screen 7
Figure 3-4: The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen 8
Figure 3-5: The Wireless Security Screen 8
Figure 3-6: The WEP Security Settings Screen 9
Figure 3-7: The Wireless Security PSK Screen 9
Figure 3-8: The Wireless Security PSK+RADIUS (EAP-TLS) Screen 10
Figure 3-9: The Wireless Security RADIUS (EAP-PEAP) Screen 10
Figure 3-10: The Check Settings Screen 11
Figure 3-11: The Windows 2000 Digital Signature Screen 11
Figure 3-12: The Windows XP Digital Signature Screen 11
Figure 3-13: The Congratulations Screen 12
Figure 4-1: The Adapter’s USB Port 13
Figure 4-2: A USB Port 13
Figure 4-3: The New Hardware Wizard 13
Figure 4-4: The Windows 2000 Digital Signature Screen 14
Figure 4-5: The Windows XP Digital Signature Screen 14
Figure 5-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 15
Figure 5-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 15
Figure 5-3: Windows XP - Use Linksys Wireless Network Monitor 15
Figure 5-4: Link Information 16
Figure 5-5: More Information - Wireless Network Status 17
Figure 5-6: More Information - Wireless Network Statistics 18
Figure 5-7: Site Survey 19
Figure 5-8: WEP Key Needed for Connection 19
Figure 5-9: PSK (Pre-Shared Key) Needed for Connection 19
Figure 5-10: Profiles 20
Figure 5-11: Import a Profile 20
Figure 5-12: Export a Profile 20

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

Figure 5-13: Create a New Profile 21
Figure 5-14: Enter Profile Name 21
Figure 5-15: Network Settings for New Profile 21
Figure 5-16: Wireless Mode for New Profile 22
Figure 5-17: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings for New Profile 22
Figure 5-18: Wireless Security for New Profile 23
Figure 5-19: Wireless Security - WEP for New Profile 23
Figure 5-20: Wireless Security - PSK for New Profile 24
Figure 5-21: Wireless Security - PSK + RADIUS Using EAP-TLS for New Profile 25
Figure 5-22: Wireless Security - PSK + RADIUS Using EAP-PEAP for New Profile 25
Figure 5-23: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-TLS for New Profile 26
Figure 5-24: Wireless Security - RADIUS Using EAP-PEAP for New Profile 26
Figure 5-25: Confirm New Settings for New Profile 27
Figure 5-26: Congratulations for New Profile 27

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter. 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. Connecting to your PC via the USB port means that this Adapter leaves the PC’s
slots open for other purposes. This adapter communicates over the 802.11g wireless standard, one of the newest
wireless standards, to communicate with your network.

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.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Adapter, set it up, and configure it for your network.
These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.

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.

802.11g: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a

maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency
of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B USB Network 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: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard
This chapter instructs you on how to install the Adapter’s Setup Wizard.

• Chapter 4: Connecting the USB Network Adapter
This chapter shows you how to connect the Adapter to your PC’s USB port.

• 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.

Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

• 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 Guide?

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

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.

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

access point: device that allows wireless­equipped computers and other devices to
communicate with a wired network.

infrastructure: Configuration in which a
wireless network 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

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

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.

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

switch: device that is the central point of connection for
computers and other devices in a network, so data can
be shared at full transmission speeds.

router: a networking device that connects multiple networks
together, such as a local network and the Internet.

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Layout

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard

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

1. 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).

IMPORTANT: You must run the Setup
Wizard to install the software before

connecting the Adapter.

Figure 3-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

2. Read the License Agreement displayed on the following screen and click the Next button to continue the
installation. If you click the Cancel button, you will end the installation.

3. The Wireless Mode screen will ask for some information about your wireless network. In the SSID field, enter
your network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier). The SSID is your network name and must be identical for all
devices in the network. The default setting is linksys (all lowercase).

Figure 3-2: The License Agreement Screen

Next, 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 an access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode
radio button if you want multiple wireless computers to network directly with each other.

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

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard

Figure 3-3: The Wireless Mode Screen

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

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 from the Channel drop-down menu. Then, select the Network Mode from the drop­down menu. Click the Next button, and go to Step 5. Click the Back button to change any settings.

Channel - 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, select the default channel (Channel 6).

Network Mode - Keep the default setting, Mixed, if you have Wireless-G and Wireless-B devices in your
network. Select G-Only if you have only Wireless-G devices in your network.

5. Select the type of security you want to use from the first Wireless Security screen. The choices are Disabled,
WEP, PSK, PSK+RADIUS, or RADIUS. All devices in a network must use the same security method. After
selecting the security method, click the Next button to continue.

Figure 3-4: The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard

Figure 3-5: The Wireless Security Screen

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

WEP
WEP - To use WEP encryption, select 64-bits or 128-bit characters from the drop-down menu, and enter a

passphrase or WEP key.
Passphrase - Instead of manually entering a WEP key, you can 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. 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”.

Transmit 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 Transmit 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 points on your network must use the
same authentication type.

Click the Next button to continue.s. Click the Back button to return to the previous screen. Click the Help
button for more information.

PSK

PSK offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select the type of
algorithm, TKIP or AES, for the Encryption Type. Enter a Passphrase of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase
field.

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

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard

Figure 3-6: The WEP Security Settings Screen

Figure 3-7: The Wireless Security PSK Screen

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Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster

PSK+RADIUS

PSK + RADIUS features a Pre-Shared Key used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be
used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK + RADIUS offers two encryption methods, TKIP
and AES, with dynamic encryption keys, as well as two authentication methods, EAP-TLS and EAP-PEAP.

If you select 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. 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.

If you select EAP-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. 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. Click the Back button to return to the previous screen.

RADIUS

Figure 3-8: The Wireless Security

PSK+RADIUS (EAP-TLS) Screen

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 EAP-PEAP.

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. From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the
certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network.

If you selected EAP-PEAP, ente r 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. 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. Click the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Chapter 3: Using the USB Network Adapter’s Setup Wizard

Figure 3-9: The Wireless Security

RADIUS (EAP-PEAP) Screen

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