NETGEAR WG311v3 User Manual

NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311v3 User Manual

NETGEAR, Inc.

4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

202-10091-03
February 2007

Technical Support

Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering your
product at http://www.netgear.com/register, we can provide you with faster expert technical
support and timely notices of product and software upgrades.

NETGEAR, INC. Support Information
Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR, for US & Canada only. For other countries, see your Support

information card.
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.netgear.com

Statement of Conditions

In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to
make changes to the products described in this document without notice.

NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit
layout(s) described herein.

© 2007 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, The Gear Guy and Everybody's Connecting are trademarks
or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product
names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without
notice. All rights reserved.

Maximum Wireless Signal Rate Derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 Specifications

Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic,
building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate.

Safety and Regulatory Notices

FCC Statement

The WG311 v3 has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to 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.
These limits are designed to provide rea sonabl e pr otecti on ag ai nst harmful int erferen ce in a resi dentia l in stal lation. 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

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v3.0, February 2007

• 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 change or modification to the product not expressly approved by Netgear could void the user’s

authority to operate the device.

FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR Statements

SAR Statement

The NETGEAR WG311 v3 has been tested for body-worn Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance. The FCC has
established detailed SAR requirements and has established that these requirements have been met while installed in host
notebook computer.

RF Exposure Information

The radio module has been evaluated under FCC Bulletin OET 65C (01-01) and found to be compliant to the
requirements as set forth in CFR 47 Sections, 2.1093, and 15.247 (b) (4) addressing RF Exposure from radio frequency
devices. This model meets the applicable government requirements for exposure to radio frequency waves. The highest
SAR level measured for this device was 0.74 W/kg.

Canadian Department of Communications Industry Canada (IC) Notice

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B
est conforme à la norme NMB-003 et CNR-210 du Canada.

“To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away from
windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to
licensing.”

“Pour empêcher que cet appareil cause du brouillage au service faisant l’objet d’une licence, il doit être utilisé à
l’intérieur et devrait être placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournir un écran de blindage maximal. Si le matériel (ou son
antenne d’émission) est installé à l’extérieur, il doit faire l’objet d’une licence.”

Europe – EU Declaration of Conformity

A printed copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity certificate for this product is provided in the WG311 v3 product
package.

Èesky
[Czech]

Dansk
[Danish]

Deutsch
[German]

NETGEAR, Inc. tímto prohlašuje, že tento NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter
WG311 v3

smìrnice 1999/5/ES.
Undertegnede NETGEAR, Inc. erklærer herved, at følgende udstyr NETGEAR 54 Mbps

Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3

direktiv 1999/5/EF.
Hiermit erklärt NETGEAR, Inc., dass sich das Gerät NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI

je ve shodì se základními požadavky a dalšími pøíslušnými ustanoveními

overholder de væsentlige krav og øvrige relevante krav i

Adapter WG311 v3 in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden Anforderungen und den

übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG befindet.

v3.0, February 2007

iii

Eesti
[Estonian]

English Hereby, NETGEAR, Inc., declares that this NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter

Español
[Spanish]

Ελληνική
[Greek]

Français
[French]

Italiano
[Italian]

Latviski
[Latvian]

Lietuviø
[Lithuanian]

Nederlands
[Dutch]

Malti
[Maltese]

Magyar
[Hungarian]

Polski [Polish] Niniejszym NETGEAR, Inc. oœwiadcza, ¿e NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter

Português
[Portuguese]

Slovensko
[Slovenian]

Slovensky
[Slovak]

Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI

Adapter WG311 v3

tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele.

WG311 v3

of Directive 1999/5/EC.
Por medio de la presente NETGEAR, Inc. declara que el NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless

is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions

PCI Adapter WG311 v3

disposiciones aplicables o exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE.
ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑ NETGEAR, Inc. ΔΗΛΩΝΕΙ ΟΤΙ NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless

PCI Adapter WG311 v3

ΤΙΣ ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΣΧΕΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΔΗΓΙΑΣ 1999/5/ΕΚ.
Par la présente NETGEAR, Inc. déclare que l'appareil NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI

Adapter WG311 v3

pertinentes de la directive 1999/5/CE.
Con la presente NETGEAR, Inc. dichiara che questo NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI

Adapter WG311 v3

stabilite dalla direttiva 19 9 9/5/CE.
Ar šo NETGEAR, Inc. deklarç, ka NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3

atbilst Direktîvas 1999/5/EK bûtiskajâm prasîbâm un citiem ar to saistîtajiem noteikumiem.
Šiuo NETGEAR, Inc. deklaruoja, kad šis NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter

WG311 v3

Hierbij verklaart

atitinka esminius reikalavimus ir kitas 1999/5/EB Direktyvos nuostatas.

Adapter WG311 v3

bepalingen van richtlijn 1999/5/EG.
Hawnhekk, NETGEAR, Inc., jiddikjara li dan NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter

WG311 v3

Dirrettiva 1999/5/EC.
Alulírott,

WG311 v3

egyéb elõírásainak.

WG311 v3

postanowieniami Dyrektywy 1999/5/EC.

jikkonforma mal-tiijiet essenzjali u ma provvedimenti orajn relevanti li hemm fid-

NETGEAR, Inc. nyilatkozom, hogy a NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter

megfelel a vonatkozó alapvetõ követelményeknek és az 1999/5/EC irányelv

jest zgodny z zasadniczymi wymogami oraz pozosta³ymi stosownymi

vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist

cumple con los requisitos esenciales y cualesquiera otras

ΣΥΜΜΟΡΦΩΝΕΤΑΙ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΣ ΟΥΣΙΩΔΕΙΣ ΑΠΑΙΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ

est conforme aux exigences essentielles et aux autres dispositions

è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed al l e altre disposizioni pertinenti

NETGEAR, Inc. dat het toestel NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI

in overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen en de andere relevante

NETGEAR, Inc. declara que este NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3

está conforme com os requisitos essenciais e outras disposições da Directiva 1999/5/CE.

NETGEAR, Inc. izjavlja, da je ta NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG31 1 v3 v

skladu z bistvenimi zahtevami in ostalimi relevantnimi doloèili direktive 1999/5/ES.

NETGEAR, Inc. týmto vyhlasuje, že NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311
v3

spåòa základné požiadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice 1999/5/ES.

iv

v3.0, February 2007

Suomi
[Finnish]

Svenska
[Swedish]

NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wirel ess PCI A dapter WG 311
v3

tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien

direktiivin muiden ehtojen mukainen.
Härmed intygar NETGEAR, Inc. att denna [utrustningstyp] står I överensstämmelse med

de väsentliga egenskapskrav och övriga relevanta bestämmelser som framgår av direktiv
1999/5/EG.

Product and Publication Details

Model Number: WG311 v3
Publication Date: February 2007
Product Family: Wireless PCI Adapter
Product Name: NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3
Home or Business Product: Home
Language: English
Publication Part Number: 202-10091-03

v3.0, February 2007

v

vi

v3.0, February 2007

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions, Formats, and Scope ................................................................................... ix

How to Use This Manual ...................................................................................................x

How to Print this Manual ....................................................................................................x

Chapter 1
Basic Setup

What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................1-1

Verify System Requirements .................................. ... ... ... .... ... ... ...............................1-1

Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines ..................................................1-2

What Is in the Box ..........................................................................................................1-2

WG311 v3 Default Wireless Settings ............................ ............................. ..................... 1-2

Installation ......................................................................................................................1-3

Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet ........................................................1-7

WG311 v3 Icon Colors .............................................. ... ... .... ... ... ...............................1-8

The Smart Wizard Status Bar ...................................................................................1-8

WG311 v3 LED ...................................................... ...................................... .... ... ... ..1-9

Removing the WG311 v3 Software ...............................................................................1-10

Upgrading the WG311 v3 Software ..............................................................................1-10

Chapter 2
Network Connections and Wireless Security

Disabling the Windows Zero Configuration Utility ...........................................................2-1

Understanding the Smart Wizard ...................................................................................2-2

Viewing Wireless Networks in Your Area ........................................................................2-2

Finding a Network ...........................................................................................................2-4

Profiles ...................................... ................ ................ ................. ................ .....................2-5

Adding Profiles ....................................................... ... .......................................... ... ..2-5

Setting up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router ........................................2-6

Setting up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile .................................................... 2-7

Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection ...........................2-9

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vii

Wireless Security ............................. ... ... ... .......................................... .... ......................2-10

Using Wireless Security Features ................... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ...2-10

Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ................................................ 2-11

Setting up WEP Encryption Security ............................................................................2-12

Setting up WPA2-PSK Security ....................................................................................2-14

Setting up WPA-PSK Security ......................................................................................2-15

Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................2-16

Statistics Page ..............................................................................................................2-16

About Page ...................................................................................................................2-17

Chapter 3
Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................3-1

Ad Hoc Mode is Not Working Correctly ..........................................................................3-3

Windows XP Occasional Connection Problems ........................................... ... ... .... ... .....3-3

Appendix A
Technical Specifications

Appendix B
Related Documents

viii

v3.0, February 2007

About This Manual

The NETGEAR® NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 User Manual describes
how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311
v3. The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate computer and Internet
skills.

Conventions, Formats, and Scope

The conventions, formats, and scope of this manual are described in the following paragraphs:

• Typographical Conventions. This manual uses the following typographical conventions:

Italics Emphasis, books, CDs, URL names

Bold User input

• Formats. This manual uses the following formats to highlight special messages:

Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.

Tip: This format is used to highlight a procedure that will save time or resources.

• Scope. This manual is written for the WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter according to these

specifications:

Product Version NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3
Manual Publication Date February 2007

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NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 User Manual

For more information about network, Internet, firewall, and VPN technologies, see the links to the
NETGEAR website in Appendix B, “Related Documents”.

Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. website at

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WG311 v3.asp.

How to Use This Manual

The HTML version of this manual includes the following:

• Buttons, and , for browsing forwards or backwards through the manual one page
at a time

• A button that displays the table of contents and an button. Double-click on a
link in the table of contents or index to navigate directly to where the topic is described in the
manual.

• A button to access the full NETGEAR, Inc. online knowledge base for the product
model.

• Links to PDF versions of the full manual and individual chapters.

How to Print this Manual

To print this manual you can choose one of the following several options, according to your needs.

• Printing a Page in the HTML View.
Each page in the HTML version of the manual is dedicated to a major topic. Use the Print

button on the browser toolbar to print the page contents.

• Printing a Chapter.
Use the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page.

– Click the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page in the chapter you want to

print. The PDF version of the chapter you were viewing opens in a browser window.

– Your computer must have the free Adobe Acrobat reader installed in order to view and

print PDF files. The Acrobat reader is available on the Adobe website at

http://www.adobe.com.

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v3.0, February 2007

NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 User Manual

– Click the print icon in the upper left of the window.

Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can

save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.

• Printing the Full Manual.
Use the Complete PDF Manua l link at the top left of any page.
– Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page in the manual. The PDF

version of the complete manual opens in a browser window.

– Click the print icon in the upper left of the window.

Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can

save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.

v3.0, February 2007

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NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 User Manual

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v3.0, February 2007

Chapter 1

Basic Setup

The NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 lets you connect a PC computer to
wireless networks. It is designed for PC computers running Microsoft Windows. For information
about product features and compatible NETGEAR products, see the NETGEAR website at

http://www.netgear.com.

This chapter describes how to install your WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter and set up basic
wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network
settings are covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless Security”.

Note: Indoors, computers can connect to wireless networks at distances of several

hundred feet. Because walls do not always block wireless signals, others outside
your immediate area could access your network. It is important to take steps to
secure your network from unauthorized access. The WG311 v3 Wireless PCI
Adapter provides highly effective security features, which are covered in “Wireless

Security” on page 2-10. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.

What You Need Before You Begin

You need to verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and get the
wireless network configuration settings of the WLAN where you will connect before you can
configure your wireless PCI adapter and connect.

Verify System Requirements

Before installing the WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter, please make sure that these minimum
requirements have been met:

• Pentium

•CD drive

• 20 Mbytes of free hard disk space

• Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation
files to complete the installation of the WG311 v3 driver software

®

III class computer with an available PCI slot

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NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 User Manual

Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines

Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range which vary significantly based
on the physical location of the computer with the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter
WG311 v3. For best results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as:

• Large metal surfaces

•Microwaves

• 2.4 GHz Cordless phones

In general, wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are constructed
with concrete, or have metal, or metal mesh, the effective range will decrease if such materials are
between the devices.

What Is in the Box

The product package should contain the following items:

• NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3

• Installation Guide for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3

• NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 Resource CD, including:
– Wireless Assistant
– Configuration Utility Software
– This Reference Manual

• Warranty card

• Support information card

If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the
carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.

WG311 v3 Default Wireless Settings

If this is a new wireless network installation, use the factory default settings to set up the network
and verify wireless connectivity. If this is an addition to an existing wireless network, you will
need to identify the wireless network and wireless security settings that are already defined.

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NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 User Manual

Your WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter factory default basic settings are:

• Network Name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any (First available network)

Note: In order for the WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter to communicate with a

wireless access point or wireless adapter, all devices must be set up to use the
same wireless network name (SSID).

• Network Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-hoc): Infrastructure

• Data security WEP, WPA2-PSK, or WPA-PSK encryption: Disabled

Installation

The instructions in this chapter explain how to install the WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter to
connect to a network with an access point or router. Wireless security, advanced settings, and
Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) instructions are covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections

and Wireless Security”.

To install the WG311 v3 Wireless PCI Adapter:

1. First, install the NETGEAR software:
Insert the NETGEAR CD. If the CD main page does not appear, double click Autorun.exe on

the CD.
a. Click Install the Software. The Check for Updates window opens.

Figure 1-1

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1-3