NETGEAR WN311T User Manual

NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT
Wireless PCI Adapter
WN311T User Manual

NETGEAR, Inc.

4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

202-10200-02
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]
Web site: 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

Certification ID: FCC: PY306200044
IC: 4054A-06200044
The WN311T has been tested and complies with the specifi cations 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

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v2.0, February 2007

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 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

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.

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 WN311T product
package.

Èesky
[Czech]

Dansk
[Danish]

Deutsch
[German]

NETGEAR, Inc. tímto prohlašuje, že tento NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI
Adapter WN311T

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

RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

øvrige relevante krav i direktiv 1999/5/EF.
Hiermit erklärt NETGEAR, Inc., dass sich das Gerät NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT

Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

Anforderungen und den übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG
befindet.

je ve shodì se základními požadavky a dalšími pøíslušnými

overholder de væsentlige krav og

in Übereinstimmung mit den grundlegenden

v2.0, February 2007

iii

Eesti
[Estonian]

English Hereby, NETGEAR, Inc., declares that this NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless

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 RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless

Português
[Portuguese]

Slovensko
[Slovenian]

Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless

PCI Adapter WN311T

tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele.

PCI Adapter WN311T

provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
Por medio de la presente NETGEAR, Inc. declara que el NETGEAR RangeMax™

NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

cualesquiera otras disposiciones aplicables o exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE.
ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑ NETGEAR, Inc. ΔΗΛΩΝΕΙ ΟΤΙ NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT

Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

ΑΠΑΙΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΙΣ ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΣΧΕΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΔΗΓΙΑΣ 1999/5/ΕΚ.
Par la présente NETGEAR, Inc. déclare que l'appareil NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT

Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

dispositions pertinentes de la directive 1999/5/CE.
Con la presente NETGEAR, Inc. dichiara che questo NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT

Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

pertinenti stabilite dalla direttiva 1999/5/CE.
Ar šo NETGEAR, Inc. deklarç, ka NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter

WN311T

noteikumiem.
Šiuo NETGEAR, Inc. deklaruoja, kad šis NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI

atbilst Direktîvas 1999/5/EK bûtiskajâm prasîbâm un citiem ar to saistîtajiem

Adapter WN311T

Hierbij verklaart NETGEAR, Inc. dat het toestel NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless

PCI Adapter WN311T

relevante bepalingen van richtlijn 1999/5/EG.
Hawnhekk, NETGEAR, Inc., jiddikjara li dan NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless

PCI Adapter WN311T

li hemm fid-Dirrettiva 1999/5/EC.
Alulírott, NETGEAR, Inc. nyilatkozom, hogy a NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless

PCI Adapter WN311T

irányelv egyéb elõírásainak.

PCI Adapter WN311T

stosownymi postanowieniami Dyrektywy 1999/5/EC.

vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist

is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant

cumple con los requisitos esenciales y

ΣΥΜΜΟΡΦΩΝΕΤΑΙ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΣ ΟΥΣΙΩΔΕΙΣ

est conforme aux exigences essentielles et aux autres

è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed alle altre disposizioni

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

in overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen en de andere

jikkonforma mal-tiijiet essenzjali u ma provvedimenti orajn relevanti

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

jest zgodny z zasadniczymi wymogami oraz pozosta³ymi

NETGEAR, Inc. declara que este NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter
WN311T

1999/5/CE.

está conforme com os requisitos essenciais e outras disposições da Directiva

NETGEAR, Inc. izjavlja, da je ta NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter
WN311T

ES.

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

iv

v2.0, February 2007

Slovensky
[Slovak]

Suomi
[Finnish]

Svenska
[Swedish]

NETGEAR, Inc. týmto vyhlasuje, že NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI
Adapter WN311T

1999/5/ES.

spåòa základné požiadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice

NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI
Adapter WN311T

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.

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

Product and Publication Details

Model Number: WN 311T
Publication Date: February 2007
Product Family: Wireless PCI Adapter
Product Name: NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T
Home or Business Product: Home
Language: English
Publication Part Number: 202-10200-02

v2.0, February 2007

v

vi

v2.0, February 2007

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions, Formats, and Scope ..................................................................................... i

How to Use This Manual ................................................................................................... ii

How to Print this Manual .................................................................................................... ii

Chapter 1
Basic Setup

What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................1-2

Verify System Requirements ....................................................................................1-2

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

WN311T Default Wireless Settings .................................................................................1-2

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

Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet ........................................................1-6

Smart Wizard Status Bar ..........................................................................................1-7

WN311T Icon Colors ................................................................................................1-8

Removing the WN311T Software ....................................................................................1-8

Upgrading the WN311T Software ...................................................................................1-9

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

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

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

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vii

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

Wireless Security ..........................................................................................................2-12

Using Wireless Security Features ................................................................................2-12

Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ................................................2-13

Setting up WEP Encryption Security ............................................................................2-14

Setting up WPA2-PSK Security ....................................................................................2-16

Setting up WPA-PSK Security ......................................................................................2-17

Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................2-18

Statistics Page ..............................................................................................................2-19

About Page ...................................................................................................................2-20

Chapter 3
Wireless Network Performance

Optimizing Wireless Performance ..................................................................................3-1

Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth ..............................................................................3-2

Overview of Home and Small Office Networking Technologies ......................................3-3

Assessing Your Speed Requirements ......................................................................3-4

Chapter 4
Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................4-1

Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly ..........................................................................4-3

Windows XP Occasional Connection Problems .............................................................4-3

Appendix A
Technical Specifications

Default Configuration Settings ....................................................................................... A-1

Technical Specifications ................................................................................................. A-2

Appendix B
Related Documents

viii

v2.0, February 2007

About This Manual

The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 User Manual describes how to install,
configure, and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T.
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 WN311T Wireless PCI Adapter according to these

specifications:

Product Version NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T
Manual Publication Date February 2007

v2.0, February 2007

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NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T 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/WN311T.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 Web site at

http://www.adobe.com.

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v2.0, February 2007

NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T 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.

v2.0, February 2007

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NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual

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v2.0, February 2007

Chapter 1

Basic Setup

The NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T 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 Wireless PCI Adapter and set up basic wireless
connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is
covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless Security” .

What Is in the Box

The product package should contain the following items:

• NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T

•The antenna

• NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T Install Guide

• Resource CD, including:
— Driver software
— Smart Wizard setup software
— NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual (this

document)

• 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.

v2.0, February 2007

1-1

NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual

What You Need Before You Begin

You must 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 WN311T Wireless PCI Adapter, 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 WN311T driver software

Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines

III class computer with an available PCI slot

Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range which vary significantly based
on the physical location of the computer with the WN311T W ireless PCI Adapter. 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.

WN311T 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.

1-2 Basic Setup

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NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual

Your WN311T Wireless PCI Adapter factory default basic settings are:

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

Note: In order for the WN31 1T W ireless 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 WN311T 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 WN311T Wireless PCI Adapter:

1. First, install the WN311T 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

Basic Setup 1-3

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NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual

2. Now, insert the wireless PCI adapter.
a. When prompted, shut down the computer.

Figure 1-1

b. Unplug the computer, open the case, and install the WN311T into a PCI slot.
c. Connect the antenna to the adapter and position the antenna to the up position.
d. Close the case, plug the power cord back in, and restart your computer.

You will be prompted to select the country where you are located.

e. Select the country and click Agree.

3. Use the Smart Wizard to set up your wireless PCI adapter.
a. Windows 2000 users go to Step b. Windows XP or Vista users can set up the wireless

adapter either with the NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended) or the Windows
configuration utilities.

Figure 1-2

1-4 Basic Setup

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NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311T User Manual

• NETGEAR Smart Wizard: Reveals more information about each network and

makes it easier to troubleshoot network connection problems.

• Windows configuration utilities: See the Windows documentation or “Using

Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities” at:

http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm

b. Click Next to accept the NETGEAR Smart Wizard. You will be prompted to let the wizard

help you connect to a network (recommended).

Figure 1-3

c. Click Next to accept.

4. Connect to a wireless network.
a. Select the wireless network from the drop-down list, and the wizard records your choice.

Hidden Network

Figure 1-4

Basic Setup 1-5

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