NETGEAR WPNT511 User Manual
User Manual for the
NETGEAR RangeMax™
240 Wireless Notebook
Adapter WPNT511
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
202-10137-01
October 2005
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: support@netgear.com
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.
©2005 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, RangeMax, 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
October 2005
.
Safety and Regulatory Notices
FCC Statement
The WPNT511 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
• 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
ii
v1.0, October 2005
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 State m ent
To comply with the FCC and ANSI C95.1 RF exposure limits, the antenna(s) for this device must comply with the
following:
• Products with 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz integrated antenna 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. Note:
Dual antennas used for diversity operation are not considered co-located.
Product and Publication Details
Model Number: WPNT511
Publication Date: October 2005
Product Family: Product Family
Product Name: NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
Home or Business Product: Home
Language: English
Publication Part Number: 202-10137-01
v1.0, October 2005
iii
iv
v1.0, October 2005
Contents
Chapter 1
About This Manual
Audience, Scope, Conventions ......................................................................................1-1
How to Print this Manual .................................................................................................1-2
Chapter 2
Introduction
About the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 ...........2-1
Key Features ..................................................................................................................2-1
What’s in the Box? ..........................................................................................................2-2
A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ ........................... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ........2-3
Chapter 3
Basic Setup
What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................3-1
Verify System Requirements .................................. ... ... ... .... ... ... ...............................3-1
Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines ..................................................3-2
Infrastructure and Ad Hoc Modes .......................................... ......................................... 3-2
WPNT511 Default Wireless Settings ..............................................................................3-2
Basic Installation Instructions .........................................................................................3-3
For Windows XP Users Installing a WPNT511 ........................................................3-3
For Windows 2000 SP4 Users Installing a WPNT511 .............................................3-6
Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet ........................................................3-9
The Smart Wizard Status Bar ...................................................................................3-9
The WPNT511 Icon Colors ....................................................................................3-11
WPNT511 LEDs .....................................................................................................3-11
Removing the WPNT511 Software ........................................ ....................................... 3-12
Upgrading the WPNT511 Software .................................. ....................................... ... ...3-13
Chapter 4
Network Connections and Wireless Security
Understanding the WPNT511 Smart Wizard ..................................................................4-1
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v
Finding a Network ...........................................................................................................4-2
Profiles ...................................... ................ ................ ................. ................ .....................4-3
Adding Profiles ............. ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ...............................................................4-3
Profiles to Connect to an Access Point or Router ..........................................................4-3
Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profiles ......................................................................4-5
Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection ...........................4-8
Wireless Security ............................. ... .......................................... ..................................4-9
Using Wireless Security Features ......... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ..4-9
Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ................................................4-10
WEP Encryption Security ......... ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... .......................................... ... ... .... ... ...4-11
WPA2-PSK Security .....................................................................................................4-12
WPA-PSK Security .......................................................................................................4-14
Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................4-15
Networks Page .............................................................................................................4-16
Statistics Page ..............................................................................................................4-17
About Page ...................................................................................................................4-18
Chapter 5
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................5-1
Frequently Asked Questions ..........................................................................................5-1
XP Professional and XP Home occasional connection problems ............................. ... ..5-3
Appendix A
Technical Specifications
Appendix B
Related Documents
vi
v1.0, October 2005
Chapter 1
About This Manual
Audience, Scope, Conventions
This manual assumes that the reader has basic to intermediate computer and Internet skills.
However, tutorial information is provided in the Appen dices, on th e NETGE AR Resource CD, and
on the NETGEAR Web site.
This manual uses the following typographical conventions:
Table 1-1 . Typographical conventions
italics Emphasis.
bold User input.
This manual uses the following formats to highlight special messages:
Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.
This manual is written according to these specifications:
Table 1-2. Manual Specifications
Product Version NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
Manual Part Number Tech Pubs Part #
Manual Publication Date October 2005
Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR Web site at
http://www.netgear.com/support/main.asp.
About This Manual 1-1
v1.0, October 2005
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
How to Print this Manual
To print this manual you can choose one of the following several options, according to your needs.
• Printing a Chapter. Use the link at the top right of any page.
— Click “PDF of This Chapter” link at the top right of any page in the chapter you want to
print. A new browser window opens showing the PDF version of the chapter you were
viewing.
— 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 PDF button in the toolbar at the top right of the browser
window.
— Click PDF button. A new browser window opens showing the PDF version of the chapter
you were viewing.
— 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.
1-2 About This Manual
v1.0, October 2005
Chapter 2
Introduction
This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the NETGEAR
RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511.
About the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
The NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 gives you ultimate
mobility in your office or while you are traveling. It frees you from traditional Ethernet wiring and
helps you create a wireless network for sharing your broadband cable or DSL Internet access
among multiple PCs in and around your home. It is designed for notebook computers running
Microsoft
available PCMCIA or CardBus slot.
Its auto-sensing capability allows high packet transfer at up to 240 Mbps for maximum throughput
or dynamic range shifting to lower speeds due to distance or operating limitations in an
environment with a lot of electromagnetic interference.
®
Windows®. It is both 16-bit PCMCIA and 32-bit CardBus compatible and works in any
The WPNT511 Wireless Notebook Adapter provides reliable, standards-based 802.11b, 11 Mbps,
and 802.11g 54 Mbps WLAN connectivity that is protected with industry-standard security. In
addition, it offers the faster speeds of MIMO technology. It works with Windows 2000 SP4, and
XP operating systems.
Key Features
The WPNT511 Wireless Notebook Adapter provides the following features:
• Reliable IEEE 802.11g and b standards-based wireless technology.
• Supports roaming between access points when configured in Infrastructure mode.
• High-speed data transfer of 240 Mbps. Wireless nodes negotiate to operate in the optimal data
transfer rate. In a noisy environment or when the distance between the wireless nodes is far,
the wireless nodes automatically fall back to operate at lower transfer rates.
Introduction Chapter 2-1
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
• High level of data encryption using128-bit Shared Key WEP data encryption method. A lower
level of data encryption or no data encryption is available to simplify your network setup o r to
improve data transfer rate.
• WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) support.
• WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key) support.
What’s in the Box?
The product package should contain the following items:
• NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
• Installation Guide for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter
WPNT511NETGEAR Resource CD, including:
— Driver and Smart Wizard Software
— User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
• 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.
The NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 has two interfaces:
• The PCMCIA Type II connector connects to any notebook PC with an available PCMCIA or
CardBus slot.
• The wireless interface of the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter
WPNT511 remains outside of the notebook PC chassis when the wireless PC card is inserted
into a notebook. The LED indicates the wireless link condition of the NETGEAR
RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 with another wireless node or the
associated access point.
Chapter 2-2 Introduction
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’
The introduction and adoption of any new technology can be a difficult process. Wireless
technology has removed one of the barriers to networking—running wires. It allows more people
to try networking while at the same time exposes them to the inherent complexity of networking.
General networking concepts, setup, and maintenance can be difficult to understand. In addition,
wireless technology adds issues, such as range, interference, signal quality, and security to the
picture.
To help overcome potential barriers to successfully using wireless networks, the table below
identifies how to accomplish such things as connecting to a wireless network, assuring appropriate
security measures are taken, browsing the Internet through your wireless connection, exchanging
files with other computers and using printers in the combined wireless and wired network.
Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?
Connect to a
wireless
network
Protect my
wireless
connection from
snooping,
hacking, or
information
theft.
1. Get the
wireless
network name
(SSID) and, if
used, the
wireless
security
settings.
2. Set up the
WPNT51 1 with
the settings
from step 1.
1. Enable
wireless
security for the
wireless
network.
2. Set up wireless
security for
your WPNT511
to match the
network.
3. Use Windows
security
features.
1. A wireless network
2. A computer within the
operating range of the wireless
network.
1. A wireless network with
authentication and WEP, WPA,
WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK
encryption enabled.
2. Wireless networking
equipment such as the
WPNT511 that supports these
security features.
To set up the WPNT511, see
Chapter 3, “Basic Setup” and
follow the instructions.
For wireless network range, see
“Observe Wireless Location and
Range Guidelines” on page 3-2.
To learn about wireless
networking technology, see the
Web link to “Wireless
Communications:” on page B-1.
To use wireless security
features, see “Using Wireless
Security Features” on page 4-9
and set up your WPNT511
accordingly.
Introduction Chapter 2-3
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?
Note: Secure Internet sites such as banks and online merchants use encryption security built into browsers
like Internet Explorer and Netscape. Any wireless networking security features you implement are in addition
to those already in place on secure Internet sites.
Connect to the
Internet over my
wireless
network.
Exchange files
between a
wirelessly
connected
computer and
other computers
in a my
combined
wireless and
wired network.
1. Activate my
wireless link
and verify my
network
connection.
2. Open an
Internet
browser such
as Internet
Explorer or
Netscape
Navigator.
1. Use the
Windows
Network
Neighborhood
feature to
browse for
computers in
the combined
wireless and
wired network.
2. Browse the
hard drive of
the target
computer in
the network in
order to locate
the directory or
files you want
to work with.
3. Use the
Windows
Explorer copy
and paste
functions to
exchange files
between the
computers.
1. An Internet service such as
cable modem or DSL.
2. A network with a wireless
router or access point
connected to the cable/DSL
modem.
3. TCP/IP Internet networking
software installed and
configured on your PC based
on the requirements of the
Internet service provider
4. An Internet browser.
1. The computer that you are
using to connect to the
wireless network needs to be
configured with:
• Windows Client and File
and Print Sharing
• The same Windows
Workgroup or Domain
settings as the other
Windows computers in the
combined wireless and
wired network.
2. Any Windows networking
security access rights such as
login user name/ password
that have been assigned in the
Windows network or to files
must be provided when
Windows prompts for such
information.
3. If so-called Windows ‘peer’
Workgroup networking is being
used, the drive, file system
directory, or file need to be
enabled for sharing.
To use your WPNT511 in
Infrastructure Mode, see “Basic
Setup” on page 3-1, and locate
the section for your version of
Windows.
To set up a Profile, see.
“Profiles” on page 4-3.
For TCP/IP See the Web link to
“Internet Networking and TCP/IP
Addressing:” on page B-1.
For help with Windows
networking software, see the
Learn More About TCP/IP
Internet reference at the end of
this table.
Windows Domain settings are
usually managed by corporate
computer support groups.
Windows Workgroup settings
are commonly managed by
individuals who want to set up
small networks in their homes, or
small offices.
For TCP/IP See the Web link to
“Internet Networking and TCP/IP
Addressing:” on page B-1.
For assistance with setting up
Windows networking, refer to the
PC Networking Tutorial on the
NETGEAR Resource CD and
the Help information provided in
the Windows system you are
using.
Chapter 2-4 Introduction
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?
Use printers in a
combined
wireless and
wired network.
1. Use the
Windows
Printers and
Fax features to
locate
available
printers in the
combined
wireless and
wired network.
2. Use the
Windows Add
a Printer
wizard to add
access to a
network printer
from the PC
you are using
to wirelessly
connect to the
network.
3. From the File
menu of an
application
such as
Microsoft
Word, use the
Print Setup
feature to
direct your
print output to
the printer in
the network.
1. The computer that you are
using to connect to the
wireless network needs to be
configured with:
• Windows Client and File
and Print Sharing
• The same Windows
Workgroup or Domain
settings as the other
Windows computers in the
combined wireless and
wired network.
2. Any Windows networking
security access rights such as
login user name/ password
that have been assigned in the
Windows network must be
provided when Windows
prompts for such information.
3. If so-called Windows ‘peer’
networking is being used, the
printer needs to be enabled for
sharing.
Windows Domain settings are
usually managed by corporate
computer support groups.
Windows Workgroup settings
are commonly managed by
individuals who want to set up
small networks in their homes, or
small offices.
For assistance with setting up
Windows networking, refer to the
PC Networking Tutorial on the
NETGEAR Resource CD and
the Help information provided in
the Windows system you are
using.
For help with setting up printers
in Windows, refer to the Help
and Support information that
comes with the version of the
Windows operating systems you
are using.
Introduction Chapter 2-5
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
Chapter 2-6 Introduction
v1.0, October 2005
Chapter 3
Basic Setup
This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook
Adapter WPNT511 and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is covered in Chapter 4, “Network Connections and
Wireless Security” in this manual.
Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 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
appropriate steps to secure your network from unauthorized access. The
NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 provides
highly effective security features which are covered in “Using Wireless Security
Features” on page 4-9 in this manual. 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 identify the
wireless network settings of the WLAN where you will connect before you can set up your
wireless notebook adapter and connect.
Verify System Requirements
Before installing the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 W ireless Notebook Adapter WPNT51 1, please
make sure that these minimum requirements have been met:
• You must have a Pentium
•A CD drive.
• 5 MB of free hard disk space.
• Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000 SP4.
• Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation
files to complete the installation of the WPNT511 driver software.
®
Class notebook computer with an available Cardbus slot.
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
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 RangeMax™ 240 Wireless
Notebook Adapter WPNT511. 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.
Infrastructure and Ad Hoc Modes
The WPNT511 Wireless Notebook Adapter, like all 802.11b/g adapters, can operate in the
following two modes:
• Access Point (Infrastructure): An 802.11 networking framework in which devices and
computers communicate with each other by first going through an access point (AP). For
example, this mode is used when computers in a house connect to an AP that is attached to a
router which lets multiple computers share a single Cable or DSL broadband Internet
connection.
• Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc): An 802.11 networking framework in which devices or
computers communicate directly with each other, without the use of an access point. For
example, Ad Hoc mode is used when two Windows computers are configured with file and
print sharing enabled and you want to exchange files directly between them.
The instructions in this chapter are for an Access Point (Infrastructure) installation. Wireless
security, advanced settings, and Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) instructions are covered in
Chapter 4, “Network Connections and Wireless Security”of this manual.
WPNT511 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.
3-2 Basic Setup
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User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511
Your NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 factory default basic
settings are:
• Network Name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any (First available network)
Note: In order for the WPNT511 Wireless Notebook 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 or WPA-PSK encryption: Disabled
The section below provides instructions for setting up the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless
Notebook Adapter WPNT511 for basic wireless connectivity to an access point. The procedures
below provide step-by-step installation instructions for Windows PCs. Use the procedure that
corresponds to the version of Windows that you are using.
Basic Installation Instructions
Use the procedure below that corresponds to the version of Windows you are using.
For Windows XP Users Installing a WPNT511
1. First, install the WPNT511 software.
a. Insert the NETGEAR CD.
main page does not appear , double click
autorun.exe on the CD.
b. Click the Install Software link and the
Smart Wizard starts.
c. Follow the Wizard steps, and click Next
to continue.
d. When the Installation Complete
message appears, click Next.
Basic Setup 3-3
If the CD
Figure 3-1
v1.0, October 2005
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