Netgear orporated 12100184 User Manual
February 2012
202-11002-01
v1.0
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
User Manual
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
February 2012
202-11002-01
v1.0
© 2012 On Networks All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated
into any language in any form or by any means without the written permission of On Networks
Technical Support
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online, visit us at http://www.on-networks.com/support .
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-855-NET-0100
Phone (Other Countries): See Support information card.
Trademarks
Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
© 2012 On Networks. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
Statement of Conditions
To improve internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, On Networks reserves the right to make
changes to the products described in this document without notice. On Networks does not assume any liability
that may occur due to the use, or application of, the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
What You Need Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Installation with Custom Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
First, Install the WNA1000M Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Then, Install Your Wireless-N USB Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Using the Smart Wizard to Connect to a Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . 10
Wireless Network and Internet Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
WNA1000M Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Smart Wizard Status Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Wireless-N USB Adapter LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Upgrading the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Removing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chapter 2 Network Connections and Wireless Security
Using the Smart Wizard After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Disabling the Windows Zero Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Viewing Wireless Networks in Your Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Joining a Network without WPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using Push 'N' Connect to Join a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Creating Profiles to Connect to Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Wireless Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Setting Up WPA2-PSK or WPA-PSK Wireless Security . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Setting Up WEP Encryption Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Viewing Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Viewing the About Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Advanced Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Working with Ad Hoc Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Creating an Ad Hoc Mode Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection. . . . . 27
Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance
Optimizing Wireless Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Networking Technology and Connection Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Assessing Your Network Speed Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Table of Contents | 4
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Windows XP Occasional Connection Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default Settings
Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Appendix B Related Documents
Appendix C Notification of Compliance
Table of Contents | 5
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
6 | Table of Contents
1. Getting Started
This chapter describes how to install your micro USB adapter with custom setup and how to
connect to a wireless network. For help with express installation, see the N300 Micro USB WiFi
Adapter N300MA Installation Guide.
What You Need Before You Begin
Make sure your computer meets the system requirements. You should also know the name of
the wireless network you want to join and its wireless security settings (if used).
• PC with a Pentium
The maximum speed of a USB v2.0 port is 480 Mbps. If your computer has a USB v1.1
port, the micro USB adapter is limited to the port’s maximum speed of 14 Mbps.
• A CD drive.
• 5 Mbytes of free hard disk space.
• Vista, Windows XP Home, or Windows XP Professional. Some versions of Windows ask
for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of
the N300MA software.
300 MHz or higher compatible processor with a USB 2.0 or 1.1 port.
1
Note: Windows XP users must install SP2 or install the KB822603 hot fix
(update), which fixes the USB 2.0 host controller driver. Go to the
following link to install the hot fix:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=
en&FamilyID=733dd867-56a0-4956-b7fe-e85b688b7f86
Chapter 1: Getting Started | 7
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
Installation with Custom Setup
Note: For help with Express installation, see the N300 Micro USB WiFi
Adapter N300MA Installation Guide.
First, Install the N300MA Software
1. Insert the Resource CD in your computer’s CD drive. If the CD main screen does not
display, browse the files on the CD and double-click Autorun.exe.
2. Click Setup. The Software Update Check screen displays.
3. If you are connected to the Internet, click Check for Updates. If not, click Install from CD.
4. Accept the license agreement. Then select Custom and click Next on the Setup Type
screen.
8 | Chapter 1: Getting Started
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
5. When prompted, browse to select the destination folder for your wireless adapter software,
and click Next.
6. Select one of the following methods to configure and manage your wireless network:
• Smart Wizard. Manage your wireless networks with the On Networks Smart Wizard.
- Automatically. Let the Smart Wizard configure the settings for your micro USB
adapter.
- Manual. Specify the settings for your micro USB adapter in the Settings screen.
• Windows Utility. Connect to and manage your wireless networks using only the
Windows configuration utility.
Then, Install Your Micro USB Adapter
You are prompted to insert your adapter:
1. Insert the adapter into a USB port on your computer.
Note: For best results, put the wireless adapter at least 4 feet (1 meter)
away from your router.
Chapter 1: Getting Started | 9
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
2. Click Next. The Smart Wizard software detects the adapter.
3. Follow the onscreen prompts to install the driver and complete the installation.
How you connect to a network depends on what you selected during custom installation.
• If you installed the Smart Wizard with automatic configuration, see the following
section, Using the Smart Wizard to Connect to a Wireless Network.”
• If you installed the Smart Wizard with manual configuration, the Settings tab displays.
See Viewing Wireless Networks in Your Area on page 17.
• To use a Windows utility, see your Windows documentation or the On Networks
application note at http://documentation.On
Networks.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm.
Using the Smart Wizard to Connect to a Wireless Network
After the software is installed, you are prompted to connect to a wireless network.
1. One of the following screens displays:
WPS network
• WPS network: A network in your area supports Push 'N' Connect (also called WPS).
Click Next, and follow the prompts to push the WPS button on your adapter and on
your router. Then connect without entering a password.
• No WPS networks: Select a wireless network from the list and click Next. To connect
to a secure network, you must enter its passphrase or network key.
10 | Chapter 1: Getting Started
No WPS networks
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
2. The adapter connects to the network, which can take a minute or two. Your settings are
saved in a profile, which you can name:
3. Click Finish, and the Smart Wizard Settings screen displays.
The icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop so you can open the Smart
Wizard to make changes or connect to a different wireless network.
Wireless Network and Internet Connections
The Smart Wizard and micro USB adapter provide several ways to check the status of your
connection to a wireless network and to the Internet:
• N300MA icon. After you install the N300MA software, the icon appears on the
desktop and in the right on the Windows task bar. It is color coded to show the status of
the connection.
• Smart Wizard status bar. Clicking on the system tray icon opens the Smart Wizard. The
status bar at the bottom of the screen shows details about your wireless and Internet
connection. See Smart Wizard Status Bar.
• Adapter LED status lights. The LED on the micro USB adapter shows the network
connection. Solid indicates a connection. The LED blinks when the micro USB adapter is
looking for a network association and when it is sending or receiving data. See Micro
USB WiFi Adapter LED on page 14.
Chapter 1: Getting Started | 11
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
N300MA Icon
This icon is on the desktop and in the Windows system tray. The system tray is on one end of
the task bar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. The icon color shows the wireless connection.
Color Meaning Recommended Action
Red The micro USB adapter is not
connected to a wireless network.
Yellow The micro USB adapter has a
weak wireless connection.
Green The wireless connection is good. No action is required
Check your configuration, or try moving to a location
where the wireless signal quality is better.
Move to a better location, such as closer to the wireless
access point. Also, look for interference such as from a
2.4 GHz cordless phone or large metal surface.
Smart Wizard Status Bar
For more information, you can view the Smart Wizard status bar. Click the icon to open
the Smart Wizard status bar. The Smart Wizard Settings tab displays. The status bar is
located at the bottom of the Settings tab.
Security
Wireless
network
Channel
Throughput
Signal
strength
Join a Network
Connection status
The following table describes how to interpret the Smart Wizard status bar.
Understanding the Status Bar
Wireless network Identifies which wireless network you have joined.
Security
• A closed lock indicates that security is enabled.
• An open lock indicates an open network without wireless security.
Channel The wireless channel used by the network. If many wireless networks in
your area use the same channel, they can interfere with one another.
Throughput
• To optimize wireless throughput, connect to a network with a high-speed
router or access point and a high-speed Internet connection.See
Chapter 3.
• If your computer has a USB v1.1 port, the micro USB adapter is limited
to that port’s maximum speed, which is 14 Mbps.
12 | Chapter 1: Getting Started
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
Understanding the Status Bar (Continued)
Signal strength More dots indicates a stronger signal. Usually, you experience higher
throughput when the signal is strongest.
Join a Network Click Join a Network to open the Connection Wizard.
Connection
status
The status of your network connection.
• Connected to Internet. The wireless Internet connection is OK.
• Connected to Router. The wireless connection to the router is OK, but
the router is not connected to the Internet.
169.254.x.x or ___.___.___.___. The wireless connection to the router is
OK, but there is a problem with the router. See the online help or
Chapter 4.
The connection status is useful in isolating a problem. For example, if you are connected to a
router, but not to the Internet, check the router’s Internet connection.
Internet Connection and Smart Wizard Configuration
You can turn off the Internet notification feature on the Status bar. Right-click the system tray
icon to view the Enable Internet Connected Notification check mark. If you clear the
checkmark, only the IP address is shown.
Windows XP
In Microsoft Windows 7 and Vista, there is one more option. If you clear the Enable On
Networks Smart Wizard check mark, the On Networks Smart Wizard is disabled, and you
must set up the wireless adapter with auto-configuration.
Windows 7 and Vista
Chapter 1: Getting Started | 13
N300 Micro USB WiFi Adapter N300MA
Micro USB WiFi Adapter LED
The LED shows the status of the wireless link as explained in the following table.
Micro USB WiFi Adapter LED Meaning
Off
• The micro USB adapter in not plugged in to the USB port.
• The micro USB adapter is in power save mode (default from
power up or reset).
Slow
blinking
• Alternating amber and blue. The micro USB adapter is
scanning for a network.
• Blue. The micro USB adapter is connecting to a network at 2.4
GHz.
Blinking The micro USB adapter is connected to a wireless network, and is
sending or receiving data.
Solid The micro USB adapter is connected to a wireless network, but it is
not sending or receiving data.
Upgrading the Software
Upgrades might be available at the On Networks website.
To check for an update and install it:
1. Open the Smart Wizard and click the About tab:
2. Click the Software Update Check button.
14 | Chapter 1: Getting Started
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