Netronix W121A Users Manual
IEEE 802.11n Wireless Series
Wireless USB Adapter
User Manual
Version: 2.1
Date: March 19, 2011
Wireless 11n USB Adapter
FCC Certifications
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with 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 can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with 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.
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g operation of this product in the U.S.A. is firmware-limited to
channels 1 through 11.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:
The product comply with the US/Canada portable RF exposure limit set forth for an
uncontrolled environment and are safe for intended operation as described in this manual.
The further RF exposure reduction can be achieved if the product can be kept as far as
possible from the user body or reduce output power if it doesn't affect the
transmission/receiving quality.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna
or transmitter.
SAR compliance has been established in typical laptop computer(s) with USB slot, and
product could be used in typical laptop computer with USB slot. Other application like
handheld PC or similar device has not been verified and may not compliance with related
RF exposure rule and such use shall be prohibited.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
CE Mark Warning
This equipment complies with the requirements relating to electromagnetic compatibility, EN 55022
Class B for ITE, the essential protection requirement of Council Directive 2004/108/EC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility and
R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC to meet the regulation of the radio equipment and telecommunications
terminal equipment.
Company has an on-going policy of upgrading its products and it may be possible that information in
this document is not up-to-date. Please check with your local distributors for the latest information.
No part of this document can be copied or reproduced in any form without written consent from the
company.
Trademarks:
All trade names and trademarks are the properties of their respective companies. Copyright ©2011,
All Rights Reserved.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
Package Contents
The following contents should be found in your box:
¾ One IEEE 802.11n USB Adapter
¾ One external antenna (Type A) (Type B, C and D are internal antenna)
¾ One resource CD, including:
REALTEK 11n USB Wireless LAN Driver and Utility
User Manual
Note:
Make sure that the package contains the above items. If any of the listed items are damaged or
missing, please contact with your distributor.
Conventions:
The “Adapter” mentioned in this user guide stands for Wireless 11n USB Adapter without any
explanations.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
CONTENTS
Package Contents ............................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 7
1.1 Picture and Overview of the Product .................................................................... 7
1.2 Application Diagram ............................................................................................. 8
1.3 Features ............................................................................................................... 8
1.4 LED Status ........................................................................................................... 8
Chapter 2 Management Guide for Windows XP User ...................................................... 10
2.1 Hardware Installation ......................................................................................... 10
2.2 Software Installation ........................................................................................... 10
2.2.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 10
2.2.2 Installation Procedures ............................................................................. 10
2.3 Management Guide ......................................................................................... 13
2.3.1 Select a Configuration T ool ...................................................................... 13
2.3.2 To Connect with Microsoft Zero Configuration Tool .................................. 14
2.3.3 Introduction to the 802.11n Wireless LAN Utility ...................................... 14
2.3.3.1 Interface ................................................................................................ 14
2.3.3.2 Available Network ................................................................................. 16
2.3.3.3 Profile .................................................................................................... 17
2.3.3.4 General ................................................................................................. 21
2.3.3.5 Advanced .............................................................................................. 22
2.3.3.6 Status .................................................................................................... 22
2.3.3.7 Statistics ................................................................................................ 24
2.3.3.8 Wi-Fi Protect Setup ............................................................................... 25
2.3.4 AP Mode Management Guide for Windows XP User ............................... 29
2.3.4.1 General ................................................................................................. 30
2.3.4.2 Advanced .............................................................................................. 33
2.3.4.3 Statistics ................................................................................................ 33
2.3.4.4 ICS ........................................................................................................ 35
Chapter 3 Management Guide for Vista User ................................................................... 36
3.1 Hardware Installation ......................................................................................... 36
3.2 Soft Installation ................................................................................................... 36
3.2.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 36
3.2.2 Installation Procedures ............................................................................. 36
3.3 Management Guide ............................................................................................ 38
3.3.1 Interface ................................................................................................... 38
3.3.2 Available Network .................................................................................... 39
3.3.3 Profile ....................................................................................................... 40
3.3.4 General .................................................................................................... 44
3.3.5 Advanced ................................................................................................. 45
3.3.6 Status ....................................................................................................... 46
3.3.7 Statistics ................................................................................................... 47
3.3.8 Wi-Fi Protect Setup .................................................................................. 48
3.4 AP Mode Management Guide for Vista User ..................................................... 52
3.4.1 General .................................................................................................... 52
3.4.2 Advanced ................................................................................................. 55
3.4.3 Statistics ................................................................................................... 56
3.4.4 ICS ........................................................................................................... 57
Chapter 4 Introduction for Windows 7 User ...................................................................... 58
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
4.1 Hardware Installation ......................................................................................... 58
4.2 Software Installation ........................................................................................... 58
4.2.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 58
4.2.2 Installation procedures ............................................................................. 58
4.3 Management Guide ............................................................................................ 60
4.3.1 Interface ................................................................................................... 60
4.3.2 Available Network .................................................................................... 62
4.3.3 Profile ....................................................................................................... 63
4.3.4 General .................................................................................................... 68
4.3.5 Advanced ................................................................................................. 69
4.3.6 Status ....................................................................................................... 70
4.3.7 Statistics .................................................................................................. 71
4.3.8 Wi-Fi Protect Setup ................................................................................. 73
4.3.9 Virtual WiFi .............................................................................................. 76
4.4 AP mode Management Guide for Window 7 User .............................................. 81
4.4.1 General .................................................................................................... 81
4.4.2 Advanced ................................................................................................. 84
4.4.3 Statistics ................................................................................................... 85
4.4.4 ICS ........................................................................................................... 86
Appendix A: Specifications ................................................................................................ 88
Appendix B: Glossary ........................................................................................................ 89
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
Chapter 1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this product. Read this chapter to know about your IEEE 802.11n wireless
USB Adapter.
1.1 Picture and Overview of the Product
Ty pe A Type B
Type C Type D
Comply with 802.11n standard
This Wireless 11n USB Adapter provides you a better wireless signal. It complies with standards
IEEE 802.11n with data rate up to 150Mbps (Type A, B and D) or 300Mbps (Type C), and IEEE
802.11b/g with maximum data rate of 54Mbps. It can also interoperate with all the 11Mbps
wireless(802.11b) products.
Reliable coverage
This Adapter includes a convenient utility for scanning available networks and saving preferred
networks that users usually connected with. And your wireless communications are protected by up
to 128-bit encryption, which can keep your data secure.
Easy installation and connection
Installation and use are further simplified by living up to USB's plug and play installation. You will
neither need to open the case of your computer, nor will you be required to set IRQ's. It represents
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
the simplest way to connect your computer to an ethernet based network. Also, this USB Adapter
has a small shape and is light in weight. It is convenient to carry and place.
1.2 Application Diagram
1.3 Features
¾ High Speed transfer data rate up to 150 Mbps (Type A, B and D) or 300Mbps (Type C)..
¾ Supports 2.4GHz Frequency band, 1T1R (Type A, B and D) or 2T2R (Type C).
¾ Supports QoS Enhancement (WMM, WMM-PS Client mode).
¾ Supports frame aggregation, Power saving mechanism, channel management and
co-existence.
¾ Transmit Opportunity (TXOP) Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS) bursting for higher multimedia
bandwidth.
¾ Supports driver for Windows 7 (x86/x64), Vista (x86/x64), XP (x86/x64), Linux 2.6 and Mac OS
10.5, 10.6.
¾ Supports auto-installation and diagnostic utilities.
1.4 LED Status
This USB Adapter contains one LED. Please refer to the following description for LED definition.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
LED Indications Status Working Status
Blink blue The Adapter is Radio on
Radio/ACT LED
Blink blue and flashing intermittently
The Adapter is already connected but
is not transmitting or receiving data
The Adapter is activity and transmitting
Blink blue and fast flashing
of receiving data.
Off The Adapter is Radio off
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
Chapter 2 Management Guide for Windows XP User
2.1 Hardware Installation
The installation of the Adapter is very simple. You could plug the Adapter directly to the USB port on
your computer. The LED will light up when the Adapter is installed successfully and the PC is on.
2.2 Software Installation
2.2.1 Overview
The following Setup Wizard will guide you through the Installation procedure for Windows XP. The
Setup Wizard will install the REALTEK 11n USB Wireless LAN Driver and Utility. When you install
the hardware before installing the software, the system will prompt “Found New Hardware Wizard”
on your screen, click Cancel, and run the Setup Wizard program on the CD-ROM.
2.2.2 Installation Procedures
1. Insert the CD into your CD-Rom, and find the setup driver in the CD. Then click the setup icon to
start the installation.
2. The language-selecting window pops up. Please select the language you use and click “Next”.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
3. At this moment “Preparing Setup” window appears. Please wait.
4. Now comes the welcome window. Click the “Next” button to proceed.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
5. Click the “Install” button to start installing.
6. Please wait when you see the following interface.
7. Please wait again while installation
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
8. After all the steps above, you will see the screen below. Select “Yes, I want to restart my
computer now.” and click “Finish” to reboot the system.
2.3 Management Guide
This guide describes how to configure your Adapter for wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local
Area Network (WLAN) and use the data security encryption features.
After Installing the Adapter, the Adapter’s tray icon will appear in your system tray. It appears at the
bottom of the screen, and shows the signal strength using color and the received signal strength
indication (RSSI).
If the icon is purple, there is no connection.
If the icon is white, the network is dropping off.
If the icon is almost green, there is good signal strength.
If the icon is full green, there is excellent signal strength.
2.3.1 Select a Configuration Tool
In the following instruction for making a network connection, we use the provided Utility to configure
your wireless network settings.
Note:
You could use either the software we provide or Microsoft Zero Configuration tool to configure this
Adapter.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
2.3.2 To Connect with Microsoft Zero Configuration Tool
After specifying the Microsoft Zero Configuration tool to configure your wireless network, right click
on the
network.
The tool shows the available wireless networks. Select your demanding network to connect with. To
connect to a wireless network, please click “Change advanced settings” to be compatible with your
wireless network settings.
icon on system tray. Select “View Available Wireless Networks” to specify your wireless
2.3.3 Introduction to the 802.11n Wireless LAN Utility
2.3.3.1 Interface
After the driver installation, the icon will appear on your desktop. Double click this icon and
the following interface appears:
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
Note:
1. Functional Buttons: on the upper side of the utility window, you can click each button to access
each configuration window for the detail information in the center area.
2. Optional Table: at the bottom: “Show Tray Icon”, “Disable Adapter”, “Radio off”, “Windows Zero
Config”
A. Show Tray Icon---Clicking "Show Tray Icon" and “Close” button, the management GUI will be
minimized and stay on the tray icon located at the right bottom corner of Windows. If not,
management GUI will shut down by only click "Close" button with unchecked condition.
B. Disable Adapter---Disable this wireless PCI card.
C. Radio off---It can save power while turning off the radio. While the radio is off, the links with other
wireless network will be disconnected. User should be aware that while the wireless
configuration is in AP mode. Radio Off will cause the sub network belonging to the AP to be
disconnected with internet.
D. Windows Zero Config---External Configuration: select this item will enables you to disable the
WLAN Station Configuration Utility and indicates that the station driver is to be configured with
Windows XP’s built-in Zero Configuration Utility. This item is only displayed on windows XP
systems.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
2.3.3.2 Available Network
This table lists the available wireless networks surrounding you. You can select the network you
want in this list (The network with the strongest signal is recommended). You can refresh the
connecting network list by clicking the “Refresh” button.
Available Network Information:
Items Information
SSID
Channel
Encryption
Network
Authentication
Signal
Type
The name of the IEEE 802.11 wireless network. This field has a
maximum limit of 32 characters.
Display current channel in use.
Shows the encryption mode in use. There are total 4 modes: None,
WEP, TKIP and AES.
Shows the authentication mode in use.
This percentage shows the strength of the signal.
The type of network and the station currently connected are shown
here.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
The options include :
• Infrastructure - All wireless clients will connect to an access point
or wireless router.
• Ad-Hoc - Directly connecting to another computer, for peer-to-peer
communication, using wireless network adapters on each computer,
such as two or more wireless adapters.
BSSID
Support Rates
Note:
1) An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point or wireless router. All the wireless devices or
clients will connect to the wireless router or access point.
2) An Ad-Hoc network contains only clients, such as laptops with wireless desktop adapters. All the
adapters must be in Ad-Hoc mode to communicate.
The MAC address of locally-managed, generating from a 46 random
code.
Show current rate
2.3.3.3 Profile
1. Add a new profile:
(1) Selecting an available network in the “Available Network” function then click the “Add to Profile”
button., or double click the network name. You could also add a new profile (for example, the
network with SSID 123) quickly by clicking the “Add” button in the “Profile” function.
Note: If the network you add to profile is not encrypted, “Unsecured network” window will pop up,
then Click “OK”.
(2) It displays “Wireless Network Properties” dialog box. This profile page allows users to save
different wireless settings, which helps users to get access to wireless networks at home, office or
other wireless network environments quickly.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
In this dialog box, there are some items:
Items Information
Profile Name
Network
Name(SSID)
(3) Channel (Country Region Code): seven countries to choose. Country channel list:
Country Channel Range Country Channel Range
USA CH1 ~ CH11 FRANCE CH1 ~ CH13
CANADA CH1 ~ CH11 JAPAN CH1 ~ CH14
ETSI CH1 ~ CH13 ISRAEL CH1 ~ CH13
Identifies the configuration profile .This name must be unique. Note that the
profile names are not case-sensitive.
(You can enter the Profile name by “Add”, but you could only use the default
name by “Add to profile”.
The IEEE 802.11n wireless network name, using default name defined by
system. This field has a maximum limit of 32 characters.
SPAIN CH1 ~ CH11
The availability of some specific channels and/or operational frequency bands are country
dependent and are firmware programmed at the factory to match the intended destination.
The firmware setting is not accessible by the end user.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
(4) Wireless Network Security
A. Network Authentication
There are 7 types supported: Open System, Shared Key , WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, and WPA 802.1X,
WPA2 802.1X, WEP 802.1X. Please select a type from the drop down list. Select the Security tab in
the screen above. To define the security mode, select the desired security mode as follows.
z Open System: enable an adapter to attempt authentication regardless of its WEP settings. It
will only associate with the access point if the WEP keys on both the adapter and the access
point match.
z Shared-key: only allows the adapter to associate with access points that have the same WEP
key.
z 802.1x: This item appears while the environment is set to an open authentication with WEP
encryption. The section is also available in WPA and WPA2 authentication types.
z Preshared Key (PSK): This is the shared secret between AP and STA. For WPA-PSK,
WPA2-PSK and WPA-NONE authentication mode, this field must be filled with characters
longer than 8 and less than 32 lengths. The following dialog appears if you have input invalid
values.
z WEP Key: Only available when using WEP encryption algorithm. The key must match AP's
key. Only using the same cryptographic key to access the computer, the internet can storage,
and decryption the information from other computer.
B. Data Encryption:
There are 4 types supported: Disabled, WEP, TKIP and AES. The
available encryption selection will differ from the authentication type you
have chosen, the result is shown below:
Authentication Available Encryption Selection
Data encryption
Note: Select different Security Options, the configurations are different; you can select the
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Open System Disabled, WEP
Shared Key , WEP 802.1X WEP
WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, and WPA
802.1X, WPA2 802.1X
TKIP, AES
Wireless 11n USB Adapter
appropriate security option and configure the exact key as your need.
z TKIP: "Temporary Key Integration communication Protocol", it provide each packet's key
mixture, message integration and key reconstruction mechanism. TKIP can use with personal
or the enterprise network validation.
z AES: “Advanced Encryption Standard”, it is a new method that the wireless transmission of
privacy protection. AES encryption method is more careful than TKIP.
(5) Finish the configuration, then click “OK”, that network has been added to the profile. You can
go to the “General” interface for the connecting status.
Profile List: The list shows all the profiles you have added before.
Buttons: You can click on these buttons to Add a new profile, Remove, Edit, Duplicate or Set
Default an old profile.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
2.3.3.4 General
In this window, there are some items as following:
Items Information
Status
Speed
Type
Encryption
SSID
Signal Strength
Link Quality
Network
Address
Currently connection status.
Show current transmit rate and receive rate.
Network type in use.
Encryption type in use.
The name of the IEEE 802.11 wireless network. This field has a
maximum limit of 32 characters.
Receive signal strength.
Display connection quality based on signal strength.
A. MAC Address: The MAC address of the wireless network adapter.
B. IP Address: IP address of current connection.
C. Subnet Mask: Subnet mask of current connection.
D. Gateway: Gateway of current connection.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
2.3.3.5 Advanced
This screen below enables you to make advanced configuration for the profile. Please refer to the
following chart for definitions of each item.
1. Preamble Mode
The length of CRC blocks in the frames during the wireless communication. Select the options from
the drop list: (1) Long (2)Short (3)Auto.
2. Channel Plan
The selectable Channel: FCC, IC, ETSI, Spain, France, MKK, MKK1, Israel, TELEC, Default
3. Threshold
(1) Fragment Threshold
This value should remain at its default setting of 2347. If you experience a high packet error rate,
you may slightly increase your fragmentation threshold within the value range of 256 to 2432.
Setting the fragmentation threshold too low may result in poor performance.
(2) RTS Threshold
Request To Send Threshold. This value should remain at its default setting of 2346. If you
encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor modifications to the value range between 0 and 2432
are recommended.
2.3.3.6 Status
The Status tab contains general information about the program and its operations.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
The following table describes the items in “Status”.
Items Information
Manufacturer
NDIS Driver Version
Encryption
Authenticate
Channel Set
MAC Address
Data Rate(Auto)
Channel Frequency
Status
The name of manufacturing this product.
The version of Network Driver Interface Specification.
Here displays the encryption type the device is using.
This shows whether the server based authentication is used.
Appears the country you use.
The MAC address of the wireless network adapter.
Show current transmit rate and receive rate.
Shows the channel in use (1~14).
Current connection status.
SSID
Network Type
Power Save Mode
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The SSID of the wireless system.
The type of network and the station currently connected are shown
here. The options include : Infrastructure, Ad Hoc
The power save mode have three modes, as follows :
• Max - Selects maximum mode to let the access point buffer
incoming messages for the Adapter. The Adapter will detect the
Wireless 11n USB Adapter
access point if any messages are waiting periodically.
• Min – Min mode uses minimum when retrieving a large number of
packets, then switches back to power save mode after retrieving
the packets.
• None - Turns power saving off, thus powering up the Wireless
USB Adapter continuously for a short message response time.
Associated AP MAC
Up Time
Note to US model owner: To comply with US FCC regulation, the country selection
function has been completely removed from all US models. The above function is for
non-US models only.
2.3.3.7 Statistics
Statistics page displays the detail counter information based on 802.11 MIB counters. This page
translates the MIB counters into a format easier for user to understand. It show receiving and
transmitting statistical information about the following receiving and transmitting diagnostics for
frames received by or transmitted to the wireless network Adapter.
The MAC Address of associated AP.
Record life time.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
Items
TX OK
TX Error
RX OK
Rx Packet Count
RX Retry
RX ICV Error
Reset Counter
Information
Successfully transmitted frames numbers.
Frames numbers transmitting with error.
Successfully received frames numbers.
The packets of receiving frames.
Frames numbers re-receiving.
Integrity Check Value receiving with error.
Reset counters to zero.
2.3.3.8 Wi-Fi Protect Setup
The primary goal of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (Wi-Fi Simple Configuration) is to simplify the security
setup and management of Wi-Fi networks. This Adapter supports the configuration setup using PIN
configuration method or PBC configuration method. If the connected wireless Router/AP support
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you can use this USB Adapter to establish a wireless connection
using either Push Button Configuration (PBC) method or PIN method.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
Here we will introduce two ways to configure the QSS
(QSS is known as rapid security settings, by pressing the wireless router and this Adapter on the
QSS button to automatically set up WPA2 secure connection level without the router or network
adapter management software to conduct the cumbersome interface settings, greatly simplifying
the operation of the wireless security settings.)
Pin Code: 8-digit numbers. It is randomly generated from system.
1. PIN method
Click the button “Pin Input Config (PIN)”, and then come to the following figure.
Click the button “Yes”, and then select one of the AP. Also, you can click these buttons by “Refresh /
Select / Cancel” for any change.
When the following interface pops up, double click the Internet WEB browser icon on your desktop
screen. Type the IP address of you selected Router/AP into the URL and press “Enter”, and then
you can enter the configuration.
Please enter the WPS (Wi-Fi ) configuration page, type the PIN code of adapter and click confirm
button to build WPS connection.
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Wireless 11n USB Adapter
When the “General” window appears, WPS is configured successfully.
2. PBC (Push Button Configuration) method
After pushing the PBC button, please push the physical button on your Router/AP or visual button
on the WPS config page, then come to the following figure.
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