Scientific Atlanta DPW939 User Manual

WebSTAR Model DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter

User’s Guide

WebSTAR™ Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the WebSTAR™ Model DPW939™ USB Wireless local area network (LAN) Adapter (DPW939)! The WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter allows you to experience the speed and convenience of wireless networking. The WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter is a compact easy-toinstall and use USB wireless LAN adapter. Implementing the new IEEE 802.11g standard for wireless local area network (WLAN), the DPW939 is capable of up to 54 Mbps data transmission rate. This capability makes the DPW939 a cost-effective solution for both home and small office wireless networking. The DPW939 is also backward compatible with the earlier IEEE 802.11b standard thereby allowing seamless interfacing of both wireless LAN (WLAN) standards.

The DPW939 supports several wireless network configurations including Infrastructure and Ad-hoc networks. This support gives you flexibility and versatility for your existing or future wireless network configurations. To provide efficient security to your wireless communication, the DPW939 comes with a 64-bit/128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption and wired fidelity (WiFi) Protected Access (WPA) features. With these and many more outstanding features, the DPW939 is sure to keep you ahead in the world of wireless computing.

This guide provides procedures and recommendations for installing, configuring, operating, and troubleshooting the DPW939 for Internet access and for high-speed wireless networking for your home or office. Refer to the appropriate section in this guide for the specific information you need for your situation. Contact your Internet service provider for further assistance.

Benefits and Features

The DPW939 also offers the following additional benefits and features:

• Facilitates a high-speed wireless Internet connection that energizes your online experience, and makes sharing files and photos with your family and friends hassle free

• Features reliable data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps

• Includes secure data transmission using WEP and WiFi Protected Access

encryptions

• Supports an operating distance of up to 130 ft (40m) indoors and 1000 ft (310m) outdoors

• Provides support for both Infrastructure and Ad-hoc networks

• Utilizes USB power and a compact design for easy placement and use

• Includes a convenient extension cable with a built-in base

• Offers Plug and Play operation for uncomplicated set up and installation

• Features Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP compatibility

• Allows quick and easy access to wireless networks when traveling

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

In This Guide

What’s In the Carton?....................................................................................................................................3

About the WebSTAR Model DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter..............................................................4

Recommended Network Settings ..................................................................................................................5

Software and Hardware Installation...............................................................................................................7

Monitoring and Configuring the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter.....................................15

Configuring and Managing Network Location Settings ...............................................................................27

Troubleshooting ...........................................................................................................................................39

Regulation Domain ......................................................................................................................................42

Technical Specifications ..............................................................................................................................43

Glossary.......................................................................................................................................................45

Notices.........................................................................................................................................................47

Regulatory Compliance ...............................................................................................................................48

For Information .............................................................................................................................. Back Page

What’s in the Carton?

What’s In The Carton?

When you receive your WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter, you should inspect the equipment and accessories to verify that each item is in the carton and that each item is undamaged. The carton contains the following items:

Package Contents

Verify that the following items are in your WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter package.

• WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter

• USB 2.0 extension cable with base

• Support CD

Note: Unless otherwise specified, the term “device” in this User’s Guide, refers to the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter.

USB 2.0

Extension Cable

with Base

Support CD

If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact SciCare Broadband Services at 1-800-722-2009 for assistance.

Additional cables and other equipment needed for wired or wireless networking must be purchased separately. Contact your Internet service provider to inquire about the additional equipment and cables you may need.

USB WLAN

Adapter

(with USB Cap)

T11484

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

About the WebSTAR Model DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter

This section describes the physical features of the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter and presents a detailed description of the LED indicators.

LED Indicators

The WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter has Activity (ACT) and Power (PWR) LED indicators. Refer to the following illustration and table for LED function and indications.

LED Status Indication

ACT Blinking

PWR On

Off

The device is transmitting or receiving data packets.

There is no wireless data activity.

The device is receiving power from the USB port.

The device is not receiving power from the USB port. The device may be disconnected or the computer is OFF.

Recommended Network Settings

The WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter may be used in both Ad-hoc and Infrastructure network modes. The following sections describe how the device functions in these network modes.

The WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter connects to one of the following:

• A wireless device (Ad-hoc network mode)

• An access point (Infrastructure network mode)

Ad-hoc network mode

When in an Ad-hoc network, the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter connects to another wireless device. No access point (AP) is present in this wireless environment. Ad-hoc mode is also referred to as peer-to-peer mode or an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Ad-hoc is useful for establishing a network where wireless infrastructure does not exist or where services are not required.

Infrastructure network mode

When in an Infrastructure network, the wireless network is centered on an access point (AP) that provides a central link for wireless clients to communicate with each other or with a wired network. In this configuration, the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter connects to an AP using a single or multiple Internet protocol (IP) to establish connection to a wired or wireless LAN.

Note: Determine your network settings before installing the device in order to take advantage of all its features.

Operating Range

The WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter range is dependent on the operating environment. Every home or office layout varies in obstacles, barriers, or wall types that may reflect or absorb radio signals. For example, two 802.11b devices in an open space may achieve an operating distance of up to 1000 meters, while the same devices may only achieve up to 300 meters of range when used indoors.

The device automatically adjusts the data rate to maintain an operational wireless connection. A wireless device that is close to an AP may operate at higher speeds than a device far from the AP. You can configure the data rates that a device uses. If you limit the range of data rates available to the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter, you may reduce the effective range of the wireless LAN coverage.

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

Site Survey

A site survey utility provided with the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter analyzes the installation environment and provides users with recommendations for equipment and its placement. The optimum placement differs depending on the device design and specifications. Refer to Locating Available Wireless Networks, later in this guide for detailed procedures on using the site survey utility.

Roaming Information

Use the Mobile Manager utility to set up automatic roaming and network reconfiguration between different locations. Roaming allows you to change your location and still maintain communication between other devices within range that have compatible wireless PC cards installed. Roaming among different access points is controlled automatically to maintain the wireless connectivity at all times.

Tips on Roaming

• The DPW939 can only roam between APs of the same type.

• All computers with WebSTAR WLAN cards must have the same SSID as the

access points to enable roaming.

• If encryption is enabled, all wireless clients must use the same encryption to establish connection.

• We strongly recommended that you perform a site survey using the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter utility to determine the best location for each wireless device.

Software and Hardware Installation

This section provides information on how to install the software and hardware for the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter.

System Requirements

Before installing the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter, make sure that your system’s network equipment meets the following requirements:

• Intel Pentium or AMD system

• Minimum 64MB system memory

• Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP operating system

• CD-ROM drive (for software installation)

• An available USB port (USB 2.0 recommended because USB 1.1 cannot

achieve maximum wireless performance)

Device Installation

Follow these instructions (detailed later in this section) to install the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter.

1. Install the device utilities from the support CD.

2. Connect the device to your computer.

Important: You must install the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter drivers and utilities from the support CD before connecting the device to your computer.

Before You Proceed

Note the following guidelines before installing the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter:

• Place the device on a flat, stable surface as far from the ground as possible.

• Keep the device clear from metal obstructions and away from direct sunlight to

avoid damage to the device.

• Keep the device away from transformers, heavy-duty motors, fluorescent lights,

microwave ovens, refrigerators, and other industrial equipment to prevent signal loss.

• Install the device in a central area to provide ideal coverage for all wireless

mobile devices.

• Install the device at least 20 cm from a person to insure that the product is

operated in accordance with the RF Guidelines for Human Exposure adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

To install the device drivers and utilities

1. Insert the support CD into the CD-ROM drive of your PC or laptop. The CD automatically loads and the 802.11b/g WebSTAR Wireless LAN installation window opens displaying three device installation options.

2. Select DPW939 – Wireless USB Adapter. The DPW939 Wireless USB Adapter installation window opens.

3. Click Install Utility.

Note: If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD and double-click the Setup.exe file to run the CD.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions. The device drivers and utilities are copied to your computer.

5. Restart your computer if prompted to do so.

Software and Hardware Installation

Important: If the Wireless Option window opens, select Only use our WLAN utilities and disable Windows wireless function. Then, click OK.

To install the device

After you have installed the Utility, insert the DPW939 into any USB port.

Notebook PC: Insert the device into any USB port using the correct orientation.

Desktop PC: A USB 2.0 extension cable with base is provided. Plug the

extension cable into a USB port before inserting the DPW939.

802.11G Wireless Adapter-USB Sti

T11485

1. Double-click on the WLAN Control Center icon on your desktop. After a few moments, the One Touch Wizard window opens displaying operation mode options. Select the option you want to use and click Next.

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

2. If you select Connect to an existing wireless LAN (S window opens. Click Next, then go to step 3. If you select Create a new

wireless LAN (A

section.

P), go to To create a new wireless LAN, next in this

tation), the following

3. The following window opens. Click Next.

Software and Hardware Installation

4. The following window opens. Verify that BOTH Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected.

If they are not selected, select each option. Then, click Finish.

5. After completing the installation, you must configure the WebSTAR DPW939 USB Wireless LAN Adapter using the Wireless Settings option from the Control Center right-click menu. Go to Control Center Right-Click Menu, later in this guide.

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

To create a new wireless LAN

1. To create a new wireless LAN, select Create a new wireless LAN (AP) in the One Touch Wizard window. Click Next.

2. Verify that the SSID shown is correct, or type the correct SSID in the SSID field. Also select Data encryption, if desired, and then click Next.

Software and Hardware Installation

3. The following screen opens. If your setup is complete, click Finish. If you want to configure Internet Connection Sharing, click Next.

4. The following screen opens when your setup is complete.

WebSTAR® Model DPW939™ USB Wireless LAN Adapter User’s Guide

Additional support CD options

The following options are also available on the support CD:

• Uninstall Utility—Click this option to uninstall the WebSTAR DPW939 Wireless USB Adapter WLAN Card utilities from your system.

• View the DPW939 User’s Guide—Click this option to view the DPW939 User’s Guide. The User’s Guide is in Adobe PDF format. An Adobe Reader utility is included on the CD for your convenience. You can also copy the User’s Guide to your PC for future use.

• Explore this CD—Click this option to explore the support CD contents.

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