TL-WN310G
54M Wireless CardBus Adapter
Rev: 1.0.2
1910010171
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Other brands and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make
any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Copyright © 2009 TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
All rights reserved.
http://www.tp-link.com
is a registered trademark of
FCC 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 or
more 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.
2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This device has been tested for compliance with FCC RF Exposure (SAR) limits in the typical
laptop computer configuration and this device can be used in desktop or laptop computers with
side mounted PCMCIA slots. This device cannot be used with handheld PDAs (personal digital
assistants). This device and its antenna must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with
any other antenna or transmitter.
CE Mark Warning
This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference,
in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
National Restrictions
2400.0-2483.5 MHz
Country Restriction Reason/remark
Bulgaria
France
Italy
Luxembourg None
Norway Implemented
Russian Federation
General authorization required for outdoor use and
public service
Outdoor use limited to 10
mW e.i.r.p. within the band
2454-2483.5 MHz
If used outside of own premises, general authorization is
Military Radiolocation use. Refarming of the 2.4 GHz
band has been ongoing in recent years to allow current
relaxed regulation. Full implementation planned 2012
required
General authorization required for network and service
supply(not for spectrum)
This subsection does not apply for the geographical area
within a radius of 20 km from the centre of Ny-Ålesund
Only for indoor applications
Note: Please don’t use the product outdoors in France.
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
For the following equipment:
Product Description: 54M Wireless CardBus Adapter
Model No.: TL-WN310G
Trademark: TP-LINK
We declare under our own responsibility that the above products satisfy all the technical
regulations applicable to the product within the scope of Council Directives:
Directives 1999/5/EC
The above product is in conformity with the following standards or other normative documents:
ETSI EN 300 328 V1.7.1: 2006
ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.8.1:2008 & ETSI EN 301 489-17 V1.3.2:2008
EN60950-1:2006
EN62311:2008
Recommendation 1999/519/EC
Person is responsible for marking this declaration:
Zhao Jianjun
Director of International Business
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
South Building, No.5 Keyuan Road, Central Zone, Science & Technology Park, Nanshan,
Shenzhen, P. R. China
CONTENTS
Package Contents....................................................................................................1
Chapter1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 1
1.1 Overview of the Product ..........................................................................................2
1.2 Features ..................................................................................................................2
1.3 LED Status............................................................................................................... 2
Chapter2 Installation Guide..................................................................................3
2.1 Hardware Installation...............................................................................................3
2.2 Software Installation.................................................................................................3
2.2.1 Overview ................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Software Installation for Windows XP........................................................3
2.2.3 Software Installation for Windows Vista................................................... 10
Chapter3 Configuration.......................................................................................13
3.1 Current Status........................................................................................................13
3.2 Profile Management...............................................................................................14
3.2.1 Add or Modify a Configuration Profile...................................................... 15
3.2.2 Remove a profile ..................................................................................... 20
3.2.3 Switch another Profile.............................................................................. 20
3.2.4 Export a Profile........................................................................................ 20
3.2.5 Import a Profile........................................................................................ 21
3.2.6 Scan Available Networks......................................................................... 21
3.2.7 Auto Profile Selection Management ........................................................ 22
3.3 Diagnostics............................................................................................................23
3.3.1 Check Driver Information.........................................................................24
3.3.2 Check Receiving and Transmitting Statistical Information....................... 24
Chapter4 Configuration for Windows Vista.......................................................26
Chapter5 Appendix A: Specifications................................................................29
Chapter6 Appendix B: Glossary.........................................................................30
Package Contents
The following items should be found in your package:
¾ One TL-WN310G Wireless Adapter
¾ Quick Installation Guide
¾ One Resource CD for TL-WN310G, including:
• TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility (TWCU) and Drivers
• User Guide
• Other Helpful Information
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.
1
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Chapter1 Introduction
Thank you for choosing the TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter!
1.1 Overview of the Product
The adapter gives you the flexibility to install your PC or notebook PC in the most convenient
location available, without the cost of running network cables.
The adapter's auto-sensing capability allows high packet transfer rate of up to 54Mbps 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. It can also interoperate
with all 11Mbps wireless (802.1 1b) products. Your wireless communications are protected by up
to 152-bit WEP and WPA encryption for high security.
1.2 Features
¾ Complies with IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b standards
¾ Supports WPA/WPA2 data security, IEEE 802.1x authentication, TKIP/AES encryption,
64/128/152-bit WEP encryption
¾ Supports 54/48/36/24/18/12/9/6Mbps or 11/5.5/2/1Mbps wireless LAN data transfer rates
¾ Provides 32-bit CardBus interface
¾ Supports Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure modes
¾ Supports roaming between access points when configured in Infrastructure mode
¾ Ease to configure and provides monitoring information
¾ Supports Windows 2000, XP86,
¾ Internal Antenna
Vista32, Vista64
1.3 LED Status
LED Indications TL-WN310G Working Status
Status Green Not lit
Disable Radio
Activity Green Lit
Status Green Lit
Activity Green Intermittently
The adapter is trying to scan a networking
connection.
Status Green Lit
The adapter is transmitting or receiving data.
Activity Green Flashing
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
Chapter2 Installation Guide
2.1 Hardware Installation
To install the adapter, follow these steps listed below:
1. Locate an available CardBus slot on your laptop.
2. With the connector pin end facing the CardBus slot and the label facing up, slide the Adapter
into the CardBus slot until it locks in place.
3. The promoted Found New Hardware Wizard screen will pop up when the adapter is
installed correctly.
2.2 Software Installation
2.2.1 Overview
The Adapter’s Setup Wizard will guide you through the Installation procedure for Windows 2000,
XP86,
(TWCU) and drivers.
When you install the hardware before installing the software, the system will prompt “Found
New Hardware Wizard”, click Cancel, and run the Setup Wizard program on the CD-ROM.
The Setup steps for Windows 2000, XP are very similar. The following setup steps are for
Windows XP.
2.2.2 Software Installation for Windows XP
1.
Vista32, Vista64. The Setup Wizard will install the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility
Insert the Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive, and open the folder named
TL-WN310G. Choose the proper folder according to your operating system and
double-click Setup.exe to load the following screen. And then click Next T o continue
the installation.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 2-1
2. After that, Figure 2-2 will appears, .click Next to continue.
Figure 2-2
3. Choose a Setup type in Figure 2-3. It is recommended to select Install Client Utilities and
Driver. Click Next to continue.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 2-3
4. Click Browse to change the destination location for the software in Figure 2-4. After that,
click Next to continue.
Figure 2-4
5. Create a new folder name or select one from the Existing Folders list in Figure 2-5. It is
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
recommended to keep the default setting. Click Next to continue.
Figure 2-5
6. Please read the information carefully in Figure 2-6, and click “Next” to continue.
Figure 2-6
7. Choose TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility (TWCU) and Supplicant as a tool to configure
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
the client adapter on the screen as below, and click Next to continue.
Figure 2-7
8. Choose “Do Not Install Single Sign On Feature Set” In Figure 2-8, and the system won’t
reboot after the installation. If you choose “Install Single Sign On feature set”, the system
will reboot later. Click Next to continue.
Figure 2-8
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9. Click OK to continue the Installation in Figure 2-9.
Figure 2-9
10. Wait for the installation program to run automatically.
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 2-10
11. During the step, the Setup Wizard will notify you of how to proceed with the installation as
shown below. Our drivers have been tested thoroughly, and are able to work with the
operating system. Click Continue Anyway to continue the Installation.
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Figure 2-11
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Note:
)
In Windows 2000, the warning screen is shown below (Figure 2-12), and please select Yes to
continue installation.
Figure 2-12
12. After all the steps above, and you will see the screen as below , click Finish to complete the
installation.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 2-13
2.2.3 Software Installation for Windows Vista
1. Insert the Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive, and open the folder with the same name
as your product. Then double-click Setup.exe in the proper folder according to your
operating system to start the installation. And then Figure 2-14 will appear; Click Cancel to
end the installation in the screen. Otherwise, the installation will continue.
Figure 2-14
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2. Click Next in the screen below (shown in Figure 2-12) to continue, you can click Cancel to
end the installation.
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 2-15
3. After that, the files will be copied as the next screen shown (shown in Figure 2-13). To end
the Installation, click Cancel.
Figure 2-16
) Note:
During the installation, the system will warn about Windows Security testing, please click “Install
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
this driver software anyway” to continue the installation.
Figure 2-17
4. Click the Finish button to complete.
Figure 2-18
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Chapter3 Configuration
TP-LINK Wireless Adapter TL-WN310G can be configured by TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility
(TWCU). This chapter describes how to configure your TP-LINK Wireless 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
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 gray, there is no connection.
If the icon is red, there is poor signal strength and the RSSI is less than 5dB.
If the icon is yellow, there is poor signal strength and the RSSI is between 5dB and 10dB.
If the icon is green, there is good signal strength and the RSSI is between 10dB and 20dB.
If the icon is green, there is excellent signal strength and the RSSI is more than 20dB.
Double-click the icon and the TWCU will run. You can also run the utility by clicking the
Start>Program>TP-LINK>TWCU>TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility. The TWCU provides a
complete and easy to use set of tools to:
¾ Display current status information
will appear in your system tray. It
¾ Edit and add configuration profiles
¾ Display current diagnostics information
The section below introduces these above capabilities.
3.1 Current Status
The Current Status tab contains general information about the program and its operations. The
Current Status tab does not require any configurations.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-1
The following table describes the items found on the Current Status screen.
¾ Profile Name - The name of current selected configuration profile. Set up the configuration
name on the General tab of Profile Management.
¾ Link Status - Shows whether the station is associated to the wireless network.
¾ Wireless Mode - Displays the wireless mode. Configure the wireless mode on the
Advanced tab of Profile Management.
¾ Network Type - The type of network and the station currently connected. The options
include:
• Infrastructure (access point)
• Ad Hoc
Configure the network type on the Advanced tab of Profile Management.
¾ IP Address - Displays the computer’s IP address.
¾ Current Channel - Shows the currently connected channel.
¾ Data Encryption - Displays the encryption type the driver is using. Configure the
encryption type on the Security tab of Profile Management.
¾ Server Based Authentication - Shows whether server based authentication is used.
¾ Signal Strength - Shows the strength of the signal.
Click Advanced to see advanced information about the program and its operations. For more
information, please refer to the help file of the utility.
3.2 Profile Management
Click the Profile Management tab of the TWCU and the Profile Management screen will appear,
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-2. The Profile Management screen provides tools to:
¾ Add a profile
¾ Edit a profile
¾ Remove a profile
¾ Switch to another Profile
¾ Import a Profile
¾ Export a Profile
¾ Scan Available Networks
¾ Order profiles
Figure 3-2
3.2.1 Add or Modify a Configuration Profile
To add a new configuration profile, click New on the Profile Management tab. To modify a
configuration profile, select the configuration profile from the Profile list and click Modify.
The Profile Management dialog box will display a screen similar to that shown in Figure 3-3.
1. Edit the General tab
¾ Profile Name - Identifies the configuration profile. This name must be unique. Profile
names are not case-sensitive.
¾ Client Name - Identifies the client machine.
¾ Network Names (SSIDs) - The IEEE 802.11 wireless network name. This field has a
maximum limit of 32 characters.
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
Figure 3-3
2. Edit the Security tab
Edit the fields in the Security tab of Profile Management to configure the profile. To define the
security mode, select the radio button of the desired security mode as follows.
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
Figure 3-4
¾ WPA/WPA2: Wi-Fi Protected Access.
¾ WPA/WPA2 Passphrase: Wi-Fi Protected Access Passphrase.
¾ 802.1x: Enables 802.1x security.
¾ Pre-Shared Key (Static WEP): Enables the use of shared keys that are defined on both
the access point and the station. To define shared encryption keys, choose the Shared Key
radio button and click Configure to fill in the Define Shared Keys window.
¾ None: No security (Not recommended).
Note:
)
If the access point, which is associated to the wireless adapter, has WEP set to be Optional and
the client set WEP enabled, make sure that Allow Association to Mixed Cells is checked on the
Security Tab to allow association. To complete WEP encryption configuration, you must select the
802.11 Authentication Mode as appropriate on the Advanced tab of this Profile Management
dialog.
To configure the Encryption Keys under the Pre-Shared keys (Static WEP) Security mode:
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-5
3. Edit the Advanced tab.
This screen below allows you make advanced configuration for the profile.
Figure 3-6
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
¾ Power Save Mode -
• Maximum - Selects maximum mode to let the access point buffer incoming messages
for the wireless adapter. The adapter will detect the access point if any messages are
waiting periodically.
• Normal - Normal uses maximum when retrieving a large number of packets, then
switches back to power save mode after retrieving the packets.
• Off - Turns power saving off, thus powering up the wireless adapter continuously for a
short message response time.
¾ 802.11b Preamble: Specifies the preamble setting in 802.11b. The default setting is Short
& Long (access point mode), which allows both short and long headers in the 802.11b
frames. The adapter can only use short radio headers if the access point supports and
uses them. Set to Long Only to override allowing short frames.
¾ Wireless Mode: Specifies 2.4 GHz 54 Mbps or 2.4 GHz 11 Mbps operation in an access
point network. The wireless adapter must match the wireless mode of the access point with
which it associates.
¾ QoS: Select this option, the adapter will provide Quality of Service for the wireless
connection.
¾ Wireless Mode when Starting an Ad Hoc Network: Specifies 2.4 GHz 54/11 Mbps to
start an Ad Hoc network if no matching network name is found after scanning all available
modes. This mode also allows the selection of the channel the wireless adapter uses. The
channels available depend on the regulatory domain. If the adapter finds no other ad hoc
adapters, the channel that the adapter starts the ad hoc network with will be selected
automatically. The wireless adapter must match the wireless mode and channel of the
clients it associates.
¾ 802.11 Authentication Mode: Select which mode the wireless adapter uses to
authenticate to an access point:
• Automatic causes the adapter to attempt authentication using shared, but switches it
to open authentication if shared fails.
• Open System enables 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.
• Shared-key only allows the adapter to associate with access points that have the
same WEP key.
For infrastructure (access point) networks, click Preferred APs… to specify up to four access
points to the client adapter that attempts to be associated to the access points. The four access
points have different priorities; the frontal has the higher priority.
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3.2.2 Remove a profile
1. Go to the Profile Management tab.
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-7
2. Select the profile name to remove in the Profiles List.
3. Click Remove.
3.2.3 Switch another Profile
1. Go to the Profile Management tab.
2. Click on the profile name in the Profiles List.
3. Click Activate.
3.2.4 Export a Profile
1. From the Profile Management tab, highlight the profile to export.
2. Click Export…, the Export Profile window will then appear.
3. Browse the directory to export the profile.
4. Click Save. The profile should then be exported to the specified location.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-8
3.2.5 Import a Profile
1. From the Profile Management tab, click Import…. The Import Profile will then appear.
2. Browse to the directory where the profile is located.
3. Highlight the profile name.
4. Click Open, the imported profile will then appear in the Profiles List.
Figure 3-9
3.2.6 Scan Available Networks
1. Click Scan on the Profile Management, the Available Infrastructure and Ad Hoc networks
window will appear.
2. Click Refresh to refresh the list at any time.
3. Highlight a network name and click Activate to connect an available network. If no
configuration profile exists for that network, the Profile Management window will open the
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General tab. Fill in the Profile name and click OK to create the configuration profile for that
network.
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-10
3.2.7 Auto Profile Selection Management
The auto selection feature allows the wireless adapter to automatically select a profile from the
list of profiles and use it to connect to the network. To add a new profile into the Auto Selected
Profiles list, please follow these steps.
1. On the Profile Management tab, click Order Profiles….
2. The Auto Profiles Selection management window will appear, with a list of all created
profiles in the Available Profiles box.
3. Highlight the profiles to add to auto profile selection, and click Add. The profile will appear
in the Auto Selected Profiles box.
4. Highlight a profile in the Auto Selected Profiles box.
5. Click Move Up or Move Down as appropriate.
Note:
)
The first profile in the Auto Selected Profiles box has highest priority, and the last profile has
lowest priority.
6. Click OK.
7. Check the Auto Select Profiles checkbox on the Profile Management tab.
Note:
)
When auto profile selection is enabled by checking Auto Select Profiles on the Profile
Management tab, the client adapter will scan for an available network. The profile with the
highest priority and the same SSID as one of the found networks will be used to connect to the
network. If the connection fails, the client adapter will try the next highest priority profile that
matches the SSID until an available network is found.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-11
3.3 Diagnostics
The Diagnostics tab of the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility (TWCU) provides buttons used to
retrieve receiving and transmitting statistics. The Diagnostics tab does not require any
configuration.
The Diagnostics tab lists the following receiving and transmitting diagnostics for frames
received or transmitted by the wireless network adapter.
¾ Multicast frames transmitted and received
¾ Broadcast frames transmitted and received
¾ Unicast frames transmitted and received
¾ Total bytes transmitted and received
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-12
3.3.1 Check Driver Information
The Adapter Information contains general information about the wireless network adapter and
the Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) driver. Access the adapter information from
the Diagnostics tab.
¾ Card Name - The name of the wireless network adapter.
¾ MAC Address - The MAC address of the wireless network adapter.
¾ Driver - The driver name and path of the wireless network adapter driver.
¾ Driver Version - The version of the wireless network adapter driver.
¾ Driver Date - The creation date of the wireless network adapter driver.
¾ Client Name - The name of the client computer.
3.3.2 Check Receiving and Transmitting Statistical Information
The Advanced Statistics shows (in Figure 3-13) receiving and transmitting statistical
information for the following receiving and transmitting diagnostics for frames received by or
transmitted to the wireless network adapter.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 3-13
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Chapter4 Configuration for Windows Vista
After the Adapter's driver has been installed, Windows Vista will display a wireless Network
Connection message like this one.
Figure 4-1
Icon
connection.
If the icon does not appear, please follow the steps below.
1. Right-click the icon
2. The following screen will show you available wireless networks. Highlight the one you want
means the connection has been established. Icon means there is no
in your system tray, then click Connect to a network .
Figure 4-2
to join, and then click Connect.
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54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
Figure 4-3
3. To continue, click Connect Anyway. Click the Cancel button to end the connection.
Figure 4-4
4. If the connection is successful established, the following screen will appear, click close to
finish the connection.
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Figure 4-5
54M Wireless Adapter User GuideTL-WN310G
) Note:
If the icon still does not appear, the driver may be installed incorrectly or the adapter is
unplugged, please try again.
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
Chapter5 Appendix A: Specifications
Normal
Interface 32-bit CardBus
Standards IEEE 802.11b; IEEE 802.11g
Operating System
Transmission Distance
Radio Data Rate
Modulation
Media Access Protocol CSMA/CA with ACK
Transmit Power 15dBm (Typical)
Data Security WPA/WPA2; 64/128/152-bit WEP; TKIP/AES
Frequency 2.4 ~ 2.4835GHz
Spread Spectrum Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)
Safety & Emissions FCC, CE
Environmental and Physical
Operating Temp. 0℃~40℃ (32 ~104℉℉)
Windows 2000, XP86,
Indoor up to 100m, outdoor up to 300m (Standard transmission
distance, it is limited to the environment).
54/48/36/24/18/12/9/6Mbps or 11/5.5/2/1Mbps
(Auto Rate Sensing)
1M DBPSK; 2M DQPSK; 5.5M, 11M CCK; 6M, 9M, 12M, 18M,
24M, 36M, 48M, 54M OFDM;
Vista32, Vista64
Storage Temp. -40℃~70 (℃ -40℉~158℉)
Humidity 10% ~ 95% RH, Non-condensing
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
Chapter6 Appendix B: Glossary
¾ 802.11b - The 802.11b standard specifies a wireless product networking at 11 Mbps using
direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and operating in the unlicensed radio
spectrum at 2.4GHz, and WEP encryption for security. 802.11b networks are also referred to
as Wi-Fi networks.
¾ 802.11g - Specification for wireless networking at 54 Mbps using direct-sequence
spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology, using OFDM modulation and operating in the
unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with IEEE 802.11b devices,
and WEP encryption for security.
¾ Ad-hoc Network - An ad-hoc network is a group of computers, each with a wireless adapter,
connected as an independent 802.11 wireless LAN. Ad-hoc wireless computers operate on a
peer-to-peer basis, communicating directly with each other without the use of an access point.
Ad-hoc mode is also referred to as an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) or as
peer-to-peer mode, and is useful at a departmental scale or SOHO operation.
¾ DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum) - DSSS generates a redundant bit pattern for all
data transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code). Even if one or more bits
in the chip are damaged during transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the receiver
can recover the original data without the need of retransmission. To an unintended receiver,
DSSS appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowband
receivers. However, to an intended receiver (i.e. another wireless LAN endpoint), the DSSS
signal is recognized as the only valid signal, and interference is inherently rejected (ignored).
¾ FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) - FHSS continuously changes (hops) the
carrier frequency of a conventional carrier several times per second according to a
pseudo-random set of channels. Because a fixed frequency is not used, and only the
transmitter and receiver know the hop patterns, interception of FHSS is extremely difficult.
¾ Infrastructure Network - An infrastructure network is a group of computers or other devices,
each with a wireless adapter, connected as an 802.11 wireless LAN. In infrastructure mode,
the wireless devices communicate with each other and to a wired network by first going
through an access point. An infrastructure wireless network connected to a wired network is
referred to as a Basic Service Set (BSS). A set of two or more BSS in a single network is
referred to as an Extended Service Set (ESS). Infrastructure mode is useful at a corporation
scale, or when it is necessary to connect the wired and wireless networks.
¾ Spread Spectrum - Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique
developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communications systems.
It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability, integrity, and security. In other
words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the
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TL-WN310G 54M Wireless Adapter User Guide
trade off produces a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the
receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is
not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background noise.
There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency
Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).
¾ SSID - A Service Set Identification is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key
identifying a wireless local area network. For the wireless devices in a network to
communicate with each other, all devices must be configured with the same SSID. This is
typically the configuration parameter for a wireless PC card. It corresponds to the ESSID in
the wireless Access Point and to the wireless network name.
¾ WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - A data privacy mechanism based on a 64-bit or 128-bit or
152-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
¾ Wi-Fi - A trade name for the 802.11b wireless networking standard, given by the Wireless
Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net), an industry standards
group promoting interoperability among 802.11b devices.
¾ WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) - A group of computers and associated devices
communicate with each other wirelessly, which network serving users are limited in a local
area.
¾ WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - A wireless security protocol use TKIP (Temporal Key
Integrity Protocol) encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server.
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