Cisco Linksys WPC54G User Manual
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Cisco Linksys WPC54G User Manual

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A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.4
GHz
Wireless-G
802.11g
Notebook Adapter
User Guide
WIRELESS
WPC54G
V4
Model No.

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Summary of Contents for Cisco Linksys WPC54G

  • Page 1 ® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. Wireless-G 802.11g Notebook Adapter User Guide WIRELESS WPC54G Model No.
  • Page 2 Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2003 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What’s in this Guide? Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration The Installation Procedure Chapter 5: Hardware Installation Connecting the Adapter...
  • Page 4 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter List of Figures Figure 3-1: Front Panel Figure 4-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome screen Figure 4-2: The Setup Wizard’s License Agreement Figure 4-3: The Setup Wizard’s Network Mode screen Figure 4-4: The Setup Wizard’s Wireless Channels screen Figure 4-5: The Setup Wizard’s Finalize Settings screen Figure 4-6: The Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen Figure 5-1: How the Adapter installs into your notebook...
  • Page 5 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Figure 6-23: EAP-PEAP Authentication Figure 6-24: EAP-LEAP Authentication Figure 6-25: RADIUS Settings Figure 6-26: EAP-TLS Authentication Figure 6-27: EAP-TTLS Authentication Figure 6-28: EAP-MD5 Authentication Figure 6-29: EAP-PEAP Authentication Figure 6-30: LEAP Authentication Figure 6-31: Confirm New Settings for New Profile Figure 6-32: Congratulations for New Profile...

  • Page 6: Chapter 1: Introduction

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking experience will be faster and easier than ever. network: a series of computers or devices Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless network. This connected for the purpose of data sharing, adapter communicates over the 54Mbps 802.11g wireless standard, which is almost five times faster than storage, and/or transmission between users.

  • Page 7: What's In This Guide

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter What’s in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter. • Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide. • Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.
  • Page 8 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter • Appendix G: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information. • Appendix H: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support. Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide?

  • Page 9: Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.

  • Page 10: Network Layout

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Network Layout Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products incorporating both “a” and “g”, products using these standards can communicate with each other. Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such at the PC Cards for your laptop computers, PCI Card for your desktop PC, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity.

  • Page 11: Chapter 3: Getting To Know The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators The Network Adapter's LEDs display information about network activity. Figure 3-1: Front Panel Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on. Link Green.

  • Page 12: Chapter 4: Software Installation And Configuration

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration The Wireless Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the WLAN Monitor and driver, as well as configure the Adapter. NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard to install the software before installing the hardware.

  • Page 13: The Installation Procedure

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The Installation Procedure 1. To install the Adapter, click the Install button on the Welcome screen. 2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree, or click the Cancel button to end the installation. Figure 4-2: The Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 3.

  • Page 14: Figure 4-4: The Setup Wizard's Wireless Channels Screen

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 4. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, select the correct operating channel for your network. Then, select the Network Mode from the drop-down menu. Click the Next button, and go to Step 5. Click the Back button to change any settings. Channel - The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network.

  • Page 15: Figure 4-6: The Setup Wizard's Congratulations Screen

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 6. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click the Exit button. Proceed to “Chapter 5: Hardware Installation.” Figure 4-6: The Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration The Installation Procedure...

  • Page 16: Chapter 5: Hardware Installation

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 5: Hardware Installation NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard to install the software before installing the hardware. Connecting the Adapter 1. Turn off your notebook PC. 2. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook PC. 3.

  • Page 17: Chapter 6: Using The Wlan Monitor

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor Use the WLAN Monitor to check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings. Accessing the WLAN Monitor After installing the Adapter, the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WLAN Monitor icon will appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon.

  • Page 18: Figure 6-3: More Information-Network Settings

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter State - The status of the wireless network connection. SSID - The SSID of the wireless network. Channel - The channel to which the wireless network devices are set. Security- The status of the security feature. Network Mode - The wireless mode currently in use. IP Address - The IP Address of the Adapter.

  • Page 19: Figure 6-4: More Information-Network Statistics

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Network Statistics The Networks Statistics screen provides statistics on your current network settings. Transmit Rate - The data transfer rate of the current connection.(In Auto mode, the Adapter dynamically shifts to the fastest data transfer rate possible at any given time.) Receive Rate - The rate that data is received.

  • Page 20: Site Survey

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Site Survey The Site Survey screen displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networks available for connection in the table on the right. This table shows the network’s SSID, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the Adapter is receiving.

  • Page 21: Profiles

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Profiles The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups. The table on the right displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networks available for connection This table shows the network’s profile name and the wireless network’s SSID, as set in the connection profile. Profile Information For each profile selected, the following are listed: Network Mode - The mode of the wireless network currently in use.

  • Page 22: Creating A New Profile

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter NOTE: If you want to export more than one profile, you have to export them one at a time. Figure 6-8: Exporting a Profile Creating a New Profile 1. On the Profiles screen, click the New button to create a new profile. 2.

  • Page 23: Figure 6-11: Choose A Network Type

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 3. The Choose a network type screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computers on your wired network via a wireless access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wireless computers to communicate directly with each other.

  • Page 24: Figure 6-13: Network Setting For New Profile

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 5. The Network Setting screen will appear next. If your network has a DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP). Click the Next button to continue, or click the Cancel button to return to the Profiles screen.

  • Page 25: Figure 6-15: Wep Settings

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Transmit Key - The default transmit key number is 1. If your network’s access point or wireless router uses transmit key number 2, 3, or 4, select the appropriate number from the Transmit Key drop-down box. Key 1- The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. If you are using 64-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exactly 10 hexadecimal characters.

  • Page 26: Figure 6-17: Tkip Settings

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, for the Encryption Type. Enter a WPA Shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field. Figure 6-17: TKIP Settings Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor Creating a New Profile...

  • Page 27: Figure 6-18: Wpa Radius Settings

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WPA RADIUS. WPA RADIUS features WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) WPA Radius offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys.

  • Page 28: Figure 6-20: Eap-Tls Authentication

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The screen in Figure 6-20 appears next. Select the Authentication Method from the drop-down menu. The options are described below. EAP-TLS Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network.

  • Page 29: Figure 6-22: Eap-Md5 Authentication

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter EAP-MD5 Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the password of your wireless network in the Password field. Click the Next button to continue. Click the Back button to return to the previous screen. Figure 6-22: EAP-MD5 Authentication EAP-PEAP Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 30: Figure 6-25: Radius Settings

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) It offers five authentication methods: EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-MD5, EAP- PEAP, and LEAP. Click the Next button to continue and the screen in Figure 6-19 appears.

  • Page 31: Figure 6-27: Eap-Ttls Authentication

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter EAP-TTLS Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the password of your wireless network in the Password field. Select Validate server cerificate to make sure that the certificate for the server is valid.

  • Page 32: Figure 6-29: Eap-Peap Authentication

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter EAP-PEAP Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the password of your wireless network in the Password field. Select Validate server cerificate to make sure that the certificate for the server is valid.

  • Page 33: Figure 6-31: Confirm New Settings For New Profile

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 7. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next showing the new settings. To save the new settings, click the Yes button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. Figure 6-31: Confirm New Settings for New Profile 8.

  • Page 34: Appendix A: Troubleshooting

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix A: Troubleshooting This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” This appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.

  • Page 35: Frequently Asked Questions

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Frequently Asked Questions Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network? This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports operation over a network. Can I play computer games with other members of the wireless network? Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area network).
  • Page 36 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter maintain contact with the wireless network even when not actually transmitting data. Achieving these functions simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technology that links access points and nodes. In such a system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates such factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currently being carried by each access point and the distance of each access point to the wired backbone.
  • Page 37 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air? WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling. On the software side, WLAN offers the encryption function (WEP) to enhance security and access control.

  • Page 38: Appendix B: Wireless Security

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation.
  • Page 39 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 1. Disable Broadcast 2. Make it unique 3. Change it often Most wireless networking devices will give you the option of broadcasting the SSID. While this option may be more convenient, it allows anyone to log into your wireless network. This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID.
  • Page 40 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WPA-PSK. If you do not have a RADIUS server, Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, and enter a password in the Passphrase field of 8-63 characters. WPA RADIUS. WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router or other device.) WPA Radius offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys.

  • Page 41: Appendix C: Windows Help

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix C: Windows Help All wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed through Windows Help and are described in this appendix.

  • Page 42: Appendix D: Glossary

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix D: Glossary 802.11b - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. Adapter - A device that adds network functionality to your PC. Ad-hoc - A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point.
  • Page 43 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Fragmentation -Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet. Hardware - The physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices. IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - An independent institute that develops networking standards.
  • Page 44 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services. Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program".

  • Page 45: Appendix E: Specifications

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix E: Specifications Standards IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b Channels 11 Channels (USA, Canada) 13 Channels (Europe) 14 Channels (Japan) LEDs Power, Link Transmit Power 15 dBm Protocols 802.11b: CCK (11 Mbps), DQPSK (2 Mbps), DBPSK (1 Mbps); 802.11g: OFDM Network Protocols TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI Security Features...

  • Page 46: Appendix F: Warranty Information

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix F: Warranty Information LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys warrants to You that, for a period of three years (the “Warranty Period”), your Linksys Product will be substantially free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Your exclusive remedy and Linksys' entire liability under this warranty will be for Linksys at its option to repair or replace the Product or refund Your purchase price less any rebates.

  • Page 47: Appendix G: Regulatory Information

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix G: Regulatory Information 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 FCC STATEMENT 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.
  • Page 48 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter EN 300-328-1, EN 300-328-2 Technical requirements for Radio equipment. Caution: This equipment is intended to be used in all EU and EFTA countries. Outdoor use may be restricted to certain frequencies and/or may require a license for operation. Contact local Authority for procedure to follow. Note: Combinations of power levels and antennas resulting in a radiated power level of above 100 mW equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) are considered as not compliant with the above mentioned directive and are not allowed for use within the European community and countries that have adopted the European R&TTE directive...

  • Page 49: Appendix H: Contact Information

    Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Contact Information Need to contact Linksys? Visit us online for information on the latest products and updates to your existing products at: http://www.linksys.com or ftp.linksys.com Can't find information about a product you want to buy on the web? Do you want to know more about networking with Linksys products? Give our advice line a call at: 800-546-5797 (LINKSYS)

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