NETGEAR RangeMax WPN511 User Manual
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NETGEAR RangeMax WPN511 User Manual

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User Manual for the
NETGEAR RangeMax™
Wireless PC Card
WPN511
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
202-10077-01
Version v1.3
February 2005

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  • Page 1 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 NETGEAR, Inc. 4500 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA 202-10077-01 Version v1.3 February 2005...

  • Page 2: Technical Support

    In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to make changes to the products described in this document without notice. NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

  • Page 3: Declaration Of Conformity

    Declaration Of Conformity We NETGEAR, Inc., 4500 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054, declare under our sole responsibility that the model WPN511 Cardbus Card Wireless Adapter complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: •...

  • Page 4: Export Restrictions

    Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations This digital apparatus (NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511) does not exceed the Class B limits for radio-noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    WPN511 Default Wireless Configuration Settings ...3-2 Basic Installation Instructions ...3-3 For Windows XP Users Installing a WPN511 ...3-4 For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing a WPN511 ...3-8 WPN511 Wireless Connection Indicators ...3-12 Interpreting the LEDs on the WPN511 ...3-12 Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors ...3-13...
  • Page 6 Using Configuration Profiles ...4-1 Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode ...4-2 How to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile ...4-3 Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc Mode ...4-4 How to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode Profile ...4-5 How to Start a Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network ...4-7 Enabling Wireless Security Features ...4-8 Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security Settings ...4-8 How to Configure WEP Encryption Security ...4-9...
  • Page 7 Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking ... C-6 Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ... C-6 Configuring DHCP of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4 ... C-7 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP ... C-7 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 ... C-9 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4 ...
  • Page 8 viii Contents February 2005...

  • Page 9: About This Manual

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511. The WPN511 provides connection for multiple personal computers to the Internet through an external broadband access device (such as a cable modem or DSL modem).

  • Page 10: How To Print This Manual

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 How to Print this Manual To print this manual you can choose one of the following several options, according to your needs. • Printing a Chapter. Use the – Click “PDF of This Chapter” link at the top right of any page in the chapter you want to print.

  • Page 11: Introduction

    RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511. About the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 The NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 gives you ultimate mobility in your office or while you are traveling. It frees you from traditional Ethernet wiring and helps you create a wireless network for sharing your broadband cable or DSL Internet access among multiple PCs in and around your home.

  • Page 12: What's In The Box

    • Support information card If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair. The NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 has two interfaces: •...

  • Page 13: A Road Map For 'How To Get There From Here

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ The introduction and adoption of any new technology can be a difficult process. Wireless technology has removed one of the barriers to networking—running wires. It allows more people to try networking while at the same time exposes them to the inherent complexity of networking.
  • Page 14 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ... If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? Protect my 1. Assure that the wireless...
  • Page 15 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ... If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? Exchange files 1. Use the between a...
  • Page 16 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ... If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? Use printers in a 1. Use the...

  • Page 17: Basic Setup

    This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network configuration is covered in Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet.

  • Page 18: Observing Location And Range Guidelines

    Observing Location and Range Guidelines Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range which vary significantly based on the physical location of the computer with the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511. For best results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as: •...

  • Page 19: Basic Installation Instructions

    Network Name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any (First available network) Note: In order for the WPN511 Wireless PC Card to communicate with a wireless access point or wireless adapter, all devices must be configured with the same wireless network name (SSID).

  • Page 20: For Windows Xp Users Installing A Wpn511

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 For Windows XP Users Installing a WPN511 Install the WPN511 driver and configuration utility software. a. Power on your notebook, let the operating system boot up completely, and log in as needed.
  • Page 21 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Install the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511. a. Locate an available CardBus slot on the side of your notebook. Hold the PC Card with the NETGEAR logo facing up and insert it into the CardBus slot.
  • Page 22 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Configure your WPN511. a. Click the WPN511 icon in the Windows system tray to open the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant. The Settings tab page opens. b. Change the Network Name SSID to match your network.
  • Page 23 Verify connectivity to the Internet or network resources. Note: If you are unable to connect, see troubleshooting tips in the Basic Installation section of the Reference Manual on the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Resource CD. Basic Setup...

  • Page 24: For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing A Wpn511

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing a WPN511 Install the WPN511 driver and configuration utility software. Note: Windows 2000 may require you to be logged on with administrator rights.
  • Page 25 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Install the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511. a. Locate an available CardBus slot on the side of your notebook. Hold the PC Card with the NETFGEAR logo facing up and insert it into the CardBus slot.
  • Page 26 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Configure your WPN511 and save the Profile. a. Click on the WPN511 system tray icon to open the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant. The Settings tab page opens. b. For the Network Name (SSID), use the...
  • Page 27 Verify connectivity to the Internet or network resources. Note: If you are unable to connect, see troubleshooting tips in the Basic Installation section of the Reference Manual on the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Resource CD. Note: If you are unable to connect, see...

  • Page 28: Wpn511 Wireless Connection Indicators

    The NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 provides the following three indicators which give you feedback on the status of your wireless connection: • The two LEDs on the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 indicate the condition of wireless link. •...

  • Page 29: Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors The System Tray (SysTray) resides on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Color Condition The wireless PC Card has no connection to any other wireless node.

  • Page 30: Basic Tips

    Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions 1. Question: The product literature says the WPN511 can operate at 108 Mbps. Why do I see no more than 54 Mbps speed on my WPN511 Smart Configuration Utility status line? Answer: You are probably connecting to standard 802.11g network.
  • Page 31 WPN511 software, do the following: Use “Add or Remove Programs” in the Control Panel and remove the “NETGEAR WPN511 Wireless PC Card” entry. 5. Question: How do I know if my WPN511 card has received a valid IP address from my Wireless Router/AP? Answer: One easy way is to open up the WPN511 utility program and check the “IP Address”...
  • Page 32 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Answer: The WPN511 LED’s behavior is as follows: both blinking alternately means attempting to connect, both blinking together indicates a good connection (fast blinking means data transmission); off means the card is not plugged in or no power applied to the card.

  • Page 33: Configuration

    Properties button, click the Wireless Networks tab and then clear the “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” check box. Understanding the Configuration Options The WPN511 configuration utility provides a complete and easy to use set of tools to: • Configure wireless settings.

  • Page 34: Connecting To An Access Point In Infrastructure Mode

    Follow the instructions below to configure an infrastructure mode profile for connecting to an access point. 1. Run the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant. a. Make sure the WPN511 software is installed and the WPN511 is fully inserted in an available CardBus slot in your PC. “Wireless Networking Overview”...
  • Page 35 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 b. Click the WPN511 icon Wireless Assistant. c. The Settings tab displays as shown below. Figure 4-2: Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant Settings tab page 2. Configure the wireless Network settings.

  • Page 36: Connecting To Another Pc In Ad-Hoc Mode

    Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc Mode Figure 4-3: NETGEAR WPN511 Wireless PC Card in Peer-to-Peer Mode The peer-to-peer setting of the WPN511 uses Ad-Hoc mode. Ad-Hoc mode is an 802.11 networking framework in which devices or computers communicate directly with each other, without the use of an access point.

  • Page 37: How To Configure An Ad-Hoc Mode Profile

    Follow the instructions below to configure an Ad-hoc mode profile. 1. Run the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Utility. a. Make sure the WPN511 software is installed and the WPN511 is fully inserted in an available CardBus slot in your PC.
  • Page 38 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 2. Save your settings in a Profile. a. Type a descriptive name in the “Profiles” field. b. Click Save Profile. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. c. Click Apply.

  • Page 39: How To Start A Computer-To-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Note: If you cannot connect, see the accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed and configured properly on your computers. Please refer to Computers for TCP/IP Networking”...

  • Page 40: Identifying The Wireless Network Name (Ssid) And Wep Security Settings

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 In addition to the WPN511 wireless security features, you should also configure appropriate LAN network security features such as requiring a user name and password to access the shared resources in your network.

  • Page 41: How To Configure Wep Encryption Security

    Follow the steps below to configure WEP Encryption Security. 1. Run the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant. a. Make sure the WPN511 software is installed and the WPN511 is fully inserted in an available CardBus slot in your PC. b. Click the WPN511 icon Wireless Assistant.
  • Page 42 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 3. Save your settings in a Profile. a. Type a descriptive name in the “Profiles” field. b. Click Save Profile. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. c. Click Apply.

  • Page 43: Statistics Page

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Statistics Page The Statistics page provides real time and historical trend information on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter. Figure 4-7: Statistics tab page • Transmit/Receive Performance (%): A real time graph identifying the total, receive, and transmit utilization as a percentage the total possible.

  • Page 44: Advanced Settings Page

    802.11 wireless protocols. Note that if the wireless network you are communicating with uses the 108 Mbps 802.11g mode, you must include that in your selection (for example, if you are using the WPN511 with the NETGEAR WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router).

  • Page 45: Technical Specifications

    This appendix provides technical specifications for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Antennae 2 Integrated internal diversity antennae Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, and 108 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz CCK and OFDM Modulation)
  • Page 46 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Technical Specifications February 2005...

  • Page 47: Wireless Networking Basics

    (IEEE) 802.11b standard for wireless LANs (WLANs) and a product update will bring the WPN511 into conformance to the 802.11g standard when it is ratified. On an 802.11b or g wireless link, data is encoded using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and is transmitted in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.5GHz.

  • Page 48: Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-To-Peer Workgroup

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed points to the network - each node can generally communicate with any other node. There is no Access Point involved in this configuration.

  • Page 49: 802.11 Authentication

    The 802.11 standard defines several services that govern how two 802.11 devices communicate. The following events must occur before an 802.11 Station can communicate with an Ethernet network through an access point such as the one built in to the WPN511: 1. Turn on the wireless station.

  • Page 50: Shared Key Authentication

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 802.11 Authentication Open System Steps 1) Authentication request sent to AP 3) Client connects to network Client attempting to connect Figure 4-9: 802.11 open system authentication Shared Key Authentication The following steps occur when two devices use Shared Key Authentication: 1.

  • Page 51: Overview Of Wep Parameters

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 802.11 Authentication Shared Key Steps 1) Authentication request sent to AP 2) AP sends challenge text Client 3) Client encrypts attempting challenge text and to connect sends it back to AP...

  • Page 52: Wep Configuration Options

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 The 64-bit WEP data encryption method, allows for a five-character (40-bit) input. Additionally, 24 factory-set bits are added to the forty-bit input to generate a 64-bit encryption key. (The 24 factory-set bits are not user-configurable).

  • Page 53: Wireless Channels

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Wireless Channels IEEE 802.11b and g wireless nodes communicate with each other using radio frequency signals in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Neighboring channels are 5 MHz apart.
  • Page 54 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 The preferred channel separation between the channels in neighboring wireless networks is 25 MHz (5 channels). This means that you can apply up to three different channels within your wireless network. There are only 11 usable wireless channels in the United States. It is recommended that you start using channel 1 and grow to use channel 6, and 11 when necessary, as these three channels do not overlap.

  • Page 55: Preparing Your Pcs For Network Access

    Preparing Your PCs for Network Access This appendix describes how to prepare your PCs to connect to the Internet through the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511. For adding file and print sharing to your network, please consult the Windows help information included with the version of Windows installed on each computer on your network.

  • Page 56: Configuring Windows 95, 98, And Me For Tcp/Ip Networking

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP Networking As part of the computer preparation process, you need to manually install and configure TCP/IP on each networked computer. Before starting, locate your Windows CD; you may need to insert it during the TCP/IP installation process.

  • Page 57: Enabling Dhcp To Automatically Configure Tcp/Ip Settings In Windows 95B, 98, And Me

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Installing TCP/IP If you need TCP/IP: a. Click the Add button. b. Select Protocol, and then click Add. c. Select Microsoft. d. Select TCP/IP, and then click OK. Installing the Client for Microsoft Networks If you need the Client for Microsoft Networks: a.
  • Page 58 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 1. Open the Network Panel • If the Network Neighborhood icon is on the Windows desktop, position your mouse pointer over it and right-click your mouse button. • If the icon is not on the desktop: —...

  • Page 59: Selecting The Windows' Internet Access Method

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 3. Verify the Properties IP Address Setting a. Click the Properties button. The TCP/IP Properties window displays as shown to the right. By default, the IP Address tab is open.

  • Page 60: Configuring Windows 2000 Or Xp For Tcp/Ip Networking

    3. From the drop-down box, select your Ethernet adapter. The window is updated to show your settings. They should match the values below if you are using the default TCP/IP settings that NETGEAR recommends for connecting through a router or gateway:...

  • Page 61: Configuring Dhcp Of Tcp/Ip In Windows Xp, 2000, Or Nt4

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Configuring DHCP of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4 There are many similarities in the procedures for different Windows systems when using DHCP to configure TCP/IP. The following steps walk you through the configuration process for each of these versions of Windows.
  • Page 62 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 3. Go to Properties. a. Click the Properties button to view details about the connection. The TCP/IP details are shown on the Support tab page. b. Select “Internet Protocol”, and click Properties to view the configuration information.

  • Page 63: Dhcp Configuration Of Tcp/Ip In Windows 2000

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 After you have installed the network card, TCP/IP for Windows 2000 is configured. TCP/IP should be added by default and set to DHCP without your having to configure it. However, if there are problems, follow these steps to configure TCP/IP with DHCP for Windows 2000.
  • Page 64 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 2. Check the Internet Protocol Properties. a. With “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” selected, click Properties to open the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box. b. Verify that the following items are selected: •...

  • Page 65: Dhcp Configuration Of Tcp/Ip In Windows Nt4

    User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4 Once you have installed the network card, you need to configure the TCP/IP environment for Windows NT 4.0. Follow this procedure to configure TCP/IP with DHCP in Windows NT 4.0.

  • Page 66: Verifying Tcp/Ip Properties For Windows Xp, 2000, And Nt4

    A command window opens. 3. Type ipconfig /all Your IP Configuration information is listed, and should match the values below if you are using the default TCP/IP settings that NETGEAR recommends for connecting through a router or gateway. TCP/IP Configuration...
  • Page 67 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-13 February 2005...
  • Page 68 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 C-14 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access February 2005...

  • Page 69: Glossary

    Glossary List of Glossary Terms Use the list below to find definitions for technical terms used in this manual. 10BASE-T IEEE 802.3 specification for 10 Mbps Ethernet over twisted pair wiring. 100BASE-Tx IEEE 802.3 specification for 100 Mbps Ethernet over twisted pair wiring. 802.11b IEEE specification for wireless networking at 11 Mbps using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and operating in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.5GHz.
  • Page 70 .com, .edu, .uk, etc. For example, in the address mail.NETGEAR.com, mail is a server name and NETGEAR.com is the domain. Short for digital subscriber line, but is commonly used in reference to the asymmetric version of this technology (ADSL) that allows data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines at data rates of from 1.5...
  • Page 71 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Short for Internetwork Packet Exchange, a networking protocol used by the Novell NetWare operating systems. Like UDP/IP, IPX is a datagram protocol used for connectionless communications. Higher-level protocols, such as SPX and NCP, are used for additional error recovery services.
  • Page 72 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 packet A block of information sent over a network. A packet typically contains a source and destination network address, some protocol and length information, a block of data, and a checksum.
  • Page 73 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Wired Equivalent Privacy is a data encryption protocol for 802.11b wireless networks. All wireless nodes and access points on the network are configured with a 64-bit or 128-bit Shared Key for data encryption.
  • Page 74 User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 Glossary February 2005...
  • Page 75 Numerics 802.11b 1 ad-hoc mode 2 BSSID 2 ESSID 2 features 1 infrastructure mode 2 IP networking for Windows 2 LEDs description 7 Open System authentication 2 Shared Key authentication 2 SSID 3 TCP/IP properties verifying for Windows 5 Index Index WEP 4 Wi-Fi 1...

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