Linksys WPC300N User Manual
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Linksys WPC300N User Manual

Linksys WPC300N User Manual

2.4ghz wireless-n notebook adapter
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2.4
GHz
Wireless-N
Notebook Adapter
User Guide
WIRELESS
WPC300N
Model No.

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  • Page 1 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter User Guide WIRELESS WPC300N Model No.
  • Page 2 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Copyright and Trademarks 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 © 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What’s in this User Guide? Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Starting the Setup Connecting the Adapter Setting up the Adapter...
  • Page 4 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix G: Warranty Information Appendix H: Regulatory Information Appendix I: Contact Information...
  • Page 5 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter List of Figures Figure 3-1: Front Panel Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement Figure 4-3: Connecting the Adapter Figure 4-4: Available Wireless Networks Figure 4-5: WEP Key Needed for Connection Figure 4-6: PSK Personal Needed for Connection Figure 4-7: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection Figure 4-8: Congratulations Figure 4-9: Available Wireless Network...
  • Page 6 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Figure 5-7: PSK Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-8: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-9: Profiles Figure 5-10: Creating a Profile Figure 5-11: WEP Key Needed for Connection Figure 5-12: PSK Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-13: PSK2 Personal Needed for Connection Figure 5-14: Congratulations Figure 5-15: Available Wireless Networks Figure 5-16: Network Settings...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter. Setting up your network and your Wireless-N Notebook Adapter is easier than ever. How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless network, whether it’s using the Wireless-G (802.11g) or Wireless-B (802.11b) standard.
  • Page 8 This appendix supplies the Adapter’s warranty information. • Appendix H: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information. • Appendix I: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support. Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this User Guide?

  • Page 9: Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

    Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.

  • Page 10: Network Layout

    When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on access points and wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or routers. With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about wireless products.

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

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-N 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/Act Green.

  • Page 12: Chapter 4: Setting Up And Connecting The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 4: Setting up and Connecting the Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Starting the Setup The Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the driver and Wireless Network Monitor, as well as connect and configure the Adapter. IMPORTANT: Do not connect the Adapter until you are instructed to do so or the setup will not work.

  • Page 13: Connecting The Adapter

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Connecting the Adapter 1. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook PC. 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.

  • Page 14: Figure 4-5: Wep Key Needed For Connection

    Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.) WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption, enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters.

  • Page 15: Figure 4-7: Psk2 Personal Needed For Connection

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter • PSK2 If your network has the wireless security PSK2 enabled, this screen will appear. Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field. Then click Connect and proceed to Step 3. 3.

  • Page 16: Figure 4-9: Available Wireless Network

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Advanced Setup If your network is not listed with the available networks, you can use Manual Setup. 1. Click Advanced Setup on the Available Wireless Network screen to set up the adapter manually. 2. The Network Settings screen from the Wireless Network Monitor will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).

  • Page 17: Figure 4-12: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings

    16 alphanumeric characters. This passphrase must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)

  • Page 18: Figure 4-14: Wireless Security - Psk

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption, enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. For 128-bit encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”. Advanced Users TX Key - The default transmit key number is 1.

  • Page 19: Figure 4-16: Wireless Security - Psk+Radius - Eap-Tls

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK+RADIUS PSK+RADIUS features PSK security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK Enterprise offers two authentication methods, EAP- TLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.

  • Page 20: Figure 4-18: Wireless Security - Psk2+Radius - Eap-Tls

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK2+RADIUS PSK2+RADIUS features PSK2 security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK2+RADIUS offers two authentication methods, EAP- TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 21: Figure 4-20: Wireless Security - Radius - Eap-Tls

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 22: Figure 4-22: Confirm New Settings

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 4. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next and show the new settings. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. To exit the Advanced Setup through the Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit.

  • Page 23: Chapter 5: Using The Wireless Network Monitor

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Chapter 5: Using the Wireless Network Monitor Use the Wireless Network Monitor to check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings. Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor After installing the Adapter, the Wireless Network Monitor icon will appear in the system tray of your computer. If the Wireless Network Monitor is enabled, then the icon will be green.

  • Page 24: Figure 5-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Status The Wireless Network Status screen provides information on your current network settings. Radio Band - This shows the radio band used on the network. Wireless Network Name- This is the unique name (SSID) of the wireless network. Wireless Mode - The mode of the wireless network currently in use is displayed here.

  • Page 25: Figure 5-4: More Information-Network Statistics

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Statistics The Wireless Networks Statistics screen provides statistics on your current network settings. Transmit Rate - This is 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 - This is the rate at which data is received.

  • Page 26: Connect

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Connect The Connect screen displays a list of available networks in the table on the left. The table shows each network’s Wireless Network Name, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the Adapter is receiving. You may click Wireless Network Name, CH (Channel), or Signal, to sort by that field.

  • Page 27: Profiles

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter • If the network has PSK2 wireless security enabled, then you will see the PSK2 Needed for Connection screen. Enter the network’s Pre-shared Key in the Pre-shared Key field. To connect to the network, click Connect. To cancel the connection, click Cancel. Profiles The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups.

  • Page 28: Create A New Profile

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Create a New Profile The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Networks screen. This screen provides two options for setting up the Adapter. • Available Wireless Networks. (For most users.) Use this option if you already have a network set up. The networks available to this Adapter will be listed on this screen.

  • Page 29: Figure 5-12: Psk Personal Needed For Connection

    Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.) WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption, enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters.

  • Page 30: Figure 5-15: Available Wireless Networks

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Advanced Setup If your network is not listed with the available networks, you can use Advanced Setup. 1. Click Advanced Setup on the Available Wireless Networks screen to set up the adapter manually. 2. The Network Settings screen from the Wireless Network Monitor will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).

  • Page 31: Figure 5-17: Wireless Mode

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 3. The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a wireless router or access point.

  • Page 32: Figure 5-19: Wireless Security - Wep

    16 alphanumeric characters. This passphrase must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.) WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network.

  • Page 33: Figure 5-20: Wireless Security - Psk Personal

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for encryption. Then enter a Pre-shared Key that is 8-63 characters in length. Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu. Pre-shared Key - Enter a Pre-shared Key of 8-63 characters in the Pre-shared Key field.

  • Page 34: Figure 5-22: Wireless Security - Psk+Radius - Eap-Tls

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK+RADIUS PSK+RADIUS features PSK security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK+RADIUS offers two authentication methods, EAP- TLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.

  • Page 35: Figure 5-24: Wireless Security - Psk2+Radius - Eap-Tls

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter PSK2+RADIUS PSK2+RADIUS Enterprise features PSK2 security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) PSK2+RADIUS offers two authentication methods, EAP- TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 36: Figure 5-26: Wireless Security - Radius - Eap-Tls

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 37: Figure 5-28: Confirm New Settings

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 6. The Confirm New Settings screen will appear next and show the new settings. To save the new settings, click the Save button. To edit the new settings, click the Back button. To exit the Advanced Setup through the Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit.

  • Page 38: Appendix A: Troubleshooting

    Wireless-N 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. Common Problems and Solutions 1.
  • Page 39 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter What is the IEEE 802.11g standard? It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11g standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to communicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11g standard. The 802.11g standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
  • Page 40 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 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 41 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter What is WPA? WPA is Wi-Fi Protected Access, a wireless security protocol that can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server. What is RADIUS? RADIUS is Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, which uses an authentication server to control network access.

  • Page 42: Appendix B: Windows Xp Wireless Zero Configuration

    If you want to switch back to the Wireless Network Monitor, right-click the Wireless Network Monitor icon, and select Use Linksys Wireless Network Monitor. 1. After installing the Adapter, the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration icon will appear in your computer’s system tray.

  • Page 43: Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 2. The screen that appears will show any available wireless network. Select the network you want. Click the Connect button. If your network does not have wireless security enabled, go to step 3. If your network does have wireless security enabled, go to step 4. 3.

  • Page 44: Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter 4. If your network uses wireless security WEP, enter the WEP Key used into the Network Key and Confirm network key fields. If your network uses wireless security WPA Personal, enter the Passphrase used into the Network Key and Confirm network key fields. Click the Connect button. 5.

  • Page 45: Appendix C: Wireless Security

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix C: 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 46 This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.) Hackers know these defaults and can check these against your network. Change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use.
  • Page 47 These security recommendations should help keep your mind at ease while you are enjoying the most flexible and convenient technology Linksys has to offer. Appendix C: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks...

  • Page 48: Appendix D: Windows Help

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix D: 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 49: Appendix E: Glossary

    This glossary contains some basic networking terms you may come across when using this product. For more advanced terms, see the complete Linksys glossary at http://www.linksys.com/glossary. Access Point - A device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network.
  • Page 50 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) - Removes the Router's firewall protection from one PC, allowing it to be "seen" from the Internet. DNS (Domain Name Server) - The IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP addresses.
  • Page 51 Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products. Ping (Packet INternet Groper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
  • Page 52 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45) - An Ethernet connector that holds up to eight wires. Roaming - The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the connection. Router - A networking device that connects multiple networks together. Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications, and other services.
  • Page 53 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) - a wireless encryption protocol that provides dynamic encryption keys for each packet transmitted. Topology - The physical layout of a network. TX Rate - Transmission Rate. Upgrade - To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version. Upload - To transmit a file over a network.

  • Page 54: Appendix F: Specifications

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix F: Specifications Standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, draft IEEE 802.11n Channels 802.11b/802.11g/Wireless-N (20MHz) 11 Channels (USA, Canada) 13 Channels (Europe) LEDs Power, Link/Act Protocols 802.11b: CCK, QPSK, BPSK 802.11g: OFDM Wireless-N: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM Transmitted Power 802.11g: 12±1dBm (Typical) Wireless-N: 10±1dBm (Typical) Receive Sensitivity...
  • Page 55 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Storage Humidity 5% to 90% Non-Condensing Appendix F: Specifications...

  • Page 56: Appendix G: Warranty Information

    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 57: Appendix H: Regulatory Information

    Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Regulatory Information FCC Statement This product has been tested and complies with the specifications 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 according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
  • Page 58 User Information for Consumer Products Covered by EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) This document contains important information for users with regards to the proper disposal and recycling of Linksys products. Consumers are required to comply with this notice for all electronic products bearing the following symbol:...
  • Page 59 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Regulatory Information...
  • Page 60 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Regulatory Information...
  • Page 61 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Regulatory Information...
  • Page 62 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with RangeBooster For more information, visit www.linksys.com. Appendix H: Regulatory Information...
  • Page 63 Wireless-N Notebook Adapter Appendix H: Regulatory Information...

  • Page 64: Appendix I: Contact Information

    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: Or fax your request in to: If you experience problems with any Linksys product,...

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