® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter WIRELESS Model No.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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 © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Welcome What’s in this Guide? 1 2 Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter The USB Port The LED Indicators Chapter 4: Setting up the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Using the Setup Wizard Chapter 5: Connecting the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Connecting the Adapter Using the Adapter’s Wall Mount Chapter 6: Using th
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Appendix F: Warranty Information Appendix G: Regulatory Information Appendix H: Contact Information 43 44 45
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter List of Figures Figure 3-1: USB Port Figure 3-2: Front Panel Figure 4-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen Figure 4-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement Figure 4-3: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Mode Screen Figure 4-4: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Mode Screen Figure 4-5: Setup Wizard’s Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen Figure 4-6: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security Screen Figure 4-7: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - WEP Screen Figure 4-8: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - PSK Using TKIP Screen
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Figure 6-13: Create a New Profile Figure 6-14: Enter Profile Name Figure 6-15: Network Settings for New Profile Figure 6-16: Wireless Mode for New Profile Figure 6-17: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings for New Profile Figure 6-18: Wireless Security for New Profile Figure 6-19: Wireless Security - WEP for New Profile Figure 6-20: Wireless Security - WPA - Personal for New Profile Figure 6-21: Wireless Security - WPA - Enterprise Encryption Methods for New Profile Figure 6-22: Wireless Se
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking experience will be faster and easier than ever. Connect your USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to a wireless network at incredible speeds with the Linksys Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter. By combining wireless networking with USB 2.0, the Adapter delivers data rates up to 54Mbps (5 times as fast as 802.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter What’s in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless A/G USB Network 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. • Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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. topology: the physical layout of a network.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter The USB Port The Adapter’s USB port is located on the side of the Adapter. Connect the included USB cable to this port and your PC’s USB port. All power is provided through the USB connection, so a power adapter is not needed. The LED Indicators The Adapter's LEDs indicate the status of the Adapter’s power and wireless connection. Figure 3-1: USB Port Figure 3-2: Front Panel Power Green.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Chapter 4: Setting up the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter The Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the driver and Wireless Network Monitor, as well as configure the Adapter. NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard before connecting the Adapter to your computer. Using the Setup Wizard Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 3. On the Wireless Mode screen, you will need to select which mode of wireless networking you’ll be using. The first selection will automatically select between a Wireless-A and a Wireless-G networking mode. The second selection will chose a Wireless-A network mode only, which only connects to 802.11a networks. The third selection will chose a Wireless-G networking mode only, which only connects to 802.11g and/or 802.11b networks.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 5. 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. If you are unsure about which channel to use, select the default channel (Channel 6).
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 7. Proceed to the appropriate section for your security method: WEP or WPA - Personal. WEP WEP - Select 64-bit or 128-bit encryption from the drop-down menu, and enter a passphrase or WEP key. Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. It is casesensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 8. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it starts to install files. Click Next if you are satisfied with your settings, or click Back to change any settings. Figure 4-9: Setup Wizard’s Check Settings Screen 9. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click the Exit button. Proceed to “Chapter 5: Connecting the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Chapter 5: Connecting the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard before connecting the Adapter. Connecting the Adapter 1. Connect one end of the included USB cable to the Adapter’s USB port. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to one of the USB ports on your computer. 3. The Power LED should light up when the Adapter is plugged in. Figure 5-1: How the Adapter Connects to Your PC 4. Raise the antenna.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Using the Adapter’s Wall Mount The Adapter’s Wall Mount allows you to easily attach the Adapter to your wall for better reception and more convenient placement. 1. Attach the separate adhesive strip of velcro to the wall where you will be mounting the Adapter. 2. To attach the Wall Mount to the Adapter, slide the Wall Mount into the grooves on the back panel of Adapter, as shown in Steps A, B, and C. 3.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Chapter 6: 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. Using the Wireless Network Monitor Icon After installing the Adapter, the Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Wireless Monitor icon will appear in your system tray. If the Wireless Network Monitor is enabled, then the icon will be green.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor Besides selecting Turn on when you right-click the icon, you can also double-click the Wireless Network Monitor icon to activate the Wireless Network Monitor. Then the Link Information screen will appear. From this screen, you can find out how strong the current wireless signal is and how good the connection’s quality is.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Wireless Network Status The Wireless Network Status screen provides information on your current network settings. Status - The status of the wireless network connection. SSID - This is the unique name of the wireless network. Wireless Mode - The mode of the wireless network currently in use is displayed here. Transfer Rate - The data transfer rate of the current connection is shown here. Channel - This is the channel to which the wireless network devices are set.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Site Survey The Site Survey screen displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networks available for connection in the table on the left. This table shows the network’s SSID, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the Adapter is receiving. You may click SSID, CH (Channel), or Signal, to sort by that field. SSID - The SSID or unique name of the wireless network is displayed here. CH - This is the channel setting that the network uses.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Profiles The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups. The table on the left displays a list of infrastructure and ad-hoc networks available for connection. This table shows the network’s profile name, the network’s SSID, and the type of network, as set in the connection profile.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Creating a New Profile 1. On the Profiles screen, click the New button to create a new profile. 2. Enter a name for the new profile, and click the OK button. Click the Cancel button to return to the Profiles screen without entering a name. 3. The Network Settings screen will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 4. The Wireless Mode 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. Enter the SSID for your network. Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 6. Select the method of security you want to use: WEP, WPA - Personal, WPA - Enterprise, or RADIUS. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and PSK stands for Pre-Shared Key. RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service. NOTE: If your network is using WPA-Personal or WPA-PSK security, then select PSK. If your network is using WPA-Enterprise or WPA-RADIUS security, then select PSK + RADIUS.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter WPA - Personal WPA - Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, for the Encryption Type. Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters in length. Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, for the Encryption Type. Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a Pre-Shared Key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter WPA - Enterprise WPA - Enterprise features a Pre-Shared Key used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) WPA - Enterprise offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys, as well as three authentication methods, EAP-TLS, EAP-PEAP and EAP-TTLS. After selecting WPA - Enterprise, choose an encryption method: TKIP or AES.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter EAP-PEAP If you select 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. Enter the name of the authentication server in the Server Name field. From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate installed to authenticate you on your wireless network. Select the type of encryption, TKIP or AES, for the Encryption field. Click the Next button to continue.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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 EAP-PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or EAP-PEAP. EAP-TLS If you select EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the name of the authentication server in the Server Name field.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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. Select the TTLS Protocol from the drop-down menu. Click the Next button to continue. Click the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 8. 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 Wireless Network Monitor, click Exit. Figure 6-28: Confirm New Settings for New Profile 9. The Congratulations screen will appear next. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings immediately and return to the Link Information screen.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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 A/G USB Network 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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).
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter What is ad-hoc mode? When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode, the wireless-equipped computers are configured to communicate directly with each other. The ad-hoc wireless network will not communicate with any wired network. What is infrastructure mode? When a wireless network is set to infrastructure mode, the wireless network is configured to communicate with a wired network through a wireless access point.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter 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).
Wireless A/G USB Network 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. So, keep the following in mind whenever you are setting up or using your wireless network.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter SSID. There are several things to keep in mind about the SSID: 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. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter WPA Pre-Shared Key. If you do not have a RADIUS server, select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, enter a password in the Pre-Shared key field of 8-64 characters, and enter a Group Key Renewal period time between 0 and 99,999 seconds, which instructs the Router or other device how often it should change the encryption keys. 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Appendix C: Windows Help Almost 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. TCP/IP Before a computer can communicate with an access point or wireless router, TCP/IP must be enabled.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Appendix D: Glossary 802.11a - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz. 802.11b - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. 802.11g - A wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A networking protocol that allows administrators to assign temporary IP addresses to network computers by “leasing” an IP address to a user for a limited amount of time, instead of assigning permanent IP addresses. DNS (Domain Name Server) - The IP address of your ISP's server, which translates the names of websites into IP addresses. Domain - A specific name for a network of computers.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet. LAN - The computers and networking products that make up your local network. MAC (Media Access Control) Address - The unique address that a manufacturer assigns to each networking device. Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - One million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter SSID (Service Set IDentifier) - Your wireless network's name. Subnet Mask - An address code that determines the size of the network. Switch - 1. A data switch that connects computing devices to host computers, allowing a large number of devices to share a limited number of ports. 2. A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Appendix E: Specifications Model WUSB54AG Standards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, USB 1.1, USB 2.0 Port USB Port Cabling Type USB 1.0/1.1/2.0 Channels 802.11b/802.11g 11 Channels (USA, Canada) 13 Channels (Europe) 14 Channels (Japan) 802.11a 8 Channels (USA, Canada) LEDs Power, Link Transmit Power 16 dBm Receive Sensitivity -65 dBm @ 54Mbps, -80 dBm @ 11Mbps Antenna 2 dBi Security Features WEP, WPA WEP Key Bits 64, 128-bit Dimensions 3.58" x 0.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Operating Temp. 32ºF to 104ºF (0ºC to 40ºC) Storage Temp.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter Appendix G: 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.
Wireless A/G USB Network 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.
