User’s Guide Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter CW2230 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.
Contents
Contents Introduction Package Contents ............................................................................................................................... iv System Requirements ........................................................................................................................ iv Model Number, Serial Number and MAC Address ................................................................. v More Help ............................................................................
Connecting to a network in Ad-Hoc mode .................................................................................... 4-5 Link status information ........................................................................................................................... 4-7 Driver and utility version ....................................................................................................................... 4-7 Appendixes A About Wireless LANs Features and Benefits of Wireless LANs ........
Introduction
Introduction Thank you for choosing the Creative Network Blaster™ Wireless USB Adapter CW2230. Your USB Adapter is easy to set up and supports wireless connection speeds of up to 54 Mbps*. Features include an auto-fallback function that lets you achieve the fastest possible connection speeds, as well as 64 or 128-bit WEP, or WPA-PSK encryption.
Model Number, Se ria l N u m b e r and MAC Address You will find a model number, a serial number and a MAC address on your USB Adapter. More Help Depending on the type of broadband internet service that you subscribe to, you may need additional information from your internet service provider to complete the setup of your USB Adapter. Contact your internet service provider's customer or technical support staff for details.
Document Conventions This User’s Guide uses the following icons to highlight useful or urgent information. Tip. This tells you about short cuts or hints relating to a feature. Note. This highlights additional or important information about a feature. Caution! This highlights proper usage of your product. Use this information to avoid risky situations. Warning! This warns you of possible hazards to yourself or your product, that may result in injury or damage.
About Your USB Adapter
About Your USB Adapter USB connector Insert this into your computer's USB port. Activity LED Indicates the activity status. When blinking green, the USB adapter is transferring or receiving data. LINK LED Blinks when your USB adapter is scanning for available networks and lights up when connected to a network.
Installing Your USB Adapter
Installing Your USB Adapter Installing the Driver and Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility Windows 98 SE users may be prompted to insert their Win 98 SE installation CD during installation. If so, insert the Win 98 SE installation CD into your CD-ROM/DVDROM drive, and then click the OK button. DO NOT connect the USB adapter to your computer before installing the software. You will be required to do so halfway through the installation. 1.
For Windows XP only 7. At the time of this product’s release, Microsoft strongly encouraged companies to submit their hardware solutions for certification. If a hardware device driver is not submitted, or does not qualify for Microsoft certification, a warning message similar to Figure 2-2 appears. Figure 2-2 You may see this message when installing this driver. If you do, you may choose to click the Continue Anyway button.
10. When the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box similar to Figure 2-3 appears, click the Install the software automatically (Recommended) option, and then click the Next button. Figure 2-3 11. If the Hardware Installation dialog box similar to Figure 2-4 appears, click the Continue Anyway button. Figure 2-4 12. Click the Finish button.
For Windows 2000 only 7. If the Digital Signature Not Found dialog box similar to Figure 2-5 appears, click the Yes button. Figure 2-5 8. Click the Finish button.
9. If the Digital Signature Not Found dialog box similar to Figure 2-6 appears, click the Yes button. Figure 2-6 10. Connect your USB adapter to your computer’s USB port. See "Connecting Your USB Adapter" on page 2-6. For Windows Me and Windows 98 SE only 5. When prompted, restart your computer. 6. Connect your USB adapter to your computer’s USB port. See "Connecting Your USB Adapter" on page 2-6. For instructions on how to connect to a wireless LAN, see "Connecting To A Wireless LAN" on page 3-1.
Connecting Your USB Adapter Your computer’s USB port may be located on the front panel. If your USB adapter does not fit into the USB port located on the back panel, connect it to the USB port located on the front panel. To connect your USB adapter to your computer’s USB port, do the following: USB port If necessary, connect your USB adapter to your computer’s USB port using the provided USB Extension cable.
Uninstalling the Driver and Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility You may at times need to uninstall and then reinstall the drivers to correct problems or make version upgrades. The following instructions tell you how to uninstall the driver and Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility in all Windows operating systems. 1. Close all applications. 2. Click Start -> Programs or All Programs -> Creative -> Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter CW2230 -> Uninstall Driver and Utility. 3.
Connecting To A Wireless LAN
Connecting To A Wireless LAN After installing your USB Adapter, you can connect to a wireless LAN. Before you can connect to a network, you need to decide if you are connecting to another wireless client or to an access point (you may easily switch between modes if your requirements change). Use Ad-hoc mode if you are connecting directly to another wireless client. Use Infrastructure mode if you are connecting to an access point.
In Windows XP/2000/Me/98 SE To connect to a network by specifying the SSID, refer to "Specifying the SSID (Service Set Identity)" on page 4-3. You can also click Start -> Programs/ All Programs -> Creative -> Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter CW2230 -> Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility to launch the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility. 1. Click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility icon on your taskbar. 2.
6. When the Profile Edit dialog box (Figure 3-3) appears, click the OK button. Your computer automatically connects to the selected network.
Using Windows Wireless Network Connection (Windows XP only) In Windows XP, you can also connect to a wireless LAN using the Windows Wireless Network Connection. 1. After installing the driver software, right-click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter icon 2. 3. or , and then click Enable Zero Configuration. Right-click the Windows Wireless Network Connection icon (Figure 3-4), and then click View Available Wireless Networks.
Configuring Settings
Configuring Settings Connecting to a network in Infrastructure mode You can connect to a network in Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc mode. For Ad-Hoc mode connection steps, see "Connecting to a network in Ad-Hoc mode" on page 4-5. Infrastructure mode connection steps are found below. Scanning available access points 1. Click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility icon on the taskbar. 2. On the left pane, click Site Survey (Figure 4-1). 3. Click the Refresh button.
5. When the Profile Edit dialog box appears, click the Encryption tab (Figure 4-2). To configure WEP It is recommended that you set up WEP or WPA-PSK encryption. This can help prevent unauthorized users from accessing your network. For more information on encryption settings, refer to "Configuring Settings" on page 4-1. 6. Click the Authentication box and select Auto. 7. Click the Data Encryption box and select WEP. 8. Click the Key Length box and select 64 or 128 bits. 9.
Specifying the SSID (Service Set Identity) 1. Click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility icon on the taskbar. 2. On the left pane, click Site Survey (Figure 4-3). 3. Under Profile Name, click the New button. Figure 4-3 4. When the Profile Edit dialog box (Figure 4-4) appears, click the General tab. 5. In the SSID box, type a name for your SSID. 6. Click the Encryption tab.
To configure WEP It is recommended that you set up WEP or WPA-PSK encryption. This can help prevent unauthorized users from accessing your network. For more information on encryption settings, refer to "Configuring Settings" on page 4-1. 7. Click the Authentication box and select Auto. 8. Click the Data Encryption box and select WEP. 9. Click the Key Length box and select 64 or 128 bits. 10. Select the Hex or ASCII option. 11.
Connecting to a network in Ad-Hoc mode 1. Click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility icon on the taskbar. 2. On the left pane, click Site Survey (Figure 4-5). 3. Click the Refresh button. A list of available access points and Ad-hoc stations appears. 4. Under Available Networks, select the network to connect to, and then click the Connect button. Figure 4-5 5. When the Profile Edit dialog box appears, click the General tab (Figure 4-6). 6. In the SSID box, type a name for your SSID.
To configure WEP 9. It is recommended that you set up WEP or WPA-PSK encryption. This can help prevent unauthorized users from accessing your network. For more information on encryption settings, refer to "Configuring Settings" on page 4-1. Click the Authentication box and select Auto. 10. Click the Data Encryption box and select WEP. 11. Click the Key Length box and select 64 or 128 bits. 12. Select the Hex or ASCII option. 13.
Link status information 1. Click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility icon on the taskbar. 2. To view network information such as signal strength and link quality, on the left pane, click Status (Figure 4-7). Figure 4-7 Driver and utility version 1. Click the Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility icon on the taskbar. 2. To view the current driver and utility version of Network Blaster Wireless USB Adapter Utility, on the left pane, click Version Information (Figure 4-8).
About Wireless LANs
About Wireless LANs Setting up wireless LANs is a revolutionary way of connecting devices to each other. In a wireless LAN, information is transmitted using radio waves. This means that you can establish a network of wireless devices in a room or across different rooms without linking them with wires and cables. Depending on your needs, a wireless LAN can be the sole network solution, or an extension of a wired LAN. Features and Benefits of Wireless LANs Using wireless LANs has many advantages.
About Ad-Hoc Mode Ad-hoc mode allows for wireless-to-wireless communication. Wireless clients connected in this way can share files, printers, drives and other resources, as well as access the Internet using a shared modem. However, a wireless client can only communicate with other wireless clients that: ❑ are part of the same wireless LAN workgroup ❑ share the same IEEE 802.11 standard ❑ are within a fixed range Ad-hoc mode is also known as Peer-to-Peer mode.
About Infrastructure Mode In Infrastructure mode, a wireless client communicates with other wired and wireless clients through an AP. A wireless client connected in this way can access the resources of the Ethernet LANs and wireless LANs of the AP, including access to the Internet using a shared modem.
Setting Up Wireless LANs When setting up a wireless LAN, take note of the following points: ❑ Start by determining the areas to be networked, the number of users and the type of devices to be used. Then determine if you require APs and where they should be placed. ❑ If two APs are placed close to each other, you can optimize your bandwidth by setting them to different channels. ❑ Radio waves can pass through walls and glass but not metal.
About Network Security
About Network Security About Wired Equivalent Privacy When typing the keys, use either hexadecimal characters, which are the letters A to F and the numbers 0 to 9, or ASCII characters. WEP is a data stream encryption technology that allows for the definition of up to four keys shared between wireless devices. Unauthorized devices that do not have the same keys are locked out. Only devices with the same keys can communicate with each other. Refer to the diagrams below for details on how the keys work.
default key default key When Keys 1-4 for both wireless devices are the same but the selected default key is different, they can communicate with each other. default key default key When Keys 1-4 for both wireless devices are different but the selected default key is the same, they can communicate with each other.
default key default key When Keys 1-4 and the selected default key in both wireless devices are different, they cannot communicate with each other.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications Standards ❑ IEEE 802.11g Interface ❑ USB 2.0 compliant Antenna ❑ PCB antenna Frequency Band ❑ 2.4–2.4835 GHz Data Rate ❑ OFDM: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9 Mbps ❑ DSSS/CCK: 11, 5.
Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions General Safety To avoid the risk of fire, electric shock or personal injury, note the following precautions when using the product: ❑ Do not expose the product to direct sunlight or excessive heat. ❑ Do not place the product in surroundings that exceed 40°C (104°F). ❑ Avoid humid conditions. Do not place the product near a water source or outlet. ❑ Do not clean the product with a damp cloth or liquid cleaner. ❑ Do not put any weight on the product.
• 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.
Glossary
Glossary 10 Base-T A wiring standard used for Ethernet networks that can transmit data at up to 10 Mbps transmission using baseband unshielded twisted pair cables. The maximum cable length is 100 meters (330 feet). Ad-hoc mode A small peer-to-peer network mode, in which wireless clients are connected to each other directly without using an AP. Some of the wireless clients are part of the network for a limited duration. They are also in close proximity with the rest of the network.
Bridge A hardware device that links two or more physical networks and manages the transfer of data between these networks. The two networks connected can be alike or dissimilar. Broadband A transmission media that can handle the transmission of multiple messages at different frequencies, at one time. Broadband signals use analog carriers. BSS (Basic Service Set) A group of wireless clients and an AP using the same ID (SSID). Channel A channel is a separate path through which signals can flow.
DNS Server A server that contains both the English and numerical addresses of all computers connected to the Internet. When you specify an e-mail or IP address using the “English” domain name, the DNS server will return the corresponding numeric address. Domain Name A domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. Driver A program that a computer uses to control the operation of a peripheral device, such as a keyboard, modem, monitor, card, or cable.
Ethernet A LAN protocol that supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. It is a widely implemented LAN standard that operates over the twisted pair or coaxial cable. A version of Ethernet, called 100 Base-T (or FastEthernet), supports data transfer rates of 100 Mbps. FastEthernet An Ethernet specification with a speed of 100 Mbps (10 times faster than 10BaseT). Fragmentation Threshold The size at which the transmitted data packets are fragmented. The range extends from 256 to 2346 bytes.
IEEE 802.11g The 802.11g specifications specify a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz, backward compatibility with 802.11g devices and WEP encryption for security. Infrastructure mode A LAN or other small network mode in which wireless clients are part of the network and use one or more APs to connect to a wired network. Each AP is connected to the Ethernet network using a standard Ethernet cable. In IEEE 802.
Kbps (Kilobits Per Second) A measure of data transfer speed. LAN (Local Area Network) A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to an office, single building, or group of buildings. LED (Light Emitting Diode) An electric component that emits light (turns ON) when current flows through it. MAC (Media Access Control) address A unique number that is assigned by manufacturers to each Ethernet network device.
NIC (Network Interface Card) A card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. The NIC manages the flow of network information to and from the computer. PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) An industry group organized in 1989 to promote standards for a card-size memory or I/O device that would fit into a personal computer. PCMCIA Card A card-size memory or I/O device that connects to a personal computer.
RJ-45 A connector/socket for four pairs of twisted pair cables that are used commonly to connect computers onto a local-area network, especially to the Ethernet. The only difference between an RJ-45 and RJ-11 connector is that an RJ-45 connector is slightly wider. Router A hardware device that connects two separately functional networks using the same or different protocols. Routers look at the destination addresses on the packets passing through them and then decide which route to send them on.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) A suite of communication protocols that are used by computers or networking devices on the Internet so that they can communicate with each other. TCP/IP uses several protocols, the two main being TCP and IP. Twisted pair cable A cable that consists of two wires twisted together. This cable is less expensive but more brittle than a coaxial cable.
