D-Link DWLDWL-AB520 2.4/5GHz Wireless PCI Adapter Manual Rev.
Building Networks for People Contents Package Contents .................................................... Introduction............................................................... Wireless Basics ........................................................ Getting Started ....................................................... 11 Using the Configuration Utility ................................ 18 Troubleshooting ...................................................... 25 Networking Basics ..................
Package Contents Contents of Package: • D-Link DWL-AB520 2.4/5GHz Wireless PCI Adapter • Manual and Drivers on CD • Quick Installation Guide (printed) If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
Introduction The D-Link DWL-AB520 Wireless PCI Adapter is an advanced IEEE 802.11a/b compatible, high performance, wireless adapter that supports data transfer speeds of up to 108 Mbps in Turbo Mode. It is an ideal way to connect your laptop computer to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN.
Product Features • • Adheres to 802.11a/b standard in providing high data wireless transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps. Capable of providing data rates of up to 108 Mbps in Turbo Mode. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) – a new technique for transmitting high-speed data over a radio wave. • Maximum reliability, throughput and connectivity with automatic data rate switching.
Antenna The DWL-AB520 Wireless PCI Adapter has two mode for external antenna and internal antenna. As below: For external antenna: (Please refer to the figure 1) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Remover the back cover of the computer Install the DWL-AB520 PCI Adapter carefully and firmly into an available CPI slot.
Figure 1: External Antenna Figure 2: Two Types of Internal Antennas 7
Wireless Basics D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home or business. Strictly adhering to IEEE 802.11a/b, the D-Link wireless family of products will allow you to access the data you want, when and where you want it. No longer will you be limited to one location or forced to run new wiring through your home or office. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.
Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless Basics (continued) Installation Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go. Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs will be significantly lower.
that the Access Points and Adapters are positioned so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling for better reception. 3. Building Materials make a difference - A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position Access Points, and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through drywall or open doorways and not other materials. 4.
Getting Started To begin, select the type of wireless network you will be building. We will discuss the following types of networks in this section: 1. A Home Internet Network with A Residential Gateway/Router 2. A Home Internet Network with Multiple IP Addresses 3. An Ad Hoc Network 4. An Ad Hoc Network with Internet Sharing Please select, from the four types of networks described above, the type of network that is appropriate for your needs.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses “automatically.” With a DHCP-capable gateway, there is no need to manually assign an IP address. 1. A Home Internet Network with A Residential Gateway/Router (continued) (Requirements: A Residential Gateway/Router connected with an Ethernet (CAT5) cable to an 802.11a/b Access Point such as the DWL5000AP.
4. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for the Wireless Adapter. 5. By default, the wireless adapter is set to obtain a Dynamic IP Address. If you are having difficulty connecting, check to make sure that the IP Address of the wireless adapter is within the IP address range of your network.
3. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for the Wireless Adapter. 4. Set the Static IP Address of the wireless adapters. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Assigning an IP Address.
2. Set the Static IP Address of the wireless adapters. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Assigning an IP Address. Note: The IP Address for all computers must be in the same IP Address range, and the Subnet Mask must be the same for all computers on your network. For example: If the first computer is assigned an IP Address of 192.168.0.2 with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be assigned an IP Address of 192.168.0.3 with a Subnet Mask of 255.
Wireless Basics (continued) X To share an Internet connection with Internet Sharing software you will need to purchase Internet Sharing software or use the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) utility provided with Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME or Windows 98SE. Please follow your software documentation to properly configure the Internet sharing software after you install your wireless networking adapters. To install your wireless network adapter follow the instructions on the next page. 4.
2. Check the Device Manager to confirm that your adapter is installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for the Wireless Adapter. 3. Install your Internet Sharing Software 4. If required by the ICS software, set the static IP Address for the wireless adapter. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Assigning an IP Address.
Using the Configuration Utility The Configuration Utility program for the DWL-AB520 is called LinkMon. Please refer to the Quick Install Guide that came with the DWL-AB520 for instructions on how to install LinkMon on your computer. Once you have installed LinkMon (the configuration utility), you can read this section of the manual to find out how to monitor and configure your DWL-AB520 adapter using LinkMon. There are five tabs in the LinkMon Configuration Utility program.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued) Under the Frame Statistics Tab you will find statistical information showing the number of frames being sent and received, retry count on frames sent, frame checksum error counts for received frames, and receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) information. Frame Statistics Tab D-Link DWL-AB520 802.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued) Under the Transmit Retries Tab you will find detailed transmit retry statistical information for transmitted frames. Transmit Retries Tab D-Link DWL-AB520 802.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued) Under the Station Tab you will find detailed BSS information including SSID, BSSID, association status, operating channel frequency, and information about scanned APs. Station Tab D-Link DWL-AB520 802.11a/b Wireless PCI Adapter Default BSS – (Basic Service Set) when one AP is connected to a wired network and a set of wireless stations, it is a BSS. SSID – (Service Set Identifier) it is essentially a network name; a name that identifies a wireless network.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued) Under the Driver Tab you will find statistical data pertaining to NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) driver operations.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued) The Action menu allows the unloading of the NDIS driver, and the resetting of the network interface card (NIC.) Note that unloading the driver and resetting the NIC are options that are available only in Windows XP and Windows 2000. DWL-A520 802.11a/b Wireless PCI Adapter On the Options menu, choose Settings: DWL-AB520 802.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued) Under the Display Tab, you can select the data display modes of Cumulative, or Relative. Cumulative mode displays statistical data collected when LinkMon is started. Relative mode displays differences in the statistical data since the last update of collected data.
Troubleshooting This chapter provides solutions to problems that can occur during the installation and operation of the DWL-AB520 Wireless PCI Adapter. Read the following descriptions if you are having problems. 1. The computer does not recognize the DWL-AB520 802.11a/b Wireless PCI Adapter. • Make sure that the DWL-AB520 Wireless PCI Adapter is properly seated in the computer’s PCI slot. • Check that the DWL-AB520 is installed in a 32-bit PCI 2.2 slot.
Troubleshooting (continued) • If the device is not working properly and a yellow exclamation mark is displayed, then there is probably a resource conflict. In this case, make sure the computer system has a free IRQ and if necessary, uninstall the drivers, restart the system, and repeat the driver installation procedure. 3. The computer with the wireless adapter installed is unable to connect to the wireless network.
Troubleshooting (continued) Configuration in the Networking Basics section of this manual for more information.) • If Enable Security is selected, make sure that the correct encryption keys are entered on both the wireless clients and the access points. (Please see Checking the Wireless Configuration in the Networking Basics section of this manual for more information.) 4. The wireless client cannot access the Internet in the Infrastructure mode.
Networking Basics Using the Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP In this section you will learn how to establish a network at home or work, using Microsoft Windows XP. Note: Please refer to websites such as http://www.homenethelp.com and http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000 for information about networking computers using Windows 2000, ME or 98. Go to START>CONTROL PANEL>NETWORK CONNECTIONS Select Set up a home or small office network When this screen appears, click Next.
Networking Basics Please follow all the instructions in this window: Click Next In the following window, select the best description of your computer. If your computer connects to the internet through a gateway/router, select the second option as shown.
Networking Basics Enter a Computer description and a Computer name (optional.) Click Next Enter a Workgroup name. All computers on your network should have the same Workgroup name.
