Owner's Manual

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Introduction: Dell™ Wireless WLAN Card User Guide
Important Information for Users Unfamiliar With Wireless Networking
Wireless Networking Overview
WLAN Adapter Features
Before You Begin
If you did not receive your Dell Wireless WLAN Card as part of your computer, see the Placemat that came with your Dell
Wireless WLAN Card for instructions on installing the card and the driver software.
Important Information for Users Unfamiliar With Wireless Networking
What is a Wireless Network?
A wireless network is a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that wirelessly connects computers with wireless network
adapters, also known as wireless clients, to an existing wired network.
In a wireless network, a radio communications device called an access point (AP) or wireless router is used to bridge the
wired and wireless networks.
Wireless clients that are within range of the wireless router/AP can then connect to the wired network and to the Internet.
The wireless router/AP, which is small and lightweight, uses an attached antenna to communicate with the wireless clients
and uses cables to communicate with any wired clients on a wired network.
What do I Need to Setup a Wireless Network?
To set up a wireless network, you need the following:
Cable or DSL modem that supports a high-speed (broadband) Internet connection.
A wireless router.
A wireless network adapter (e.g., Dell Wireless WLAN Card) for each computer that you want to use to wirelessly
connect to the network
Connect one end of a network cable to the broadband modem, and then connect the other end of the network cable to the
Internet or Wide Area Network (WAN) port on the wireless router.
Figure 1 Wireless Network
Internet
Broadband modem