Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
© 2009 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved. Technical Support When you register your product at http://www.netgear.com/register, we can provide you with faster expert technical support and timely notices of product and software upgrades. NETGEAR, INC. Support Information Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR, for US & Canada only. For other countries, see your Support information card. E-mail: support@netgear.com Website: http://www.netgear.
• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance FCC Caution: Any change or modification to the product not expressly approved by NETGEAR could void the user’s authority to operate the device. FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR Statements SAR Statement The NETGEAR Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 has been tested for body-worn Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance.
Product and Publication Details Model Number: WNA3100 v1 Publication Date: December 2009 Product Family: Wireless-N USB Adapter Product Name: Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 Home or Business Product: Home Language: English Publication Part Number: 202-10539-01 Publication Version Number: 1.0 iv v1.
Contents About This Manual Conventions, Formats, and Scope .................................................................................. vii Revision History ...............................................................................................................viii Chapter 1 Installation with Custom Setup What You Need Before You Begin .................................................................................1-1 Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines ............................
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Setting Up WEP Encryption Security .....................................................................2-11 Monitoring Statistics .....................................................................................................2-13 About Your Smart Wizard .............................................................................................2-14 Advanced Settings ........................................................................................
About This Manual The NETGEAR® Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual describes how to install, configure, and troubleshoot the Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100. Conventions, Formats, and Scope The conventions, formats, and scope of this manual are described in the following paragraphs: • • Typographical conventions.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Revision History Part Number Version Date Number 202-10539-01 1.0 Description November Original publication 2009 viii v1.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Chapter 1 Installation with Custom Setup This chapter explains custom installation for your Wireless-N USB Adapter. With custom setup you can specify where the files are installed. You can also choose whether or not you want to install the Smart Wizard. Note: For help with express installation, see the Installation Guide for the Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines For best performance, place the wireless-N USB adapter at least 4 feet (over 1 meter) away from the wireless router or access point. Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range that varies significantly based on the physical location of the computer with the wireless-N USB adapter.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Figure 1-1 5. When prompted, browse to select the destination folder for your wireless adapter software, and then click Next. Figure 1-2 6. Select one of the following methods to configure and manage your wireless network: • Smart Wizard. Manage your wireless networks with the NETGEAR WNA3100 v1 software and connect securely using Push 'N' Connect, also called WPS. – – • Automatically.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Then, Install Your WNA3100 v1 Adapter You are prompted to insert your adapter: Figure 1-3 1. Locate a USB port on your PC. 2. Insert the adapter into the USB port, or connect it with the USB cable. Figure 1-4 Note: For best results, put the wireless adapter at least 4 feet (1 meter) away from your router. 1-4 v1.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 3. Click Next. The WNA3100 v1 software detects the adapter. Follow the onscreen prompts to install the driver. 4. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. How you connect to a network depends on what you selected during custom installation. • For automatic configuration, see the following section, “Use Smart Wizard Automatic Configuration to Connect to a Wireless Network.” • If you selected manual configuration, the Settings tab displays.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual • If your router supports Push 'N' Connect (also called WPS) click Next. The following screen displays: Figure 1-6 Press and hold the push button on the side of the wireless-N USB adapter for 2 seconds. The LED flashes. Click Next. Follow the prompts to push the WPS button on your router and connect. 2. The adapter connects to the network, which can take a minute or two. Your settings are saved in a profile, which you can name: Figure 1-7 1-6 v1.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 3. Click Finish, and the Smart Wizard Settings screen displays. Profile name Status bar Figure 1-8 You are now connected to a wireless network! The WNA3100 v1 icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop so you can open the Smart Wizard to make changes or connect to a different wireless network.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual WNA3100 v1 Icon The WNA3100 v1 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows system tray, on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. The WNA3100 v1 icon changes colors depending on the condition of the adapter. The following table describes the colors and conditions indicated. Color Condition Description Red The adapter is not connected to a wireless network.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Smart Wizard Status Bar Click the icon to open the Smart Wizard Settings tab. The status bar is located at the bottom of the Settings tab. Security Channel Connection status Data rate Wireless network Signal strength Join a Network Figure 1-11 The following table describes how to interpret the Smart Wizard status bar. Understanding the Status Bar Wireless network Identifies which wireless network you have joined.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Wireless-N USB Adapter LED The LED on the wireless-N USB adapter indicates the condition of the wireless link, as described in the following table. Wireless-N USB Adapter LED Meaning Off • The wireless-N USB adapter is not plugged in to the USB port. • The wireless-N USB adapter is in power save mode (default from power up or reset). Blinking • The wireless-N USB adapter is scanning for a network.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 3. Select the Remove radio button and then click Next. 4. Follow the onscreen prompt to disconnect your adapter. A message displays confirming that the software has been removed. Upgrading the WNA3100 v1 Software Upgrades might be available at the NETGEAR website. To install an upgrade: 1. Open the Smart Wizard and click the About tab to display the following screen: Figure 1-13 2. Click the Software Update Check button.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 3. Click OK. When the file has been downloaded a message like the following displays: Figure 1-15 4. Click Yes. Follow the installer instructions, and if prompted, restart your computer. 1-12 v1.
Chapter 2 Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use the Smart Wizard to connect to wireless networks and how to set up wireless security on your adpater if you are joining a secured wireless network. Note: During installation if you selected Windows Utililty instead of the Smart Wizard, you will not be able to use these features.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Table 2-1. Network Tab Field or Button Description Network Name (SSID) The name assigned to a wireless network. As a security measure, some wireless access points do not broadcast their SSID. In such cases, the SSID field is blank even though the rest of the information is still displayed. Channel The channel determines which operating frequency is used. N The access point supports wireless N mode. WPS The access point supports WPS.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual A list of networks displays: WPS Push 'N' Connect Hidden network Join a Network Figure 2-2 2. How you join the network depends on whether it uses wireless security, and whether it supports WPS. • Open network. This network does not use any wireless security. You might join an open network at a coffee shop or public area. Select the network and click Connect. • Secured network. To join a secured wireless network, select it and click Connect.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Using Push 'N' Connect to Join a Network If there is a WPS network in your area, you can use Push 'N' Connect to join it and automatically configure the wireless security settings for your adapter. Note: To use Push 'N' Connect you need to know the location of the wireless router, and you must have access to the router so that you can push its WPS button. To join a network: 1. On the Networks tab, select the network and click Connect.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Figure 2-4 2. Enter the network settings. a. In the Profile field, type a name for the profile. b. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select a network, or enter the SSID. Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID matches exactly the SSID used by the wireless network. c. In the Network Type section, make sure that Access Point (Infrastructure) is selected. This setting lets you connect to a wireless network.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Managing Profiles If you use your computer to connect to different wireless networks, you can create a profile for each wireless network. Then you can easily load the profile that has all the settings that you need to join the network you are using at the time. You manage your profiles in the Settings tab: Select a profile name Save Delete Set priority Figure 2-5 There are two special profile names: Default and Profile. • Default.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Note: Ad Hoc mode does not work using DHCP settings. Ad Hoc mode requires either static IP addresses (such as 192.168.0.1) or the IPX protocol. For help setting up static IP addresses, see the PC Networking Tutorial on the Resource CD. To create an Ad Hoc mode profile: 1. Click the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays: Figure 2-6 2. Enter the network settings. a. Select Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) for the network type. b.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 5. Verify wireless connectivity between your peer devices with the ping program: a. On the Windows taskbar, select Start > Run. Figure 2-7 b. Assuming the target PC is configured with 192.168.0.1 as its IP address, type: ping -t 192.168.0.1 and then click OK. c. A continuous ping is sent to the device with the 192.168.0.1 static IP address. The ping response should change to Reply. Figure 2-8 At this point the connection is established.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc. The Ad Hoc Setting screen displays: Figure 2-9 4. In the Start Ad Hoc drop-down list, select the wireless standard (802.11g or 802.11b) for your Ad Hoc computer-to-computer network. 5. In the Channel drop-down list, Automatic should work. If you notice interference problems with another nearby wireless device, select a channel that is not being used by other nearby wireless networks.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings If you do not use WPS, then you need to know the security settings to join a secured wireless network. You can save the settings in a profile. You can also print this page, fill in the wireless network settings, and put it in a safe place for future reference.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual c. In the Security section, select WPA-PSK [TKIP] or WPA2-PSK [AES], and enter the passphrase. Figure 2-10 For more about WPA2-PSK, click the link to “Wireless Networking Basics” in Appendix B. 3. Save your settings in a profile. a. Click the Save Profile button. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b. Click Apply, and then click Close to exit the Smart Wizard. Setting Up WEP Encryption Security To configure WEP encryption security: 1.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual b. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select the network, or enter the SSID. Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID matches exactly what is configured in the access point. c. In the Security section, select WEP. Figure 2-11 3. Select the WEP encryption strength you will use.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 5. Save your settings in a profile. a. Click the Save Profile button. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b. Click Apply. c. Click Close to exit the configuration utility. Monitoring Statistics The Statistics tab provides real time and historical trend information about the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter. 3 1 4 2 Figure 2-12 Table 2-2. Statistics Descriptions Label Description 1.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual About Your Smart Wizard The About tab displays the current version information. Figure 2-13 Table 2-3. About Tab Settings About Tab Field Device Smart Wireless Utility Description Regional Domain This is the region setting for the wireless adapter. The approved channels for the region are automatically scanned. Governments regulate the channels used for wireless transmission. Operating the wireless adapter in a different region might violate local laws.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Table 2-3. About Tab Settings (continued) About Tab Field Support Description Get Info button Click this button to display information about your wireless adapter. Check button Click this button to check the NETGEAR website to see if an upgrade is available. Auto Check check box Automatically check the NETGEAR website every 30 days to see if an upgrade is available. Advanced Settings The default advanced settings usually work fine.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual • Wireless Mode. Depending on your wireless adapter, you can choose some of the available 802.11 wireless protocols. • Fragmentation Threshold. This is the maximum packet size used for fragmentation. Packets larger than the size programmed in this field are fragmented. The FragmentationThreshold value must be larger than the RTS Threshold value. • RTS/CTS Threshold.
Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance This chapter explains how to use your wireless-N USB adapter to connect to your wireless local area network (WLAN) and how to maximize the performance of your wireless-N USB adapter within your network. Included are scenarios for setting up your network in a mixed-use environment and the trade-off of using different types of technology—wireless, wired, Powerline, and so on.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual – – – • Computers and fax machines (no closer than 1 foot) Copying machines, elevators, and cell phones (no closer than 6 feet) Microwave ovens (no closer than 10 feet) Choose your settings. – Use a scanning utility to determine what other wireless networks are operating nearby, and choose an unused channel. – Turn off SSID Broadcast, and change the default SSID.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Figure 3-1 In planning your network, think about which tasks will have the heaviest traffic flow between them.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual • Wireless A high-speed wireless router can provide a wireless data throughput of up to 300 Mbps using technology called multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), in which multiple antennas transmit multiple streams of data. The use of multiple antennas also provides excellent range and coverage. With WPA and WPA2 encryption and authentication protocols, wireless security is extremely strong.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual • Streaming MP3 audio requires less than 1 Mbps per stream and does not strain most modern networks. Like video, however, streaming audio is also sensitive to latency and packet loss, so a congested network or a noisy link can cause problems. • Backing up computers over the network has become popular due to the availability of inexpensive mass storage. Table 3-1 shows the time to transfer 1 gigabyte (1 GB) of data using various networking technologies.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your wireless-N USB adapter. Troubleshooting Tips Use the following information to resolve common situations you might encounter. Also, refer to the knowledge base on the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com/support. 1. Push 'N' Connect timed out when I tried to connect to a router. Make sure that your router supports WPS.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual • If you do not have a USB 2.0 port on your computer, the throughput is limited to the 14 Mbps of the USB 1.1 standard. 5. I connected wirelessly to a network, but I cannot access the Internet. First, check to make sure that the router’s Internet connection is working. If the router’s Internet connection works, but you still cannot access the Internet, see “Troubleshooting Your Wireless Connection.” 6.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual To fix this problem you can: • Click to open the Smart Wizard. At the bottom of the Settings tab, click Apply. The Smart Wizard tries again to connect to the router and get an IP address. • Use the Repair function in Windows to try to get IP address. • Reboot your computer. If your computer still does not get an IP address, check the router’s DHCP settings. For more help, see the documentation that came with your router. Connection Status Shows ---.---.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual 1. Select Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. 2. Select Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q815485, and then click Remove. • You might receive an error message that states that some programs on the computer might not work correctly if the update is removed. • You can ignore this error message, and then click Yes to remove the update. 3. Restart your computer, and rerun the Smart Display Setup Wizard. This should solve your connection issue.
Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default Settings Technical Specifications Antenna 1 integrated internal wireless antenna Standards 802.11n, 802.11g, or 802.11b Radio data rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, 108, 140, 246, and 300 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz CCK and OFDM Modulation Power 5V Bus powered Emissions FCC, CE Bus interface USB 2.
Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual Factory Default Settings Feature Description Smart Wizard Enabled Wireless Communication Enabled Wireless Network Name (SSID) Any (will connect to first wireless network that responds) Security Disabled Network Type Infrastructure Transmission Speed Autoa Country/Region United States (varies by region) Operating Mode 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b Data Rate Up to 300 Mbps a. Maximum wireless signal rate (IEEE Standard 802.11).
Appendix B Related Documents This appendix provides links to reference documents you can use to gain a more complete understanding of the technologies used in your NETGEAR product. Document Link Using Microsoft Vista and Windows XP to Manage Wireless Network Connections http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm TCP/IP Networking http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htm Wireless Networking Basics http://documentation.netgear.
