User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 NETGEAR, Inc.
Technical Support Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering 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 Web site: http://www.netgear.
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 Statement To comply with the FCC and ANSI C95.1 RF exposure limits, the antenna(s) for this device must comply with the following: • Products with 2.
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Contents Chapter 1 About This Manual Audience, Scope, Conventions ......................................................................................1-1 How to Print this Manual .................................................................................................1-2 Chapter 2 Introduction About the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 ...........2-1 Key Features ................................................................................................................
Finding a Network ...........................................................................................................4-2 Profiles ............................................................................................................................4-3 Adding Profiles .........................................................................................................4-3 Profiles to Connect to an Access Point or Router ..........................................................
Chapter 1 About This Manual Audience, Scope, Conventions This manual assumes that the reader has basic to intermediate computer and Internet skills. However, tutorial information is provided in the Appendices, on the NETGEAR Resource CD, and on the NETGEAR Web site. This manual uses the following typographical conventions: Table 1-1. Typographical conventions italics Emphasis. bold User input.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 How to Print this Manual To print this manual you can choose one of the following several options, according to your needs. • Printing a Chapter. Use the link at the top right of any page. — Click “PDF of This Chapter” link at the top right of any page in the chapter you want to print. A new browser window opens showing the PDF version of the chapter you were viewing. — Click the print icon in the upper left of the window.
Chapter 2 Introduction This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511. About the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 The NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 gives you ultimate mobility in your office or while you are traveling.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 • High level of data encryption using128-bit Shared Key WEP data encryption method. A lower level of data encryption or no data encryption is available to simplify your network setup or to improve data transfer rate. • WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) support. • WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key) support.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ The introduction and adoption of any new technology can be a difficult process. Wireless technology has removed one of the barriers to networking—running wires. It allows more people to try networking while at the same time exposes them to the inherent complexity of networking. General networking concepts, setup, and maintenance can be difficult to understand.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ... If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I? Note: Secure Internet sites such as banks and online merchants use encryption security built into browsers like Internet Explorer and Netscape. Any wireless networking security features you implement are in addition to those already in place on secure Internet sites. Connect to the 1.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ... If I Want To ... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? Use printers in a 1. Use the 1. The computer that you are combined Windows using to connect to the wireless and Printers and wireless network needs to be wired network.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Chapter 2-6 Introduction v1.
Chapter 3 Basic Setup This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is covered in Chapter 4, “Network Connections and Wireless Security” in this manual. Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range which vary significantly based on the physical location of the computer with the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511. For best results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as: • Large metal surfaces • Microwaves • 2.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Your NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 factory default basic settings are: • Network Name Service Set Identification (SSID): Any (First available network) Note: In order for the WPNT511 Wireless Notebook Adapter to communicate with a wireless access point or wireless adapter, all devices must be set up to use the same wireless network name (SSID).
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 2. Now, insert the wireless notebook adapter. When prompted, insert your wireless notebook adapter. Figure 3-2 3. Use the Smart Wizard to set up your wireless notebook adapter. a. Choose to set up your wireless adapter either with the NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended) or the Windows configuration utility If you choose the Windows Zero Configuration option, then you must read the Windows XP documentation for instructions.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 b. Click Next to accept the NETGEAR Smart Wizard. You will be prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended). c. Click Next to accept. Figure 3-4 d. Select the wireless network from the drop-down list, and the wizard records your choice. Hidden networks do not broadcast the Network Name (SSID). These networks are included in the drop-down list, but the Network Name (SSID) is blank.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 The Smart Wizard Settings page opens. Figure 3-6 4. Use the status bar to verify your wireless connectivity. For more details about connecting, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on page 3-9. For Windows 2000 SP4 Users Installing a WPNT511 1. First, install the WPNT511 software. a. Insert the NETGEAR CD. If the CD main page does not appear, double click autorun.exe on the CD. b.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 2. Now, insert the wireless notebook adapter. a. When prompted, insert your wireless notebook adapter. Figure 3-8 b. You will be prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended). c. Click Next to accept. Figure 3-9 Basic Setup 3-7 v1.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 d. Select the wireless network from the drop-down list, and the wizard records your choice. Hidden networks do not broadcast the Network Name (SSID). These networks are included in the drop-down list, but the Network Name (SSID) is blank. If the network uses security, then the Smart Wizard detects it. Figure 3-10 e. Follow the Wizard steps for Security (if used) and for saving a Profile. f.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 3. Use the status bar to verify your wireless connectivity. For more information about connecting, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on page 3-9.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Router/Internet Connection Indicator: This shows the progress of your connection. If you rightclick here and disable Internet notification then only the IP address is shown: This is the default setting (unchecked). The status bar shows the message “Connected to Internet”. If you check the box and click OK then the status bar does not show the “Connected to Internet” message.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 The WPNT511 Icon Colors The WPNT511 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows System Tray (SysTray). The System Tray resides on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Color Condition Description Red The wireless PC Card has no connection to any other wireless node. The wireless PC Card is not able to link to any other wireless node or the link is lost.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Removing the WPNT511 Software You can use the Resource CD to remove the wireless adapter software. 1. Insert the Resource CD in the computer where you installed the software. The main page opens. 2. Click the Install Software button. If the WPNT511 software has been installed, the Smart Wizard detects it. 3. Follow the steps of the Smart Wizard to remove the software. Figure 3-15 4.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Upgrading the WPNT511 Software Upgrades may be available at the NETGEAR Web site. To install an upgrade, follow these steps. 1. Write down the settings for any profiles that you want to save. They will not be retained. 2. Download the upgrade from the NETGEAR Web site Support page. 3. Remove the WPNT511 software from your laptop computer.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 3-14 Basic Setup v1.
Chapter 4 Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use your NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the WPNT511 so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. Understanding the WPNT511 Smart Wizard Note: These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WPNT511 Smart Wizard to change the WPNT511 wireless settings.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Finding a Network During the WPNT511 software installation, the Smart Wizard lists the available networks. After installation you can use the Find a Network button on the Network tab at any time to view the available networks and select the one that you want to use. Note: Make sure that you know the security settings for the network that you want to use. For example, if WEP is used then you need to know the WEP key.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Profiles The WPNT511 Smart Wizard uses profiles to store all the settings for a particular wireless network. There are two special profile names: Default and Profile. Default: The Profile named Default automatically scans for any available network. You cannot change this profile name. Profile: If you do not enter a name in the Profile Name box, then the name Profile is used to save your settings.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings page opens. Figure 4-2 2. Enter the network settings. a. In the Network Type section, be sure that Access Point (Infrastructure) is selected. b. In the Profile box, type the name of the profile. c. In the Network Name (SSID) field select a network or enter the SSID.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 You can check the status bar in the Smart Wizard for the current connection status. Note: If you cannot connect, see Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting”. Also, for problems with accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed and configured properly on your computers. Please refer to “Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing:” on page -1.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 a. Make sure the WPNT511 software is installed and the WPNT511 is fully inserted in an available CardBus slot in your PC. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings page opens. Figure 4-4 c. Select Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) for the Network Type. d. Select or enter the Network Name (SSID) for the Ad Hoc network. e. In the Profile box, type the name of the profile. f. Click Apply. 2.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 3. Configure the PC network settings. a. Configure each PC with either a static IP address or with the IPX protocol. Note: For instructions on configuring static IP addresses, refer to the networking tutorial on your NETGEAR Resource CD. b. Restart the PCs. 4. Verify wireless connectivity between your peer devices. Verify connectivity by using the Ping program: a. On the Windows taskbar click the Start button, and then click Run.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 You may need to reboot in certain Windows operating systems such as Windows 98SE. Note: If you cannot connect, see “Removing the WPNT511 Software” on page -12. Also, for problems with accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing software might not be installed and configured properly on your computers. Please see the link to “Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing:” on page B-1.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Wireless Security Many networks use wireless security to encrypt wireless data communications. If you try to connect to a network with wireless security the Smart Wizard detects it. Before you can use that network you must set up the WPNT511 with exactly the same kind of wireless security settings.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings Print this form, fill in the configuration parameters and put it in a safe place for possible future reference. For an existing wireless network, the person who set up the network will be able to provide this information. • Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 WEP Encryption Security Follow the steps below to configure WEP Encryption Security. 1. Run the WPNT511 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPNT511 software is installed and the WPNT511 is fully inserted in an available CardBus slot in your laptop computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. Figure 4-8 2. Configure the Security settings. a.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 3. Select the WEP encryption strength you will use. The choices are: • 64-bit WEP data encryption • 128-bit WEP data encryption Note: Larger encryption keys require more processing and may slow the communications response times. 4. Select Create with Passphrase and enter the passphrase. The configuration utility will automatically generate the WEP keys. Note: The characters are case sensitive.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. Figure 4-9 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name. 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.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 WPA-PSK Security Follow the steps below to configure WPA-PSK Security. 1. Run the WPNT511 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPNT511 software is installed and the WPNT511 is fully inserted in an available CardBus slot in your laptop computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. Figure 4-10 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name. b.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 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. c. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard. Advanced Settings The Advanced Settings should normally work in their default settings. On the Settings tab click the Advanced Settings button to display the dialog box shown below. Figure 4-11 Network Connections and Wireless Security v1.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Networks Page The Networks Page scans and displays all available wireless networks in your area. 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. 2. Click the Networks tab. Figure 4-12 Buttons At the bottom of the screen are the following buttons: • Help: Display online help. • Find a Network: Use the wizard to help you connect to a network. See “Finding a Network” on page 4-2.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 • Channel: The channel determines which operating frequency will be used. • Security: Identifies whether the wireless network uses WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK security settings. • Signal: Identifies the signal strength of the communications. • MAC Address: Identifies the hardware address (MAC Address) of the wireless device broadcasting this information.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 • Transmit, Receive, and Total (TxRx): Radio buttons let you select whether to display the transmit performance, the receive performance, or both in the same graph. • Transmit Statistics: Identifies transmit megabits per second (Mbps), transmit packets per second (Tx Packets/s), total transmitted packets, and transmit errors.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 • MAC Address: The MAC address of the adapter. The Media Access Control address is a unique 48-bit hardware address assigned to every network interface card. Some wireless networks will restrict access based on a list of known MAC addresses. If you are communicating with such a network, you would have to provide the address shown here to the network administrator before you would be allowed to connect.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 4-20 Network Connections and Wireless Security v1.
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511. After each problem description, instructions are given to help you diagnose and solve the problem. For information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet” on page 3-9.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 The WPNT511 Smart Wizard keeps asking me to save my settings This is because you have made changes to the settings and the Smart Wizard is offering you the chance to save the changes. If you want to avoid these Profile setting prompts, simply click Apply before you close the Smart Wizard. Ad Hoc mode is not working correctly You need to click the Initiate Ad Hoc button before you click Apply.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 I cannot connect to the AP that I want from the Networks browser list. The access point is available and there is good signal strength. There are a few possibilities: • If the access point (AP) is WPA-PSK protected, you will need the correct WPA-PSK Passphrase. Otherwise, the WPNT511 will still be connected to the previous access point and you will not be able to change to the WPA-PSK access point.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 2. Click Windows XP Hotfix (SP2) Q815485, and then click Remove. 3. You may receive an error message that states that some program on the computer may not work correctly if the update is removed. 4. You can ignore this error message, and then click Yes to remove the update. 5. Restart your computer and rerun the Smart Display Setup Wizard. This should solve your connection issue.
Appendix A Technical Specifications This appendix provides technical specifications for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511. Antennae 3 Integrated internal diversity antennas Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, 108, 126, and 240 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz CCK and OFDM Modulation) Power Consumption 3.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 A-2 Technical Specifications v1.
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 Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htm Wireless Communications: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wireless/index.htm Preparing a Computer for Network Access: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wsdhcp/index.
User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ 240 Wireless Notebook Adapter WPNT511 Appendix B-2 Related Documents v1.
