NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual NETGEAR, Inc.
© 2007 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.. 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.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s • 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 WNDA3100 has been tested for body-worn Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance.
Eesti [Estonian] Käesolevaga kinnitab NETGEAR, Inc. seadme NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 vastavust direktiivi 1999/5/EÜ põhinõuetele ja nimetatud direktiivist tulenevatele teistele asjakohastele sätetele. English Hereby, NETGEAR, Inc., declares that this NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. Español [Spanish] Por medio de la presente NETGEAR, Inc.
Slovensko [Slovenian] NETGEAR, Inc. izjavlja, da je ta NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 v skladu z bistvenimi zahtevami in ostalimi relevantnimi doloèili direktive 1999/5/ES. Slovensky [Slovak] NETGEAR, Inc. týmto vyhlasuje, že NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 spåòa základné požiadavky a všetky príslušné ustanovenia Smernice 1999/5/ES. Suomi [Finnish] NETGEAR, Inc.
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Contents About This Manual Conventions, Formats, and Scope ................................................................................... ix How to Use This Manual ................................................................................................... x How to Print This Manual .................................................................................................. x Chapter 1 Basic Setup What You Need Before You Begin .............................................................
Adding Profiles ............................................................................................................ 5 Setting Up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router .......................................... 5 Setting up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile ....................................................... 7 Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection .............................. 9 Wireless Security ...........................................................
About This Manual The NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual describes how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100. The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate computer and Internet skills. Conventions, Formats, and Scope The conventions, formats, and scope of this manual are described in the following paragraphs: • • Typographical Conventions.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual • Scope. This manual is written for the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 according to these specifications: Product Version NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 Manual Publication Date December 2007 For more information about network, Internet, firewall, and VPN technologies, see the links to the NETGEAR website in Appendix B, “Related Documents.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual – – Printing a PDF chapter. Use the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page. • Click the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left corner of any page in the chapter you want to print. The PDF version of the chapter you were viewing opens in a browser window. • Click the print icon in the upper left of your browser window. Printing a PDF version of the complete manual.
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Chapter 1 Basic Setup This chapter describes how to install your RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 and set up basic wireless connectivity on your wireless local area network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is covered in “Network Connections and Wireless Security” in Chapter 2. Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual • 5 Mbytes of free hard disk space. • Vista, Windows XP Home, or Windows XP Professional. Some versions of Windows ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WNDA3100 driver software. Note: Windows XP users must install SP2 or install the KB822603 hot fix (update), which fixes the USB 2.0 host controller driver. Go to the following link to install the hot fix: http://www.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual What Is in the Box The product package should contain the following items: • NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 • USB cable and adapter cradle • Installation Guide for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 • Resource CD, including: – Driver and configuration utility software – NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual (this document) – Animated Network Proper
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Installation To complete this installation you must: 1. Install the WNDA3100 software. 2. When prompted, insert the wireless USB adapter and follow the Windows XP Found New Hardware wizard prompts (unless using Vista). 3. Set up the wireless USB adapter to connect to your wireless network. Installing the WNDA3100 Software Note: Do not connect the wireless USB adapter until you are prompted to do so. To install the software: 1.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 4. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the NETGEAR WNDA3100 software. • For Windows XP, if a Windows logo testing message appears, click Continue Anyway. • If a message that Windows Vista cannot verify the publisher of this driver displays, click Install this driver software anyway. 5. When the NETGEAR Smart Wizard Installation Complete screen displays, click Next.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 3. For Windows Vista computers, the adapter and driver are automatically added. Click Next and then go to the following section “Using the Smart Wizard to Set Up Your Wireless-N USB Adapter” on page 1-6. For Windows XP computers, the Found New Hardware Wizard displays. 4. Follow the onscreen instructions for the Found New Hardware Wizard. 5. When the NETGEAR Smart Wizard screen returns, click Next.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual You are prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended). Figure 1-4 2. Click Next to continue. The Smart Wizard finds the wireless networks in your area, and displays the following screen: Hidden network Figure 1-5 Note: Hidden networks do not broadcast the network name (SSID). These networks are in the drop-down list, but the Network Name (SSID) field is blank. 3.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 5. After you have reviewed the settings, click Finish. The Settings screen displays: Figure 1-6 The icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop. The wizard initiates your wireless connection, which could take up to a minute. 6. Use the status bar to verify your wireless connectivity. See “Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-9.” Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet Note: The maximum speed of a USB v2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual • LED status light. The LED on the wireless USB adapter shows the network connection. Solid indicates a connection. The LED blinks when the wireless USB adapter is looking for a network association and when it is sending or receiving data. See “Wireless-N USB Adapter LED” on page 1-11. WNDA3100 Icon Colors The WNDA3100 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows system tray.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 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. Security • A closed lock indicates that security is enabled. • An open lock indicates an open network without wireless security. Channel The wireless channel used by the network.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual In Vista, there is one more option: Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard. Figure 1-9 If you clear the check mark for Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard, the NETGEAR Smart Wizard is disabled, and you must set up the wireless adapter with Vista auto-configuration. Wireless-N USB Adapter LED The LED on the wireless USB adapter indicates the condition of wireless link.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1. The wireless USB adapter comes with three black fasteners. Locate the one with a prickly side, and attach it to the plastic cradle on the middle of the outside rear. Figure 1-10 2. Insert the wireless USB adapter in the plastic cradle, and connect the USB cable. Figure 1-11 4. Place one of the other pieces of loop-and-hook fastener on the side or back of your monitor near the top for better reception.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Removing the WNDA3100 Software You can remove the wireless adapter software in these two ways: • Select the Windows Start menu > RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 program group > uninstall option, and then follow the screen prompts. • Select Windows Start menu >Control Panel > Add or Remove Program, and then select the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 option, and follow the screen prompts.
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Chapter 2 Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use your Wireless-N USB Adapter to connect to your wireless local area network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the Wireless-N USB Adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. If you chose the Windows XP or Windows Vista Zero Configuration utility during installation, and now you want to use the Smart Wizard, you must disable the Windows utility.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Understanding the Smart Wizard These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WNDA3100 Smart Wizard to change the wireless USB adapter wireless settings. When you have installed the software from the Resource CD, the icon appears on your desktop and in the Windows system tray. The Windows system tray is located on the Windows taskbar.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2. Click the Networks tab to display the following screen: You can click a column heading to sort. If many networks use the same channel they can interfere with each other. (A) indicates a 5 GHz network, and (G) indicates a 2.4 GHz network. The status bar shows your network connection and Internet connection. Figure 2-2 The following buttons are located at the bottom of the Networks tab: • Help. Display online help.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual • Mode. Identifies the type of wireless network — Access Point (Infrastructure) or Computerto-Computer (Ad Hoc) Finding a Network During the WNDA3100 software installation, the Smart Wizard lists the available networks. After installation you can use the Join a Network button on the Network tab at any time to view the available networks and select the one that you want to use.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 4. Review you settings, and click Finish. The Smart Wizard initiates your wireless connection. You can use the status bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see “Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-9. Profiles The WNDA3100 Smart Wizard uses profiles to store all the settings for a particular wireless network. There are two special profile names: Default and Profile. • Default.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays: Figure 2-4 2. Enter the network settings. a. In the Network Type section, make sure that Access Point (Infrastructure) is selected. b. In the Profile field, type the name of the profile. c. In the Network Name (SSID) field, select a network or enter the SSID.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Use a browser to connect to the Internet, or check for file and printer access on your network. You can check the status bar in the Smart Wizard for the current connection status. Note: If you cannot connect, see Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting”. For problems with accessing network resources, the Windows client and file and print sharing software might not be installed and configured correctly on your computers.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2. Enter the network settings. a. Select Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) for the network type. b. Select or enter the network name (SSID) for the Ad Hoc network. c. In the Profile field, type the name of the profile. d. Click Apply. 3. Save your settings in a profile. a. Click Save Profile, and all the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual c. A continuous ping will be sent to the device with the 192.168.0.1 static IP address. The ping response should change to Reply. Figure 2-7 At this point the connection is established. Note: If you cannot connect, see “Removing the WNDA3100 Software” in Chapter 1. For problems accessing network resources, the Windows client and rile and print sharing software might not be installed or configured correctly on your computers.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 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 any other wireless networks near your wireless adapter. Use the Networks tab to view the channels in use in your area. 6. Click OK. Note: The channel number differs depending on the country. The connection speed automatically defaults to the highest speed.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 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 can provide this information. • Network Name (SSID). The service set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Setting Up WPA-PSK Security To configure WPA-PSK security: 1. Run the WNDA3100 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure that the WNDA3100 software is installed and the wireless USB adapter is fully inserted in a USB port in your computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays: Figure 2-9 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile field, select the profile, or type in a profile name. b.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Setting Up WEP Encryption Security Follow the steps below to configure WEP encryption security: 1. Run the WNDA3100 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure that the WNDA3100 software is installed and the wireless USB adapter is connected to the USB port in your computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab displays: Figure 2-10 2. Configure the Security settings. a.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 3. Select the WEP encryption strength you will use. • 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 automatically generates the WEP keys. Note: The characters are case-sensitive.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Statistics Tab The Statistics tab provides real time and historical trend information about the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter. Figure 2-11 • • • • Transmit/Receive Performance (%). A real-time graph identies the total, receive, and transmit utilization as a percentage the total possible. Transmit, Receive, and Total (TxRx).
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual About Tab The About tab displays the current version information. Figure 2-12 The following information is displayed in the About tab: • 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. • Driver Version.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Advanced Settings You can use the Advanced Settings screen to configure the preamble (GHz) that the adapter uses. The available settings are Auto, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz. You can use the 5GHz range to avoid interference in the 2.4GHz range. The 2.4GHz range is commonly used by cordless telephones. Note: The default settings for the Fragmentation Threshold field and RTS/CTS Threshold field usually work fine.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2. In the Advanced section of the screen, select the setting that you want from the drop-down list. Changing the setting in the Preamble field affects which options are available in the Wireless Mode section of this screen. You can change the preamble for better throughput if you experience interference, such as from a cordless telephone. Many cordless phones use 2.4 GHz, but some use 5 GHz or 6 GHz. • Auto. Up to 300 Mbps (2.
Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance This chapter explains how to use your RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 to connect to your wireless local area network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the wireless USB adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. Optimizing Wireless Performance The speed and operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on the location of the wireless router.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 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.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual In the network shown in the previous figure, the two PCs with gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet adapters have a gigabit connection through the router to the storage server. With a high-speed router this connection allows for extremely fast backups or quick access to large files on the server. The PC connected through a pair of Powerline HD adapters is limited to the 200 Mbps speed of the Powerline HD connection.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual To get the best performance, use newer adapters such as RangeMax adapters for your computers. A high-speed router might be compatible with older 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, but the use of these older wireless technologies in your network can result in lower throughput overall (typically less than 10 Mbps for 802.11b and less than 40 Mbps for 802.11g).
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual • 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. Table 3-1.
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Chapter 4 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100. For information about connecting to wireless networks and the Internet, see “Basic Setup” in Chapter 1. Troubleshooting Tips Use the following information to solve common problems you may encounter. Also, refer to the knowledge base on the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com/support/main.asp. Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips Problem Action The LED is not lit.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Table 4-1. Troubleshooting Tips (continued) Problem Action Throughput is only 54 Mbps or only 14 Mbps. The RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 can operate at faster speeds. • At 54 Mbps you are probably connecting to a standard 802.11g network. See Chapter 3, “Wireless Network Performance”. • If you do not have a USB 2.0 port on your PC, the throughput is limited to the 14 Mbps of the USB 1.1 standard.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly You must click the Initiate Ad Hoc button before you click Apply. Here is how you start an Ad Hoc network: 1. Fill in the Network Name (SSID) field. 2. Select the Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) network type. 3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc. 4. Accept the default settings, or make your changes and click OK. 5. Click Apply.
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Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default Settings Technical Specifications The following table provides technical specifications for the wireless USB adapter. Antenna 2 integrated internal wireless antennas Standards 802.11a, 802.11n draft 2.0, 802.11g, or 802.11b Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, 08, 140, 246, and 300 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4 GHz to 2.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual Factory Default Settings The following table lists the default settings of your wireless USB adapter. Feature Description Smart Wizard Enabled Wireless 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 802.11a, 802.
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 Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities Application Note http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/ index.htm Internet Networking and TCP/IP Addressing: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htm Wireless Communications: http://documentation.netgear.
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