Netgear MA101 - Manuals

1 Chapter 1 Introduction This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the NETGEAR MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter. See “What You Will Need Before You Begin” on page 9 for the minimum system requirements. Also, a “road map” for achieving your installation objectives is...

2 • Highest level security with 128-bit Shared Key WEP data encryption. Lower level data encryption or no data encryption options simplify network setup and improve data transfer rates. The following Netgear products can be configured to communicate with the MA101 USB Adapter. • WAB102 Dual Band Acc...

3 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 ...

9 Chapter 2 Installing the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter This chapter describes how to set up your MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter for wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). What You Will Need Before You Begin You need to verify your computer meets the minimum syst...

11 Two Basic Operating Modes The MA101 USB Adapter, like all 802.11b adapters, can operate in the following two basic modes: • Infrastructure Mode: An 802.11 networking framework in which devices and computers communicate with each other by first going through an access point (AP). For example, this...

12 MA101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings If this is a new wireless network installation, use the factory default settings to set up the network and verify wireless connectivity. If this is an addition to an existing wireless network, you will need to identify the wireless configuration and s...

14 Setting Up the MA101 in Infrastructure Mode Use the procedure below that corresponds to your version of Windows. For Windows XP Users Installing a MA101 Connect the MA101 USB Adapter to your computer. a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot up completely. b. Locate an availabl...

15 Install the MA101 driver software. a. After connecting the MA101, the Found New Hardware popup message appears, then the Wizard dialog displays. b. Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive. c. After inserting the Model MA101 Resource CD , the Found New Hardware Wizard appears. Cl...

16 Configure your wireless network connection. a. Click on the “Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network even though this is not secure” check box. b. Click Connect. The connection status popup message appears. Note: This procedure assumes you are connecting to a wireless network which i...

17 For Windows 98/Me Users Installing a MA101 Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your computer. Note : Do not connect the USB cable to your computer until after you complete the installation of the software as described in step 2 below a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot...

18 Connect the MA101 to your computer using the included USB cable. a. Lift the antenna on the MA101. b. Locate an available USB port on the back of your computer. c. Connect the USB cable from your computer to the MA101. Windows 98/Me prompts for the location of the driver software. d. Click the CD...

19 Configure your wireless adapter. a. The MA101 default settings are as follows: • SSID: Wireless • Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc): Infrastructure • WEP encryption not enabled. b. Double click on the System Tray icon to run the wireless LAN configuration utility you just installed to verify your s...

20 For Windows 2000 Users Installing a MA101 Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your computer. Note : Do not connect the USB cable to your computer until after you complete the installation of the software as described in step 2 below a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot ...

23 Using the MA101 to Connect in Ad-Hoc Mode Figure 2-2: MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Ad-Hoc Mode Ad-Hoc Mode is an 802.11 networking framework in which devices or computers communicate directly with each other, without the use of an access point. For example, Ad-Hoc Mode is used when two W...

24 Setting Up a MA101 in Ad-Hoc Mode Set up the MA101 USB Adapter for your computer. Follow the instructions above for setting up the MA101 with the version of the Windows operating system you are using. Configure your wireless adapters. a. Double click on the System Tray icon to run the wireless LA...

25 Verify wireless connectivity between the computers. Verify connectivity by accessing resources on either computer. Note: If you cannot connect, please see the “Troubleshooting Tips” on page 27 . If you have problems with accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing s...

26 Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors The SysTray (System Tray) resides on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. The wireless LAN configuration utility installation for the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter adds a configuration and status reporting utility icon in the SysTray. ...

27 Troubleshooting Tips If you have problems getting wirelessly connected to your network, try the tips below. Symptom Cause Solution The LED on the wireless USB adapter is off The wireless USB adapter cable is not inserted into the USB port properly or the proper MA101 USB Adapter software is not l...

29 Chapter 3 Protecting Your Wireless Connection The absence of a physical connection between nodes makes wireless links vulnerable to information theft. This chapter describes how to use the basic security features of the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter to protect your connection. Enabling Basic...

30 Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security Settings Print this form, fill in the configuration parameters, and put it in a safe place for future reference. For an existing wireless network, fill in the configuration parameters. The person who set up or is responsible for the ne...

32 Configuring WEP Encryption Security The MA101 USB Adapter allows you to restrict access to your wireless network based on WEP keywords. Following the steps below to perform this procedure. 1. Run the Configuration Utility and select the Security tab page. Figure 3-2: Configuring WEP Encryption 2....

35 Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics This chapter provides an overview of IP networks, routing, and wireless networking. Related Publications As you read this document, you may be directed to various RFC documents for further information. An RFC is a Request For Comment (RFC) published b...

36 Wireless Network Configuration The 802.11b standard offers two methods for configuring a wireless network — ad hoc and infrastructure. Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) In an ad hoc network, computers are brought together as needed; thus, there is no structure or fixed point in the network — e...

38 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption is utilized when the wireless nodes or access points are configured to operate in Shared Key authentication mode. There are two shared key methods implemented in most commercially available products, 64-bit and 128-bit ...

41 Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access This appendix describes how to prepare your PCs to connect to the Internet through the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter. For adding file and print sharing to your network, please consult the Windows help information included with the version of W...

42 Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking As part of the PC preparation process, you may need to install and configure TCP/IP on your PC. Before starting, locate your Windows CD; you may need to insert it during the TCP/IP installation process. Install or Verify Windows Networking Compo...

46 Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method 1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click the Internet Options icon. 3. Select “I want to set up my Internet connection manually” or “I want to connect through a Local Area Network”...

47 Verifying TCP/IP Properties After your PC is configured and has rebooted, you can check the TCP/IP configuration using the utility winipcfg.exe : 1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Run. 2. Type winipcfg , and then click OK. The IP Configuration window opens, which l...

48 3. If an Ethernet adapter is present in your PC, you should see an entry for Local Area Connection. Double-click that entry. 4. Select Properties. 5. Verify that Client for Microsoft Networks and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) are present. If not, select Install and add them. 6. Select Internet Proto...

49 Now the Network Connection window displays. The Connections List that shows all the network connections set up on the PC, located to the right of the window. • Right-click on the Connection with the wireless icon and choose Status . Now you should be at the Local Area Network Connection Status wi...

51 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 After you install a network card, TCP/IP for Windows 2000 is configured and set to DHCP without your having to configure it. However, if there are problems, following the steps below to configure TCP/IP with DHCP for Windows 2000. Click on the My Netwo...

52 With Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) selected, click on Properties to open the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialogue box. Verify that • Obtain an IP address automatically is selected. • Obtain DNS server address automatically is selected. Click OK to return to Local Area Connection Properties...

53 Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000 To check your PC’s TCP/IP configuration: 1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Run. The Run window opens. 2. Type cmd and then click OK. A command window opens 3. Type ipconfig /all Your IP Configuration information wi...

1 Numerics 2.5 GHz Cordless phones 2-10802.11b B-37 A Access Point 2-27Ad Hoc 2-12Ad-Hoc Mode 2-11ad-hoc mode B-38, B-39 B BSSID B-39 C Channel B-40Connect in Ad-Hoc Mode 2-23 D Default Wireless Configuration Settings 2-12 E ESSID B-39 F features 1-1 G Green 2-26 I I cannot see the other computers o...