Page 2 - Technical Support; Trademarks; FCC Statement
ii v1.0, December 2007 © 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 noti...
Page 3 - FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR Statements; Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity
v1.0, December 2007 iii • 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 devic...
Page 5 - Product and Publication Details
v1.0, December 2007 v Product and Publication Details 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 vyhlas...
Page 7 - Contents; About This Manual
vii v1.0, December 2007 Contents About This Manual Conventions, Formats, and Scope ................................................................................... ixHow to Use This Manual ................................................................................................... xHow to ...
Page 8 - Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance
viii v1.0, December 2007 Adding Profiles ............................................................................................................ 5 Setting Up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router .......................................... 5Setting up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) ...
Page 9 - The; Typographical Conventions
ix v1.0, December 2007 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 inter...
Page 10 - Scope; Appendix B, “Related Documents; How to Use This Manual; Printing a page from HTML
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual x v1.0, December 2007 • Scope . This manual is written for the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 according to these specifications: For more information about network, Internet, firewall, and VPN technologies, se...
Page 11 - Printing a PDF chapter.; PDF of This Chapter; Printing a PDF version of the complete manual; Complete PDF Manual
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual xi v1.0, December 2007 – 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 vers...
Page 13 - “Network Connections and Wireless Security” in; What You Need Before You Begin; Verify System Requirements; You must have a PC with a Pentium
1-1 v1.0, December 2007 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 Wirel...
Page 14 - Mbytes of free hard disk space.; Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines; Large metal surfaces
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-2 v1.0, December 2007 • 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 installat...
Page 15 - What Is in the Box; Resource CD; WNDA3100 Default Wireless Settings; Any
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-3 v1.0, December 2007 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 R...
Page 16 - Installation; Installing the WNDA3100 Software; Install the Software
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-4 v1.0, December 2007 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 ...
Page 17 - For Windows XP, if a Windows logo testing message appears, click; Continue Anyway; Connecting the Wireless-N USB Adapter; To connect your wireless USB adapter:
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-5 v1.0, December 2007 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 v...
Page 18 - “Using the Smart Wizard to Set Up Your Wireless-N USB; Next; Using the Smart Wizard to Set Up Your Wireless-N USB Adapter; NETGEAR Smart Wizard
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-6 v1.0, December 2007 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 . ...
Page 19 - Click; If the network uses security, then the Smart Wizard detects it.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-7 v1.0, December 2007 You are prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended). 2. Click Next to continue. The Smart Wizard finds the wireless networks in your area, and displays the following screen: 3. S...
Page 20 - Finish; “Smart Wizard Status Bar” on; Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet; Smart Wizard status bar; “Smart Wizard Status Bar
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-8 v1.0, December 2007 5. After you have reviewed the settings, click Finish . The Settings screen displays: The icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop. The wizard initiates your wireless connection, which could take...
Page 21 - LED status light; “Wireless-N USB Adapter; Smart Wizard Status Bar; Click the
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-9 v1.0, December 2007 • 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 wh...
Page 22 - the following figure. If you do so, then only the
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-10 v1.0, December 2007 The following table describes how to interpret the Smart Wizard status bar. The connection status is useful in isolating a problem. For example, if you are connected to a router, but not to the Internet, ...
Page 23 - In Vista, there is one more option: Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard.; Wireless-N USB Adapter LED; Placing the USB Adapter Cradle
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-11 v1.0, December 2007 In Vista, there is one more option: Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard. 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...
Page 25 - Removing the WNDA3100 Software; You can remove the wireless adapter software in these two ways:; Upgrading the WNDA3100 Software; Download the upgrade from the NETGEAR website Support page.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 1-13 v1.0, December 2007 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 > un...
Page 27 - Disabling the Windows Zero Configuration Utility; To disable the Windows Zero Configuration utility:; Use Windows to configure my wireless
2-1 v1.0, December 2007 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 s...
Page 29 - “Finding a Network” on page 2-4
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-3 v1.0, December 2007 2. Click the Networks tab to display the following screen: The following buttons are located at the bottom of the Networks tab: • Help . Display online help. • Find a Network . View networks and join a net...
Page 30 - Mode; Finding a Network; Use the; following screen displays:
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-4 v1.0, December 2007 • Mode . Identifies the type of wireless network — Access Point (Infrastructure) or Computer- to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Finding a Network During the WNDA3100 software installation, the Smart Wizard lists the av...
Page 31 - “Smart Wizard Status Bar” on page 1-9; Profiles; Default; Adding Profiles; Setting Up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-5 v1.0, December 2007 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 ...
Page 35 - “Removing the WNDA3100 Software” in Chapter 1
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-9 v1.0, December 2007 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. At this point the connection is established. Starting a Computer-to-Compute...
Page 36 - In the; Channel; should work. If you notice interference problems; OK; Wireless Security; “Wireless Communications:” in Appendix B
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-10 v1.0, December 2007 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 nea...
Page 37 - Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings; are not
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-11 v1.0, December 2007 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 pe...
Page 38 - Setting Up WPA-PSK Security; Profile; Save Profile
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-12 v1.0, December 2007 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 po...
Page 39 - Setting Up WEP Encryption Security
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-13 v1.0, December 2007 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 ...
Page 41 - Statistics Tab; transmit utilization as a percentage the total possible.; Transmit Statistics
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-15 v1.0, December 2007 Statistics Tab The Statistics tab provides real time and historical trend information about the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter. • Transmit/Receive Performance (%) . A real-time grap...
Page 42 - About Tab
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-16 v1.0, December 2007 About Tab The About tab displays the current version information. The following information is displayed in the About tab: • Regional Domain . This is the region setting for the wireless adapter. The appr...
Page 43 - GHz only. Connect only to 5 GHz access points, up; Advanced Settings; The default settings for the; Fragmentation Threshold; field and; Threshold; this option is not available for selection.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-17 v1.0, December 2007 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 i...
Page 44 - Changing the setting in the; Preamble; field affects which options are available in the Wireless; Auto; . Use a long preamble for 5 GHz networks.
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 2-18 v1.0, December 2007 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 sect...
Page 45 - Optimizing Wireless Performance; Choose placement carefully. For best results, place your router:
3-1 v1.0, December 2007 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 wirele...
Page 46 - Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 3-2 v1.0, December 2007 – 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 scanni...
Page 47 - A storage device that is used for backing up your computers; Broadband Internet; to; Wireless
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 3-3 v1.0, December 2007 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 connect...
Page 48 - Assessing Your Speed Requirements
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 3-4 v1.0, December 2007 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 wir...
Page 49 - Table 3-1. Theoretical Transfer Time for 1 Gigabyte
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual 3-5 v1.0, December 2007 • 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 techn...
Page 51 - Chapter 4 Troubleshooting; “Basic Setup” in Chapter 1; Troubleshooting Tips
4-1 v1.0, December 2007 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 fol...
Page 55 - Technical Specifications
A-1 v1.0, December 2007 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....
Page 56 - Factory Default Settings
NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100 User Manual A-2 v1.0, December 2007 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 ...
Page 57 - Appendix B Related Documents
B-1 v1.0, December 2007 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://doc...