Page 2 - Technical Support; Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer
ii Technical Support Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering your product at 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 Ph...
Page 3 - FCC Information to User; FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure; Regulatory Compliance Information; FCC Requirements for Operation in the United States
iii Equipment and Electronic Office Machines aimed at preventing radio interference in such residential areas. When used near a radio or TV receiver, it may become the cause of radio interference. Read instructions for correct handling. FCC Information to User This product does not contain any user ...
Page 4 - Export Restrictions
iv • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Modifications made to the product, unless expressly approved byNETGEAR, Inc., could void the user's right to operate the equipment. Export Restrictions This product or software contains encryption code which may not be exported ...
Page 5 - Requirements For Operation in the European Community; Operation Using 2.4 GHz Channels in France; Metropolitan Regions with Eased Restrictions in 2.4GHz Band
v Marking by the above symbol indicates compliance with the Essential Requirements of the R&TTE Directive of the European Union (1999/5/EC). This equipment meets the following conformance standards: EN300 328, EN301 489-17, EN60950 Requirements For Operation in the European Community Countries o...
Page 7 - Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference
vii Declaration of Conformity in Languages of the European Community Finnish: Valmistaja NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että Radio LAN device tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin muiden ehtojen mukainen. Dutch: Hierbij verklaart NETGEAR, Inc. ...
Page 9 - Contents
Contents ix Contents Chapter 1 About This Manual Audience, Scope, Conventions ...................................................................................... 1-1 How to Use this Manual .................................................................................................. 1-2 How t...
Page 11 - Glossary
Contents xi Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ................................................. C-6 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000 ......................................... C-7 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP .................................................
Page 13 - Chapter 1; NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless; Typographical conventions; Manual Specifications; Product updates are available on the NETGEAR Web site at
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 About This Manual 1-1 Chapter 1 About This Manual This chapter introduces the conventions and features of this document. Audience, Scope, Conventions This manual assumes that the reader has basic to intermediate computer and Internet...
Page 14 - How to Use this Manual; Show in Contents
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 1-2 About This Manual How to Use this Manual The HTML version of this manual includes these features. Figure 1-1: HTML version of this manual 1. Left pane . Use the left pane to view the Contents, Index, and Search tabs. To view the ...
Page 15 - How to Print this Manual; Printing a “How To” Sequence of Steps in the HTML View; Print; Printing a Chapter
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 About This Manual 1-3 How to Print this Manual To print this manual you man choose one of the following several options, according to your needs. • Printing a “How To” Sequence of Steps in the HTML View . Use the Print button on the ...
Page 17 - Chapter 2; Windows; Key Features and; Related NETGEAR Products; Reliable IEEE 802.11g and b standards-based wireless technology.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Introduction 2-1 Chapter 2 Introduction This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121. About the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 The NETGEA...
Page 18 - WG602 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 2-2 Introduction The following NETGEAR products can be configured to communicate with the WG121 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter: • WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router • WG602 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point • WGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Rout...
Page 19 - The USB 2.0 connector connects to any PC with an available USB port.; A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Introduction 2-3 The NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 has two interfaces: • The USB 2.0 connector connects to any PC with an available USB port. • The wireless antenna of the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG1...
Page 20 - A Road Map for How to Get There From Here
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 2-4 Introduction 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? Connect to a wireless network 1. Identify the wireless network name (SSID) and, if used, the wireless security...
Page 25 - Chapter 3; Chapter 4, “Configuration”; What You Need Before You Begin; Verifying System Requirements; Note; “Enabling Wireless Security Features” on page 4-6
Basic Setup 3-1 Chapter 3 Basic Setup This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network configuration is covered in Chapter 4, “Configuration” in this ...
Page 26 - Observing Location and Range Guidelines; Large metal surfaces; Two Basic Operating Modes; Infrastructure Mode; An 802.11 networking framework in which devices and computers
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 3-2 Basic Setup • Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, 2000, Me, 98SE or 98 Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WG121 driver software....
Page 27 - WG121 Default Wireless Configuration Settings; Any; Data security WEP encryption:; Disabled
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Basic Setup 3-3 WG121 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 exist...
Page 28 - Basic Installation Instructions; For Windows XP Users Installing a WG121; Click; Install Driver & Utility; Follow the InstallShield Wizard steps.; Finish; prompted restart your computer.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 3-4 Basic Setup Basic Installation Instructions Use the procedure below that corresponds to the version of Windows you are using. For Windows XP Users Installing a WG121 Install the WG121 driver and configuration utility software. a....
Page 29 - if you; Yes; to accept this option.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Basic Setup 3-5 Install the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121. a. Locate an available USB port on your PC. Connect the USB cable to the WG121 and insert the other end of the cable into the USB slot on your PC. After a sh...
Page 30 - Configure your WG121.; work; “Enabling Wireless
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 3-6 Basic Setup Configure your WG121. a. Click the icon in the Windows system tray to open the WG121 Smart Wizard Wireless Settings Utility. The utility opens to the Settings tab page. b. Change the Network Name SSID to match your ne...
Page 31 - Verify wireless connectivity to your network.; Check the two LEDs on the WG121:; LED Descriptions
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Basic Setup 3-7 Verify wireless connectivity to your network. a. Verify that your Connection and Status Monitor information matches your wireless network. b. Check the two LEDs on the WG121: c. Verify connectivity to the Internet or ...
Page 33 - if you are prompted
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Basic Setup 3-9 Install the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121. a. Locate an available USB port on your PC. Connect the USB cable to the WG121 and insert the other end of the cable into the USB slot on your PC. After a sh...
Page 34 - Configure your WG121; Click Apply to activate the connection.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 3-10 Basic Setup Configure your WG121 and save the Profile . a. Click on the WG121 systray icon to open the WG121 configuration utility. The utility opens to the Settings tab page. b. For the Network Name (SSID), use the default of A...
Page 36 - WG121 Wireless Connection Indicators; Interpreting the LED on the WG121; These LEDs are described in this table.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 3-12 Basic Setup WG121 Wireless Connection Indicators The NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 provides the following three indicators which give you feedback on the status of your wireless connection: • The two LEDs on the...
Page 37 - Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors; Color; Red
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Basic Setup 3-13 Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors The System Tray (SysTray) resides on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Color Condition Description Red The WG121 has no connection to any wireless node. The...
Page 38 - Troubleshooting; Appendix C, “Preparing Your PCs for; Basic Tips; Remove and reinsert the WG121.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 3-14 Basic Setup Troubleshooting Use the information below to solve common problems you may encounter. Also, please refer to the knowledge base on the NETGEAR web site at www.netgear.com/support/main.asp . Also, for problems with acc...
Page 39 - Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Basic Setup 3-15 Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions 1. Symptom: (XP Professional and XP Home user only) Some WG121 XP users will experience inability to connect to the Internet, dropped wireless connections, or both after app...
Page 43 - Chapter 4; Understanding the Configuration Options; Configure wireless settings.; Using Configuration Profiles
Configuration 4-1 Chapter 4 Configuration This chapter describes how to configure your NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 for wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and use the data security encryption features. Understanding the Configuration Options The WG121 ...
Page 44 - Infrastructure Mode —; For more information on 802.11 wireless network modes, see; Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode; Click on the Settings tab to display the view shown above.; Configure the wireless Network settings.; Enter the SSID. This is also called the Wireless Network Name.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 4-2 Configuration For example, if you use your notebook PC to connect to a wireless network in an office and a wireless network in your home, you can create a profile for each wireless network. Then, you can easily load the profile t...
Page 45 - Type a descriptive name for the; Verify wireless connectivity to your network.; “Troubleshooting” on page 3-14; Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc Mode; How to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode Profile; NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Configuration 4-3 a. Type a descriptive name for the Profile in the “Profiles” field. b. Click Save Profile. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. c. Click Apply. d. Click Close to exit the configuration utility o...
Page 46 - Type a descriptive name in the “Profiles” field.; Verify wireless connectivity between your peer devices.; Verify connectivity by using the Ping program:; Figure 4-1: Windows Run program dialog box
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 4-4 Configuration d. Select Ad-hoc for the Network Type. e. Enter the SSID for the Ad-Hoc network. f. Click Apply. 2. Save your settings in a Profile. a. Type a descriptive name in the “Profiles” field. b. Click Save Profile. All the...
Page 47 - At this point the connection is established.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Configuration 4-5 Figure 4-2: Ping test results At this point the connection is established. You may need to reboot in certain Windows operating systems such as Windows 98. Note: If you cannot connect, see the “Troubleshooting” on pa...
Page 48 - defaults to the highest speed.; Enabling Wireless Security Features; “Authentication and WEP” on page B-2
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 4-6 Configuration How to Start a Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network 1. Fill in the Network Name (SSID). 2. Select the Computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) network type. 3. Click Initiate Ad-Hoc. The Ad-Hoc Setting dialog box will appear....
Page 49 - WEP Security Encryption key:; How to Configure WEP Encryption Security
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Configuration 4-7 • Wireless Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network. Any (First available network) is the default WG121 wireless network name (SSID). You may customize it...
Page 50 - Select the WEP encryption strength you will use.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 4-8 Configuration b. Enter the SSID. This is also called the Wireless Network Name. Note: You will not get a wireless network connection unless the network SSID matches exactly what is configured in the access point. Tip: You can cli...
Page 51 - Statistics Page; A real time graph identifying the total, receive, and; Transmit Statistics:; Advanced Settings Page; Fragmentation Threshold:; This is the maximum packet size used for fragmentation. Packets
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Configuration 4-9 Statistics Page The Statistics page provides real time and historical trend information on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter. • Transmit/Receive Performance (%): A real time graph identifying...
Page 53 - Appendix A
Technical Specifications A-1 Appendix A Technical Specifications This appendix provides technical specifications for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 . Antennae 2 Integrated internal diversity antennas Standards 802.11g, 802.11b Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, ...
Page 55 - Appendix B; This chapter provides an overview of Wireless networking.; Wireless Networking Overview
Wireless Networking Basics B-1 Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics This chapter provides an overview of Wireless networking. Wireless Networking Overview The WG121 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter conforms to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b standard for wireless LANs (...
Page 56 - Authentication and WEP
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 B-2 Wireless Networking Basics 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 points to the network - each node can generally communicate with...
Page 57 - Open System Authentication
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Wireless Networking Basics B-3 802.11 Authentication The 802.11 standard defines several services that govern how two 802.11 devices communicate. The following events must occur before an 802.11 Station can communicate with an Ethern...
Page 58 - Shared Key Authentication; The station sends an authentication request to the access point.; Open System Steps
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 B-4 Wireless Networking Basics Figure 4-3: 802.11 open system authentication Shared Key Authentication The following steps occur when two devices use Shared Key Authentication: 1. The station sends an authentication request to the ac...
Page 59 - Overview of WEP Parameters; network uses Open System Authentication.; Use WEP for Encryption:; A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data portion of every; Use WEP for Authentication and Encryption:; A transmitting 802.11 device encrypts the data; Use WEP for Authentication Only; Authentication without data encryption).; Shared Key Steps
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Wireless Networking Basics B-5 Figure 4-4: 802.11 shared key authentication Overview of WEP Parameters Before enabling WEP on an 802.11 network, you must first consider what type of encryption you require and the key size you want to...
Page 60 - Key Size
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 B-6 Wireless Networking Basics Key Size The IEEE 802.11 standard supports two types of WEP encryption: 40-bit and 128-bit. The 64-bit WEP data encryption method, allows for a five-character (40-bit) input. Additionally, 24 factory-se...
Page 61 - Wireless Channels
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Wireless Networking Basics B-7 Note: Whatever keys you enter for an AP, you must also enter the same keys for the client adapter in the same order. In other words, WEP key 1 on the AP must match WEP key 1 on the client adapter, WEP k...
Page 62 - The radio frequency channels used are listed in; b and g Radio Frequency Channels
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 B-8 Wireless Networking Basics The radio frequency channels used are listed in Table 4-1 : Note: The available channels supported by the wireless products in various countries are different. The preferred channel separation between t...
Page 63 - Appendix C; Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking; Install or Verify Windows Networking Components; To install or verify the necessary components for IP networking:
Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-1 Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access This appendix describes how to prepare your PCs to connect to the Internet through the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121. For adding file and print sharing to your network, please consult the Wind...
Page 64 - Click the Add button.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 C-2 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access 1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click the Network icon. The Network window opens, which displays a list of instal...
Page 65 - Network Neighborhood
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-3 a. Click the Add button. b. Select Client, and then click Add. c. Select Microsoft. d. Select File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and then click OK. 3. Restart your PC for the chan...
Page 66 - Primary Network Logon
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 C-4 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Verify the following settings as shown: • Client for Microsoft Network exists • Ethernet adapter is present • TCP/IP is present • Primary Network Logon is set to Windows logon Click on the Pr...
Page 67 - Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method; IP Address
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-5 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. Sel...
Page 68 - Type; winipcfg; Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 C-6 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access 2. Type winipcfg , and then click OK. The IP Configuration window opens, which lists (among other things), your IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. 3. From the drop-down box, select...
Page 69 - DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-7 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000 You will find there are many similarities in the procedures for different Windows systems when using DHCP to configure TCP/IP. The following...
Page 70 - Properties button
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 C-8 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Now you should be at the Local Area Network Connection Status window. This box displays the connection status, duration, speed, and activity statistics. Administrator logon access rights are ...
Page 71 - DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-9 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...
Page 73 - Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Preparing Your PCs for Network Access C-11 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. Ty...
Page 77 - Internet service provider.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Glossary 3 Like UDP/IP, IPX is a datagram protocol used for connectionless communications. Higher-level protocols, such as SPX and NCP, are used for additional error recovery services. ISP Internet service provider. Internet Protocol...
Page 78 - Wireless Network Name and ESSID.
User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 4 Glossary router A device that forwards data between networks. An IP router forwards data based on IP source and destination addresses. Routing Information Protocol RIP. A protocol in which routers periodically exchange information ...
Page 81 - Numerics; Index
Index 1 Numerics 802.11b 1 A ad-hoc mode 2 B BSSID 2 E ESSID 2 F features 1 I infrastructure mode 2 IP networking for Windows 1 , 6 L LEDs description 7 , 11 , 12 O Open System authentication 2 S Shared Key authentication 2 SSID 4 , 3 , 2 T TCP/IP properties verifying for Windows 5 W WEP 4 , 6 , 2 W...