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Appendix B, 11b Wireless Networking Basics

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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 by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), an open organization that defines the architecture and operation of the Internet. The RFC documents outline and define the standard protocols and procedures for the Internet. The documents are listed on the World Wide Web at www.ietf.org and are mirrored and indexed at many other sites worldwide. Wireless Networking The MA101 USB Adapter conforms to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b standard for wireless LANs (WLANs). On an 802.11b wireless link, data is encoded using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and is transmitted in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.4 GHz. The maximum data rate for the wireless link is 11 Mbps, but it will automatically back down from 11 Mbps to 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps when the radio signal is weak or when interference is detected. The 802.11b standard is also called Wireless Ethernet or Wi-Fi by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net), an industry standard group promoting interoperability among 802.11b devices. 35

Section	Page
Reference Manual for the Model MA101 802.11b Wireless PC Card	1
Technical Support	2
Contents	3
Chapter 1 Introduction	7
About the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter	7
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products	7
What’s in the Box?	8
A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’	9
Table 1-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...	9
Chapter 2 Installing the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter	15
What You Will Need Before You Begin	15
Verify System Requirements	16
Observe Location and Range Guidelines	16
Two Basic Operating Modes	17
MA101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings	18
Using the MA101 to Connect to a Wireless Network Access Point in Infrastructure Mode	19
Figure 21: MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Infrastructure Mode	19
Setting Up the MA101 in Infrastructure Mode	20
For Windows XP Users Installing a MA101	20
a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot up completely.	20
b. Locate an available USB port on the back of your computer.	20
c. Lift the antenna on the MA101.	20
d. Connect the USB cable from the MA101 USB Adapter to your computer.	20
a. After connecting the MA101, the Found New Hardware popup message appears, then the Wizard dialog displays.	21
b. Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive.	21
c. After inserting the Model MA101 Resource CD, the Found New Hardware Wizard appears. Click the Next button to proceed with the Wizard.	21
d. The wizard will install the MA101 driver.	21
e. After the installation completes, click Finish to close the wizard.	21
a. Click on the “Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network even though this is not secure” check box.	22
b. Click Connect. The connection status popup message appears.	22
For Windows 98/Me Users Installing a MA101	23
a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot up completely.	23
b. Have the Windows 98 or Me operating system installation files handy. Windows 98/Me needs these files to complete the installation of new network adapter drivers.	23
a. Run the Setup.exe program on the Model MA101 Resource CD.	23
b. Click Next and follow the prompts to complete the installation.	23
c. When the installation is complete, click Finish to close the wizard.	23
a. Lift the antenna on the MA101.	24
b. Locate an available USB port on the back of your computer.	24
c. Connect the USB cable from your computer to the MA101.	24
d. Click the CD-ROM drive box and click Next to proceed.	24
e. After the installation completes, click Finish to close the wizard.	24
f. Click Yes when asked if you want to reboot the system.	24
g. You should now see the Windows system tray icon on the right in the lower right portion of the Windows task bar.	24
a. The MA101 default settings are as follows:	25
b. Double click on the System Tray icon to run the wireless LAN configuration utility you just installed to verify your settings.	25
For Windows 2000 Users Installing a MA101	26
a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot up completely.	26
b. Have the Windows 2000 operating system installation files handy. Windows 2000 needs these files to complete the installation of new network adapter drivers.	26
c. Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive.	26
a. Run the Setup.exe program on the Model MA101 Resource CD.	26
b. Click Next and follow the prompts to complete the installation.	26
c. When the installation is complete, click Finish to close the wizard.	26
a. Lift the antenna on the MA101.	27
b. Locate an available USB port on the back of your computer.	27
c. Connect the USB cable from your computer to the MA101.	27
d. The Windows Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box displays. Click Next, and Next again at the search for the best driver screen.	27
e. If the Digital Signature Not Found warning appears, click Yes to continue. Netgear tested the MA101 for Windows 2000 compatibility. If asked, insert the Windows 2000 CD and follow the prompts.	27
f. Click Finish to close the wizard. Click Yes to reboot the system. You should now see the Windows system tray icon in the Windows task bar.	27
a. The MA101 default settings are as follows:	28
b. Double click on the System Tray icon to run the wireless LAN configuration utility you just installed to verify your settings.	28
Using the MA101 to Connect in Ad-Hoc Mode	29
Figure 22: MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Ad-Hoc Mode	29
Setting Up a MA101 in Ad-Hoc Mode	30
a. Double click on the System Tray icon to run the wireless LAN configuration utility to make whatever configuration changes may be needed.	30
b. Set the MA101 as follows:	30
Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors	32
Troubleshooting Tips	33
Chapter 3 Protecting Your Wireless Connection	35
Enabling Basic Wireless Security Features	35
Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security Settings	36
Setting the Wireless Network Name (SSID)	37
1. Run the Configuration Utility and select the Configuration tab page.	37
Figure 31: Changing the SSID	37
2. To change the SSID, enter a new SSID.	37
3. Click Apply or OK for the changes to take effect.	37
Configuring WEP Encryption Security	38
1. Run the Configuration Utility and select the Security tab page.	38
Figure 32: Configuring WEP Encryption	38
2. Select the WEP encryption strength you will use. The characters are case sensitive. Use the same values when configuring other wireless devices that will communicate with this wireless USB adapter.	38
3. Click Apply then OK for the changes to take effect.	38
Appendix A Technical Specifications	39
Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics	41
Related Publications	41
Wireless Networking	41
Wireless Network Configuration	42
Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)	42
Infrastructure Mode	42
Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)	43
Authentication and WEP Encryption	43
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)	44
Wireless Channel Selection	44
Table 31. 802.11 Radio Frequency Channels	45
Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access	47
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking	47
Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking	48
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components	48
1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.	48
2. Double-click the Network icon.	48
a. Click the Add button.	49
b. Select Protocol, and then click Add.	49
c. Select Microsoft.	49
d. Select TCP/IP, and then click OK.	49
a. Click the Add button.	50
b. Select Client, and then click Add.	50
c. Select Microsoft.	50
d. Select Client for Microsoft Networks, and then click OK.	50
a. Click the Add button.	50
b. Select Client, and then click Add.	50
c. Select Microsoft.	50
d. Select File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and then click OK.	50
3. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.	50
Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 98 and Me	50
Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method	52
1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.	52
2. Double-click the Internet Options icon.	52
3. Select “I want to set up my Internet connection manually” or “I want to connect through a Local Area Network” and click Next.	52
4. Select “I want to connect through a Local Area Network” and click Next.	52
5. Uncheck all boxes in the LAN Internet Configuration screen and click Next.	52
6. Proceed to the end of the Wizard.	52
Verifying TCP/IP Properties	53
1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Run.	53
2. Type winipcfg, and then click OK.	53
3. From the drop-down box, select your Ethernet adapter.	53
Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking	53
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components	53
1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.	53
2. Double-click the Network and Dialup Connections icon.	53
3. If an Ethernet adapter is present in your PC, you should see an entry for Local Area Connection. Double-click that entry.	54
4. Select Properties.	54
5. Verify that Client for Microsoft Networks and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) are present. If not, select Install and add them.	54
6. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), click Properties, and verify that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected.	54
7. Click OK and close all Network and Dialup Connections windows.	54
8. Then, restart your PC.	54
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000	54
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP	54
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000	57
Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000	59
1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Run.	59
2. Type cmd and then click OK.	59
3. Type ipconfig /all	59
4. Type exit	59
Index	61
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer	65
VCCI Statement	65
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance Notice: Radio Frequency Notice	65
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement	66