Netgear WPN311 WPN311 Reference Manual - Page 13

Chapter 1 Basic Setup The WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter lets you connect a PC computer to wireless networks. It is designed for PC computers running Microsoft Windows. For information about product features and compatible NETGEAR products, see the NETGEAR website at http://www.netgear.com. This chapter describes how to install your WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network set up is covered in Chapter 2, "Network Connections and Wireless Security" in this manual. Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet. Because walls do not always block wireless signals, others outside your immediate area could access your network. Take steps to secure your network from unauthorized access. The WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter provides highly effective security features, which are covered in "Wireless Security" on page 2-11 in this manual. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs. What You Need Before You Begin Verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and get the wireless network configuration settings of the WLAN where you will connect before you configure your wireless PCI adapter and connect. Verify System Requirements Before installing the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter, make sure that these minimum requirements have been met: • Pentium® III class computer with an available PCI slot • CD drive • 20 Mbytes of free hard disk space • Windows XP Home, XP Professional, Vista, or Windows 2000 Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WPN311 driver software. 1-1 v3.0, January 2007