NETGEAR WN121T manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    202-10209-02 February 2007 NETGEAR , Inc. 4500 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA NETGEAR Next 300 Mbp s Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN121 T User Manual[...]

  • Page 2

    ii v2.0, February 2007 T echnical Support For customer support see http://kbserver .netgear .com NETGEAR, INC. Support Information Phone: 1-888-NETG EA R, for US & Canada only . For other countries, see your supp ort information card. E-mail: support@netgear .com North American NETGEAR website: http://www .netgear .com St atement of Conditions [...]

  • Page 3

    v2.0, February 2007 iii • Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assi sta n ce FCC Caution: Any change or modification to the product not expressly approved by Netg ear could void the user ’s authority to opera te the device. FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR S t atement s SAR St atement The Netgea r WN121 T has be en tested[...]

  • Page 4

    v2.0, Februar y 2007 iv English Hereby , NETGEAR, Inc. , declares that this NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN121 T is in co mpliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. Español [S panish] Por medio de la presente NETGEAR, Inc. declara que el NETGEAR Next 300 Mb ps W ireles s USB 2.[...]

  • Page 5

    v2.0, February 2007 v Product and Publication Det ails Suomi [Finnish] NETGEAR, Inc. vakuuttaa täten että NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN121 T tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/ EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin mu iden ehtojen mukainen . Svenska [Swedish] Härmed intygar NETGEAR, Inc. att denna [utr[...]

  • Page 6

    v2.0, Februar y 2007 vi[...]

  • Page 7

    vii v2.0, February 2007 Content s About This Manual Conventions, Formats, and Scope ............... ................... ................ ................... .............. ix How to Use This Manual ................. ................... ................ ................ .................... ........... x How to Print this Manual . ..................[...]

  • Page 8

    viii v2.0, Februar y 2007 Know Y our Wireless Network Settings ...... ... ................ ................ ................ .......... 2-10 Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ............. ................ ................ ... 2-1 1 Setting up WEP Encryption Se curit y ............... ................... ................ ..........[...]

  • Page 9

    ix v2.0, February 2007 About This Manual The NETGEAR ® Next 300 Mbps W ire less USB 2.0 Adapter WN121 T User Manual describes how to install, configure and tro ubleshoot the NETGEAR Next 300 Mb ps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN121 T. The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate computer and Internet skills. Conventions, Fo[...]

  • Page 10

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual x v2.0, Februar y 2007 For more information ab out network technologies, see the links to the NETGEAR website in Appendix B, “Related Documents” . How to Use This Manual The HTML version of this ma nual includes the following: • Buttons, and , for browsing forwards or backward[...]

  • Page 11

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual xi v2.0, February 2007 – Click the print icon in the upper left of the window . • Printing the Full Manual . Use the Comple te PDF Man ual link at the top left of any page. – Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the to p left of any page in the manual. The PDF version of the [...]

  • Page 12

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual xii v2.0, Februar y 2007[...]

  • Page 13

    1-1 v2.0, February 2007 Chapter 1 Basic Setup The NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps W ireless USB 2. 0 Adapter WN121 T lets you connect a PC computer to wireless networks. It is designed for PC computers running Microsoft W indows. For information about product features and co mpatible NETGEAR products, see the NETGEAR website at http://www .netgear .com . Thi[...]

  • Page 14

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 1-2 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Observe Wireless Locati on and Range Guidelines Computers can connect over wireless networks indo ors at a range which vary significantly based on the location of the computer with the W ireless USB 2.0 Ad apter. For best results, avoid potential sources of [...]

  • Page 15

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 1-3 v2.0, February 2007 Y our W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter f actory default basic settings are: • Network Name Service Se t Identification (SSID): Any (First available netw ork) • Network Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-hoc): Infrastructur e • Data sec urity WEP , WP A2-PSK, or WP A-P[...]

  • Page 16

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 1-4 v2.0, Februar y 2007 c. When the Installation Complete message appears, click Next. 2. Now , connect the W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter. a. Locate an av ailable USB po rt on your compute r . b. Insert the end of the cable on the W ire less USB 2.0 Adapter into the US B port. c. The F[...]

  • Page 17

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 1-5 v2.0, February 2007 • Windows confi guration utilities: See the W indows documentation or “Using W indows XP and V ista Wireless Configuration Utilities” at: http://documentation.netgear .com/r e fer ence/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm b. Click Next to accept the Smart W izard. [...]

  • Page 18

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 1-6 v2.0, Februar y 2007 If the network uses security , then the Smart W izard detects it. b. Follow the W izard steps for Security (if used) and for saving a Profile. c. After you have reviewed the settings, click Finish. The icon appears in the syst em tray and on the desktop; and[...]

  • Page 19

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 1-7 v2.0, February 2007 • Smart W izard S tatus Bar: Clicking on the system tray ic on opens the Smart Wizard. The status bar at the bottom of the page shows details about your wireless and Int ernet connection. Icon Colors The icon is on the desktop and in the Windows System T ra[...]

  • Page 20

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 1-8 v2.0, Februar y 2007 If you right-click in the System Tray icon, you can disable the Internet notification feature by clearing check mark on this line. If you do so, then only the IP address is shown. Channel The wireless channel used by the netw ork. If many wireless networks i[...]

  • Page 21

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 1-9 v2.0, February 2007 Removing the Sof tware Y ou can remove the W ireless USB 2.0 Adapte r softwa re in these two ways: • Navigate the W i ndows S tart menu to the Next 300 Mbps WN 121 T W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter program group, select the uninstall op tion, and follow the scree[...]

  • Page 22

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 1-10 v2.0, Februar y 2007[...]

  • Page 23

    2-1 v2.0, February 2007 Chapter 2 Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use your wireless USB adapter to co nnect to your W ireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the wireless USB adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network. If you chose the W indows [...]

  • Page 24

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-2 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Underst anding the Smart Wizard These instructions explain how to use the N ETGEAR WN121 T Smart W izard to change your W ire less USB 2.0 Adapter wireless se ttings . When you have installed the software from the NETGEAR CD , the icon appears on your deskto[...]

  • Page 25

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-3 v2.0, February 2007 The screen shows the following information for each network scanned: • Network Name (SSID): The name assigned to a wireless ne twork. This is the same as the SSID or ESSID configuration pa rameter . Note that as a security meas ure, some wireless access poi[...]

  • Page 26

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-4 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Finding a Network During the W ireless USB 2.0 Adapte r software installation, the Smart W izard lists the available networks. After installation you can use the Find a Network button on the Network tab at any time to view the available netw orks and select [...]

  • Page 27

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-5 v2.0, February 2007 3. Select a network from the drop-down l ist. If you select a hidden network then you must en ter the SSID. Click Next. 4. Follow the steps of the wizard to specify the wire less security if used, and to create a profile. 5. Review you settings, and click Fin[...]

  • Page 28

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-6 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Setting up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router Follow these instructions to set up the Next 300 Mbps WN121 T W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to a wireless access point or router . 1. Use the icon to open the Smart W izard. The Settings pag[...]

  • Page 29

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-7 v2.0, February 2007 Use a browser such as Netscape or Internet Expl orer to connect to the Internet, or check for file and printer access on your network. Y ou can check the status bar in the Smart W izard for the current connection status. Setting up a Computer-to-C omputer (Ad[...]

  • Page 30

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-8 v2.0, Februar y 2007 2. Save your settings in a Pro f ile. a. Click Save Profile. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b. Click Apply . c. Click Close to exit the Smart W izard, or Canc el to return to the previous settings. 3. Configure the PC network setti[...]

  • Page 31

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-9 v2.0, February 2007 S t arting a Computer-t o-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection 1. On the Settings tab page of the Smart W izard , select or type the Network Name (SSID). 2. Select the Computer -to-Computer (Ad Hoc) network type. 3. Click Initiate Ad Hoc. The Ad Hoc Setting d[...]

  • Page 32

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-10 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Wireless Security Many networks use wireless security to encrypt wireless data communications. If you try to connect to a network with wireless security the Smart W izard detects it. Before you can use that network you must set up the W ireless USB 2.0 Ad a[...]

  • Page 33

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-11 v2.0, February 2007 Wireless Network Name (SSI D) and Security Settings Print this form, fill in the configuration paramete rs and put it in a safe pl ace for possible future reference. For an existing wirele ss network , the pe rson who set up the network will have this inform[...]

  • Page 34

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-12 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Setting up WEP Encryption Security Follow the steps below to conf igure WEP Encryption Security . 1. Run the W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter Smart W izard. a. Make sure the software is installed and the W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter is co nnected to the USB port in y[...]

  • Page 35

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-13 v2.0, February 2007 3. Select the WEP encryption strength you will use. • 64-bit WEP data encryption • 128-bit WEP data encryption 4. Select Create with Passphrase and enter the passphrase. The co nfiguration utility will automatically generate the WEP keys. If the passphra[...]

  • Page 36

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-14 v2.0, Februar y 2007 b. Use the icon to open the Smart W i zard. The Se ttings tab page op ens. 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the pr ofile or type in a profile name. b. In the Network Name (SSID) field sel ect the network, or enter the SSID. [...]

  • Page 37

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-15 v2.0, February 2007 Setting up WP A-PSK Securit y Follow the steps below to configure WP A-PSK Security . 1. Run the W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter Smart W izard. a. Make sure the software is installed and th e W ireless USB 2.0 Ad apter is fully inserted in a USB port in your compu[...]

  • Page 38

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-16 v2.0, Februar y 2007 c. Click Close to exit the Smart W izard. Advanced Settings Most people do not need to change the Advanced Settings. If y ou cannot connect with out making changes, or if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or network administrator recom men d changes, the[...]

  • Page 39

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 2-17 v2.0, February 2007 S t atistics Page The Statistics page provides real-time and historic al trend i nformation on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter . • T ransmit/Rece ive Performance (%): A real time graph identifying the total, receive, and transmit [...]

  • Page 40

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 2-18 v2.0, Februar y 2007 About Page The About pa ge displays the curre nt software vers ion information. The following inform ation is displayed in the About page: • Regional Domain: This is the r egion setting for the wi reless adapter . The approved channels for the region are [...]

  • Page 41

    3-1 v2.0, February 2007 Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance This chapter explains how to use your Next 30 0 Mbps WN121 T W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter to connect to your W ireless L ocal Area Network (W LAN) and how to set up wireless security for the Next 300 Mbps WN121 T W ireless USB 2.0 Adapte r so that it matches the wireless security settings [...]

  • Page 42

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 3-2 v2.0, Februar y 2007 • Reduce interference. A void windows unless commun icating betwee n bu ildin gs. Place wireless devices away from various elec trom agnetic noise sources, especially those in the 2400–2500 MHz frequency band. Common noise-creating sources are: – Compu[...]

  • Page 43

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 3-3 v2.0, February 2007 Optimizing Y our Network Bandwidth The speed of network connections depend s on the type of equipment that y ou use. T ry to use high- speed technologies for network connections with the heaviest traffic to avoid lower-speed bottlenecks in the path. The follo[...]

  • Page 44

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 3-4 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Overview of Home and Small Office Networking T echnologies Common connection t ypes and their spee d and security considerations are: • Broadband Internet Y our Internet connection speed is determined by your modem type, such as ADSL or cable modem, as wel[...]

  • Page 45

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN12 1T User Manual 3-5 v2.0, February 2007 • Wir ed Ethernet As Gigabit Ethernet ports become common on newer computers, wired Ethernet remai ns a good choice for speed, economy , and security . Gi gabit Ethernet ca n exte nd up to 100 meters with twisted-pair wiring of CA T -5e or bette r . A wired[...]

  • Page 46

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 3-6 v2.0, Februar y 2007[...]

  • Page 47

    4-1 v2.0, February 2007 Chapter 4 T roubleshooting This chapter provides information about troublesh ooting your W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter. After each problem description, instructions are given to help you diagnose and so lve the problem. For information about connecting to wire less networks and the Interne t , se e “Connecting to W ireless Net[...]

  • Page 48

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual 4-2 v2.0, Februar y 2007 Ad Hoc Mode Is Not W orking Correctly Y ou need to click the Initiate Ad Hoc button before you click Apply . Here is how you start an Ad Hoc network: 1. Fill in the Network Name (SSID). 2. Select the Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network T ype. 3. Click Init[...]

  • Page 49

    A-1 v2.0, February 2007 Appendix A Default Configuration Settings and T echnical S pecifications Default Configuration Settings The following table lists the default settings of you r W ireless USB 2.0 Adapter. Feature Descr iption Smart Wizard Enabled Wireless Wireless Communication Enabled Wireless Network Name (SSID) Any (will conne ct to first [...]

  • Page 50

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual A-2 v2.0, Februar y 2007 T echnical Specifications This table below describes technical specifica tions for the NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WN121 T. Antennas 2 sep arate PCB internal antennas S tandards 802.1 1n Draf t, 802.1 1g, 802.1 1b Radio Data Rate • 802.1[...]

  • Page 51

    B-1 v2.0, February 2007 Appendix B Related Document s This appendix provides links to reference documents you c an use to gain a more complete understanding of the technolog ies used in your NETGE AR product. Document Link Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities http://documentation.netgear .com/r e fer ence/e nu/winzer ocfg/index.htm[...]

  • Page 52

    NETGEAR Next 300 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapte r WN121T User Manual B-2 v2.0, Februar y 2007[...]