1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Linksys Manuals
  4. Adapter
  5. WPC55AG
  6. User manual

Linksys WPC55AG User Manual

Dual-band wireless a+g notebook adapter
Hide thumbs Also See for WPC55AG:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual See also: Product Data
®
A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
Dual-Band
5
+
GHz
802.11a
Dual-Band
2.4
GHz
Wireless
A+G
802.11g

User Guide

Notebook Adapter
WIRELESS
WPC55AG
Model No.

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for Linksys WPC55AG

Summary of Contents for Linksys WPC55AG

  • Page 1: User Guide

    ® A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. Dual-Band 802.11a Dual-Band Wireless 802.11g User Guide Notebook Adapter WIRELESS WPC55AG Model No.
  • Page 2 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Copyright and Trademarks Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome What’s in this Guide? Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network Network Topology Roaming Network Layout Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Using the Setup Wizard Chapter 5: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter...
  • Page 4 Figure 5-2: Digital Signature Not Found Screen Figure 6-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon Figure 6-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration Figure 6-3: Windows XP - Use Linksys Wireless Network Monitor Figure 6-4: Link Information Figure 6-5: More Information - Wireless Network Status...
  • Page 5 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Figure 6-12: Export a Profile Figure 6-13: Create a New Profile Figure 6-14: Enter Profile Name Figure 6-15: Network Settings for New Profile Figure 6-16: Wireless Network for New Profile Figure 6-17: Wireless Mode for New Profile Figure 6-18: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings for New Profile Figure 6-19: Wireless Security for New Profile Figure 6-20: Wireless Security - WEP for New Profile...

  • Page 6: Chapter 1: Introduction

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Thank you for choosing the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking experience will be faster and easier than ever. network: a series of computers or devices How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility connected for the purpose of data sharing, within your wireless network, whether it’s using the Wireless-A (802.11a), Wireless-G (802.11g), or Wireless-B...

  • Page 7: What's In This Guide

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter What’s in this Guide? This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter. • Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide. •...
  • Page 8 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter • Appendix G: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information. • Appendix H: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support. Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide?

  • Page 9: Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network

    Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an...
  • Page 10 Linksys's switches or routers. With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about products that work with the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter.

  • Page 11: Chapter 3: Getting To Know The Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter The LED Indicators The Adapter's LEDs indicate the status of the Adapter’s power and wireless connection. Figure 3-1: Front Panel Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is powered on. Link Green.

  • Page 12: Chapter 4: Setting Up The Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Chapter 4: Setting up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter The Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the driver and Wireless Network Monitor, as well as configure the Adapter. NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard before connecting the Adapter to your computer.

  • Page 13: Figure 4-3: Setup Wizard's Wireless Network Screen

    In the SSID field, enter the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the network. The default setting is linksys (all lowercase). Click the Next button. NOTE: An SSID is the network name shared by all devices in a wireless network.

  • Page 14: Figure 4-5: Setup Wizard's Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter 5. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 6 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen will appear. Select the correct operating channel for your wireless network. The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network.

  • Page 15: Figure 4-6: Setup Wizard's Wireless Security Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter 6. Select the method of security you want to use: WEP, WPA-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, RADIUS, or LEAP. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. WPA is a stronger security method than WEP. RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, and LEAP stands for Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol.

  • Page 16: Figure 4-7: Setup Wizard's Wireless Security - Wep Screen

    16 alphanumeric characters. It must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.) Figure 4-7: Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security -...

  • Page 17: Figure 4-8: Setup Wizard's Wireless Security - Wpa Personal Using Tkip Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter WPA Personal WPA Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for encryption. Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters in length. Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

  • Page 18: Figure 4-9: Setup Wizard's Wireless Security - Wpa Enterprise Using Eap-Tls Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter WPA Enterprise WPA Enterprise features WPA security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) WPA Enterprise offers two authentication methods, EAP- TLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys.

  • Page 19: Figure 4-11: Setup Wizard's Wireless Security - Radius Using Eap-Tls Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 20: Figure 4-13: Setup Wizard's Wireless Security - Leap Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter LEAP If you selected LEAP, then enter the Username and Password that will authenticate you on your wireless network. Username - Enter the username used for authentication. Password - Enter the password used for authentication. Confirm - Enter the password again.

  • Page 21: Figure 4-15: Digital Signature Not Found Screen

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter 9. At this point, you may see a Digital Signature Not Found screen may appear, indicating that a digital signature was not found. The Adapter’s software has been tested and found to work successfully with Windows 2000. Click the Yes button to continue.

  • Page 22: Chapter 5: Connecting The Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Chapter 5: Connecting the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter NOTE: You must run the Setup Wizard before connecting the Adapter. Inserting the Adapter into Your Notebook 1. Power down your notebook computer. 2. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook computer. 3.

  • Page 23: Chapter 6: Using The Wireless Network Monitor

    If you want to switch back to the Wireless Network Monitor, right-click the Wireless Network Monitor icon, Figure 6-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP and select Use Linksys Wireless Network Monitor. Wireless Configuration NOTE: For more information about Wireless Zero Configuration, refer to Windows Help.

  • Page 24: Using The Wireless Network Monitor

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Using the Wireless Network Monitor The opening screen of the Wireless Network Monitor is the Link Information screen. From this screen, you can find out how strong the current wireless signal is and how good the connection’s quality is. You can also click the More Information button to view additional status information about the current wireless connection.

  • Page 25: Figure 6-5: More Information - Wireless Network Status

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Status The Wireless Network Status screen provides information on your current network settings. Status - This shows the status of the wireless network connection, as well as the network type, 2.4GHz (802.11g and/or 802.11b) or 5GHz (802.11a). SSID - This is the unique name of the wireless network.

  • Page 26: Figure 6-6: More Information-Network Statistics

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Wireless Network Statistics The Wireless Networks Statistics screen provides statistics on your current network settings. Transmit Rate - This is the data transfer rate of the current connection. (In Auto mode, the Adapter dynamically shifts to the fastest data transfer rate possible at any given time.) Receive Rate - This is the rate at which data is received.

  • Page 27: Site Survey

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Site Survey The Site Survey screen displays a list of available networks in the table on the left. The table shows each network’s SSID, Channel, and the quality of the wireless signal the Adapter is receiving. You may click SSID, GHz, CH (Channel), or Signal, to sort by that field.

  • Page 28: Profiles

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Profiles The Profiles screen lets you save different configuration profiles for different network setups. The table on the left displays a list of available profiles with their profile names and SSIDs. Profile - The name of the profile is displayed here. SSID - The SSID or unique name of the wireless network is displayed here.

  • Page 29: Creating A New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Creating a New Profile 1. On the Profiles screen, click the New button to create a new profile. Figure 6-13: Create a New Profile 2. Enter a name for the new profile, and click the OK button. Click the Cancel button to return to the Profiles screen without entering a name.

  • Page 30: Figure 6-16: Wireless Network For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter 4. The Wireless Network screen will appear. Select 2.4GHz or 5GHz if you will connect to 802.11a or 802.11g networks. Select 5GHz only if you will only connect to 802.11a networks. Select 2.4GHz only if you will only connect to 802.11g networks.

  • Page 31: Figure 6-18: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter 6. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 7 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen will appear. Select the correct operating channel for your wireless network. The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network.

  • Page 32: Figure 6-19: Wireless Security For New Profile

    16 alphanumeric characters. This passphrase must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.) WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network.

  • Page 33: Figure 6-21: Wireless Security - Wpa Personal For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter WPA Personal WPA Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for encryption. Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters in length. Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

  • Page 34: Figure 6-22: Wireless Security - Wpa Enterprise Using Eap-Tls For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter WPA Enterprise WPA Enterprise features WPA security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) WPA Enterprise offers two authentication methods, EAP- TLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys.

  • Page 35: Figure 6-24: Wireless Security - Radius Using Eap-Tls For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter RADIUS RADIUS features use of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) RADIUS offers two authentication types: EAP-TLS and PEAP. Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP. EAP-TLS If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field.

  • Page 36: Figure 6-26: Wireless Security - Leap For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter LEAP If you selected LEAP, then enter the Username and Password that will authenticate you on your wireless network. Username - Enter the username used for authentication. Password - Enter the password used for authentication. Confirm - Enter the password again.

  • Page 37: Figure 6-28: Congratulations For New Profile

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter 10. The Congratulations screen will appear next. Click Connect to Network to implement the new settings immediately and return to the Link Information screen. Click Return to Profiles Screen to keep the current settings active and return to the Profiles screen. You have successfully created a connection profile.

  • Page 38: Appendix A: Troubleshooting

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com. Common Problems and Solutions 1.

  • Page 39: Frequently Asked Questions

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Frequently Asked Questions Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network? This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports operation over a network.
  • Page 40 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter What IEEE 802.11b features are supported? The product supports the following IEEE 802.11b functions: • CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol • Multi-Channel Roaming • Automatic Rate Selection • RTS/CTS feature • Fragmentation • Power Management What IEEE 802.11g features are supported? The product supports the following IEEE 802.11g functions: •...
  • Page 41 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter point and the distance of each access point to the wired backbone. Based on that information, the node next selects the right access point and registers its address. Communications between end node and host computer can then be transmitted up and down the backbone.
  • Page 42 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter What is WEP? WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard. For more information, refer to “Appendix B: Wireless Security.” What is WPA? WPA is Wi-Fi Protected Access, a wireless security protocol that can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server.

  • Page 43: Appendix B: Wireless Security

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Appendix B: Wireless Security Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation.
  • Page 44 This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.) Hackers know these defaults and can check these against your network. Change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use.
  • Page 45 These security recommendations should help keep your mind at ease while you are enjoying the most flexible and convenient technology Linksys has to offer. Appendix B: Wireless Security Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks...

  • Page 46: Appendix C: Windows Help

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Appendix C: Windows Help Almost all wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed through Windows Help and are described in this appendix.

  • Page 47: Appendix D: Glossary

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Appendix D: Glossary 802.11a - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz. 802.11b - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
  • Page 48 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Buffer - A shared or assigned memory area that is used to support and coordinate different computing and networking activities so one isn't held up by the other. Byte - A unit of data that is usually eight bits long Cable Modem - A device that connects a computer to the cable television network, which in turn connects to the Internet.
  • Page 49 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message) - A message included in data packets that can increase wireless efficiency. Dynamic IP Address - A temporary IP address assigned by a DHCP server. EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) - A general authentication protocol used to control network access. Many specific authentication methods work within this framework.
  • Page 50 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - An independent institute that develops networking standards. Infrastructure - A wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point. IP (Internet Protocol) - A protocol used to send data over a network. IP Address - The address used to identify a computer or device on a network.
  • Page 51 Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products. Ping (Packet INternet Groper) - An Internet utility used to determine whether a particular IP address is online.
  • Page 52 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a “program”. SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) - Market segment of professionals who work at home or in small offices. SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall - A technology that inspects every incoming packet of information before allowing it to enter the network.
  • Page 53 Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - A network protocol for transmitting data that does not require acknowledgement from the recipient of the data that is sent. Upgrade - To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version. Upload - To transmit a file over a network.

  • Page 54: Appendix E: Specifications

    Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter Appendix E: Specifications Model WPC55AG Standards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g Interface CardBus LEDs Power, Link Transmit Power Up to 19 dBm Modulation 802.11a and 802.11g: OFDM; 802.11b: CCK, DQPSK, DBPSK Security Features WPA, LEAP, WEP...

  • Page 55: Appendix F: Warranty Information

    Your exclusive remedy and Linksys' entire liability under this warranty will be for Linksys at its option to repair or replace the Product or refund Your purchase price less any rebates.

  • Page 56: Appendix G: Regulatory Information

    Canadian regulations. EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE) Linksys declares that this product conforms to the specifications listed below, following the provisions of the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC: EN 301 489-1, 301 489-17 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.
  • Page 57 Linksys vakuuttaa täten että dieses produkt tyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien näiden direktiivien muiden ehtojen mukainen. Linksys déclare que le produit est conforme aux conditions essentielles et aux dispositions relatives à la directive 1999/5/EC. Belgique: Dans le cas d'une utilisation privée, à...

  • Page 58: Appendix H: Contact Information

    Can't find information about a product you want to buy on the web? Do you want to know more about networking with Linksys products? Give our advice line a call at: 800-546-5797 (LINKSYS) Or fax your request in to:...

Table of Contents