NETGEAR RangeMax WPN311 User Manual
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NETGEAR RangeMax WPN311 User Manual

Wireless pci adapter
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Download this manual See also: User Manual, Installation Manual
NETGEAR RangeMax
Wireless PCI Adapter
WPN311 User Manual
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
202-10075-03
January 2007

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  • Page 1 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual NETGEAR, Inc. 4500 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA 202-10075-03 January 2007...

  • Page 2: Technical Support

    Safety and Regulatory Notices FCC Statement The WPN311 has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
  • Page 3 être placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournir un écran de blindage maximal. Si le matériel (ou son antenne d’émission) est installé à l’extérieur, il doit faire l’objet d’une licence.” Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity A printed copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity certificate for this product is provided in the WPN311 product package. Èesky NETGEAR, Inc.
  • Page 4 è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed alle altre disposizioni pertinenti deklarç, ka NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 deklaruoja, kad šis NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter dat het toestel NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI in overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen en de andere relevante...
  • Page 5 Product and Publication Details Model Number: Publication Date: Product Family: Product Name: Home or Business Product: Language: Publication Part Number: WPN311 January 2007 Wireless PCI Adapter NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 Home English 202-10075-03 v3.0, January 2007...
  • Page 6 v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    Chapter 1 Basic Setup What You Need Before You Begin ...1-1 Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines ...1-2 WPN311 Default Wireless Settings ...1-2 Installation ...1-3 Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet ...1-7 WPN311 Icon Colors ...1-7 Smart Wizard Status Bar ...1-8 Removing the WPN311 Software ...1-9...
  • Page 8 Setting up WEP Encryption Security ...2-13 Setting up WPA2-PSK Security ...2-14 Setting up WPA-PSK Security ...2-16 Advanced Settings ...2-17 Statistics Page ...2-18 About Page ...2-19 Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance Optimizing Wireless Performance ...3-1 Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth ...3-2 Overview of Home and Small Office Networking Technologies ...3-3 Assessing Your Speed Requirements ...3-4 Chapter 4 Troubleshooting...

  • Page 9: About This Manual

    Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest. Tip: This format is used to highlight a procedure that will save time or resources. • Scope. This manual is written for the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter according to these specifications: Product Version...

  • Page 10: How To Use This Manual

    • button to access the full NETGEAR, Inc. online knowledge base for the product model. • Links to PDF versions of the full manual and individual chapters.
  • Page 11 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual – Click the print icon in the upper left of the window. Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.
  • Page 12 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 13: 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).

  • Page 14: Observe Wireless Location And Range Guidelines

    Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range that can vary significantly based on the location of the computer with the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter. For best results, avoid potential sources of interference, such as: •...

  • Page 15: Installation

    Data security WEP, WPA2-PSK, or WPA-PSK encryption: Disabled Installation These instructions explain how to install the WPN311 to connect to a network with an access point or router. Wireless security, advanced settings, and Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) instructions are covered in Chapter 2, “Network Connections and Wireless...
  • Page 16 When the Connection Wizard prompts you, shut down your computer and unplug the power cord. e. Open the case and insert your WPN311 into a PCI slot. Connect the antenna to the adapter and position the antenna to the up position.
  • Page 17 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual a. Windows 2000 users go to Step b. Windows XP or Vista users can set up the wireless adapter either with the NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended) or the Windows configuration utilities. •...
  • Page 18 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual c. Select the wireless network from the drop-down list, and the wizard records your choice. Figure 1-5 Note: Hidden networks do not broadcast the Network Name (SSID). These networks are in the drop-down list, but the Network Name (SSID) is blank.

  • Page 19: Connecting To Wireless Networks And The Internet

    1-7. Connecting to Wireless Networks and the Internet The WPN311 has indicators in three locations that show the status of your connection to a wireless network and to the Internet: • WPN311 Icon: After you install the WPN311 software, the and in the lower right of the Windows task bar.

  • Page 20: Smart Wizard Status Bar

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Smart Wizard Status Bar Click the icon to open the Smart Wizard so you can view the status bar. The Smart Wizard Settings page opens. The status bar is located at the bottom of the Settings page.

  • Page 21: Removing The Wpn311 Software

    WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter option, and follow the screen prompts. Upgrading the WPN311 Software Upgrades may be available at the NETGEAR website. To install an upgrade, follow these steps. 1. Write down the settings for any profiles that you want to save. They will not be retained.
  • Page 22 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual 1-10 v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 23: Network Connections And Wireless Security

    Network Connections and Wireless Security This chapter explains how to use your WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network.

  • Page 24: Understanding The Smart Wizard

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Understanding the Smart Wizard These instructions explain how to use the NETGEAR WPN311 Smart Wizard to change the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter wireless settings. When you have installed the software from the NETGEAR CD, the desktop and in the Windows System Tray.
  • Page 25 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual You can click a column heading to sort. If many networks use the same channel they can interfere with each other. The Status bar shows your network connection and Internet connection. The screen shows the following information for each network scanned: •...

  • Page 26: Finding A Network

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Finding a Network During the WPN311 software installation, the Smart Wizard 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 networks and select the one that you want to use.

  • Page 27: Profiles

    The Smart Wizard initiates your wireless connection. You can use the Status Bar to verify your network connection. For more information, see Profiles The WPN311 Smart Wizard uses profiles to store all the settings for a particular wireless network. There are two special profile names: Default and Profile. •...

  • Page 28: Setting Up A Profile To Connect To An Access Point Or Router

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Setting up a Profile to Connect to an Access Point or Router Follow these instructions to set up the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter to connect to a wireless access point or router.

  • Page 29: Setting Up A Computer-To-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual c. Click Close to exit the wizard, or Cancel to return to the previous settings. 2. Verify wireless connectivity to your network. Verify connectivity by using a browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer to connect to the Internet, or check for file and printer access on your network.
  • Page 30 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual 1. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings page opens. Figure 2-7 2. Enter the network settings. a. Select Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) for the Network Type. b. Select or enter the Network Name (SSID) for the Ad Hoc network.
  • Page 31 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual b. Restart the PCs. 5. Verify wireless connectivity between your peer devices. Verify connectivity by using the Ping program: a. On the Windows taskbar click the Start button, and then click Run.

  • Page 32: Starting A Computer-To-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection 1. On the Settings page of the Smart Wizard, 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 dialog box opens: Figure 2-5 4.

  • Page 33: Wireless Security

    Smart Wizard detects it. Before you can use that network you must set up the WPN311 with exactly the same kind of wireless security settings. The WPN311 supports the following types of wireless security: •...

  • Page 34: Wireless Network Name (Ssid) And Security Settings

    • Network Name (SSID): The Service Set Identification (SSID) identifies the wireless local area network. Any (First available network) is the default WPN311 wireless network name (SSID). You may customize it using up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Write your customized...

  • Page 35: Setting Up Wep Encryption Security

    Follow the steps below to configure WEP Encryption Security. 1. Run the WPN311 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPN311 software is installed and the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter is installed in a PCI slot in your computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard.

  • Page 36: Setting Up Wpa2-Psk Security

    Setting up WPA2-PSK Security Follow the steps below to configure WPA2-PSK Security. 1. Run the WPN311 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPN311 software is installed and the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter is properly installed in the PCI slot in your computer. 2-14...
  • Page 37 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard. The Settings tab page opens. Figure 2-6 2. Configure the Security settings. a. In the Profile box, select the profile or type in a profile name.

  • Page 38: Setting Up Wpa-Psk Security

    Setting up WPA-PSK Security Follow the steps below to configure WPA-PSK Security. 1. Run the WPN311 Smart Wizard. a. Make sure the WPN311 software is installed and the WPN311 is properly installed in a PCI slot in your computer. b. Use the icon to open the Smart Wizard.

  • Page 39: Advanced Settings

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual 3. Save your settings in a Profile. a. Click the Save Profile button. All the configuration settings are saved in this profile. b. Click Apply. c. Click Close to exit the Smart Wizard.

  • Page 40: Statistics Page

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Statistics Page The Statistics page provides real time and historical trend information on the data traffic and performance of your wireless adapter. Figure 2-9 • Transmit/Receive Performance (%): A real time graph identifying the total, receive, and transmit utilization as a percentage the total possible.

  • Page 41: About Page

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual About Page The About page displays the current software version information. Figure 2-10 The following information is displayed in the About page: • Regional Domain: This is the region setting for the wireless adapter. The approved channels for the region are automatically scanned.
  • Page 42 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual 2-20 v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 43: Wireless Network Performance

    This chapter explains how to use your WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter to connect to your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and how to set up wireless security for the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter so that it matches the wireless security settings for your network.

  • Page 44: Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual – Computers and fax machines (no closer than one foot) – Copying machines, elevators, and cell phones (no closer than 6 feet) – Microwave ovens (no closer than 10 feet) • Choose your settings.

  • Page 45: Overview Of Home And Small Office Networking Technologies

    NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual In the network shown in Figure have a gigabit connection through the router to the storage server. With a high-speed router this connection allows for extremely fast backups or quick access to large files on the server. The PC connected through a pair of Powerline HD adapters is limited to the 200 Mbps speed of the Powerline HD connection.

  • Page 46: Assessing Your Speed Requirements

    For connecting rooms or floors that are blocked by obstructions or are distant vertically, consider networking over your building’s AC wiring. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD family of products delivers up to 200 Mbps to any outlet, while the older generation XE family of products delivers 14 Mbps or 85 Mbps.
  • Page 47 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual • Backing up computers over the network has become popular due to the availability of inexpensive mass storage. using various networking technologies. Table 3-1. Theoretical Transfer Time for 1 Gigabyte Network Connection...
  • Page 48 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 49: Troubleshooting

    • Check the Windows device manager to see if the WPN311 is recognized and enabled. Reload the WPN311 software, if necessary. • Try to install the WPN311 in a different PCI slot in your computer if one is available. The WPN311 is trying to connect to an access point, but cannot.
  • Page 50 3. Restart the cable or DSL modem, router, access point, and computer. To view the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter IP address, click the WPN311 icon to open the Smart Wizard. Then check the IP address in the About page. This may occur if you upgraded your WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter software and did not reboot your system.

  • Page 51: Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly

    Service may not be able to connect to the Internet, may have dropped wireless connections, or both when using the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter. You can delete this Hotfix from the Add or Remove Program utility in the Control Panel.
  • Page 52 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 53: Technical Specifications

    This appendix provides technical specifications for the WPN311 Wireless PCI Adapter Antenna Detachable antenna Radio Data Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54, and 108 Mbps (Auto Rate Sensing) Frequency 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz CCK and OFDM Modulation)
  • Page 54 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual v3.0, January 2007...

  • Page 55: Appendix B Related Documents

    This appendix provides links to reference documents you can use to gain a more complete understanding of the technologies used in your NETGEAR product. Document Link Windows XP and Vista http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/ Wireless Configuration index.htm Utilities Internet Networking and http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/tcpip/index.htm TCP/IP Addressing Wireless Communications http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/wireless/index.htm...
  • Page 56 NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 User Manual Appendix B-2 v3.0, January 2007...

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