ActionTec 802EAG User manual

Solutions for the Digital Life™
User Manual
Ver 1.0
54 Mbps
Wireless
Game Adapter
Model #: 802EAG

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
Package Contents 1
Features 2
System Requirements 2
Getting to Know the Adapter 3
Technical Support 4
2 Understanding the Wireless Network 5
Ad Hoc Mode 5
Infrastructure Mode 6
3 Connecting the Adapter 7
Connecting the Adapter 7
4 Configuring the Adapter 11
Using the Configuration Utility 11
Using the Web Configurator 16
5 Troubleshooting 23
Troubleshooting 23
Frequently Asked Questions 24
6 Glossary 25
7 Specifications 27
General 27
Wireless Operating Range 27
LED Indicators 28
Environmental 28
Notices 29
Regulatory Compliance Notices 29
Modifications 29
Miscellaneous Legal Notices 30
Limited Warranty 31

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1
Introduction
Congratulations on becoming the owner of the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game
Adapter. The Adapter provides bridging capabilities between a wireless LAN (local area
network) and one or more gaming consoles or other Ethernet-ready devices, such as
printers or storage devices.
This manual shows you how to set up the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game
Adapter and customize its configuration to get the most out of the wireless capabili-
ties of your gaming console. It’s especially useful for playing online and multi-player
games, all without the hassle of running cables. The Adapter is compliant with the
802.11g specification and requires a wireless router, access point, or compatible wire-
less device.
Package Contents
Make sure the following items came in this package:
s Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter* with antenna
s Power Cord
s Yellow Ethernet Cable
s Utility CD (includes this manual)
s Quick Start Guide
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* This product may also be referred to as “Ethernet Adapter.”

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Features
s Fully compliant with 54 Mbps 802.11g standard
s Backward compatible with 802.11b wireless networks
s Supports Infrastructure and Ad Hoc modes
s Supports 64- and 128-bit WEP security
s Detachable antenna
s Web-based Configuration Utility and Windows Configuration Utility
System Requirements
For Configuration Utility
s IBM compatible-system with 200 MHz Pentium processor, 64 MB of RAM, CD-
ROM drive, and available Ethernet network adapter
s Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP
s TCP/IP network protocol installed
For Usage
s Sony PlayStation 2 with Ethernet port, Microsoft Xbox
s Online or network-capable game
s 802.11b/g compliant wireless router (for online gaming)

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Getting to Know the Adapter
This section contains a quick description of the Adapter’s external features.
Front Panel
The Adapter’s front panel contains two lights (LEDs): Power and Wireless.
Power Light
The Power light glows green when the Adapter is powered on, and remains off
(or dark) when no power is present.
Wireless Light
The Wireless light glows solid green when the Adapter is connected to a wireless
network, and remains off (or dark) when not connected to a network. When the
Wireless light flickers, data traffic is moving across the wireless network.
Rear Panel
The Adapter’s rear panel contains three ports (Power, Antenna [unlabeled], and
Ethernet), as well as the Reset button.

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Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual
Power Port
The Power port is used to connect the Adapter to an electrical wall outlet via the
Power cord.
Antenna Port
The Antenna port (an RP-SMA connector) allows the user to connect various
types of antenna to the Adapter. The antenna included in the Adapter package
connects to the Antenna port.
Ethernet Port
The Ethernet Port is used to connect the Adapter to a computer or gaming con-
sole via the yellow Ethernet cable.
Reset Button
The Reset button is used to restore the Adapter’s factory default settings. To do
this, press the Reset button for 15 seconds.
Technical Support
Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making durable, high-quality, high-performance
products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department is
available all day every day to provide professional support.
Actiontec Electronics, Inc.
760 N. Mary Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Technical Support
Phone: (USA) 1-888-436-0657
(UK) 0845-65-80411
E-mail: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php
Internet: www.actiontec.com/support

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Understanding the
Wireless Network
Wireless local area networks (WLAN) perform the exact same functions as wired
local area networks (LAN). Each device in the WLAN uses a data radio device to
connect to the network, and all devices in the network share the same frequency
and method for identifying wireless devices. Wireless local area networks differ
from wired local area networks only in their operating mode. The two operation
modes are Ad Hoc and Infrastructure.
Ad Hoc Mode
Ad hoc mode is a networking framework by which wireless devices or stations
communicate directly with each other, without the need for an access point or
wireless router/gateway.
Ad hoc mode is also called peer-to-peer mode or independent basic service set
(IBSS). This mode is used when playing heat-to-head games, in which all the par-
ticipants are playing against each other in the same room, or at least within range
of the wireless network adapters.
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Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Game Adapter User Manual
Infrastructure Mode
Infrastructure mode is a networking framework where devices communicate
with each other by first going through an access point or wireless router/gateway.
Infrastructure mode lets wireless devices communicate with each other or with a
wired network. With this type of network, and a router connected to the internet,
online games can be played, with participants in the same room and/or across the
internet.
Two types of service can exist while in infrastructure mode:
Basic Service Set (BSS) - An access point connected to a wired network and a
set of wireless stations.
Extended Service Set (ESS) - A set of two or more basic service sets forming a
single subnetwork.

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Connecting the
Adapter
This chapter details the steps involved in connecting the Adapter to a game console
or computer, including installing the antenna and connecting the yellow Ethernet
cable and black Power cord.
☞ Note: The Adapter is designed with the utmost care for the
safety of those who install and use it. However, special attention
must be paid to the dangers of electric shock and static electric-
ity when working with electronic equipment. All guidelines of
this manual and of the computer manufacturer must be fol-
lowed at all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment.
Connecting the Adapter
To connect the Adapter to a network:
1. Get the Adapter from the package.
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Chapter 3 Connecting the Adapter
2. Get the yellow Ethernet cable from the package. Plug one end of the cable
in Ethernet port on the back of the Adapter. When seated properly, the cable
will “click” in the port.
3. Plug the other end of the yellow Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on
the back of the game console (Xbox, PlayStation 2, etc.) or computer. When
seated properly, the cable will “click” in the port.
4. Get the black Power cord from the package. Plug the smaller end into the
Power port on the back of the Adapter.

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Chapter 3 Connecting the Adapter
3. Plug the larger end of the black Power Cord into an electrical outlet.
When connected properly, the Adapter’s “Power” light glows solid green.
The Adapter is now connected to the network. For best performance, the Adapter
should be placed in on a flat surface in a horizontal position with the antenna
extended up, as shown below:

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Configuring
the Adapter
This chapter explains how to configure the Adapter, including changing the IP
address, setting up security, and creating a password. The Adapter can be config-
ured through the Configuration Utility provided on the Utility CD (using a com-
puter), or through an internet browser via the Web Configurator.
Using the Configuration Utility
The Configuration Utility allows the user to view or modify various settings of the
Adapter, including configuring security, changing the IP address, and checking the
link status.
Installing the Utility
To install the Configuration Utility
1. Insert the Adapter’s Utility CD in the CD-ROM drive of a computer.
2. The installation should start automatically. If not, from the computer’s desk-
top, click Start, then select Run. Type d:\C123.exe (where “d” is the drive
letter of the computer’s CD-ROM drive). Click OK.
3. When the following screen appears, click Finish.
The Configuration Utility is installed on the computer and ready to use.
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Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter
Using the Utility
The Adapter must be connected via Ethernet cable to the computer with the
Configuration Utility installed on it to use.
To start the Utility, from the computer’s desktop, select Start, and from the menu
that appears, select Actiontec 54 Mbps Ethernet Utility.
Link Information
The first screen that appears is “Link Information.”
This screen displays information pertaining to the Adapter’s wireless connection,
including ESSID, IP Address, MAC Address, Channel, WEP Security, and
Available AP. None of these settings can be changed from this screen.

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Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter
At the bottom of this screen and the three that follow are three buttons: Apply,
Refresh, and Close.
Apply Pressing this button causes all changes made to be saved, and a login win-
dow to appear. The Adapter’s “UserName” and “Password” must be entered to
make any changes active.
Refresh Pressing this button causes information in the screen to reflect current
conditions.
Close Pressing this button causes the Utility window to close, and the Utility to
quit, without saving changes.
AP Settings
Selecting AP Settings from the menu on the left side of the Utility window gen-
erates the “AP Settings” screen.
Mode Select the option (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) that corresponds to the
type of wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting by clicking in the
appropriate circle.
ESSID ESSID is the network name assigned to a wireless network. If changing the
wireless network to which the Adapter connects, enter the name (ESSID) of the
new network in this text box.
Channel Channel assigns the frequency band at which the Adapter communi-
cates. In the United States, use channels 1-11. To change the channel, click the
arrow next to the text box and select a channel number.

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Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter
IP Settings
Selecting IP Settings from the menu on the left side of the Utility window gen-
erates the “IP Settings” screen.
Fixed IP Address Select this option (by clicking in the appropriate circle) if the
wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting requires the Adapter to
have a fixed (or static) IP address. If Fixed IP Address is selected, enter the IP
Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway addresses in the appropriate text boxes.
DHCP Client If the wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting is set up
with a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, select the DHCP
Client option by clicking in the appropriate circle.

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Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter
Security
Selecting Security from the menu on the left side of the Utility window gener-
ates the “Security” screen.
Data Encryption If the wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting has
data encryption, click in the check box to activate
Authentication Select the type of authentication (Open or Shared) running on
the encrypted wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting.
WEP Key Setting In this section of the screen, select the WEP (Wireless Encrypted
Privacy) key type (Hex or ASCII) and length (64 bits or 128 bits). Then, enter the
keys needed to join the encrypted wireless network in the appropriate text boxes.

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Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter
Using the Web Configurator
Once the Adapter has joined a wireless network, it can be further configured using
the Web Configurator. To access the Web Configurator:
1. From a computer on the Adapter’s network, open a Web browser. In the
“Address” text box type:
http://192.168.0.240
then press Enter on the keyboard.
☞ Note: If the IP address of the computer is not on the same subnet as
the Adapter, the computer must be set up to use static IP.
2. A pop-up window appears. Enter the user name and password in the appro-
priate text boxes. The default user name is admin; the default password
is admin.
Status
The first screen of the Web Configurator is the “Status” screen.

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Chapter 4 Configuring the Adapter
In this screen, various network parameters are displayed, both for the LAN (local
area network) and the wireless internet connection.
This screen is informational only; no settings can be changed from here.
Basic Setting
Selecting Basic Setting from the menu at the top of the screen generates the “Basic
Setting” screen.
In this screen, the user can change a number of wireless settings, including SSID
and WEP keys.
Mode
Select the option (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc) that corresponds to the type of
wireless network to which the Adapter is connecting by clicking in the appropri-
ate circle. See chapter 2, “Understanding the Wirless Network” on page 5, for
information concerning Infrastructure and Ad Hoc wireless networking.
SSID
SSID is the network name assigned to a wireless network. If changing the wire-
less network to which the Adapter connects, enter the name (SSID) of the new
network in this text box.