AVM FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N Quick guide

Installation,
Configuration
and Operation
FRITZ!WLAN
USB Stick N

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Legal Notice
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N
This documentation and the software it describes are protected by copyright. AVM grants the
non-exclusive right to use the software, which is supplied exclusively in what is known as ob-
ject code format. The licensee may create only one copy of the software, which may be used ex-
clusively for backup use.
AVM reserves all rights that are not expressly granted to the licensee. Without previous approv-
al in writing, and except for in cases permitted by law, it is particularly prohibited to
•copy, propagate or in any other manner make this documentation or this software publicly
accessible, or
•process, disassemble, reverse engineer, translate, decompile or in any other manner open
the software and subsequently copy, propagate or make the software publicly accessible in
any other manner.
Please consult the License.txt file on the product CD included in the package for specifics
about the licensing conditions.
This documentation and software have been produced with all due care and checked for cor-
rectness in accordance with the best available technology. AVM GmbH disclaims all liability
and warranties, whether express or implied, relating to the AVM product’s quality, performance
or suitability for any given purpose which deviates from the performance specifications con-
tained in the product description. The licensee bears all risk in regard to hazards and impair-
ments of quality which may arise in connection with the use of this product.
AVM will not be liable for damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of the manual or
the software, nor for incidental or consequential damages, except in case of intent or gross
negligence. AVM expressly disclaims all liability for the loss of or damage to hardware or soft-
ware or data as a result of direct or indirect errors or destruction and for any costs (including
connection charges) related to the documentation and the software and due to incorrect instal-
lations not performed by AVM itself.
The information in this documentation and the software are subject to change without notice
for the purpose of technical improvement.
We offer a manufacturer’s warranty for this original product. The conditions of this warranty are
contained in the Warranty.pdf file in the Info folder on the product CD included with delivery.
© AVM GmbH 2007 - 2012. All rights reserved. Documentation release 01/2012
AVM in the Internet: www.avm.de/en
AVM Audiovisuelles Marketing
und Computersysteme GmbH
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Vertriebs GmbH
Alt-Moabit 95
D 10559 Berlin D 10559 Berlin

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Trademarks: Unless otherwise indicated, all trademarks mentioned are legally protected trade-
marks owned by AVM GmbH, especially product names and logos. Microsoft, Windows and the
Windows logo are trademarks owned by Microsoft Corporation in the USA and/or other countries.
Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. licensed to AVM GmbH. All other product and com-
pany names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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Table of Contents
1 FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.1 Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.2 Operation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.3 LEDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.4 Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2 AVM Stick & Surf Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3 Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.1 Installation in Windows 7 / Windows Vista 32-bit Edition. . . . . . . . . 14
3.2 Installation in Windows 7 / Windows Vista 64-bit Edition. . . . . . . . . 15
3.3 Installation in Windows XP 32-bit Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.4 Installation in Windows XP 64-bit Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4 The FRITZ!WLAN Control Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.1 Operating FRITZ!WLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.2 Establishing a WLAN Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5 Microsoft WLAN Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6 More about WLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6.1 Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6.2 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
6.3 Frequency Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6.4 WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
7 Uninstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
8 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8.1 Errors During Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8.2 WLAN Connection Is Not Established . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
8.3 Errors During Data Exchange with Other Devices in the Network . . . 44
8.4 Checking the IP Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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9 Customer Service Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.1 Product Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.2 Information in the Internet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9.3 Support from the AVM Service Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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Safety Instructions
When working with the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N, follow
the instructions below to protect yourself and the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N from damage.
•Do not install FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N during an elec-
trical storm.
•Unplug the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N from the comput-
er during an electrical storm.
•Never let liquids get inside the FRITZ!WLAN USB
Stick N. Otherwise, electric shocks or short circuits
may result.
•Protect the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N from dust, mois-
ture and steam. Clean the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N
with a slightly moist, lint-free cloth. Intensive clean-
ing products or solvents are not suitable.
•FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N is intended for indoor use
only.
•Do not open the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N housing.
The device contains hazardous components and
should only be opened by authorized repair techni-
cians.
Disposal Instructions
The symbol next to this text means that old appliances
and electronic parts must be disposed of separate from
household waste.
In accordance with European regulations and the Electri-
cal and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N, as well as all devices and elec-
tronic components contained in the FRITZ!WLAN USB
Stick N package may not be disposed with household
waste. Please bring these to your local collection points
for disposal.

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Symbols and Highlighting
The following highlighting and icons are used to designate
important information:
This symbol indicates important instructions that must be
observed to avoid malfunctions.
This symbol indicates useful hints to assist you in working
with the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N.
The table below explains the highlighting used in this
manual.
Highlighting Function Example
Quotation marks Keys
Buttons
Settings pages
Menus
Commands
File paths
File names
“F1” key
“Help”
“Advanced”
“Edit / Paste”
“Copy”
“C:/My Documents”
“Documentation”
Pointed brackets Joker <MSN>
Bold Emphasis Do not click the button...

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1 FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N
Overview
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N is a WLAN adapter for the Universal Serial Bus
(USB).
With the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N, you can connect your computer di-
rectly with a WLAN access point, for example, with an AVM
FRITZ!Box WLAN . You can also connect to other WLAN devices, to print-
ers, and to PDAs. This grants you high mobility while allowing you to
work with all of the advantages of wireless connections, high through-
put rates and fast connections at maximum security.
1.1 Package Contents
The package contains:
•one WLAN-Controller FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N
•one USB docking station
•one FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N CD with
–driver software
–control software with Online Help
–manual in PDF format
•one printed quick guide
1.2 Operation Requirements
In order to operate FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N, your comput-
er must meet the following requirements:
•A free port on your computer for USB devices. A
USB 2.0 port is recommended; USB 1.1 works at a
lower throughput rate.
•A computer with one of the following operating sys-
tems installed:
–Microsoft Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit edition)
–Microsoft Windows Vista (32- or 64-bit edition)
–Windows XP (32- or 64-bit edition)

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Installation of the latest service packs and updates is
recommended.
•pentium-class computer or notebook (500 MHz CPU
or better)
•at least 64 MB RAM and 5 MB free memory on the
hard drive
•one CD drive
You can install FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N if your computer
meets all of these requirements.
If you would like to connect additional computers, addi-
tional FRITZ!WLAN USB Sticks are required.
1.3 LEDs
During operation, the LEDs on the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N
indicate the following:
green: USB remains lit as soon as the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N has been de-
tected by the operating system
yellow: WLAN flashes during data exchange between
WLAN devices

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1.4 Technical Specifications
LEDs: 2 (connection / activity)
USB port: USB version 2.0, compatible with
USB 1.1 with reduced data throughput
WLAN module: Support for radio network in accordance
with
IEEE 802.11n
IEEE 802.11g
IEEE 802.11b and
IEEE 802.11a
Frequency band: 2.4 and 5 GHz
Encryption: WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) / WPA2
(802.11i) / WEP 64-/128-bit (Wired
Equivalent Privacy)
Antennae: integrated
Operating systems
supported:
Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit edition),
Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit edition),
Windows XP (32-bit or 64-bit edition)
Dimensions
(WxDxH):
approx. 73 x 24.5 x 10.5 mm
Weight: approx. 13 g
Power supply: powered by USB, no external power sup-
ply required
Maximum power
consumption:
1.65 W (2.4-GHz transfer)
1.82 W (5-GHz transfer)
Transmitter power: max. 76 mW
Receiver sensitivity: min. -104 dBm (2.4 GHz)
min. -92 dBm (5 GHz)
Supported data
throughput rates
(gross):
802.11n up to 300 Mbit/s *
802.11g up to 54 Mbit/s *
802.11b up to 11 Mbit/s *
802.11a up to 54 Mbit/s *
* The user data rate that can actually be
achieved is somewhat below the specified
value (see the table on page 30).

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Firmware: can be updated
Channels: 1 through 13 and 36 through 140 (ETSI)
Ambient tempera-
ture (during opera-
tion):
-5 to 45°C
Ambient
temperature (idle):
-10 to 70°C
Humidity
(idle/operation):
5 to 90%, no-condensation
Certification: CE

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2 AVM Stick & Surf Technology
Connecting Securely with a FRITZ!Box WLAN
With the AVM Stick & Surf technology the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N can
take over the WLAN security settings from FRITZ!Box WLAN products.
This allows a secure WLAN connection to be established between your
computer and your FRITZ!Box without any additional configuration.
For this, your FRITZ!Box WLAN must be equipped with a port for USB de-
vices (USB host function).
In order to use the AVM Stick & Surf technology for secure
WLAN connections, perform the following steps:
1. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N into the USB port
on your FRITZ!Box.
Port for USB devices (here on the FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7270)
2. The FRITZ!Box “INFO” LED begins flashing to indicate
that the WLAN security settings are being transmitted
to the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N.
3. When data transmission has been completed, the
“INFO” LED stops flashing on the FRITZ!Box and re-
mains lit.
4. Remove the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N from the
FRITZ!Box USB port.
The WLAN security settings have now been transmitted to
the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N.
automatic security
for wireless surng

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As soon as you connect the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N to
your computer, the security settings of your WLAN are im-
plemented in the FRITZ!WLAN control software and then
deleted from the Stick. The AVM Stick & Surf logo appears
and a WLAN connection to your FRITZ!Box is established
automatically.
If you are using a FRITZ!Box WLAN without a USB port or a
device from a third-party manufacturer as a WLAN access
point, you can still use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) or en-
ter the network key manually to establish a secure WLAN
connection.
For more information, see the section “WPS (Wi-Fi Protect-
ed Setup)” from page 36 and the Help on the FRITZ!WLAN
control software, which is available as soon as your
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N has been installed.

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3 Installation
Installing FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N
The FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N can be installed in the operating systems
Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit edition), Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit
edition) and Windows XP (32-bit or 64-bit edition).
Please install the current Microsoft Service Packs using
Microsoft Windows Update and use a USB 2.0 port for op-
timum performance of your FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N.
You can change the display of menus and folders in most
operating systems. The following instructions are based
on the standard installation of each operating system.
If you have a FRITZ!Box WLAN with USB host function, first
useStick&Surf(see“AVMStick&SurfTechnology”from
page 12) to transmit the WLAN security settings from your
FRITZ!Box WLAN to your computer.
3.1 Installation in Windows 7 / Windows Vista 32-bit Edition
Administrator rights are required to install the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N in Windows 7 or Windows Vista!
Over the course of installation Windows will request the
rights required for installation. Answer every inquiry by
clicking “Yes” (Windows 7) or “Continue” (Windows Vista)
in the dialog.
1. Switch on the WLAN device you wish to connect to.
2. Switch on your computer.
3. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N into the USB port
on your computer.
Windows detects the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N auto-
matically. This process may take some time.
4. In the dialog for running the “FRITZ!WLAN USB
Stick N” CD, click the “FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N In-
stallation” entry.

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5. Then click “Yes” (Windows 7) or “Continue”
(Windows Vista) in the “User Account Control” dia-
log.
The drivers and the control software for the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N will be installed now.
If you are prompted to do so, insert the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N CD and follow the instruc-
tions on the screen.
If an additional Windows dialog asks if you want to
install software not digitally signed by Microsoft,
click “Continue Anyway”. This request depends on
the driver signature options set on your computer.
A progress bar indicates the progress and the conclu-
sion of the installation.
This completes the driver installation for the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N. Continue reading from section
“Information on WLAN Connections” from page 18.
3.2 Installation in Windows 7 / Windows Vista 64-bit Edition
Administrator rights are required to install the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N in Windows 7 64-bit edition or
Windows Vista 64-bit edition!
1. Switch on the WLAN device you wish to connect to.
2. Switch on your computer.
3. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N into the USB port
on your computer.
Windows detects the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N auto-
matically. This process may take some time.
4. In the “Autoplay” dialog, select the “FRITZ!WLAN USB
Stick N installation” option.
5. Then click “Yes” (Windows 7) or “Continue”
(Windows Vista) in the “User Account Control” dia-
log.

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6. In the “Found New Hardware” window, select “Locate
and install driver software (recommended)”.
If Windows reports that the program may not have
been installed correctly, click “The Program was in-
stalled correctly.” or “Cancel”.
7. Then click “Yes” or “Continue” in the “User Account
Control” dialog.
8. If Windows asks whether you would like to search for
drivers online, select the “Do not search for drivers
online” option.
9. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N CD when Windows
prompts you to do so.
The driver software is installed automatically.
This completes the driver installation for the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N. Continue reading from section
“Information on WLAN Connections” from page 18.
3.3 Installation in Windows XP 32-bit Edition
Administrator rights are required to install the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N in Windows XP!
1. Switch on the WLAN device you wish to connect to.
2. Switch on your computer.
3. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N into the USB port
on your computer.
Windows detects the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N auto-
matically. This process may take some time.
4. The drivers and the control software for your
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N are installed automatically.
If you are prompted to do so, insert the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N CD and follow the instruc-
tions on the screen.

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If an additional Windows dialog asks if you want to
install software not digitally signed by Microsoft,
click “Continue Anyway”. This request depends on
the driver signature options set on your computer.
A progress bar indicates the progress and the conclu-
sion of the installation.
This completes the driver installation for the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N. Continue reading from section
“Information on WLAN Connections” from page 18.
3.4 Installation in Windows XP 64-bit Edition
Administrator rights are required to install the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N in Windows XP 64-bit Edition!
1. Switch on the WLAN device you wish to connect to.
2. Switch on your computer.
3. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N into the USB port
on your computer.
Windows detects the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N auto-
matically. This process may take some time.
4. When asked whether you would like to connect to
Windows Update, select the option “No, not this
time” and then click “Next”.
The “Add New Hardware Wizard” starts and searches
for drivers.
5. Insert the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N CD and select the
option “Install software automatically (recommend-
ed)”. Confirm with “Continue”.
If an additional Windows dialog asks if you want to
install software not digitally signed by Microsoft,
click the “Continue Anyway” button. This request de-
pends on the driver signature options set on your
computer.

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6. A message appears: “The Wizard has finished install-
ing the software for this device”. Conclude the instal-
lation by clicking “Finish”.
This completes the driver installation for the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N. Continue reading in the next sec-
tion, “Information on WLAN Connections”.
Information on WLAN Connections
If you performed installation using Stick & Surf, no further
steps are necessary to establish a WLAN connection. Your
FRITZ!Box WLAN will be identified automatically as WLAN
access point. A WLAN connection you can use immediate-
ly will be established.
If you performed installation without using Stick & Surf,
you have to select the WLAN remote site (the WLAN access
point) to connect with manually in your WLAN control soft-
ware. Please see the corresponding chapter of the control
software for more information:
•If you are using the control software FRITZ!WLAN,
please continue by reading the section “Establishing
a Connection with a WLAN Access Point (Infrastruc-
ture Network)” from page 21.
•If you are using Windows Vista’s Microsoft WLAN Ser-
vice, continue reading in the section “Establishing a
WLAN Connection (Windows 7)” from page 25, “Es-
tablishing a WLAN Connection (Windows Vista)” from
page 27 or “Establishing a WLAN Connection
(Windows XP from Service Pack 2)” from page 28.

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4 The FRITZ!WLAN Control Software
Establishing and Clearing WLAN Connections
With the FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N you can establish wireless network
connections (WLANs) with various WLAN devices. The FRITZ!WLAN con-
trol software is available to manage all these WLAN connections.
With FRITZ!WLAN you can configure, establish and clear WLAN connec-
tions as well as view connection information.
4.1 Operating FRITZ!WLAN
After FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N is installed, FRITZ!WLAN ap-
pears as a program icon in the notification area of the task
bar. You can open the user interface of the control soft-
ware in two ways:
•Double-click the FRITZ!WLAN program icon in the no-
tification area of the Windows task bar.
•Or click the FRITZ!WLAN program icon with the right
mouse button to open the context menu and select
the “Display Connection...” command.
FRITZ!WLAN user interface (connection example)
User Interface All elements of a WLAN connection are displayed as icons
in the user interface. The user interface window is divided
into three sections.
The left side shows your own WLAN device, the
FRITZ!WLAN USB Stick N, complete with name and IP ad-
dress.

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The middle section displays the icon of the WLAN connec-
tion as a box with links to the devices on the left and on
the right. The small icons in the box display the connec-
tion quality and the encryption used.
The right side shows the WLAN remote site with which you
are currently connected or were connected most recently.
Context Menus The features of FRITZ!WLAN are available using the context
menu:
1. Click the device or connection icons in the
FRITZ!WLAN user interface, or the FRITZ!WLAN pro-
gram icon in the notification area of the task bar.
The corresponding context menu opens.
2. Select the desired command.
Each icon displays its own selection of commands. You
can search for WLAN devices at your location and config-
ure them as WLAN remote sites, establish or clear WLAN
connections to known remote sites, and have information
displayed on device and connection properties.
For more information, please see the section “Establish-
ing a WLAN Connection” from page 21 or click the “Help”
button in the user interface to open the FRITZ!WLAN On-
line Help.
Connection Status The colors of the connection icons in the FRITZ!WLAN user
interface and the FRITZ!WLAN program icon in the notifica-
tion area of the task bar show the current condition of the
connection:
Icon Meaning
and
WLAN connection active
WLAN connection is being es-
tablished or the ad-hoc net-
work you offered is ready to
connect
and
No WLAN connection