Belkin F5D7050 User manual

Knowing Your Router
F5D7050
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
Connect your desktop or notebook
computer to a faster wireless network
User Manual
Wireless G USB
Network Adapter

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1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Benefits of a Home Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Advantages of setting up a Belkin Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . 1
Placement of your Wireless Networking
Hardware for Optimal Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Important Factors for Placement and Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Applications and Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2 Knowing your Wireless USB Network Adapter . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Installing and Setting Up the USB Network Adapter . . . . . . . 9
Step 1: Install the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Step 2: Connect your USB Adapter to your PC . . . 10
Step 3: Let Windows Finish the Installation . . . . . . 11
4 Uninstalling the Software and Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5 Using the Belkin Wireless LAN Monitor Utility . . . . . . . . . 14
6 Securing your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Table of Contents

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Thank you for purchasing the Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter
(the Adapter). Now you can take advantage of this great new technology
and gain the freedom you need around the home or office without using
cables. The Wireless USB Network Adapter works like a conventional
network adapter, but without the wires. The easy installation and setup
will have you networking wirelessly in minutes. Please be sure to read
through this User Manual completely, and pay special attention to the
section entitled “Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware
for Optimal Performance” on page 2. By following our simple setup
instructions your Belkin Home Network will allow you to:
• Share one high-speed Internet connection with all the computers
in your home
• Share resources, such as files, and hard drives among all the
connected computers in your home
• Share a single printer with the entire family
• Share documents, music, video, and digital pictures
• Store, retrieve, and copy files from one computer to another
• Simultaneously play games online, check Internet e-mail,
and chat
Here are some of the advantages of setting up a Belkin
Wireless Network:
• Mobility – you’ll no longer need a dedicated “computer room”—
now you can work on a networked laptop or desktop computer
anywhere within your wireless range
• Easy installation – Belkin Easy Installation Wizard makes
setup simple
• Flexibility – set up and access printers, computers, and other
networking devices from anywhere in your home
• Easy Expansion – the wide range of Belkin networking products
let you expand your network to include devices such as printers
and gaming consoles
• No cabling required – you can spare the expense and hassle of
retrofitting Ethernet cabling throughout the home or office
• Widespread industry acceptance – choose from a wide range
of interoperable networking products
Introduction

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Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
Optimal Performance
Your wireless connection will be stronger the closer your computer
is to your Wireless Router (or Access Point). Typical indoor operating
range for your wireless devices is between 100 and 200 feet. In the
same way, your wireless connection and performance will degrade
somewhat as the distance between your Wireless Router (or Access
Point) and connected devices increases. This may or may not be
noticeable to you. As you move further from your Wireless Router
or Access Point, connection speed may decrease. Factors that can
weaken signals simply by getting in the way of your network’s radio
waves are metal appliances or obstructions, and walls.
If you have concerns about your network’s performance that might be
related to range or obstruction factors, try moving the computer to a
position between five and ten feet from the Wireless Router, in order
to see if distance is the problem. If difficulties persist even at close
range, please contact Belkin Technical Support.
IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR PLACEMENT AND SETUP
Note: While some of the items listed below can affect network
performance, they will not prohibit your wireless network from
functioning; if you are concerned that your network is not operating at
its maximum effectiveness, this checklist may help.
1. Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware
Place your Wireless Router (or Access Point), the central connection
point of your network, as close as possible to the center of your
wireless network devices.
To achieve the best wireless network coverage for your “wireless
clients” (i.e., computers enabled by Belkin Wireless Notebook Network
Cards, Wireless Desktop Network Cards, and Wireless USB Adapters):
• Ensure that your Wireless Router (or Access Point) networking
antennas are parallel to each other, and are positioned vertically
(toward the ceiling). If your Wireless Router (or Access Point)
itself is positioned vertically, point the antennas as much as
possible in an upward direction.

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• In multistory homes, place the Wireless Router (or Access Point)
on a floor that is as close to the center of the home as possible.
This may mean placing the Router on an upper floor.
• Try not to place the Wireless Router (or Access Point) near a
cordless 2.4GHz phone.
2. Avoid Obstacles and Interference
Avoid placing your Wireless Router or Access Point near devices that
may emit radio “noise”, such as microwave ovens. Dense objects that
can inhibit Wireless communication can include:
• Refrigerators
• Washers and/or dryers
• Metal cabinets
• Large aquariums
• Metallic-based UV tinted windows
If your wireless signal seems weak in some spots, make sure that
objects such as these are not blocking the signal’s path (between your
computers and Wireless Router or Access Point)
3. Cordless Phone Placement
If the performance of your wireless network is impaired after attending
to the above issues, and you have a cordless phone:
• Try moving cordless phones away from Wireless Routers (or
Access Points) and your wireless-enabled computers
• Unplug and remove the battery from any cordless phone that
operates on the 2.4GHz band (check manufacturers information).
If this fixes the problem, your phone may be interfering.
• If your phone supports channel selection, change the channel
on the phone to the furthest channel from your wireless network,
as possible. For example, change the phone to channel 1 and
move your Wireless Router to channel 11. See your phone’s user
manual for detailed instructions.
• If necessary, consider switching to a 900MHz or 5GHz
cordless phone.

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4. Choose the “quietest” channel for your wireless network
In locations where homes or offices are close together, such as
apartment buildings or office complexes, there may be wireless
networks nearby that can conflict with yours. Use the Site Survey
capabilities of your Wireless LAN Utility to locate any other wireless
networks (see page 16 of this manual), and move your Wireless Router
(or Access Point) and computers to a channel as far away from other
networks as possible.
Experiment with more than one of the available channels, in order to
find the clearest connection and avoid interference from neighboring
cordless phones or other wireless devices.
5. Secure connections, VPNs, and AOL
Secure connections are connections that typically require a user name
and password, and are used where security is important. Secure
connections include:
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections, often used to connect
remotely to an office network
• The “Bring Your Own Access” program from America Online
(AOL), which lets you use AOL through broadband provided by
another cable or DSL service
• Most on-line banking websites
• Many commercial websites which require a user name and
password to access your account
Secure connections can be interrupted by a computer’s power
management setting, which causes it to “go to sleep.” The simplest
solution to avoid this is to simply reconnect by re-running the VPN or
AOL software, or by re-logging into the secure web site.
A second alternative is to change your computer’s power
management settings so it does not go to sleep; however, this may
not be appropriate for portable computers. To change your power
management setting under Windows, see the “Power Options” item in
the Control Panel.

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If you continue to have difficulty with Secure Connection, VPNs and
AOL please review steps 1-4 above to be sure you have addressed
these issues.
These guidelines should allow you to cover the maximum possible
area with your Wireless Router. Should you need to cover an
even wider area, please go to the networking product section on
(www.belkin.com/networking) for more details on Belkin’s Wireless
Range Extender/Access Point.
For more information regarding our networking products, visit our website
at www.belkin.com/networking or call our Technical Support.

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Features
The Adapter complies with the IEEE 802.11g standard in order
to communicate with other 802.11g and 802.11b-compliant
wireless devices.
• 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Science, and Medical) band operation
• Integrated, easy-to-use profile manager for storing multiple
wireless network settings for work, school, home, or any
other setup
• USB 2.0 interface, for Plug-and-Play installation and convenience
in virtually any desktop or notebook computer
• WPA security (Windows XP only), 64-bit WEP or 128-bit Encryption
• Wireless access to networked resources
• Support for both infrastructure and ad-hoc (peer-to-peer)
networking modes
• Packet transfer rate of up to 54Mbps
• Easy installation and use
• LED link/activity indicator
• Desktop stand allows you to position your Adapter for optimal
wireless performance
Applications and Advantages
• Wireless roaming with a laptop around the home or office
Offers the freedom of networking—without cables.
• Compatible with 802.11b
802.11g wireless LAN solutions are backward-compatible with
existing Wi-Fi (802.11b) products and with other 802.11g products.
• Difficult-to-wire environments
Enables networking in buildings with solid or finished walls, or
open areas where wiring is difficult to install.
• Frequently changing environments
Adapts easily in offices or environments that frequently rearrange
or change locations.

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• Temporary LANs for special projects or peak time
Sets up temporary networks such as at trade shows, exhibitions,
and constructions sites, which need networks on a short-term
basis; also companies who need additional workstations for a
peak activity period.
• SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) networking needs
Provides the easy and quick small network installation SOHO
users need.
Product Specifications
Host Interface: USB 2.0
This product is compatible with the
USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 specification.
To achieve maximum networking
speeds (54Mbps), this device must be
connected to a USB 2.0 host port on a
PC. Connection of this device to a USB
1.1 host port will yield a maximum of
11Mbps networking speed.
Power Consumption: 500mA (max)
Certification: FCC Class B, CE Mark, C-Tick
Operating Temperature: 32–131° F (0–55° C)
Storage Temperature: -13–158° F (-25–70° C)
Typical Operating Range: Up to 200’*
*Distance and connection speeds will vary depending on your networking environment
System Requirements
• PC with one available USB port
• Windows® 98SE, 2000, Me, or XP
Package Contents
• Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter with Desktop Stand
• Quick Installation Guide
• Installation Software CD
• User Manual

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Knowing your Wireless USB Network Adapter Installing and setting up the USB Network Adapter
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Protective Cap
Activity LED
Blinking Green: Scanning
Off: No Activity
On: Connected to network
USB Adapter
Desktop stand
(Optional Use)
The cap can be stored on the
opposite end of the USB connector.
The cap snaps over the USB
connector for protection.

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Knowing your Wireless USB Network Adapter Installing and setting up the USB Network Adapter
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Step 1 Install the Software
WARNING: Install the software before inserting the Adapter
1.1 Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
1.2 The Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter Setup Utility screen will
automatically appear. If it does not appear within 15–20 seconds,
then select your CD-ROM drive and double-click on the folder
named “Files”. Next double-click on the icon named “Start.exe”.
1.3 In the menu window, drag your mouse
over the “Install” button then select
“Click here” to start the software
installation program.
1.4 The installer will start. Click “Next”
to continue.
1.5 If you are using Windows 2000 or
Windows XP, you will see a message
similar to the one below. This DOES
NOT mean there is a problem. Click
“Continue Anyway”.

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1.6 When the installer is done installing
the software, you will see the following
screen. Click “Finish”.
Step 2 Connect the USB Adapter to your PC
2.1 After the software installation is
finished, the message “You can plug
in your WLAN adapter now” will appear.
Plug the Adapter into an available
USB port on your desktop or
notebook computer.
For desktops: For notebooks:
Product Placement
The best location for your adapter is on top of your computer’s monitor.
Placing the Adapter on your desktop is acceptable, however, avoid
placing the Adapter near metal objects such as a computer case or
speakers. Any object that is metal has the ability to block the radio
signals from the Adapter.
or

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Installing and setting up the USB Network Adapter
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Step 3 Let Windows Finish the Installation
3.1 After connecting your Adapter,
Windows will detect that new hardware
has been installed. Depending on your
version of Windows, a window similar
to the one pictured here will appear.
Select the option “Install the software
automatically (Recommended)” and
click “Next”.
3.2 If you are using Windows 2000 or
Windows XP, you will see a message
similar to this one. This DOES NOT
mean there is a problem. Click
“Continue Anyway”.
3.3 If you are using Windows 98SE or
Me, you will be asked to restart your
computer. Select “Restart”. If you are
using Windows 2000 or XP, you will see
a window similar to this one.
Click “Finish”.
3.4 When the installation is complete, the
Belkin Wireless Monitor icon will appear
on your desktop. To open the Monitor
Utility, double-click on this icon.

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Installing and setting up the USB Network Adapter Uninstalling the Software and Drivers
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3.5 A small icon in your system tray (bottom right corner of most
screens) will appear. This is your shortcut to the Belkin Wireless
Monitor. It also indicates the status of your connection:
Red: No connection to a wireless network
Blue: Connected to a wireless network.
If you already have a wireless router (or an access point) in your home or
office, the Adapter will automatically attempt to connect to your wireless
network. In most cases, the Adapter will be able to connect to your
network automatically. If you are using encryption, you will have to set
the encryption settings of your adapter to match that of your wireless
router (or access point) before the Adapter can successfully connect to
your wireless network. For information about configuring your Adapter,
see the section in this manual called “Profile Tab: Creating a Profile” on
page 17.

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Installing and setting up the USB Network Adapter Uninstalling the Software and Drivers
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If you need to remove the software and drivers for any reason, you
can easily accomplish this in one of two ways. You can insert the
software CD and click on the “Uninstall” option in the menu, or you
can go to the Windows Control Panel and select the “Add/Remove
Programs” option. The Belkin Wizard will walk you through the
removal process.

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Using the Belkin Wireless LAN Monitor Utility
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When you launch the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility (the Utility), you will
be presented with the screen below. The following small icon will also
be present in your system tray.
Double-clicking on the icon in the system tray will open the Wireless
Monitor window.
USING THE BELKIN WIRELESS MONITOR UTILITY
Status Tab
When the utility is on your desktop, you can control your USB adapter
through the utility. The first tab you will see is the “Status” tab. From
this tab you can see your current connection status on the screen.
The example below shows that there is a connection between the
computer and the Wireless Router (or Access Point) by displaying 1’s
and 0’s between the two. The diagram below also shows there is a
connection between your computer, the Wireless Router (or Access
Point), and the Internet by displaying 1’s and 0’s between the Wireless
Router (or Access Point) and the Internet.
If there is no connection between the computer and Wireless Router
(or Access Point), an “X” will be displayed. This is the same for the
Internet connection.
1’s and 0’s displayed here indicates a connection
(a)
(b)

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(a) Current Profile String
This indicates the name of the profile you are currently using, if any. If
a question mark appears next to the text in this box, it indicates that
there is no profile set up for the network you are currently connected
to. The name of the network you are connected to will be displayed in
this box if no profile for that network exists.
(b) More Button
Press the “More” button to see detailed specifics about the network
you are connected (below) to including the Signal Strength, Signal
Link Quality, IP information, and the name of the wireless network you
are connected to.

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Access Point (AP) List Tab
To view a list of all available networks in your area, select the “AP
List” tab. In the window, you will be presented with a list showing you
the available networks.
(a) Network Name
This column shows you the name of the wireless network that is
available. On the left side of the network name are small icons which
tell you certain things about the network. A blue circle around the
network icon (e) indicates that you are currently connected to this
network. A small padlock (f) next to a network name indicates that
this network is secured (either by WEP or WPA encryption). It is not
possible to connect to a secured network without the proper network key.
(b) Band
This column shows you which band the network is operating on. “G”
indicates that this is 802.11g based network. “B” indicates this is an
802.11b based network.
(c) Signal
This column indicates the signal strength of the wireless network.
Typically, the stronger the signal strength, the closer the network is to
your physical location. The lower the signal strength, the further away
from the network you are.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
(d)
(f)
(g)

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(d) Site Information
When you highlight a network name in the AP list by clicking on it
one time, the detailed information about that network will be available
here. You will see what type of network it is (Access Point or Peer-to-
Peer), what channel the network is operating on, status of encryption
(security) On or Off, and below “Surveyed at:” you will see the MAC
address of that wireless network.
How to connect to a wireless network in the Access Point (AP) list
There are two ways to connect to a network that appear in the AP list.
1. Highlight the network name by clicking on it one time, then click
the “Connect” button on the bottom of the window.
or
2. Double click a network name that is in the AP list. This will
connect you to the network automatically.
Note: if the network you are attempting to connect to is using encryption,
you will be prompted to create a profile with the encryption settings.
How to update the Access Point (AP) list information
Pressing the “Refresh” (g) button will make the USB adapter scan the
“air” for available wireless networks. The list will be updated.
Profile Tab: Creating a Profile
Using Profiles allows you to save configurations for different wireless
networks. For instance, if you use your Adapter at your place of
work and also at your home, your wireless network settings may be
different for each location. Profiles let you store settings for each
location and name them for easy identification. You can quickly
change from one profile to another profile without having to remember
the particular settings of a certain network.

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Creating a new Profile
1. Click “Add” to open the new profile screen. Type in a name for
the profile. The name can be anything you want. You should pick
something easy to remember like “Work”, for your work network
or “Home”, for your home network. Click “Next” to continue.
2. The next screen you will see allows you to type in the name of
the network you will be connecting to, the type of network it is,
and optionally you can set the data rate for that network.
(a) In the “Network Name” box, type in the exact name of the
network you will be connecting to. The “Network Name” is
the same as the network SSID.
(a)