Belkin Wireless G Router User manual

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User Manual
F5D7050
Connect your desktop or notebook
computer to a wireless network
Wireless G USB
Network Adapter

1 Introduction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Benefits of a Home Network
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Advantages of a Wireless Network
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware
for
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware forPlacement of your Wireless Networking Hardware
Optimal Performance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
2 Overview
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Product Features
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Applications and Advantages
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
Product Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
System Requirements
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
Package Contents
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
3 Installing and Setting up the
Adapter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Step 1: Install
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Step 2:
Connect
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Step 3:
C
onfigure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
0
4 Using the Belkin Wireless
Networking Utility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from the
Windows System Tray
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Setting Wireless Network Profiles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Securing your Wi-Fi Network
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Configuring your Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter
to use Security
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
0
5 Troubleshooting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
6 Information
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
Table of Contents

Introduction
section
1
2
3
4
5
6
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 to network your home and
office computers wirelessly. This Adapter allows you to connect a
desktop or notebook computer to your network. 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.
Benefits of a Home Network
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 email, and chat
Advantages of a Wireless Network
Here are some of the advantages of setting up a Belkin wireless network:
•
Mobility
– you no longer need a dedicated “computer
room”—you can work on a networked laptop or desktop
computer anywhere within your wireless range
•
Easy installation
– Belkin Easy Installation Wizards make
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
lets 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
1

2
Introduction
Introduction
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 farther 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 10 feet from the
wireless router (or access
point)
in order to see if distance is the problem. If difficulties persist
even at close range, please contact Belkin Technical Support.
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 Router or (Access Point)
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’s (or access point’s)
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.
•
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
wireless router (or access point)
on an upper floor.
• Try not to place the
wireless router (or access point)
near a
cordless 2.4GHz phone.

Introduction
Introduction
3
Introduction
section
1
2
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4
5
6
2.
Avoid Obstacles and Interference
Avoid placing your wireless router (or access point) near devices that
may emit radio “noise”, such as microwave ovens. Other 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 the
wireless router
(or access point)
and your wireless-enabled computers.
• Unplug and remove the battery from any cordless phone
that operates on the 2.4GHz band (check the manufacturer’s
information). If this fixes the problem, the phone may
be interfering.
• If your phone supports channel selection, change the
channel on the phone to the farthest channel from your
wireless network as possible. For example, change the
phone to channel 1 and move your
wireless router (or
access point)
to channel 11. (Your channel selection will
vary depending on your region.) See your phone’s user
manual for detailed instructions.
• If necessary, consider switching to a 900MHz or 5GHz
cordless phone.

4
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 Networking Utility to locate any other wireless networks,
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.
For more Belkin wireless netwo
rking products, use the detailed
site
survey and wireless channel information included in your User Manual.
5. Secure Connections, VPNs, and AOL
Secure connections 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 online banking websites
• Many commercial websites that 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 website.
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 in
Windows, see the “Power Options” item in the Control Panel.
If you continue to have difficulty with Secure Connections, VPNs, and
AOL, please review steps 1-4 in the previous pages 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, we suggest the Belkin Wireless Range Extender/Access Point.
For more information regarding our networking products, visit our
website at www.belkin.com/networking or call Belkin Technical Support.
Introduction

5
section
1
2
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4
5
6
Introduction
Product Features
The Adapter complies with the IEEE 802.11g standard in order to
communicate with other 802.11g-compliant wireless devices at
54Mbps. The Adapter is compatible with all 802.11g devices as well
as other 802.11b products at 11Mbps. 802.11g products operate on
the same 2.4GHz frequency band as 802.11b Wi-Fi
®
products.
• 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Science, and Medical) band operation
•
Integrated easy-to-use Wireless Networking Utility
• USB 2.0 interface, for operation in virtually any desktop or
notebook computer
• WPA,
WPA2,
64-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), or
128-bit encryption
• Wireless access to networked resources
• Support for both Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc (peer-to-peer)
networking modes
• Easy installation and use
• External antenna
•
LED power and
n
etwork link
Overview

6
Applications and Advantages
•
Wireless roaming with a laptop around the home or office
Offers the freedom of networking—without cables
•
Connection rates of up to 54Mbps
Provides immediate wireless connectivity at home, work, and
hotspot locations without compromising the use of existing
802.11b and 802.11g products
•
Compatibility with 802.11b products
802.11g wireless LAN solutions are backward-compatible with
existing Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) products and with other products
that display the 54g logo
•
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
•
Temporary LANs for special projects or peak time
Sets up temporary networks such as at trade shows, exhibitions,
and construction 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
Provide
s the easy and quick, small network installation SOHO
users need
Product Specifications
Host Interface: USB 2.0 interface
Power Consumption: Tx/Rx peak 510/250mA @ 3.3VDC (max.)
Operating Temperature: 32—140 degrees F (0—60 degrees C)
Storage Temperature: -4—176 degrees F (-20—80 degrees C)
Humidity: Max. 90% (non-condensing)
Typical Operating Range: 100–200 ft.* (30—60m) indoors
*
Wireless performance may vary
Overview

7
section
1
2
3
4
5
6
(a)
Protective Cap
(b)
(b)
Activity LED
(d)
Desktop Adapter Base
(Optional
(Optional
U
se)
(c)
USB Adapter
(a) Protective Cap
(b) Activity LED
Lights up and flashes when the Adapter is active
Blinking Green:
Active
Off:
Not connected to network
On:
Connected to network
(c)
USB Adapter
Fits securely into your computer’s USB slot or into the Desktop Adapter
Base (included).
(d) Desktop Adapter Base
Lets you extend the USB Adapter away from interfering objects around
your computer.
The cap can be stored on the
opposite end of the USB connector.
Overview
The cap snaps over the USB
connector for protection.
System Requirements
• PC-compatible desktop computer
with one available USB slot and
CD-ROM drive
• Windows
®
98SE, 2000,
Me, or
XP
Package Contents
•
Wireless G USB Network Adapter
•
Desktop Adapter Base
• Quick Installation Guide
• Installation Software CD
• User Manual

8
Installing and Setting up the Adapter
Step 1 Install
Important Note:
Install the software before inserting the Card.
1.1
Insert the Installation Software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
1.2
The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility screen will automatically
appear (may take 15–20 seconds to appear).
Note:
If the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility screen does not appear
within 20 seconds, access your CD-ROM by double-clicking on the “My
Computer” icon; then, double-click on the CD-ROM drive into which the
installation CD has been placed. Double-click on the folder named “Files”,
then double-click on the icon named “setup.exe”.
Step 1 Install
1.4
Choose an installation location,
and click “Next” to accept the
and click “Next” to accept the
default location or click “Browse”
to select a different location before
clicking “Next”.
1.3
Click “install” from the menu.

Installing and Setting up the Adapter
9
section
1
2
3
4
5
6
Step 2 Connect
Plug the Adapter into an Available USB Slot on your Notebook Computer
2.1
During the install process,
you will be prompted to insert
your Adapter. Plug the Adapter
into an available USB port on
your computer and follow the
on-screen instructions.
Note:
If your system did not
prompt you to insert your Adapter
after the installation is completed,
please do so now.
2.2
Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
installation is now complete. Click
“Finish” to close the Wizard.
Step 2 Connect

10
Installing and Setting up the Adapter
Installing and Setting up the Adapter
Step 3 Configure
Use the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
3.1
After successfully installing the
Adapter, double-click the Belkin
Wireless Networking Utility icon
located on the desktop screen.
3.2
The Wireless Networking Utility
screen will appear. Select a
network to connect to by selecting
a network from the “Available
Networks” list. Then, click
“Connect”.
Note:
In order to see your available
networks, you must be near a working
wireless router or access point.
Step 3 Configure

Installing and Setting up the Adapter
11
section
1
2
3
4
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6
3.3
The Belkin Wireless Networking
Utility icon can also be found on
the system tray.
Note:
Double-clicking on the
Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
icon on the system tray will bring
up the “Utility” screen.
Installation is now complete.

12
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
After successfully installing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
(WNU),
configurations for wireless connection and security are just a
few easy clicks away.
Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
from the Windows System Tray
To access the WNU, simply place your mouse pointer and right-click
over the WNU icon on the Windows system tray on the lower right-hand
corner of your computer’s desktop.
If the icon is not present, click on “Start > Programs > Belkin >
Wireless Networking Utility”.

Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
13
section
1
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3
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6
The WNU’s default screen is the “Current Status” tab. The “Current
Status” tab displays the current network status and available networks.
Network Status
This window displays the connectivity status of the current network,
between the computer and router, and between the router and the
Internet. In the event of a problem, use the “Network Status” window
to determine the source (e.g., computer, router, or Internet/modem).
Available Networks
This window displays the available networks at the current
location as well as their SSID, Signal Strength, Security Type,
Channel, and Network Type.
Lost Wireless Connection
If the current wireless connection is lost, a window will pop up and the
WNU will attempt to reconnect.

14
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
Connection Failure
Other options will appear during attempts to reconnect. To stop
connecting, click “Stop” and to reattempt connection, click “Retry”.
Network Status and Solution Tips
To further understand the current Network Status, click “Open Wireless
Utility”. The default screen will be the “Current Status” tab and the “Network
Status” section determines which connections are good and/or faulty.

Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
section
The WNU also features a “Solution Tips” section that provides
troubleshooting guidelines.
Setting Wireless Network Profiles
The “My Connections” tab on the WNU allows you to add, edit, and delete
connection profiles. It also displays signal strength, security, and network type.
Securing your Wi-Fi
®
Network
If you choose to connect to a secure network, determine the type of
security (WPA or WEP*) and use the appropriate field in the dialog box.
*Note:
Types of s
ecurity

16
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
Note:
When you select a network using encryption, you will first see
the simple security screen.
Click the “Advanced” button to see other
security options (below).

Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
17
1
2
3
4
5
6
section
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
is a less secure, but more
widely adopted wireless security protocol. Depending on the security
level (64- or 128-bit), the user will be asked to input a 10- or 26-
character hex key. A hex key is a combination of letters, a–f, and
numbers, 0–9.
Wireless Protected Access (WPA)
is the new standard in
the wireless security. However, not all wireless cards and adapters
support this technology. Please check your wireless adapter’s user
manual to check if it supports WPA. Instead of a hex key, WPA uses
only passphrases, which are much easier to remember.
The following section, intended for the home, home office, and small
office user, presents a few different ways to maximize the security of
your wireless network.
At the time of publication, four encryption methods are available:
Encryption Methods:
Name
64-bit Wired
Equivalent
Privacy
128-Bit Wired
Equivalent
Privacy
Wi-Fi
Protected
Access-TKIP
Wi-Fi Protected
Access 2
Acronym
64-bit WEP
128-bit WEP
WPA-TKIP/
AES (or just
WPA)
WPA)
WPA2-AES (or
just WPA2)
Security
Good
Better
Best
Best
Features
Static keys
Static keys
Dynamic key
encryption
and mutual
authentication
Dynamic key
encryption
and mutual
authentication
Encryption
keys based on
RC4 algorithm
(typically 40-bit
keys)
More secure than
64-bit WEP using
a key length of
104 bits plus
24 additional
bits of system-
generated data
TKIP
(Temporal
Key Integrity
Protocol)
added so
that keys are
rotated and
encryption is
strengthened
AES (Advanced
Encryption
Standard) does
not cause any
throughput loss
Wired Equivalent Privacy (
WEP
)
WEP
is a common protocol that adds security to all Wi-Fi-compliant
wireless products. WEP gives wireless networks the equivalent level
of privacy protection as a comparable wired network.

18
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
64-Bit WEP
64-bit WEP was first introduced with 64-bit encryption, which includes
a key length of 40 bits plus 24 additional bits of system-generated
data (64 bits total). Some hardware manufacturers refer to 64-bit
as 40-bit encryption. Shortly after the technology was introduced,
researchers found that 64-bit encryption was too easy to decode.
128-Bit Encryption
As a result of 64-bit WEP’s potential security weaknesses, a more
secure method of 128-bit encryption was developed. 128-bit
encryption includes a key length of 104 bits plus 24 additional
bits of system-generated data (128 bits total). Some hardware
manufacturers refer to 128-bit as 104-bit encryption.
Most of the new wireless equipment in the market today supports
both 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption, but you might have
older equipment that only supports 64-bit WEP. All Belkin
wireless products will support both 64-bit and 128-bit WEP.
Encryption Keys
After selecting either the 64-bit or 128-bit
WEP
encryption mode, it is
critical that you generate an encryption key. If the encryption key is
not consistent throughout the entire wireless network, your wireless
networking devices will be unable to communicate with one another.
You can enter your key by typing in the hex key manually, or you can
type a passphrase into the “Passphrase” field and click “Generate”
to create a key. A hex (hexadecimal) key is a combination of numbers
and letters from A–F and 0–9. For 64-bit WEP, you need to enter 10
hex keys. For 128-bit WEP, you need to enter 26 hex keys.
For instance:
AF
0F
4B
C3
D4
= 64-bit WEP key
C3
03
0F
AF
0F
4B
B2
C3
D4
4B
C3
D4
E7
= 128-bit
WEP
key
The WEP passphrase is NOT the same as a WEP key. Your Adapter
uses this passphrase to generate your WEP keys, but different
hardware manufacturers might have different methods on generating
the keys. If you have multiple vendors’ equipment in your network,
the easiest thing to do is to use the hex WEP key from your wireless
router (or access point) and enter it manually into the hex WEP key
table in your Adapter’s configuration screen.