Belkin F5D8071ak User manual

© 2006 Belkin Corporation. All rights reserved. All trade names are registered trademarks of respective
manufacturers listed. Windows is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries.
P75321ak
N1 Wireless
ExpressCard
™
Belkin Ltd.
Express Business Park, Shipton Way
Rushden, NN10 6GL, United Kingdom
[phone]
[phone] fax
Belkin Ltd.
7 Bowen Crescent, West Gosford
NSW 2250, Australia
[phone]
[phone] fax
Belkin Tech Support
Japan
: 0120 532372
South Korea :
080-578-2477
Singapore : [phone]
Taiwan : 00 801 85 5962
Hong Kong : 30021318
Malaysia : 1800 812 076
Email:
asia-support@
belkin
.com
Belkin Pte Limited
7
Temasek Boulevard
#07-03 Suntec Tower 1
Singapore 038987
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Belkin Corporation
501 West Walnut Street
Compton, CA 90220-5221, USA
310-898-1100
310-898-1111 fax

User Manual
F5D8071ak
N1 Wireless
ExpressCard
™

1 Introduction
1 Introduction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Benefits of a Home Network
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Advantages of a Wireless Network
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware
for
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 Card
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Step 1: Install
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Step 2:
Insert
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Insert
10
Step 3:
Configure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
2
4 Using the Belkin Wireless
Networking Utility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from the
Windows System Tray
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows System Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Windows System Tray
14
Network Status
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Available Networks
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Network Status and Solution Tips
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
Setting Wireless Network Profiles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
7
Securing your Wi-Fi Network
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
Configuring your Card to use Security
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
2
5 Troubleshooting
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30
6 Information
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3
8
Table of Contents

Introduction
section
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin N1 Wireless ExpressCard (the Card).
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin N1 Wireless ExpressCard (the Card).
Now you can take advantage of this great new technology and gain the
freedom to network your home and office computers wirelessly. This Card
allows you to connect a notebook computer to your network. 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”.
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
•
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 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 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

2
Introduction
Introduction
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
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,”
To achieve the best wireless network coverage for your “wireless clients,”
(i.e., computers enabled by Belkin Adapters or Cards):
•
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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5
6
2.
2.
Avoid Obstacles and Interference
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 manufacturer’s information).
operates on the 2.4GHz band (check manufacturer’s 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 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.

Introduction
444
Overview
Introduction
Overview
Introduction
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 Belkin
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 networking 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
Product Features
The Card complies with the IEEE draft-802.11n specification to communicate
The Card complies with the IEEE draft-802.11n specification to communicate
with other draft-802.11n-compliant wireless devices at up to 300Mbps*. The
Card is also compatible with 802.11g devices at 54Mbps as well as 802.11b
products at 11Mbps. The Card operates on the same 2.4GHz frequency band
as 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
®
products.
• 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Science, and Medical) band operation
•
Integrated easy-to-use Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
• ExpressCard slot with PCI Express interface, for operation in newer
computers with an ExpressCard slot
• WPA, WPA2, 64-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy),
or 128-bit encryption
•
Wireless access to networked resources
• Data rate of up to 300Mbps* (draft 802.11n), 54Mbps (802.11g), or
11Mbps (802.11b)
• Easy installation and use
• LED power and network link/activity indicators
Overview
555
section
1
2
3
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5
6

6
Overview
Overview
Applications and Advantages
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 300Mbps*
Provides immediate high-speed wireless connectivity at home,
work, and hotspot locations without compromising the use of
existing 802.11b/g products
•
Compatibility with 802.11b/g products
The Card is backward-compatible with existing Wi-Fi
(IEEE 802.11b/g) 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
•
SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) networking needs
Provides the easy and quick, small network installation SOHO
users need
Product Specifications
Form Factor: ExpressCard/34 module
Host Interface: PCI Express
Operating Temperature: 32–131 degrees F (0–55 degrees C)
Storage Temperature: -4–176 degrees F (-20–80 degrees C)
Humidity: Max. 90% (non-condensing)
Typical Operating Range: Up to 1,000 ft.**
Typical Operating Range: Up to 1,000 ft.**
*
NOTE:
The standard transmission rate—300Mbps—is the physical data rate.
Actual data throughput will be lower.
**
Wireless performance may vary depending on the networking environment.

Overview
7
section
1
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6
(a)
Power LED
Power LED
Lights up when the Card is powered up
Lights up when the Card is powered up
(b)
Link/Activity LED
Lights up when the Card is connected; flashes when wireless
activity is detected
(c)
Card Connector
Part of the Card that fits into your computer’s ExpressCard slot
System Requirements
• PC-compatible laptop with one available ExpressCard (ExpressCard/34
or ExpressCard/54) slot
•
Windows
®
2000 or XP with SP2
• 1GHz processor or greater
• 256MB memory or greater
• 50MB hard-disk space
Package Contents
• N1 Wireless ExpressCard
• Quick Installation Guide
• CD with Installation Software and User Manual
(b)
(b)
(c)
(c)
(a)

8
Installing and Setting up the Card
Step 1
Install
IMPORTANT
:
Install the software before inserting the Card.
1.1
Insert the Installation Software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
1.2
The Belkin Wireless Card Installer screen will automatically appear. (This
1.2 The Belkin Wireless Card Installer screen will automatically appear. (This 1.2
may take 15–20 seconds.) Click “Install Software” or “Next”
to start the installation.
Note:
If the Belkin Wireless Card Installer 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 icon named “Setup.exe”, if the Installer does not
start.
1.3
The InstallShield Wizard will now start.
1.3 The InstallShield Wizard will now start. 1.3
Click “Next” to continue.

Installing and Setting up the Card
9
section
1
2
3
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5
6
1.4
Select a different destination folder for
the software installation, or simply click
“Next”.
1.5
The first in a series of
progress-monitoring screens
will let you know where you are
in the setup process.
1.6
You might see a screen similar to this
one. This DOES NOT mean there is a
problem. Our software has been fully
tested and is compatible with this
operating system. Select “Continue
Anyway” and follow the on-screen
instructions.

10
Installing and Setting up the Card
Installing and Setting up the Card
Step 2
Insert
Insert the Card into your Computer
2.1
After the software installation is
finished, the message “Please plug in
your ExpressCard now” will appear.
Insert your Card.
If your notebook computer comes with the wider,
universal ExpressCard (ExpressCard/54) slot, align the Card
to the left side of the slot and then insert it straight into
the wide opening. The universal ExpressCard slot has an
internal notch that will gently guide the Card to the left
side of the slot. This allows the Card to link properly with
the ExpressCard connector.
2.2
The Found New Hardware Wizard might
appear. (This may take 3–15 seconds.)
If it does, continue with the following
instruction. Select “Yes, this time only”
and click “Next” to install the hardware.
If the Found New Hardware Wizard does
not appear, skip to step 2.7.
2.3
Select “Install the software
automatically” and click “Next”
to install the hardware.
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Installing and Setting up the Card
11
section
1
2
3
4
5
6
2.4
The Wizard will now install
your software.
2.5
You might see a screen similar
to this one. This DOES NOT
mean there is a problem. Our
software has been fully tested
and is compatible with this operating
system. Select
“Continue Anyway” and follow
the on-screen instructions.
2.6
The installation is now complete.
Click “Finish” to exit.
2.7
Your computer must reboot for
the changes to take effect. Close all
other applications and save your
data. Then, click “Finish” to restart
your computer.

12
Installing and Setting up the Card
Installing and Setting up the Card
Step 3
Configure
Use the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
3.1
After restarting your computer,
double-click the Belkin Wireless
Networking Utility icon on the
desktop screen.
3.2
The Belkin Wireless Networking
Utility screen will appear.
3.3
Select a network to which to connect
from the “Available Networks” list and
click “Connect”.
Note:
In order to see your
available networks, you must be near
a working wireless router or access
point.

Installing and Setting up the Card
13
section
1
2
3
4
5
6
3.4
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.

14
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 task tray.
If the icon is not present, click on “Start > Programs > Belkin > N1
Wireless ExpressCard > Belkin Wireless Networking Utility”.

Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
15
section
1
2
3
4
5
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. It even
displays connectivity between the computer and router, and router and
Internet. In the event of a connectivity problem, this window can be used to
determine the problem’s 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.