Belkin F5D7010F User manual

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Belkin
Wireless G Notebook Card
User Manual
F5D7010 / F5D7010v7
Table of Contents
1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Benefits of a Home Network………………………………………………x
Advantages of a Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
Optimal Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Applications and Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Product Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
3 Installing and Setting up the Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Step 1: Install. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .X
Step 2: Insert …………………………………… X
Step 3: Configure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
4 Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility.. . . . . X
Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from the Windows System Tray
Network Status
Available Networks
Network Status and Solution Tips
Setting Wireless Network Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Securing your Wi-Fi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Configuring your Belkin Wireless G Notebook Card to use Security
5 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
6 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin Wireless G Notebook 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”.

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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
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.

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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 Cards, Wireless Desktop 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.
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

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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). 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.
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

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• 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.
Overview
Product Features
The Card complies with the IEEE 802.11g standard in order to communicate with
other 802.11g-compliant wireless devices at 54Mbps. The Card 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 Configuration Utility
• CardBus interface, for operation in virtually any 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
• Data rate of up to 54Mbps (802.11g), or 11Mbps (802.11b)
• Easy installation and use
• External antenna
• LED power and network link indicators

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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 high-speed wireless
connectivity at home, work, and hotspot locations without compromising the use
of existing 802.11b 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™ mark
• 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
Provides the easy and quick, small network installation SOHO users need
Product Specifications
Host Interface: 32-bit CardBus
Power Consumption: Tx/Rx peak 450/260mA @
3.3VDC (max)
Operating Temperature: 32–185 degrees F (0–85 degrees C)
Storage Temperature: -40–194 degrees F (-40–90 degrees C)
Humidity: Max. 95% (non-condensing)
Typical Operating Range: Up to 400 ft. (231m) (wireless performance
may vary depending on the
networking environment)
(insert image p.7 of P74682)
(a) Link LED
Lights up when the Card links to a wireless network
(b) Activity LED
Lights up when the Card is active
(c) Card Connector
Part of the Card that fits into your computer’s CardBus slot

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System Requirements
• PC-compatible laptop with one available CardBus slot
• Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000, XP
Package Contents
• Wireless G Notebook Card
• Quick Installation Guide
• Installation Software CD
• User Manual
3 Installing and Setting up the Card
1. Install
IMPORTANT: Install the Software before Inserting the Card
1.1Insert the Installation Software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
1.2The Belkin Setup Utility screen will automatically appear. (This may take 15–
20 seconds.) Click “install” to start the installation.
Note: If the Belkin Setup 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.

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Double-click on the folder named “files”, then double-click on the icon named
“setup.exe”.
1.3 The first in a series of progress-monitoring screens will let you know where
you are in the setup process. Click “Next”.
1.4You 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.

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2. Insert
Insert the Card into your Computer
(Please insert image of CardBus insert into laptop)
2.1 Please insert your Card, then click “OK”.
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.

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2.3Select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next” to install the
hardware.

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2.4 The Wizard will now install your software.
2.5 The installation is now complete. Click “Finish” to exit.

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2.6 Your computer must reboot for the changes to take effect. Close all other
applications and save your data. Then, select “Yes, I want to restart my computer
now.” Click “OK” to reboot.
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.
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3.2 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility screen will appear.
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3.3 Select a network to connect to from the “Available Networks” list and click
“Connect”.
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Note: In order to see your available networks, you must be near a working
wireless router or access point.
3.4 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon can also be found on the system
tray.
[insert F5D7010-10.jpg]
Note: Double-clicking on the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon on the
system tray will bring up the “Utility” screen.
Installation is now complete.

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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.
[insert F5D7010-10.jpg] [insert F5D7010-11.jpg]
If the icon is not present, click on “Start > Programs > Belkin > Belkin Wireless Utility”.
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22.jpg]

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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.
Connection Failure
Other options will appear during attempts to reconnect. To stop connecting, click “Stop” and to
reattempt connection, click “Retry”.

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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.
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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.
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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 security
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).
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Wireless 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.

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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) 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
(insert chart from P74488-A, p.16)
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
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.
64-Bit WEP

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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 WEP 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 WEP and 128-bit
encryption.
Encryption Keys
After selecting either the 64-bit WEP or 128-bit 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.
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
Write down the hex WEP key from your wireless router (or access point) and
enter it manually into the hex WEP key table in your Card’s configuration screen.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
WPA is a new Wi-Fi standard that improves upon the security features of WEP.
To use WPA security, the drivers and software of your wireless equipment must
be upgraded to support it. These updates will be found on your wireless vendor’s
website. There are three types of WPA security: WPA-PSK (no server),WPA
(with radius server), and WPA2.
WPA-PSK (no server) uses what is known as a pre-shared key as the network
key. A network key is a password that is between eight and 63 characters long. It
can be a combination of letters, numbers, or characters. Each client uses the
same network key to access the network. Typically, this is the mode that will be
used in a home environment.