Belkin Wireless G Router User manual

F5D7000
Wireless G Desktop
Network Card
Connect your desktop computer to a
FAST wireless network
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User Manual
2.4GHz • Wireless
802.11b
Ethernet
E
Wired
Mbps
10/100
Ethernet
Gigabit
E
Wired
Mbps
10/100/1000
Gigabit Ethernet
Mbps
2.4GHz • Wireless802.11g
Mbps

1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Step 2: Install the Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4 Using the Belkin Wireless Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
How to Access the Belkin Wireless Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Monitoring the Status of your Network Connection. . . . . . . . . . . 12
Configuring your Current Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Securing your Wi-Fi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Finding Available Networks in your Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Setting Wireless Network Profiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Monitoring Data Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Table of Contents

Thank you for purchasing the Belkin Wireless G Desktop Network
Card (the Card). The Card features 802.11g technology, allowing you
to take advantage of wireless networking without using cables. The
Card works like a conventional network card, but without the wires.
The easy installation and setup will have you networking 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”.
Advantages of a 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
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
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Introduction
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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 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 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.

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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 your 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 furthest 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. 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 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.
Use the detailed information in the “Finding Available Networks in
your Area” section in this 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

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Introduction
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 Utility
• PCI interface, for operation in virtually any desktop computer
• WPA, 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
• Network link and activity link LED indicators
Overview

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Applications and Advantages
• Wireless roaming with a desktop computer around the
home or office
Offers the freedom of networking—without cables
• Compatibility with 802.11b products
Provides seamless interoperability with existing Wi-Fi (IEEE
802.11b) products and with other products that display the
Wi-Fi 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) on a short-term basis; also companies
that need additional workstations for a peak activity period
• SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) networking needs
Enables easy and quick small-network installation, a huge benefit to
SOHO users
Product Specifications
Host Interface 32-bit PCI
Power Consumption Tx/Rx peak 420/260mA @ 5VDC (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 100 to 200 ft. (30 to 60m)
Overview

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Overview
(a) Link LED
Lights up when the Card links to a wireless network
(b) Activity LED
Lights up and flashes when the Card is active
(c) Card Connector
Fits securely into your computer’s PCI slot
System Requirements
• PC-compatible desktop computer with one available PCI slot
• Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000, XP
Package Contents
• Wireless G Desktop Network Card
• Quick Installation Guide
• Installation Software CD
• User Manual
(c)
(b) (a)

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Step 1 Install the Software
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 Setup Utility screen will automatically appear (may take
15–20 seconds to appear). Click “Install” from the setup menu, then
click “Click here” to start the Easy Install Wizard.
Note: If the Setup Utility screen does not appear within 20 seconds,
access your CD-ROM by double-clicking on the “My Computer”
icon and double-click on the CD-ROM drive that the installation CD
has been placed in. Double-click on the folder named “Files”, then
double-click on the icon named “setup.exe”.
Installing and Setting Up the Card
1.3 Click “Next” to install the software.

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Installing and Setting Up the Card
1.4 You will be prompted to choose an
installation location. Click “Next”
to accept the default location, or
click “Browse” to select a different
location before clicking “Next”.
1.5 Click “Next” to add the software to
a program folder.
1.6 Click “Finish” to complete the
software installation.
1.7 Select your location from the
“Country Channel Select” drop-
down box and click “OK”.
Note: 98SE and Me users may not
see this screen until after the
hardware has been installed in
the following section.

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Installing and Setting Up the Card
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Installing and Setting Up the Card
Step 2 Install the Hardware
2.1 During the install process, you
will be prompted to insert your
Card. To do so, shut down your
computer and disconnect your
power.
Note: Touch any metal part of the
case to discharge static electricity,
to avoid damage to the product or
your computer.
2.2 Remove the screws behind your
computer case that secure the
computer cover and remove
the cover.
2.3 Locate an empty PCI expansion
slot. It is usually white in color.
Confirm that the Card will fit into
the slot you have chosen. Keep
in mind that the included antenna
needs to be oriented with the top
pointing up. If there are cables
and other connectors in the way,
try to pick the PCI slot that has
the fewest obstructions to the
correct positioning of the antenna.
2.4 Remove the metal port cover from
the back of the computer that
corresponds to the PCI slot you
selected. If there is a screw, place
it in a safe place, as you will be
using it to attach the Card to the
computer later.
2.5 Push the Card firmly into the PCI
slot that you have chosen. Apply
pressure as needed until the
connector is fully seated.

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Installing and Setting Up the Card
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2.6 Now secure the Card with the
screw that you previously placed in
a safe place.
2.7 Carefully screw the antenna onto
the threaded connector on the
Card. Turn the antenna until it is
vertical and pointing up.
2.8 Replace the computer’s cover.
Now that the Card is installed, you
can reconnect the power cord, and
turn it back on.
Installation is now complete!

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Monitoring the Status of your Network Connection
Click on the “Status” tab to monitor the link status of your
network connection.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(f)
How to Access the Belkin Wireless Utility
Double-click the Signal Indicator icon to bring up the “Belkin
Wireless Utility”. If the icon is not present, click on “Start >
Programs > Belkin 802.11g Wireless Card > Belkin 802.11g
Wireless Card Utility”.
Note: The color of the icon reflects the connection link: green
for good, yellow for weak, and red if it is not active.
Using the Belkin Wireless Utility

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Using the Belkin Wireless Utility
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(a) Connected to
Shows the current network Service Set Identifier (SSID), the network
name of the router (or access point) you are connected to
(b) Encryption
Display “Off” when encryption is disabled, “WEP” when either
64-bit or 128-bit encryption is enabled, or “WPA” when WPA is enabled
(c) Speed
Displays the data rate of the current connection
(d) Channel
Shows the channel the network is on
(e) Tx Packets
Displays the data packets that have been transmitted
(f) Rx Packets
Displays the data packets that have been received
(g) Signal Strength
Displays the signal strength of the related router (or access point)
(h) Network Mode
Displays either “Infrastructure” if connected to a router (or an access
point) or “Ad-Hoc” when connected to another computer
(i) Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID)
Displays the MAC address of the wireless router (or access point) that
you are connected to
(j) IP Address
Shows the IP address of the computer
(k) Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings
Enables you to use the Windows Zero Configuration Utility (see page
36 for more details)

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Using the Belkin Wireless Utility
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Using the Belkin Wireless Utility
Configuring your Current Network Settings
Click on the “Configure” tab to make any changes to the
current network settings or to make changes to a saved profile.
(a) Network Mode
Select the wireless mode in which the Card is currently
operating from the two available operating modes.
Infrastructure is used when connecting your PC to a wireless
router (or access point), and Ad-Hoc is used when connecting
two or more computers together without a wireless router (or
access point).
(b) Network Service Set Identifier (SSID)
Select an available SSID (the wireless network name of a router
or access point) from the drop-down box or enter an SSID
name of a wireless router (or access point) to which you would
like to connect to that is in range of your PC.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)

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Using the Belkin Wireless Utility
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(c) 2.4GHz (802.11b)
Click here to use only the 802.11b radio band.
(d) 2.4GHz (802.11b/g)
Click here to use both the 802.11b and 802.11g radio band.
(e) Fragmentation Threshold
Click on the bar to adjust the fragmentation threshold.
Fragmentation can be set between 256 and 2346 bytes. Using
fragmentation to divide frames into smaller pieces can increase
transmission reliability; however, it can also increase overhead
and reduce performance speeds. Setting the fragmentation
threshold to 2346 disables fragmentation; this is the
default setting.
(f) Request to Send/Clear to Send (RTS/CTS) Threshold
Click on the bar to adjust the RTS/CTS threshold. RTS/CTS
can be set between 256 and 2346 bytes. Using RTS/CTS will
control the data sent to minimize collisions with other PCs
sending data on the same network. Setting RTS/CTS threshold
to 2346 disables RTS/CTS and is the default setting.
(g) Power Saving
Select from either Off, Max, or Dynamic. The “Max” setting
draws less power from your PC. Use it when you want to
conserve battery power or when you are in close range.
The “Off” setting enables the highest performance; and the
“Dynamic” setting automatically adjusts the power setting to a
moderate level.
(h) Transmitted Rate
Select the transmit rate for data transmission.
(i) 2.4GHz Preamble
Select from either “Long” or “Auto Preamble” type. Auto is
recommended for high network traffic environments.

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Securing your Wi-Fi® Network
Here are a few different ways to maximize the security of your
wireless network and protect your data from unwanted intrusion. This
section is intended for the home, home office, and small office user.
At the time of publication, three encryption methods are available.
Encryption Methods:
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
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.
Using the Belkin Wireless Utility
Name 64-bit Wired
Equivalent Privacy
128-bit
Encryption
Wi-Fi
Protected
Access
Wi-Fi
Protected
Access
Acronym 64-bit WEP 128-bit WPA-TKIP WPA-AES
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)
Added security
over 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.

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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 mixture 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 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.
Using the Belkin Wireless Utility

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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 two types
of WPA security: WPA-PSK (no server), and WPA (with radius server).
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.
WPA (with radius server) is a system where a radius server
distributes the network key to the clients automatically. This is
typically found in a business environment. For a list of Belkin
wireless products that support WPA, please visit our website at
www.belkin.com/networking.
Most wireless products ship with security turned off. So once you
have your network working, you may need to activate WEP or WPA
and make sure all your wireless devices are sharing the same
network key.
Using the Belkin Wireless Utility