D-Link Air DWL-650 User manual

Manual
D-Link Air
DWL-650
2.4GHz
Building Networks for People
TM
Wireless PC Card Adapter
versionP

2
Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
GettingStarted ......................................................................................8
UsingtheConfigurationUtility..............................................................11
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................18
Troubleshooting...................................................................................31
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................36
ContactingTechnicalSupport ..............................................................38
WarrantyandRegistration ...................................................................39

3
Package Contents
Thismanual appliesspecifically tothe DWL-650 revision M1.
Please refer to earlier versions of this manual if you have a previous
versionof theDWL-650.
Contents of Package:
D-Link AirDWL-650
2.4 GHz Wireless PC CardAdapter
ManualandDrivers onCD
QuickInstallation Guide
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
!
!
!
System Requirements:
WindowsXP/2000/Me/98SE
!
Acomputer or laptop with an available PC card slot
!
At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
!
An 802.11b Access Point (e.g., DWL-900AP+) for Infrastructure
mode,oran 802.11b wirelessadapterforAd-Hoc mode
(e.g.,DWL-520.)
!

4
Introduction
TheD-Link Air DWL-650 Wireless PCCard Adapter is an802.11b wireless adapter that
supports high-speed wireless networking at home, at work or in public places.
The DWL-650 is compatible with existing 802.11b devices such as the D-Link Air and
AirPlus family of products including the DWL-520 and DWL-520+ Wireless PCIAdapt-
ers, the DI-614+ Wireless Router, DWL-900AP+ WirelessAccess Point and the DWL-
122 Wireless USBAdapter.
TheDWL-650 is an ideal way to connect yourlaptop computer toa Wireless LocalArea
Network (WLAN).After completing the steps outlined in the Quick Installation Guide
(included in the package) you will have the ability to share information and resources,
suchas files and printers, and enjoy the freedom thatwireless networking delivers.
The DWL-650 comes with software drivers for the most popular Microsoft Windows
operating systems and can be integrated into a larger network, running Windows XP,
Windows 2000, Windows Me, or Windows 98SE in either Ad Hoc mode (without an
Access Point or Router) or Infrastructure mode (with anAccess Point or Router).
The IEEE 802.11b Ethernet standard allows you to connect computers and 802.11b
compatible devices at speeds up to 11Mbps, dependent upon the distance between
wirelessadapters, the configuration of your working environment, or the capabilities or
limitations of your computer systems.

5
Link: Solid green light indicates connection to the network
ACT: Blinking amber light indicates activity on the network
LEDS
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode.
Features & Benefits
!Providesa simple and inexpensiveway to connect yourlaptop computer to a
wireless network at home, at the office, or in public places
Providesa measureof securityfor theinformation transmittedover awireless
network with high data encryption at 64 or 128-bit WEP.
!
Supportsinfrastructure networksvia an access point andpeer-to-peer commu-
nicationin ad-hocmode
!
!User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities
!Maximumreliability, throughput andconnectivity with automatic datarate
switching
!Operatesin the 2.4GHzfrequency range
!Fullycompliant with the 802.11b standardand interoperablewith all existing
802.11b-compliantdevices
!Quick and Easy Installation- The DWL-650 installs quickly and easily into a
PC Card slot in a laptop computer. By following the simple steps outlined in
the Quick Installation Guide, you can connect to an available wireless
network in a matter of seconds
!HighPerformance 16-bit PCCard -The high capacityPC Cardinterface
utilizedby the DWL-650 ensures optimalperformance in transmittinga
wirelesssignal within the laptop computer.
!Provideshigh-speed wireless connection up to11Mbps

6
Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivity withinyourhome,business or publicaccess
wirelessnetworks. D-Link wirelessproducts will allow you access to the data you want,
whenandwhereyouwantit.Youwillbeabletoenjoythe freedom that wireless networking
brings.
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits
and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly in
bothhome and officeenvironments, andpublic areassuchas airports,coffee shopsand
universities.Innovative waysto utilize WLAN technology arehelping peopleto workand
communicatemore efficiently.Increased mobilityand the absence of cabling and other
fixedinfrastructure haveproven to be beneficial formany users.
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network. Wireless
adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same protocols as
Ethernetadapter cards.
Peopleuse WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location
within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based on real-time
informationcan significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs –WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and
relocate.NetworksthatfrequentlychangecanbenefitfromWLANseaseofimplementation.
WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast
and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even outside the home or
office.
Scalability – WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of
specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range
frompeer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to largerinfrastructure
networkstoaccommodate hundredsorthousands ofusers, depending onthe number of
wirelessdevices deployed.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventionalEthernetnetwork devices.

7
The DWL-650 is compatible with 802.11b wireless products, which include:
D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+
2.4GHzWireless PC CardAdapterusedwith laptop computers
D-Link Air DWL-520, D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+
2.4GHz Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+
Enhanced 2.4GHz WirelessAccess Point
D-Link AirPlus DI-614+, DI-714P+
Enhanced2.4GHz Wireless Broadband Routers
Standards-Based Technology
Based on the IEEE 802.11b standard, the DWL-650 is also interoperable with existing
compatible 2.4GHz wireless technology with data transfer speeds of up to 11Mbps.
Installation Considerations
The D-Link Air DWL-650 lets you access your network, using a wireless connection,
fromvirtuallyanywherewithinitsoperatingrange.Keepinmind,however,thatthenumber,
thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other objects that the wireless signals must
passthrough,maylimittherange.Typicalrangesvarydependingonthetypesofmaterials
and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to
maximizing wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:
Wireless Basics (continued)
!
!
!
!
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devicesor appliances that generate RF noise.
4
Keepthe number of wallsand ceilings between the DWL-650 and
other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce
your D-Link Air Wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.)
Position your devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
1
Beaware ofthe directline betweennetwork devices.Awall that is 1.5 feet thick
(.5meters), ata 45-degreeangle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter)thick.At
a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Position devices so
that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an
angle)for betterreception.
2
BuildingMaterialscanimpedethewirelesssignal- asolidmetaldoororaluminum
studsmayhave anegative effect onrange. Tryto position wirelessdevices and
computerswith wireless adapters so that the signal passes throughdrywall or
opendoorways and notother materials.
3

8
Thereare basically two modes of networking:
Infrastructure – using anAccess Point or Router, such as
theDI-614+
Ad-Hoc –directly connecting toanother computer,forpeer-to-
peercommunication, using wirelessnetwork adapters on
each computer, such as two or more DWL-650 wireless
networkadapters.
On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure Network
andan Ad-Hoc Network.
AnInfrastructure network contains anAccess Point or Router. The Infrastructure
Network exampleshown on the following page contains thefollowing D-Link network
devices(your existing network may be comprised of other devices):
Getting Started
A wireless Router- D-Link AirPlus DI-614+
A laptop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-LinkAir DWL-650
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-LinkAir DWL-520
ACable modem- D-Link DCM-200
!
!
!
!
!
!
With its default settings, the DWL-650, when activated, will connect
with other D-Link Air products, right out of the box.

9
Please remember that D-Link Air wireless devices are pre-configured to connect
together, right out of the box, with their default settings.
You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into
your home or office)
Consult with your Cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the modem
Connectthe Cable or DSL modemto your broadband router (seethe Quick
Installation Guide includedwithyourrouter.)
Installthe D-Link AirDWL-520 wireless PCI adapter into an available PCI slot
onyour desktop computer.
(Seethe Quick Installation Guide includedwiththe DWL-520.)
Install theD-Link AirDWL-650 wireless PC Cardadapter intoa laptop computer.
(Seethe Quick Installation Guide includedwith theDWL-650.)
Getting Started (continued)
For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the
following:
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
4
21
3
6
5
If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an Ethernet
networkadapter (suchas aDFE-530TX+) tothe routeralso.

10
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Ad Hoc Network
Install the Wireless PCI adapter(e.g., DWL-520) into the desktop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for installation
instructions.)
Install the DWL-650 wireless PC Card adapter into a laptop computer. (See
the Quick Installation Guide includedwith the product.)
Set the wireless configuration for the adapters toAd-Hoc mode, set the
adapters to the same channel, and assign an IPAddress to each computer
on theAd-Hoc network. (See Box below)
IPAddress
Desktop
When assigning IPAddresses to the computers on the network, please remember
that the IP Address for each computer must be in the same IP Address range
as all the computers in the network, and the subnet mask must be exactly the
same for all the computers in the network.
For example: If the first computer is assigned an IPAddress of 192.168.0.2 with a
Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be assigned an IP
Address of 192.168.0.3 with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, etc.
IMPORTANT: If computers or other devices are assigned the same IPAddress,
one or more of the devices may not be visible on the network.

11
Select the Wireless Networks tab.
Uncheck the box in the properties window
thatenables windowsconfiguration.
D-Link Air DWL-650 uses the Configuration Utility as the management software.
The utility provides the user an easy interface to change any settings related to the
wirelessadapter.Afteryou havecompleted the installationof theDWL-650 (refer to the
QuickInstallation Guidethatcamewithyourpurchase)wheneveryoustartthecomputer,
the Configuration Utility startsautomatically and thesystem tray iconis loaded in the
toolbar (see illustrationbelow*.) Clicking on theutility icon will startthe Configuration
Utility.Another waytostartthe Configuration Utility istoclick onStart>Programs>D-
Link Air>D-Link Air Utility.
Using the Configuration Utility
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility or the
D-LinkConfiguration Utility.
If the icon does not display in the taskbar, then click on
this icon on your desktop to open.
Touse the D-LinkConfiguration Utilitywith XP, right-click
on the Wireless network icon in the taskbar in the lower
right-handcorner of your computer screen.
In the window that appears, select View
Available Wireless Networks and click
theAdvanced button. The screen at right
willappear.
Afteryou have done this,you can then use the D-Link
Configuration Utility with XP by clicking on the D-Link
ConfigurationUtility icon. *Config Utility icon in
system tray
test1
test2

12
Link Info
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
After clicking on the Configuration Utility icon, the Link Info screen will display the
settingsfor theDWL-650:
SSID:
TheServiceSetIdentifieristhename
assigned to the wireless network.
Thefactory SSID setting is default.
Tx Rate:
The default setting is Auto;Tx Rate settings are automatically determined for an
optimal speed up to a maximum of 11Mbps.
Status:
Displays the MAC Address of the
AccessPointorRouterto whichthe
DWL-650is associated
Channel:
The default setting is Auto. The channel selection is automatically determined by the
DWL-650.
Signal Strength/Link Quality:
Packet Count:
Displays the statistics of the data packets that are transmitted and received.
Frequency:
802.11b indicatesthattheDWL-650
is communicating in the 2.4GHz
band.
Encryption:
You can see if WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is Enabled or Disabled here.
Wireless Mode:
EitherInfrastructure or Ad-Hoc will be displayedhere. (Please see the Getting
Started section in this manual for an explanation of these two modes.)
Rescan Button:
Rescans for the strongest signal in your environment and associates with thatAccess
Pointor Router
Displays the Link Quality for the DWL-650 wireless connection to the access point.
The Signal Strength represents the wireless signal between the access point and the
DWL-650.The percentage coincideswith the graphicalbar

13
Wireless Mode:
Authentication:
Keys 1-4:
Select the default key
Data Encryption:
IP Settings:
Click on the pull-down menu; select from the
followingoptions:
Infrastructure - connecting to the WLAN
using anAccess Point.(This is the default
setting).
Ad-Hoc – wireless modeused when
connecting directly to a computer equipped
witha wireless adapterin a peer-to-peer
environment.
Chooseone of the following modes:
Click Apply to save changes.
Whenyou click IP Settings inthe Configuration window,the pop-up screen above will
appear.Configurethe IPSettings in thiswindow.
Hexadecimal digits consist of the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) isa code for
representingEnglish letters as numbers from 0-127
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Configuration
Select Enabled or Disabled.
IP Settings
Open Authentication – the DWL-650 is
visibleto all devices onthe network
Shared Authentication – allows
communicationonly with other devices with
identical WEP settings
Auto – will automatically adjust to theAuthentication mode of the wireless
Access Point or Router
Key Length:
Select the key length and eitherASCII (e.g., a word) or hexadecimal format.
SSID:
Service Set Identifier is a name that identifies a
wireless network. Access Points and wireless
devices attempting to connect to a specific WLAN
(Wireless LocalArea Network) must use the same
SSID. The default setting is default.

14
Ad-Hoc Channel:
All devices in theAd Hoc
network must be set to the
samechannel
Click Apply if you have made any changes
Data Packet Parameter:
Selectthe parametershere
Profile IP Settings:
You can Enable or Disable
the IP Settings portion of
your profile here. If you
select Disable you will need
to configure the IPAddress
informationeach time you
connect to a network. If you
select Enable you will
maintain the same IP
Addressinformation each
time you connect to a
network.
Select Enable or Disable
Launch Utility on Startup:
Power Mode:
Disable -this default setting consumes the most power
Enable - this setting consumes the least power
Fragmentation Threshold:
This value should remain at its default setting of 2432. If you experience a high packet
errorrate, you may slightly increase your Fragmentation Threshold within thevalue
range of 256 to 2432. Setting the Fragmentation Threshold too low may result in poor
performance.
This value should remain at its default setting of 2432. If inconsistent data flow is a
problem,only a minor modificationshould be made.
RTS Threshold:
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Advanced

15
Refresh:
Click on Refresh to get the
mostupdated listof available
networks.
Available Network:
Thetopsection ofthewindow displaysthe Available Networks. Scroll upand down the
list and highlight the network to which you wish to connect. Click on the Connect but-
ton.
Profile:
Inthe lowerhalf ofthe screen,you canmanage the profiles that you have createdfor the
wireless network at home, at the office and in public places. Scroll up and down and
highlight the profile that you wish to configure. You can Add or Remove a profile, or
configurethe Properties of the profile in orderto connectwith an available network.
Connect:
Highlight a network profile; click Connect to connect to that network.
Rescan:
Click Rescan to rescan and connect to the strongest signal.
Configure:
Highlightan existingnetwork
and click Configure; the
configurationwindowon the
nextpagewill appear.
Advanced:
Highlight a network; click
Advanced and the screen on
thenext pagewill appear.
Add:
Click Add and the screen on the next page will appear.
Remove:
Highlight a network profile; click Remove to remove a network from the profile list.
Properties:
Highlighta network profile;click Properties andthe screen onthe nextpagewillappear.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Site Survey

16
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Site Survey > Add
If you clicked on Add, you can
configure,inthiswindow, allthe
properties of a profile that you
wish to add to the network.
In this window you can select
thetypeofnetworkconnection.
Click OK to save the
changes.
Ifyouclickedon Configuration
or Properties you can config-
ure,in this window, alltheprop-
erties of a profile that already
exists in the network.
Click OK to save the
changes.
Advanced
Configuration, Add or Properties

17
TheABOUT screen givesyou the MACAddress, Utility Versionand theDriver Version
oftheDWL-650.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
About

18
Using the Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP
In this section you will learn how to establish a network at home or work, using
Microsoft Windows XP.
Note: Please refer to websites such as http://www.homenethelp.com
andhttp://www.microsoft.com/windows2000 forinformation about networking
computers using Windows 2000, ME or 98SE.
Go to Start>Control Panel>Network Connections
Select Set up a home or small office network
Networking Basics
When this screen appears, click Next.

19
Please follow all the instructions in this window:
Networking Basics (continued)
Click Next
In the following window, select the best description of your computer. If your
computer connects to the internet through a gateway/router, select the second option
as shown.
Click Next

20
Enter a Computer description and a Computer name (optional.)
Networking Basics (continued)
Click Next
Enter a Workgroup name. All computers on your network should have thesame
Workgroup name.
Click Next