D-Link Air Xpert DWL-AG650 User manual

Manual
Building Networks for People
Tri-mode, Dual-band
DWL-AG650S
D-Link Air PremierAG
TM
Wireless Cardbus Adapter

2
Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
GettingStarted....................................................................................10
UsingtheConfigurationUtility..............................................................13
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................22
Troubleshooting...................................................................................35
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................40
ContactingTechnical Support ..............................................................42
Warranty.......................... ...................................................................43

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Contents of Package:
D-Link Air Premiere AG DWL-AG650S
Tri-mode, Dual-band Wireless Cardbus Adapter
Manual, Warranty and Drivers on CD
PrintedQuickInstallationGuide
Package Contents
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements for Configuration:
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An 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g access point (for Infrastruc-
ture mode) or another 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g wireless
adapter (forAd-Hoc; Peer-to-Peer networking mode).
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At least 128MB of memory and a 500MHz processor
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Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
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Alaptop or notebook computer with an available 32-bit
cardbus slot
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Introduction
*Not all servers can provide Authentication
The D-Link Air Premier AG DWL-AG650S Tri-mode Dual-band Wireless
CardbusAdapterisan 802.11a / 802.11b /802.11ghigh-performance, wireless
adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking at home, at work or in
public places.
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Featuringa breakthroughall-in-one tri-modedual-band design,the new D-Link
Air Premier AG DWL-AG650S is a next generation laptop PC adapter that
connects to 802.11a (in the 5GHz band) and 802.11g networks (in the 2.4GHz
band)at54Mbps(108MbpsinTurbomode)and802.11bnetworks(inthe2.4GHz
band) at 11Mbps.
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The DWL-AG650S has the newest, strongest and most advanced security
features available today. When used with other 802.11 WPA (Wi-Fi Protected
Access) and 802.1x compatible products in a network with a RADIUS server,
the security features include:
WPA: Wi-Fi Protected Access which authorizes and identifies users based
on a secret key that changes automatically at regular intervals. WPA
uses TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) to change the temporal
key every 10,000 packets (a packet is a kind of message transmitted
over a network.) This ensures much greater security than the standard
WEP security. (By contrast, the previous WEP encryption
implementations required the keys to be changed manually.)
802.1x: Authentication which is a first line of defense against intrusion. In the
authentication process, the Authentication Server* verifies the identity
of the client attempting to connect to the network. Unfamiliar clients
would be denied access.
For home users that will not incorporate a RADIUS server in their network, the
security for the DWL-AG650S, used in conjunction with other WPA-compatible
802.11 products, will still be much stronger than ever before. Utilizing the Pre-
Shared Key mode of WPA, the DWL-AG650S will obtain a new security key
every time it connects to the 802.11 network. You only need to input your
encryption information once in the configuration menu. No longer will you have
to manually input a new WEPkey frequently to ensure security. With the DWL-
AG650S,youwillautomaticallyreceiveanewkeyeverytimeyouconnect,vastly
increasing the safety of your communication.

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Features
LEDs
LED standsforLight-EmittingDiode.TheDWL-AG650S hasthefollowingLEDs:
User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities
Versatility - The DWL-AG650S is fully compatible with IEEE 802.11a
and802.11bstandards,makingitinteroperablewith802.11aand802.11b
wireless routers and access points in your office, home or at public
wireless hotspots.
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32-bit Cardbus Performance/Plug & Play Connectivity -The DWL-
AG650S is a powerful 32-bit cardbus adapter that installs quickly and
easilyintolaptop PCs, andwhen used with otherD-Link AirPremierAG
products will automatically connect to the network out of the box.
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Compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g Devices - Fully com-
patiblewiththeIEEE802.11a,802.11band802.11gstandards,theDWL-
AG650S can connect with existing 802.11b, 802.11g- or 802.11a- com-
pliant routers, access points and cards. That means you can still com-
municatewithcolleaguesand friends while youhavetheability to link to
even more wireless networks.
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Faster Wireless Networking - Faster data transfers mean increased
productivity. With the DWL-AG650S in your laptop PC, you will have
the flexibility of wireless networking speeds that save you time and
money.
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Better Security with 802.1x and WPA-With the DWL-AG650S inyour
laptopPCyou can securelyconnect to awirelessnetwork using 802.1x
for wireless authentication, as well as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
providingyou a much higher levelof securityfor your data and commu-
nication than has previously been available.
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Asteadylightindicates a con-
nection to an access point
Link
Ablinkinglightindicates
data is being transmitted
Activity

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D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-
useandcompatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivitywithin your home,business
or public access wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you
access to the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to
enjoy the freedom that wireless networking brings.
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a computer network that transmits
and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used
increasingly in both home and office environments, and public areas such as
airports, coffee shops and universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN
technology are helping people to work and communicate more efficiently.
Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed infrastructure
have proven to be beneficial for many users.
Wireless Basics
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 Ethernet adapter cards.

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Wireless Basics (continued)
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility – Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
locationwithintheoperatingrangeoftheWLAN. Managementdecisionsbased
on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs –WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease
ofimplementation. WLANs can operate inlocations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be
fastandeasyandcan eliminatetheneedtopullcablethroughwallsandceilings.
Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even
outside the home or office.
InexpensiveSolution –Wirelessnetworkdevicesareascompetitively priced
as conventional Ethernet network devices.
Scalability –WLANscan be configured inavariety of waystomeet the needs
of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed
and range from Peer-to-Peer networks suitable for a small number of users to
larger Infrastructure networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of
users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.
The DWL-AG650S is compatible with the following wireless products:
D-Link AirPro DWL-A650,D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+
and D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G650
Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers
D-Link AirPro DWL-A520 and D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+,
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G520,
and D-Link Air Premier AG DWL-AG520S
Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+, D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-
2000AP and D-Link Air PremierAG DWL-7000APS
Wireless Access Points
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D-Link AirPlus DI-614+, D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624 and
D-Link Air Premier AG DI-774S
Wireless Broadband Routers
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Standards-Based Technology
The DWL-AG650S Wireless Cardbus Adapter utilizes the 802.11a, 802.11b
and 802.11g standard.
TheIEEE802.11g standardisanextensionofthe802.11b standard.Itincreases
the data rate up to 54 Mbps within the 2.4GHz band (108Mbps inTurbo mode.)
The 802.11a standard also increases the data rate up to 54 Mbps, but within
the 5GHz band. Both 802.11a and 802.11g utilize OFDM technology.
Thismeans that inmost environments, within the specifiedrange of thisdevice,
you will be able to transfer large files quickly or even watch a movie in MPEG
format over your network without noticeable delays. This technology works by
transmittinghigh-speeddigitaldataoveraradiowaveutilizingOFDM (Orthogonal
FrequencyDivisionMultiplexing) technology.OFDM works by splittingthe radio
signalintomultiple smaller sub-signalsthat are thentransmittedsimultaneously
atdifferentfrequenciestothereceiver. OFDM reducestheamountof crosstalk
(interference) in signal transmissions. The D-Link DWL-AG650S will
automatically sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the greatest
speed and range possible.
Wireless Basics (continued)
802.11g offers the most advanced network security features available today,
including:WPA,802.1x,TKIP, AES and Pre-Shared Key mode.Thesesecurity
featuresareexplainedinmoredetailintheIntroductionandthe Features section
of this manual.
TheDWL-AG650S isbackwards compatiblewith 802.11b devices.Thismeans
that if you have an existing 802.11b network, the devices in that network will be
compatible with 802.11g devices at speeds up to 11Mbps in the 2.4GHz range.

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Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link Air Premier DWL-AG650S lets you access your network, using a
wireless connection, from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep
in mind, however, that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or
other objects that the wireless signals must pass through, may limit the range.
Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF
(radio frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to maximizing
wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:
TM
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate RF noise.
4
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-AG650S and
other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce
your DWL-AG650S’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your
devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
1
Be aware of the direct line between network devices.Awall that is 1.5
feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle 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 better reception.
2
Building materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door
oraluminum studs may havea negative effectonrange.Try toposition
wireless devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the
signalpasses throughdrywalloropendoorwaysandnotothermaterials.
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Getting Started
Infrastructure – using an access point or wireless router
such as the DWL-7000APS.
Ad-Hoc – directly connecting to another computer, for Peer-
to-Peer communication, using wireless network adapters on
each computer, such as two or more DWL-AG650S Wireless
Network CardbusAdapters.
On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure
Network and an Ad-Hoc Network.
An Infrastructure network contains an access point or a wireless router.
The Infrastructure Network example shown on the following page contains
the following D-Link network devices (your existing network may be
comprised of other devices):
A wireless router - D-Link Air Premier AG DI-774S
A laptop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link Air Premier AG DWL-AG650S
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link Air Premier AG DWL-AG520S,
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G520,
D-Link AirPro DWL-AB520, or D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+
A cable modem - D-Link DCM-201
There are basically two modes of networking:
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You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber
line into your home or office).
ConsultwithyourCableorDSLproviderforproperinstallationofthemodem.
Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broadband router (see the
Quick Installation Guide included with your router).
If you are connecting a desktop computer to your network, you can
install the D-Link Air Premier AG DWL-AG520S Wireless PCI
Adapter into an available PCI slot on your desktop computer. You may
also install the DWL-A520, DWL-G520 or other compatible D-Link
Wireless PCIAdapter.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter).
Install the D-Link DWL-AG650S Wireless CardbusAdapter into a laptop
computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-AG650S).
If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an
Ethernet network adapter (such as a DFE-530TX+) to the router also.
A RADIUS server is optional. Connect a RADIUS server to your network
to use all the features of WPA. (Without a RADIUS server you can still
use the WPA Pre-Shared Key mode.) RADIUS Authentication can also
be provided by another service provider over the Internet and remote to
your network site.
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Getting Started
DWL-AG650DWL-AG650
DWL-AG650DWL-AG650
DWL-AG650SS
SS
S
withLaptop PCwithLaptop PC
withLaptop PCwithLaptop PC
withLaptop PC
DWL-AG520DWL-AG520
DWL-AG520DWL-AG520
DWL-AG520SS
SS
S
Foratypical
wireless setup at
home (as shown
here), please do
the following:
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network 11
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344
44
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55
55
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66
66
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77
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Getting Started
Setting up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network
Install the D-Link DWL-AG650S Wireless CardbusAdapter into one
laptop computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the
product for installation instructions).
Install another DWL-AG650S into a laptop computer, or you can
install a DWL-AG520S Wireless PCI Adapter into a desktop
computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product).
Set the wireless configuration for the adapters to Ad-Hoc mode, set
the adapters to the same channel, and assign an IP address to
each computer on theAd-Hoc network. (See box below)
When assigning IP addresses 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 IP address of 192.168.0.2
with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be
assignedanIPaddressof192.168.0.3withasubnetmaskof255.255.255.0,
etc.
IMPORTANT: If computers or other devices are assigned the same IP
address, one or more of the devices may not be visible on the network.
IPAddress
DWL-AG650S
DWL-AG650S

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Select the Wireless Networks tab.
Uncheck the box in the properties window
thatenables windowsconfiguration.
D-Link Air Premier DWL-AG650S uses the Configuration Utility as the
managementsoftware.Theutilityprovidestheuseraneasy interface to change
any settings related to the wireless adapter. After you have completed the
installation of the DWL-AG650S (refer to the Quick Installation Guide that
camewithyourpurchase) whenever youstartthecomputer, the Configuration
Utility starts automatically and the system tray icon is loaded in the toolbar
(see illustration below*.) Clicking on the utility icon will start the Configuration
Utility. Another way to start the Configuration Utility is to click on
Start>Programs>D-Link Air Premier AG >D-Link Air Premier AG Utility.
Using the Configuration Utility
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility
or the D-Link Configuration Utility.
If the icon does not display in the taskbar, then click on
this icon on your desktop to open.
To usetheD-LinkConfigurationUtility withXP, right-click
on the wireless network icon in the taskbar in the lower
right-handcornerof yourcomputer screen.
In the window that appears, select
View Available Wireless Networks
and click the Advanced button. The
screen at right will appear.
After you have done this, you can then use the D-Link
Configuration Utility with XP by clicking on the D-Link
ConfigurationUtilityicon. *Configuration Utility icon
in the system tray
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To accessthe WPAsecurityfeatures
ofthe DWL-AG650Syou mustinstall
the Aegis software (included on the
installationCD)beforeinsertingtheAdapter
into your laptop PC.
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Status: Displays
theMACaddressof
the access point
that is associated
with the DWL-
AG650S.
SSID: The Service
Set Identifier is the
name assigned to
the wireless
network.The
factory SSID
setting is set to
default.
Frequency:
The DWL-AG650S is a dual-band wireless cardbus adapter. In this instance
the 5280MHz indicates that the DWL-AG650S is communicating in the 5GHz
band (802.11a).
Wireless Mode: Either Infrastructure orAd-Hoc will be displayed here.
Encryption: You can see if WEP is enabled or disabled here.
Tx Rate: Tx Rate settings are automatically determined for an optimal speed
up to a maximum of 54Mbps.
Channel: The channel selection is automatically determined by the DWL-
AG650S.
Link Quality / Signal Strength: Displaysthe Link Quality for the DWL-AG650S
wireless connection to the access point. The Signal Strength represents the
wirelesssignalbetweentheaccesspointandtheDWL-AG650S.Thepercentage
coincides with the graphical bar.
Data Rate: Displays the statistics of data transmitted and received.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Link Info
Rescan: Rescans for the strongest signal in your environment and associates
with the access point or router.

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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 Local Area Network)
must use the same SSID. The
default setting is default.
Wireless Mode - Click on the
pull-down menu; select from
the following options:
Infrastructure -
Connecting to the WLAN using an access point. (This is the default
setting).
Ad-Hoc – Wireless mode used when connecting directly to a computer
equipped with a wireless adapter in a Peer-to-Peer environment.
Ad-Hoc Band - Ifyou have selectedAd-Hocwirelessmode,select the standard
for yourAd-Hoc communication: 11b,11g,11a,11a Turbo, or 11g Turbo.
Channel – The channel selection is automatically determined by the DWL-
AG650S. In Ad-Hoc mode, the channel must be manually set to the same
channel for each wireless adapter.
Tx Rate (11b/g) - Tx rates are automatically determined for an optimal speed
up to 54Mbps.
Tx Rate (11a) - Tx rates are automatically determined for an optimal speed up
to54Mbps.
Power Mode – Select from three modes:
Continuous Access Mode-this default setting consumes the most power.
Maximum Power Save-this setting consumes the least power.
Power Save- this setting consumes a moderate amount of power.
Configuration
Preamble -The Preamble defines the length of the CRC block (Cyclic
Redundancy Check is a common technique for detecting data transmission
errors) for communication between the access point and the wireless network
adapters. Note: High network traffic areas should use the shorter preamble
type.
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)

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Configuration Utility
Encryption > WEP
Encryption – WEP is selected here. The other choices are WPA, WPA PSK
and None.
Authorization mode – choose one of the following modes:
Open Authentication – communicates the key across the network.
Shared Authentication – allows communication only with other
devices with identical WEP settings.
Auto – will automatically adjust to theAuthentication mode of the
wireless client.
Default Key - Select one of 4 keys to be the default key.
Network Key – enter a key in eitherASCII or Hexadecimal format.
Key Format -ASCII or Hexadecimal.
Key length - select the key length, either 64- or 128-bits.
Click Apply to save the changes.
Hexadecimal digits consist of the numbers 0-9 and the lettersA-F.
ASCII (American StandardCode forInformation Interchange) isacode for
representing English letters as numbers from 0-127.

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Configuration Utility (continued)
Encryption > WPA
Encryption – WPA is selected here. The other choices are WEP, WPA PSK,
and None.
Config – Click Config when WPA is selected.
Define Certificate –This pop-up dialog box appears when you select WPA
and click Config.
Select a Certificate – Select a Certificate from the pull-down menu.
Server/Domain Name – Each server has a domain name that
uniquely identifies it. That domain name is normally contained in the
Subject CN field of the server certificate. A server domain name ends
with the name of a larger administrative domain, to which the server
belongs.
Login Name – enter the Login Name here.
Choose a Certificate Authority – Select a Certificate Authority from
the pull-down menu.
Click OK to complete the WPA configuration.

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Configuration Utility (continued)
Encryption > WPA PSK
Encryption – WPA PSK is selected here. The other choices are WEP, WPA,
and None.
Config – Click Config when WPA PSK is selected.
Define WPA PSK –Enter your WPA Passphrase. The minimum length is 8
characters.
Click OK to complete the WPA PSK configuration.

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Configuration Utility
Site Survey
Refresh- Click on
Refresh to get the
most updated list of
availablenetworks.
Available Network- The topsection ofthe window displaystheAvailable Net-
works. Scroll up and down the list and highlight the network to which you wish
to connect. Click on the Connect button.
Profile- In the lower half of the screen, you can manage the profiles that you
havecreated for thewireless network athome,at the officeand in publicplaces.
Scroll up and down and highlight the profile that you wish to configure. You can
Add or Remove a profile, or configure the Properties of the profile in order to
connect with an available network.
Connect- Highlight
an existing network
andclickConfigure;
the configuration
window on the next
page will 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- Highlight a network profile; click Properties and the screen on the
next page will appear.
Signal Strength- To
check the signal
strengthofanetwork,
scroll to the right in
the upper window
until the Signal Strength is displayed.
Connect, Add or Properties- When you click on Connect, Add or Proper-
ties, the screen on the next page will appear.

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You can configure a network in this screen.
Just as with the Encryption window shown earlier, you will be prompted to
configure the security settings when you make a selection in WPA OPTION.
Please see the Encryption section in this chapter for more information about
completing WPA security settings.
Configuration Utility
When you click on Connect, Add or Properties in the Site Survey screen
this window will appear.