D-Link AirPlus XTREME G DWL-G680 User manual

Manual
Building Networks for People
IEEE 802.11g
DWL-G680
D-Link AirPlus X TREME G
TM
WLAN Cardbus Adapter
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Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
GettingStarted ......................................................................................9
UsingtheConfigurationUtility..............................................................12
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................24
Troubleshooting...................................................................................37
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................42
ContactingTechnicalSupport ..............................................................44
Warrantyand Registration ...................................................................45

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Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G680
High-Speed 2.4GHz/802.11g Wireless CardbusAdapter
Manual, Warranty and Drivers on CD
PrintedQuick InstallationGuide
Package Contents
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements for Configuration:
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An 802.11g or 802.11b access point (for Infrastructure mode),
or another 802.11g or 802.11b wireless adapter (for Ad-Hoc,
Peer-to-Peer networking mode.)
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At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz 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
TheDWL-G680 hasthenewest,strongestandmostadvanced securityfeaturesavailable
today.When usedwithother802.11WPA(Wi-FiProtectedAccess)and 802.1xcompatible
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 packetis akindofmessagetransmittedoveranetwork.)Thisensures
muchgreater securitythan thestandardWEPsecurity.(Bycontrast, theprevious
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 thatwill not incorporate aRADIUSserverin their network, thesecurity
fortheDWL-G680, usedinconjunction withotherWPA-compatible 802.11products,will
still be much stronger than ever before. Utilizing the Pre-Shared Key mode of WPA,
the DWL-G680 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 WEP key frequently to ensure
security. With the DWL-G680, you will automatically receive a new key every time you
connect, vastly increasing the safety of your communication.
*Not all servers can provide Authentication
The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G680 Wireless Cardbus Adapter is an 802.11b/
802.11ghigh-performance, wirelessadapterthatsupportshigh-speedwirelessnetworking
at home, at work or in public places.
Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G680 provides data transfers at up to 54 Mbps
(compared to the standard 11 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G
products.The 802.11gstandardis backwards compatiblewith 802.11b products.
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Features
LEDs
LEDstands for Light-Emitting Diode. The DWL-G680hasthefollowing LEDs:
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A blinking light indicates
data is being transmitted.
Activity
A steady light indicates a
connection to an access
point.
Link
Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g Devices - Fully compatible with the IEEE
802.11band802.11g standards,the DWL-G680canconnect withexisting802.11b-
or 802.11g- compliant routers, access points and cards. That means you can still
communicate with colleagues and friends while you have the ability to link to even
morewirelessnetworks.
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Faster Wireless Networking - Faster data transfers mean increased productivity.
With the DWL-G680 in your laptop PC, you will have the flexibility of wireless net-
working speeds that save you time and money.
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Better Security with 802.1x and WPA-With the DWL-G680 in your laptop PC you
cansecurelyconnect toa wirelessnetworkusing 802.1xforwireless authentication,
aswellas WPA(Wi-Fi ProtectedAccess) providingyoua much higherlevel of secu-
rityforyour dataandcommunication thanhaspreviously been available.
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32-bit Cardbus Performance/Plug &Play Connectivity -TheDWL-G680isapow-
erful 32-bit Cardbus Adapter that installs quickly and easily into laptop PCs, and
whenused withotherD-LinkAirPlus XtremeG products willautomatically connect
to the network out of the box.
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!User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.

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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
Ethernetadaptercards.
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatiblehigh-speed wirelessconnectivity withinyour home,business orpublicaccess
wirelessnetworks.D-Linkwireless products will allowyouaccess to the data youwant,
whenandwhereyouwant it.Youwillbeable toenjoythefreedomthat wirelessnetworking
brings.
AWireless LocalAreaNetwork (WLAN)is acomputernetworkthattransmitsand receives
datawithradio signals insteadofwires. WLANsareused increasingly inbothhome and
office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities.
Innovativeways toutilizeWLANtechnologyarehelpingpeopletoworkandcommunicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed
infrastructurehaveproven to bebeneficialfor many users.
People use 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
informationcansignificantly improve workerefficiency.
Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and
relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease of
implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be
impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing aWLANsystemcan be fast and
easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technologyallowsthe network to gowherewirescannot go - evenoutsidethe home or
office.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventionalEthernet networkdevices.
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-Peernetworks suitablefora smallnumberof userstolarger Infrastructure
networkstoaccommodatehundreds or thousands ofusers,dependingon the number
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Wireless Basics (continued)
Standards-Based Technology
TheDWL-G680WirelessCardbusAdapterutilizesthe802.11bandthe802.11gstandards.
The IEEE 802.11g standard is an extension of the 802.11b standard. It increases the
data rate up to 54 Mbps within the 2.4GHz band, utilizing OFDM technology.
Thismeansthat in mostenvironments,within the specifiedrangeofthis device, youwill
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 transmitting high-speed
digitaldataover aradiowaveutilizingOFDM (OrthogonalFrequencyDivisionMultiplexing)
technology. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals
that are thentransmitted simultaneously atdifferent frequenciesto the receiver. OFDM
reducesthe amountof crosstalk (interference)insignaltransmissions.TheD-LinkDWL-
G650will automaticallysensethe bestpossible connectionspeedto ensurethegreatest
speedandrange possible.
802.11g offersthe most advanced networksecurityfeaturesavailable today, including:
WPA, 802.1x, TKIP,AES and Pre-Shared Key mode.
The DWL-G680 is backwards compatible with 802.11b devices. This means 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.
TheDWL-G680iscompatible with the followingwirelessproducts:
D-Link Air DWL-650,D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+,
WirelessCardbusAdapters used with laptopcomputers
D-Link Air DWL-520,D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+,
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G520
Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+ and D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-2000AP
Enhanced 2.4GHz WirelessAccess Points
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D-Link AirPlus DI-614+, D-Link AirPro DI-764,D-Link Air Xpert DI-774,
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624
WirelessRouters
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Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G680 lets you access your network, using a
wireless connection, from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep in mind,
however, that thenumber, thickness andlocationof walls, ceilings, orotherobjectsthat
thewirelesssignals mustpassthrough,maylimittherange.Typicalrangesvarydepending
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:
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Keepyourproduct away (at least3-6feet or 1-2 meters)fromelectrical devices
orappliancesthatgenerate RF noise.
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Keepthenumberofwallsandceilings betweenthe DWL-G680andothernetwork
devices toaminimum -eachwall orceilingcan reduceyourDWL-G680’s range
from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that the number of walls
or ceilings is minimized.
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Beawareof the direct linebetweennetwork devices.Awall that is 1.5feetthick
(.5meters),at a 45-degreeangleappearsto be almost3feet (1 meter)thick.At
a2-degreeangle itlooksover 42 feet(14 meters) thick!Positiondevices sothat
thesignalwilltravel straight through awallor ceiling (instead ofatanangle) for
betterreception.
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Buildingmaterialscanimpedethewirelesssignal- asolidmetaldoororaluminum
studsmayhave a negativeeffect on range.Tryto position wirelessdevicesand
computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through drywall or
opendoorwaysand not other materials.
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Getting Started
Onthefollowing pages wewillshow you anexampleof an Infrastructure Network and
anAd-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-Linknetworkdevices(your existing network maybecomprisedof other devices):
A wireless router - D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624
A laptop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPro DWL-G680
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G520, D-Link Air DWL-520,
or D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+
Acablemodem - D-Link DCM-201
Therearebasicallytwo modes of networking:
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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-G680 Wireless CardbusAdapters.
Infrastructure – using an access point, or wireless router, such as
theDI-624.
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Getting Started
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
For a typical wireless
setup at home (as shown
above), please do the
following:
Youwill needbroadbandInternet access (aCableor DSL-subscriber lineinto
yourhomeor office).
ConsultwithyourCableorDSL providerforproperinstallationofthemodem.
ConnecttheCable orDSLmodem to yourbroadbandrouter.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with your router).
If you are connecting a desktop computer to your network, you can install the
D-LinkAirPlusXtreme G DWL-G520 WirelessPCIAdapter intoanavailable
PCI slot on your desktop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter).
InstalltheD-Link DWL-G680 WirelessCardbusAdapterintoa laptop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G680).
If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an Ethernet net-
workadapter(such as aDFE-530TX+) to therouteralso.