D-Link DWA-142 User manual

2D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Table of Contents
Product Overview ........................................................3
Package Contents....................................................3
System Requirements ............................................. 3
Introduction..............................................................4
Features...................................................................5
Hardware Overview .................................................6
Installation....................................................................7
Getting Started ........................................................7
Remove Existing Installations ............................ 7
Disable Other Wireless Adapters.......................8
Adapter Installation................................................10
Configuration............................................................. 14
D-Link Wireless Connection Manager ................... 14
Wireless Networks ...........................................15
My Wireless Networks .....................................16
Support ............................................................ 19
About ...............................................................20
Windows®XP Configuration Utility......................... 21
Disabling The Windows®XP Utility...................22
Wireless Security.......................................................24
What is WEP?........................................................ 24
What is WPA? ........................................................25
Configure WEP ...................................................... 26
Using the D-Link Wireless Connection
Manager........................................................... 26
Using the Windows®XP Utility .........................28
Configure WPA/WPA2 Passphrase........................ 30
Using the D-Link Wireless Connection
Manager........................................................... 30
Using the Windows®XP Utility .........................32
Troubleshooting.........................................................34
Wireless Installation Considerations...................... 38
Wireless Basics ......................................................... 39
Networking Basics .................................................... 44
Check your IP address ..........................................44
Statically Assign an IP address .............................45
Technical Specifications........................................... 46
Contacting Technical Support..................................48
Warranty .....................................................................49
Registration................................................................55
Table of Contents

3D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
• D-Link DWA-142 Wireless USB Adapter
• Manual and Warranty on CD
• D-Link Wireless Connection Manager on CD
• Quick Installation Guide
System Requirements
• A computer or laptop with an available USB 2.0 port
• Windows®2000 (Service Pack 4) or XP (Service Pack 2)
• CD-ROM Drive
• 300MHz processor and at least 64MB of RAM
• A draft 802.11n or 802.11b/g access point (for Infrastructure mode), or another draft 802.11n wireless
adapter (for Ad-Hoc mode.)
Product Overview
Package Contents

4D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
Introduction
The DWA-142 Wireless USB Adapter is a convenient wireless connectivity solution for desktop or notebook PCs.
Instead of stringing Ethernet cables to your PC or dismantling your desktop computer case, the DWA-142 can enable
Draft 802.11n wireless connectivity by simply utilizing your desktop or notebook PC’s USB port.
Powered by RangeBooster N™ technology, the DWA-142 provides a faster wireless connection and superior reception
than 802.11g*.The DWA-142 is designed for use in bigger homes and for those that demand higher networking. Maximize
wireless performance by connecting this USB Adapter to a RangeBooster N Router and stay connected from virtually
anywhere in the home. This USB Adapter supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption to prevent outside intrusion and
protect your personal information from being exposed.
D-Link’s Quick Setup Wizard guides you step-by-step through the installation process. You’ll be able to configure this
USB Adapter without having to call the teenager from down the street to help you. The D-Link Wireless Manager is
included with this product to keep track of all your most frequently accessed networks.
Compact in size, robust in speed the DWA-142 Wireless USB Adapter is great for travel and a convenient solution for
providing high performance wireless connectivity to your desktop or notebook PC. Enjoy the many benefits of wireless
connectivity today!
* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11g and Draft 802.11n specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network
conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual
data throughput rate. Environmental conditions will adversely affect wireless signal range.

5D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
Features
• Compact size for placement anywhere.
• Convenience of Plug & Play installation.
• Fully 802.11b/802.11g compatible.
• Draft 802.11n compliant.
• Powered by the USB port; no external power source required.
• USB 2.0 standard*.
• Better Security with 802.1x and WPA - In addition to 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption, you can also
securely connect to a wireless network using 802.1x for wireless authentication, as well as WPA (Wi-Fi
Protected Access) providing you a much higher level of security for your data and communication than
has previously been available.
• Position the DWA-142 almost anywhere in your workspace to achieve the best reception possible.
• Supports Infrastructure networks via an access point and Peer-to-Peer communication in Ad-Hoc
mode.
• User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.
* Using a USB 1.1 port will adversely affect throughput.

6D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
Hardware Overview
USB Port
Used to connect the DWA-142
to your computer.

7D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Getting Started
Installation
This section will walk you through the installation process. If you have a built-in wireless adapter, please disable it in
device manager before installing your D-Link adapter. Also, if you have previously installed another wireless adapter,
please make sure any software is uninstalled.
Before installing your new D-Link wireless adapter, please verify the following:
• Remove any previous installations of wireless adapters
• Disable any built-in wireless adapters
• Verify the settings such as the SSID and security settings of the network(s) you want to connect to
Remove Existing Installations
If you’ve installed a different manufacture’s adapter or a different model D-Link adapter, make sure the software is
uninstalled before installing the new software. Some utilities may cause a conflict with the new software. If you plan
to use multiple adapters at different times, make sure the utilities are not set to load when your computer boots up.
Windows®XP users may use the built-in wireless utility for all adapters.
To remove any old software:
Windows®XP users: Click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Windows®2000 users: Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.

8D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Disable Other Wireless Adapters
Most newer laptops may include a built-in wireless adapter. To prevent any conflicts with the D-Link wireless adapter,
it is recommended to disable the wireless adapter (as well as any unused Ethernet adapters).
From the desktop, right-click on the My Computer icon and select
Properties.
Click the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager. Scroll down
the list and click the +sign to the left of Network Adapters.
Right-click the adapter you would like to disable and select
Disable.

9D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Click Yes to disable the adapter.
The adapter is now disabled. When disabled, a red X will be
displayed.
Disabling the adapter will not remove the drivers. If you would like
to use the adapter, simply right-click it and select Enable.

10D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Warning: Do NOT install the DWA-142 USB Adapter into your computer before installing the driver software
from the D-Link CD.
Turn on the computer and Insert the D-Link DWA-142 Driver CD in the CD-ROM drive. The step-by-step instructions
that follow are shown in Windows XP. The steps and screens are similar for the other Windows operating systems.
If the CD Autorun function does not automatically start on your computer, go to Start > Run. In the run box type “D:\
DWA-142.exe” (where D: represents the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive).
When the autorun screen appears, click Install Drivers.
Adapter Installation
Click Install Drivers

11D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
The InstallShield Wizard window will appear.
By default setup will install to the default location: C:\Program
Files\D-Link\DWA-142, where C: represents the drive letter of
your hard drive. To install to a different location click Browse
and specify the location.
Select the Program Files folder location.
Click Next
Click Next
Click Next

12D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
The D-Link configuration wizard will now appear.
If you are using Windows®XP (SP2), you will have the option
to use either the D-Link utility or the built-in Windows®Wireless
utility.
Insert the adapter into an available USB port on your
computer.
If the Found New Hardware Wizard appears, click Cancel.
Enter the network name (SSID) manually. If you enter the SSID
incorrectly, you will automatically be brought to the site survey
page. Click Scan to display the site survey page.
Click Next
Click Next
Click Next

13D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Click the Scan button to display a list of wireless networks
(site survey). Click on the network name (SSID) and click
Connect.
Click Finish to continue. If you are prompted to reboot your
computer, select Yes, I want to restart my computer now.
Click Connect
Click Finish

14D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
Configuration
This section will show you how to configure your new D-Link wireless adapter using the D-Link Utility as well as the
Windows®XP Zero Configuration Utility.
D-Link Wireless Connection Manager
The D-Link DWA-142 uses the Wireless Connection Manager as the management software. The manager provides
the user an easy interface to change any settings related to the wireless adapter. Clicking on the Wireless Connection
Manager icon on the desktop will start the Configuration .
If you are using Windows®XP, please skip to page 22.
Double-click the Wireless Conection
Manager icon on your desktop.

15D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
Wireless Networks
The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name
of the wireless network.
Displays the MAC address of the wireless
device.
Displays the Link Quality of the wireless
connection.
If there is a “lock” icon, this means the wireless
network is secure.You must know the encryption
key/security settings to connect.
Displays the channel of the wireless network.
Rescans for available wireless networks in your
area.
Highlight a wireless network and click the
Connect button. If the network is secure, a
pop-up window will appear. Enter the security
information to connect (refer to the Wireless
Security section for more information).
Select a wireless network profile from the
drop-down menu and click Activate to connect.
Allow up to 30 seconds to connect.
MAC:
SSID:
Channel:
Signal:
Security:
Refresh Button:
Connect Button:
Activate Button:
The Wireless Networks (Site Survey) page will display all wireless networks that are available in your area. To connect
to a network, simply highlight the wireless network (SSID) and click Connect.

16D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
My Wireless Networks
The My Wireless Networks page will allow you to create, edit, and delete wireless network profiles. Every time you
connect to a network using the Wireless Networks page, a profile will automatically be created.
New Button:
Modify:
Click New to create a new wireless network
profile (refer to page 18).
Click Modify to edit a current profile (refer to
page 19).
Click Delete to remove a profile.
Click Activate to use a profile. Allow up to 30
seconds to connect to the wireless network.
The Profile Details section will display information
about the wireless network such as the network
name (SSID), network type (Infrastructure or
Ad-Hoc), and if the network is secured.
Delete:
Active:
Profile Details:

17D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
Add Profile
You may add a new network by clicking the New button from the My Wireless Networks page.
Profile Name:
SSID:
Enter a name for your profile (e.g. Home, Office,
Coffee Shop).
Enter the SSID of the wireless network.
Select the network type. If you are connecting
to a wireless router or access point, select
Infrastructure. If you are connecting to another
wireless client such as an adapter, select
Ad-Hoc.
Select the type of security used. Please refer
to the Wireless Security section for more
information.
Click OK to save your settings.
Network Type:
Set Security:
OK Button:

18D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
Modify Profile
You may edit an existing profile by clicking the Modify button from the My Wireless Networks page.
Profile Name:
SSID:
Enter a name for your profile (e.g. Home, Office,
Coffee Shop).
Displays the SSID of the network.
Displays the network type.
Select the type of security used. Please refer
to the Wireless Security section for more
information.
Click OK to save your settings.
Network Type:
Set Security:
OK Button:

19D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
Support
If you need help, click the Support button. A panel will appear to the right of the utility which will display information
about the utility.

20D-Link DWA-142 User Manual
Section 3 - Configuration
The About screen gives you information about the
Firmware and Utility Versions of the DWA-142.
About