D-Link DWA-180 User manual

Version 1.0 | 03/21/2013
User Manual
DWA-180
Wireless AC1000
Dual Band USB Adapter

2D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
D-Link reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes in the content hereof without obligation to notify any person or organization
of such revisions or changes.
Manual Revisions
Trademarks
D-Link and the D-Link logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of D-Link Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries.
All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright © 2013 by D-Link Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior expressed written permission from D-Link Systems, Inc.
Revision Date Description
1.0 March 21, 2012 • Initial release for Revision A1
Preface

3D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Table of Contents
Preface................................................................................ 2
Manual Revisions.......................................................................... 2
Trademarks ..................................................................................... 2
Product Overview.............................................................. 4
Package Contents......................................................................... 4
System Requirements................................................................. 4
Introduction ................................................................................... 5
Features............................................................................................ 6
Hardware Overview..................................................................... 7
Installation ......................................................................... 8
Getting Started.............................................................................. 8
Remove Existing Installations .......................................... 8
Disable Other Adapters...................................................... 9
Wireless Installation Considerations....................................11
Adapter Installation...................................................................12
Connect to a Wireless Network.......................................19
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) ..................................................19
Wireless Connection Manager...............................................20
D-Link Wireless Connection Manager............................21
Wireless Networks......................................................................22
Status Bar...............................................................................23
My Wireless Networks...............................................................24
Add/Modify Prole.............................................................25
WPA/WPA2 - Personal..................................................26
WPA/WPA2 - Enterprise ..............................................27
Troubleshooting ..............................................................28
Wireless Basics .................................................................31
Wireless Modes............................................................................35
Networking Basics...........................................................36
Check your IP address...............................................................36
Windows® 8 Users...............................................................36
Windows® 7/Vista® Users..................................................36
Windows® XP Users............................................................36
Statically Assign an IP Address ..............................................37
Windows® 8 Users ...............................................................37
Windows® 7/ Vista® Users .................................................38
Windows® XP Users............................................................39
Technical Specications..................................................40
Contacting Technical Support ........................................41
Warranty...........................................................................42
Registration .....................................................................49
Table of Contents

4D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
D-Link DWA-180 Wireless AC1000 Dual Band USB Adapter
System Requirements
• Windows® 8, 7, Vista®, or XP (32/64-bit)
• CD-ROM Drive
• An 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, or 802.11a wireless network
• 20MB hard drive space
• An available USB port
Product Overview
Package Contents
Quick install Guide
CD with drivers and software

5D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
Introduction
The DWA-180 Wireless AC1000 Dual Band 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-180 can enable 802.11n wireless connectivity by simply
utilizing your desktop or notebook PC’s USB port.
Powered by Wireless AC1000 Dual Band technology, the DWA-180 provides a faster wireless connection and superior reception than 802.11n*. The
DWA-180 is designed for use in bigger homes and for those that demand higher networking, and its 5GHz Mediaband helps avoid interference by
providing a clearer wireless band for signals than existing 802.11n, 802.11g and 802.11a products. Maximize wireless performance by connecting
this USB Adapter to a Wireless AC Dual Band Media router and stay connected from virtually anywhere in the home. This USB Adapter supports
WPA™and WPA2™encryption to prevent outside intrusion and protect your personal information from being exposed.
* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11ac (Draft), 802.11n, and 802.11g specications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors,
including volume of network trac, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lowers actual data throughput rate. Environmental conditions will adversely aect wireless signal range.

6D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
Features
• 802.11n compliant.
• Fully 802.11g and 802.11a compatible.
• Powered by the USB port; no external power source required.
• USB 2.0 standard*.
• You can securely connect to a wireless network using WPA™/WPA2™ (Wi-Fi® Protected Access) providing you a much higher level of
security for your data and communication than has previously been available.You may also use 802.1x for wireless authentication.
• Position the DWA-180 almost anywhere in your workspace to achieve the best reception possible.
• Supports Infrastructure networks via an access point or wireless router.
* Using a USB 1.1 port will adversely aect throughput.

7D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 1 - Product Overview
Hardware Overview
1LED This LED will blink slowly when installed properly. If this light is o, the drivers are not
installed. During the WPS process, this light will blink fast.
2USB Connector Used to connect the DWA-180 to your computer.
3WPS Button Press the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button to automatically connect to a WPS-enabled
wireless router or access point and establish connectivity. Refer to page 19.
3
2
1

8D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
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.
Getting Started
Before installing your new D-Link wireless adapter, please verify the following:
• Remove any previous installations of wireless adapters.
• Disable any built-in wireless and Ethernet 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 dierent manufacture’s adapter or a dierent model D-Link adapter, make sure the software is uninstalled before installing
the new software. Some utilities may cause a conict with the new software. If you plan to use multiple adapters at dierent times, make sure the
utilities are not set to load when your computer boots up. Windows® users may use the built-in wireless utility for all adapters.
To remove any old software:
Windows® 8 users: Press Windows Key + Q > Control Panel > Uninstall Programs.
Windows® 7 users: Click Start > Control Panel > Uninstall Programs.
Windows Vista® users: Click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Windows® XP users: Click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.

9D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Disable Other Adapters
Most newer laptops may include a built-in wireless adapter. To prevent any conicts with the D-Link wireless adapter, it is recommended to disable
the wireless adapter (as well as any unused Ethernet adapters).
Windows® XP - Go to Start >My Computer >Properties > Hardware > Device Manager.
Windows® 7/Vista® - Go to Start > Device Manager.
Windows® 8 - Press the Windows key and Xtogether and then click Device Manager.
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.

10D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Click Yes to disable the adapter.
When the adapter is disabled, a down arrow or a grayed icon 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.

11D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Wireless Installation Considerations
The D-Link wireless adapter lets you access your network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere within the operating range of your
wireless network. 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:
1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the D-Link adapter and other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling
can reduce your adapter’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is
minimized.
2. Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall 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.
3. Building materials make a dierence. A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative eect on range. Try to position
access points, wireless routers, and computers so that the signal passes through drywall or open doorways. Materials and objects
such as glass, steel, metal, walls with insulation, water (sh tanks), mirrors, le cabinets, brick, and concrete will degrade your
wireless signal.
4. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices or appliances that generate RF noise.
5. If you are using 2.4GHz cordless phones or X-10 (wireless products such as ceiling fans, lights, and home security systems), your
wireless connection may degrade dramatically or drop completely. Make sure your 2.4GHz phone base is as far away from your
wireless devices as possible. The base transmits a signal even if the phone in not in use.

12D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Warning: Do NOT connect the DWA-180 adapter to your computer before installing the driver software from the D-Link CD.
Turn on the computer and insert the D-Link DWA-180 Driver CD in the CD-ROM drive.
If the CD Autorun function does not automatically start on your computer, go to Start > Run. In the run box type “D:\autorun.exe” (where D:
represents the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive).
When the autorun screen appears, click Install.
Adapter Installation

13D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Step 1
When the Welcome screen appears, click Next to continue.
Step 2
Select the installation folder and click Next to continue.
If you do not want to use the default location, click the Browse button and select a
location.

14D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Step 4
Connect the DWA-180 adapter to an available USB slot on your computer. If the Found
New Hardware Wizard appears, click Cancel.
Click Next to continue.
Step 3
Select the location to add a program icon to a program folder and click Next to continue.

15D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Step 5
The DWA-180 drivers will now be installed. This may take up to one minute.
If you get a bubble alert stating that the adapter has not been installed, ignore
it and click the xin the upper-right corner to close the alert.
Step 6
There are two ways to connect to a wireless network:
A. Manual - You can manually enter the Wi-Fi Network name (SSID) and
password or select from a list of available wireless networks (Site Survey).
B. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) - If you have aWPS-enabled router or access
point, use this method to connect. Skip to page 17.
Note: If you do not want to connect to a network at this time, click Exit. Your
adapter and the D-Link software are installed.

16D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
A. Manual
if you know the Wi-Fi Network name (SSID) of the network you want to
connect to, enter the name and click Next to continue. If not, click the
Scan button.
Once you click Scan, a list of available wireless networks will be displayed.
Select a network to connect to and click Next.
If the network you are connecting to is secure, enter the Wi-Fi Password
(encryption key) and click Next. Skip to page 18.

17D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
B. WPS
Press the WPS button on your router. If you do not know how to start the
WPS process on your router, please refer to its manual for more information.
Within two minutes press the Connect Now button on the screen to start
the WPS process on the adapter.
Please allow up to two minutes for the WPS process to nish.
You are now successfully connected to your wireless network. Click Finish.

18D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 2 - Installation
Step 7
The Wireless Connection Wizard is now completed. Click Finish to continue.
Step 8
The adapter installation is completed. Click Finish.

19D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 3 - Connect to a Wireless Network
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) System is designed for easy setup of security-enabled Wi-Fi networks. It is recommended to have the access point or
wireless router nearby during setup.
“Push Button Conguration” (PBC) is a physical button on the DWA-180 and most wireless devices such as routers. A connection can be established
by pressing the WPS button on the DWA-180 and then pushing the button on your access point or wireless router within 120 seconds.
Connect to a Wireless Network
2. To connect to your network, press the WPS button on the adapter
and hold for two seconds. Allow up to two minutes for the devices
to connect.
1. Press theWPS button located on your wireless router or access point.
Please refer to the user manual of your router or access point if you
do not know how to start the WPS process.

20D-Link DWA-180 User Manual
Section 3 - Connect to a Wireless Network
Wireless Connection Manager
To connect to a wireless network using the D-Link Wireless Connection Manager, follow the steps below:
1. Launch the manager by either clicking on the icon in the system tray or double-click the Wireless Connection Manager icon on your desktop.
2. When the utility opens, a list of wireless networks in your area
will be displayed. Select the network you want to connect to
and click Connect.
3. If the network you are connecting to is secure, enter the
password/passphrase and then click OK.
4. Allow about a minute to connect. Once your are connected the
Wireless Connection Manager icon in your system tray will turn
green.