D-Link DWL-122 User manual

Manual
Building Networks for People
2.4GHz Wireless USB Adapter
Air DWL-122
D-Link

2
Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
InsertingandRemovingtheDWL-122; Using theExtensionCord ..........9
GettingStarted....................................................................................10
UsingtheConfigurationUtilitywith Windows OS..................................13
UsingtheConfigurationUtilitywithMacintoshOS ................................20
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................25
Troubleshooting...................................................................................38
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................41
ContactingTechnicalSupport ..............................................................43
WarrantyandRegistration ...................................................................44

3
At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
Properly installed and working USB Controller
Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
!
Acomputer or laptop with an available USB port
!
!
!
D-Link Air DWL-122
2.4 GHz Wireless USB Adapter
Manual on CD-ROM
QuickInstallationGuide
USB Extenstion Cable
Contents of Package:
Package Contents
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements:
!
!
!
!
Mac OSX (v10.2x or later)
!

4
Introduction
The D-Link Air DWL-122 Wireless USB Adapter is a convenient Plug & Play
USB 1.1 solution that brings wireless networking to your laptop or desktop PC.
With transfer rates up to 11Mbps you can connect to a wireless network at
home, at the office or at any wireless hotspot. Now you can stay connected
wherever you are and wherever you go.
The DWL-122 is Wi-Fi compliant, meaning that it can connect and interoperate
with other 802.11b Wi-Fi-compliant wireless routers, access points and
adapters. The DWL-122 connects to any available USB port on a laptop or
desktopWindowsand Macintosh-basedcomputerand alsoincludesastandard
USB extension cable. With the optional USB extension cable, the DWL-122
canbepositionedvirtuallyanywhereataworkstationtoachievethebestavailable
wireless signal reception - whether that workstation is in your office, on your
deckorpatio, by thepool,at thelocalcoffeeshop, orinan airport terminalwhile
waiting to board your next flight.
The adapter works with Apple Mac OS X (10.2x or later) Jaguar, Microsoft
Windows XP, Windows 2000 and other Windows operating systems to ensure
that you’ll be up and running on a wireless network in just a matter of seconds.
The DWL-122 also features 64 or 128-bit WEP encryption providing a level of
security for the data that you wirelessly transmit.
Using its default settings, the DWL-122 automatically connects to other D-Link
Wireless products as soon as it’s active.

5
Features and Benefits
**
* Environmental factors may adversely affect range
Convenience of Plug & Play installation
!
Fully 802.11b compatible
!
One year warranty (USA only)
!
Connects at up to 328 feet indoors*
!
User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities
!
Supports infrastructure networks via an Access Point or Router and
Peer-to-Peer communication in Ad-Hoc mode
!
Network Security with with 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption
!
USB 1.1 standard
!
Powered by the USB port; no external power source is needed
!
Compact size for placement anywhere
!

6
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-
useand compatiblehigh-speed wirelessconnectivitywithinyourhome,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 WLAN is a cellular 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 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.
Wireless Basics
Features
Link/ActivityLED
Power - Indicates that the
DWL-122isproperly
installed in the computer.
Link - Blinks when data is
beingtransmittedthrough
thewireless connection.
USB connector
Used to connect the
DWL-122 to your
computer
Internal Antenna
Used to wirelessly connect
to802.11b networks

7
Wireless Basics (continued)
People use wireless LAN 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 –WLANsareeasyto set up, manage,change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease
ofimplementation.WLANscan operatein locationswhere installationof wiring
may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be
fastand easyandcaneliminatetheneedto pullcablethroughwallsandceilings.
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 topologies to meet the
needs of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily
changed and range from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of
userstolargerinfrastructure networks toaccommodatehundreds or thousands
of users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively
priced as conventional Ethernet network devices.

8
Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link Air DWL-122 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
objectsthat the wireless signalsmust pass through, maylimit therange.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:
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-122 and other
network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your D-
Link wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your
devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
Be aware of the direct line between network devices.A wall that is 1.5 feet
thick(.5 meters), ata 45-degree angleappears tobe almost 3feet (1meter)
thick.At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Position
devicessothat the signalwilltravel straight throughawall or ceiling(instead
of at an angle) for better reception.
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate extreme RF noise.
2.
3.
4.
1.
Building Materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door or
aluminumstudsmayhaveanegativeeffectonrange.Trytopositionwireless
devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes
through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.

9
Removing the DWL-122 (Windows XP)
After installing the DWL-122,
this icon will appear in the
taskbar at the bottom of the
screen (for WinXP service
pack I and above).
Before you disengage the
DWL-122 from the USB
port, you must click on the
icon (illustrated above) that
resides in the taskbar.
When the screen at right
appears,highlight the
DWL-122.
Click Stop
Windows will notify you when it is safe to remove the DWL-122 from the USB
port.
Inserting the DWL-122
Using the DWL-122 with
the extension cord
Plug one end of the USB extension cord into
the USB port on your computer and plug the
other end into the DWL-122.
Insert the DWL-122 into an available USB
port.
Getting Started

10
With its default settings, the DWL-122 will connect with other
D-Link Air products, right out of the box.
A wireless broadband Router-
D-Link AirPlus DI-614+
A laptop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link Air DWL-122
A desktop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link Air DWL-122
A Cable modem -
D-Link DCM-201
There are basically two modes of networking:
Infrastructure – using an Access Point or Router, such as the DI-614+.
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-122 wireless USB adapters.
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 Router. The
Infrastructure Network example shown on the following page contains the
D-Link network devices listed here; (your existing network may be comprised
of other devices).
Getting Started (continued)

11
YouwillneedbroadbandInternet access (a Cableor DSL-subscriber line into
yourhomeoroffice)
Consult with your Cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the modem
Connect theCable orDSLmodem toyour broadbandrouter. (See the Quick
Installation Guide includedwithyourrouter.)
Installthe D-Link AirDWL-122 wireless USBadapter into anavailable USB port
on your desktopcomputer. (SeetheQuick Installation Guide included with the
DWL-122.)
If you are connecting a laptop computer to your network, you can install the
DWL-122intoan available USBport on yourlaptop.(SeetheQuick Installation
GuideincludedwiththeDWL-122.)
Getting Started (continued)
For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the
following:
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
4
1
2
3
DWL-122
DWL-122
5

12
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Ad Hoc Network
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 IPAddress of 192.168.0.2
with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be
assignedan IPAddressof192.168.0.3withaSubnetMask of255.255.255.0,
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
Installthe D-Link Air DWL-122 WirelessUSB adapter into the desktop
computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for
installation instructions.)
Install another DWL-122 into the laptop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for installation
instructions.)
Set the wireless configuration for the adapters to Ad-Hoc mode, set
the adapters to the same channel, and assign an IPAddress to each
computer on theAd-Hoc network. (See Box below.)

13
D-Link Air DWL-122 uses the Configuration Utility as the management
software.The utility provides the user an easyinterface to change any settings
related to the wireless adapter. When the computer is started, 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 DWL-122.
AnewiconwillappearinyourIcontray.
Double-click on the D icon shown in
thetray.
To use the D-Link ConfigurationUtility
with XP, click on the D-Link
ConfigurationUtility icon in the taskbar
in the lower corner of your computer
screen.
Select the Wireless Networks tab;
uncheck the box in the properties
window that enables windows
configuration. After you have done
this, you can then use the D-Link
ConfigurationUtilitywithXPbyclicking
onthe D-LinkConfigurationUtilityicon
again.
Using the Configuration Utility
with Windows OS
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility
or the D-Link Configuration Utility.

14
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued)
Link Info
SSID:
The Service Set Identifier is
the name assigned to the
wireless network. The
factory 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 MACAddress
of the Access Point or
Router to which the DWL-
122 is associated
Channel:
The default setting is Auto. The channel selection is automatically determined
by the DWL-122.
Signal Strength:
Displays the signal strength of the DWL-122’s wireless connection to the
Access Point or Router.
Packet Count:
Displays the statistics of the data packets that are transmitted and received.
Frequency:
802.11b indicates that the
DWL-122 is communicat-
ing in the 2.4GHz band.
Encryption:
You can see if WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is Enabled or Disabled here.
Wireless Mode:
Either Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc will be displayed here. (Please see the
Getting Started section in this manual for an explanation of these two modes.)
Rescan Button:
Rescans for the strongest signal with the current SSID and associates with
that Access Point or Router

15
Configuration
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued)
Wireless Mode:
SSID:
Authentication:
Keys 1-4:
Select the default key
Key Length:
Data Encryption:
IP Settings:
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.
Click on the pull-down menu; select from the
followingoptions:
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-peerenvironment.
Select Enabled or Disabled.
IP Settings
Choose one of the following modes:
Open Authentication – the DWL-122
is visible to all devices on the network
Shared Authentication – allows
communication only with other devices
with identical WEP settings
Auto – will automatically adjust to theAuthentication mode of the
wireless Access Point or Router
Select the key length and eitherASCII (e.g., a word) or hexadecimal format.
Click Apply to save changes.
When you click IP Settings in the Configuration window, the pop-up screen
above will appear. Configure the IP Settings in this window.
Hexadecimal digits consist of the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F
ASCII (American StandardCodefor InformationInterchange) isa code for
representingEnglish letters as numbers from 0-127

16
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued)
Advanced
Ad-Hoc Channel:
All devices in theAd Hoc
network must be set to the
same channel
Click Apply if you have made any changes
Data Packet Parameter:
Select the parameters here
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
information each time you
connect to a network. If
you select Enable you will
maintain the same IP
Address information
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 error rate, you may slightly increase your Fragmentation
Threshold within the value 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 modification should be made.
RTS Threshold:

17
Refresh:
Click on Refresh to get
the most updated list of
availablenetworks.
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued)
Site Survey
Available Network:
The top section of the window displays the Available Networks. 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 have cre-
ated for the wireless network at home, at the office and in public places. Scroll
upand downand highlight the profile that you wish to configure.Youcan Add or
Remove a profile, or configure the Properties of the profile in order to connect
with 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 with the current
SSID.
Configure:
Highlightanexisting
network and click Config-
ure; the configuration
window on the next page
willappear.
Advanced:
Highlight a network; click
Advanced and the screen
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
willappear.

18
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued)
Ifyou clicked onAdd,
you can configure, in
this window, all the
properties of a profile
that you wish to add to
the network.
Configuration,Add or Properties
Advanced
In this window you can
select the type of network
connection.
Click OK to save the
changes.
If you clicked on
Configuration or
Properties you can
configure, in this
window, all the
properties of a profile
that already exists in
the network.
Click OK to save the
changes.

19
Using the Configuration Utility with Windows OS
(continued) About
The About tab displays the
MACAddress, the utility and
the firmware versions.

20
After you have completed the installation of the DWL-122 into your Macintosh
computer (please refer to the Quick Installation Guide included with the
product), follow the steps below to access the configuration settings.
From the Apple pull-down menu select System Preferences.
Using the Configuration
Settings with Macintosh OS
Double-click on the Wireless Adaptor icon.