D-Link DWL-G630 - AirPlus G 802.11g Wireless PC... User manual

Manual
802.11g (2.4GHz)
DWL-G630
D-Link AirPlus G
TM
Wireless Cardbus Adapter
Building Networks for People

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Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................5
InstallationConsiderations ....................................................................7
GettingStarted......................................................................................8
UsingtheConfigurationUtility..............................................................11
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................18
Troubleshooting...................................................................................31
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................36
ContactingTechnicalSupport ..............................................................38
WarrantyandRegistration ...................................................................39

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Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G630
802.11g (2.4GHz) Wireless CardbusAdapter
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 802.11g 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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Features
LEDs
LED standsforLight-Emitting Diode. The DWL-G630 hasthe following LEDs:
A blinking light indicates
data is being transmitted.
Activity
A steady light indicates a
connection to an access
point.
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Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g Devices - Fully compatible with the IEEE
802.11band 802.11gstandards,the DWL-G630canconnectwithexisting802.11b-
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
morewireless networks.
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Faster Wireless Networking - Faster data transfers mean increased productivity.
With the DWL-G630 in your laptop PC, you will have the flexibility of wireless net-
working speeds that save you time and money.
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User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.
Introduction
The D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G630 Wireless Cardbus Adapter is an 802.11b/802.11g
(2.4GHz) wireless adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking at home, at
work or in public places.
Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G630 provides data transfers at up to 54 Mbps
(comparedto the standard11 Mbps)when usedwithother D-LinkAirPlus G products.
The802.11g standardis backwardscompatiblewith802.11b products.
32-bit Cardbus Performance/Plug & Play Connectivity - The DWL-G630 is a
powerful32-bitcardbus adapterthat installsquicklyand easilyinto laptopPCs,and
when used with other D-Link Air Plus G products will automatically connect to the
network out of the box.
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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
Ethernetadapter cards.
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivitywithinyour home,businessorpublicaccess
wirelessnetworks.D-Link wirelessproductswill allowyouaccess tothedata youwant,
whenandwhereyouwantit.Youwillbeabletoenjoythefreedomthatwirelessnetworking
brings.
Awireless localareanetwork(WLAN)is acomputer networkthattransmitsandreceives
datawith radiosignalsinstead ofwires. WLANsare usedincreasingly inbothhomeand
office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities.
InnovativewaystoutilizeWLANtechnologyarehelpingpeopletoworkandcommunicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed
infrastructurehaveproven tobe beneficialtomany 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 improveworker efficiency.
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 - InstallingaWLAN system canbe fast and
easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Wireless
technologyallowsthe networktogo wherewires cannot go- even outsidethe homeor
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-Peer networkssuitable fora smallnumber ofusers tolarger Infrastructure
networkstoaccommodate hundredsorthousands ofusers,depending onthenumber
ofwireless devicesdeployed.

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D-Link AirPlus G DI-624
WirelessRouter
Wireless Basics (continued)
Standards-Based Technology
TheDWL-G630WirelessCardbusAdapterutilizesthe802.11bandthe802.11gstandards.
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 inmost environments,within thespecifiedrange ofthis 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
digitaldataoveraradiowaveutilizingOFDM(OrthogonalFrequencyDivisionMultiplexing)
technology. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals
that are then transmittedsimultaneously at different frequenciesto the receiver. OFDM
reducestheamount ofcrosstalk (interference)insignaltransmissions.TheD-LinkDWL-
G630will automaticallysensethebestpossible connectionspeedtoensurethe greatest
speedandrange possible.
The DWL-G630 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.
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G520 and DWL-G510
Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-2000AP
Enhanced 2.4GHz WirelessAccess Point
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TheDWL-G630is alsointeroperable withother 802.11g and802.11bstandards-
compliantdevices.
TheDWL-G630is compatiblewiththe following wirelessproducts:

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Wireless Basics (continued)
Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G630 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
wirelesssignalsmustpassthrough, maylimitthe range.Typicalranges varydepending
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 least 3-6feet or1-2meters) fromelectricaldevices
orappliancesthat generate RFnoise.
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KeepthenumberofwallsandceilingsbetweentheDWL-G630andothernetwork
devicestoaminimum- eachwall orceiling canreduceyour DWL-G630’srange
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 thedirect line betweennetwork devices.Awall thatis1.5 feetthick
(.5meters),at a45-degree angleappearsto bealmost 3feet(1 meter)thick.At
a2-degree angleit looksover42feet(14meters)thick!Positiondevicessothat
thesignalwill travelstraightthrough awallor ceiling(insteadof atanangle) for
betterreception.
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Buildingmaterialscanimpedethewirelesssignal-asolidmetaldoororaluminum
studsmay haveanegativeeffecton range.Try toposition wirelessdevices and
computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through drywall or
opendoorwaysand notother materials.
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Getting Started
Onthefollowingpageswe willshow youan exampleofan 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 (yourexistingnetwork may becomprised of otherdevices):
A wireless router - D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624
A laptop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G630
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G520 orDWL-G510
Acablemodem -D-Link DCM-201
Therearebasically twomodesof 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-G630 Wireless CardbusAdapters.
Infrastructure – using an access point, or wireless router, such as
theDI-624.
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Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
For a typical wireless
setup at home (as shown
above), please do the
following:
Youwillneedbroadband Internetaccess (aCable orDSL-subscriber lineinto
yourhome oroffice).
ConsultwithyourCableorDSLproviderforproperinstallationofthemodem.
Connectthe Cableor DSLmodem toyour broadbandrouter.
(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 AirPlus GDWL-G520 or DWL-G510Wireless PCIAdapterintoan
availablePCI slotonyourdesktopcomputer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter).
Installthe D-LinkDWL-G630 WirelessCardbusAdapter intoalaptop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G630).
If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an Ethernet net-
workadapter (suchasaDFE-530TX+)to therouter also.
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55
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DWL-G630
with Laptop PCwith Laptop PC
with Laptop PCwith Laptop PC
with Laptop PC
DWL-G520or DWL-G510

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Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network
InstalltheD-Link DWL-G630 Wireless CardbusAdapter intoonelaptop
computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for
installation instructions.)
Installanother DWL-G630 into alaptopcomputer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product.)
Set the wireless configuration for the adapters toAd-Hoc mode, set the
adapters to the same channel, and assign an IP address to each computer
on theAd-Hoc network. (See theboxbelow).
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 assigned an IP
address of 192.168.0.3 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, 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-G630
DWL-G630

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Select the Wireless Networks tab.
Uncheck the box in the properties window
thatenables windowsconfiguration.
D-Link AirPlusTM G DWL-G630 uses the Configuration Utility as the management
software.Theutility provides theuser an easyinterface to changeany settings related
to the wireless adapter. After you have completed the installation of the DWL-G630
(refer to the Quick Installation Guide that came with your purchase) whenever you
start the computer, the Configuration Utility starts automatically and the system tray
iconisloaded inthe toolbar(seeillustration below*.)Clicking ontheutility iconwill start
theConfiguration Utility.Another way to start the Configuration Utility istoclick on
Start>Programs>D-Link AirPlus G >D-Link AirPlus G Utility.
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility or the
D-LinkConfiguration Utility.
If the icon does not display in the taskbar, then click on
this icon on your desktop to open.
Touse theD-LinkConfigurationUtilitywith XP,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
theAdvanced button.The screen at right
willappear.
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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UsingtheConfigurationUtility
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Status: Displays the MAC address of the access point that is associated with the
DWL-G630.
SSID: The Service Set Identifier is the name assigned to the wireless network. The
factory SSID setting is set to default.
Tx Rate: Tx Rate settings are automatically determined for an optimal speed up to a
maximumof54Mbps.
Channel: The channel selection is automatically determined by the DWL-G630.
Link Quality / Signal Strength: Displays the link quality for the DWL-G630 wireless
connection to the access point. The signal strength represents the wireless signal
between the access point and the DWL-G630. The percentage coincides with the
graphicalbar.
Data Rate: Displays the statistics of data transmitted and received.
Configuration Utility (continued)
Link Info
Rescan: Rescans for the strongest signal in your environment and associates with
that 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 -Wirelessmodeused when connectingdirectlyto a computerequipped
withawirelessadapterin aPeer-to-Peer environment.
Channel: Thechannelselection is automaticallydeterminedby the DWL-G630.InAd-
Hoc mode, the channel must be manually set to the same channel for each wireless
adapter.
Tx Rate: Tx rates are automatically determined for an optimal speed up to 54Mbps.
ContinuousAccess 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 Utility (continued)
D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ 2.4GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapter
Configuration
Click Apply to save the changes.
Power Mode: Select from three modes:
Preamble: SelectLong orShort preamble.The Preambledefines thelength oftheCRC
block(Cyclic RedundancyCheckis acommontechniquefordetectingdatatransmission
errors)for communicationbetween theaccesspointandthewirelessnetworkadapters.
High network traffic areas should use the shorter preamble type.

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Configuration Utility (continued)
D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ 2.4GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapter
Encryption
Data Encryption – Enable WEP encryption by clicking on the box.
Auth. mode – Choose one of the followingAuthorization 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 letters A-F
ASCII (American Standard Code for InformationInterchange) is acode for
representingEnglishletters as numbersfrom0-127

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Available Networks
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
Inthe lowerhalf ofthe screen,you canmanagetheprofilesthatyouhavecreatedfor the
wireless network at home, at the office and in public places. Scroll up and down and
highlight the profile that you wish to configure. You can Add or Remove a profile, or
configure the Properties ofthe profile inorderto connect withan available network.
Add, Connect and Properties
Click on Add, Connect or Properties and the screen on the next page will appear.
Configuration Utility (continued)
Site Survey

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Configuration Utility (continued)
Site Survey > Add, Connect or Properties
Inthiswindow you canconfigureall thepropertiesof a profileinorder toconnectwith a
networkofyour choice.
After you have entered your changes in this window, click OK to save the changes.

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The About screen gives you information about the Firmware and Utility Versions of
theDWL-G630.
Configuration Utility (continued)
About

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Inthis sectionyouwilllearnhow toestablishanetworkat homeorwork, usingMicrosoft
Windows XP.
Note: Please refer to websites such as http://www.homenethelp.com
andhttp://www.microsoft.com/windows2000 forinformation aboutnetworking
computersusingWindows 2000/Me/98SE.
Go to Start>Control Panel>Network Connections.
Select Set up a home or small office network.
Networking Basics
When this screen appears, click Next.
Using the Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP

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Please follow all the instructions in this window:
Networking Basics (continued)
Click Next.
In the following window, select the best description of your computer. If your computer
connects to the Internet through a router, select the second option as shown.
Click Next.

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Enter a Computer description and a Computer name (optional.)
Networking Basics (continued)
Click Next.
Enter a Workgroup name.All computers on your network should have the same
Workgroup name.
Click Next.