D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWA-520 User manual

Manual
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G
DWA-520
Building Networks for People
TM
Wireless PCI Adapter
Rev. A1

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Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
GettingStarted......................................................................................9
UsingtheConfigurationUtility..............................................................12
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................26
Troubleshooting...................................................................................39
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................44
ContactingTechnicalSupport ..............................................................46
WarrantyandRegistration ...................................................................47

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Package Contents
System Requirements:
WindowsXP/2000/Me/98SE
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Acomputer or laptop with an available 32-bit PCI slot
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At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
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An 802.11g or802.11b Access Point (for Infrastructure mode), or
another 802.11gor802.11bwirelessadapter(forAd-Hoc, Peer-to-
Peernetworkingmode).
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Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWA-520
Wireless PCIAdapter
ManualandDriversonCD
QuickInstallation Guide
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
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Introduction
TheDWA-520hasthenewest,strongest,andmostadvancedsecurityfeaturesavailable
today.Whenusedwithother802.11WPA/WPA2(Wi-FiProtectedAccess)and802.1x
compatible products in a network with a RADIUS server, the security features include:
WPA/WPA2: Wi-Fi ProtectedAccess which authorizesandidentifies usersbasedona
secretkey that changes automatically atregular intervals. WPA/WPA2uses
TKIP to change the temporal key every 10,000 packets (a packet is a kind of
message transmitted over a network.) This ensures much greater security
than the standard WEP security. (By contrast, the older WEP encryption req-
uiredthe keys tobe 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 homeusers that will not incorporatea RADIUSserver in their network, thesecurity
fortheDWA-520, usedinconjunction with otherWPA/WPA2-compatible 802.11 prod-
ucts still be much stronger than ever before. Utilizing the Pre Shared Key mode of
WPA/WAP2 the DWA-520 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
configurationmenu. No longer will you have to manually input a new WEP key freque-
ntly to ensure security. With the DWA-520, 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 DWA-520 Wireless PCIAdapter is an 802.11g high-
performance, wireless adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking at home,
at work or in public places.
Unlike most network cards, the DWA-520 provides data transfers at up to 54 Mbps.
The802.11g standard is backwards compatiblewith 802.11bproducts.
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Features & Benefits
!Fully compliant with the 802.11b standard and interoperable with all
existing802.11b-compliant and 802.11gcompliant devices
!Operates in the 2.4GHz frequencyrange
!Maximum reliability, throughput and connectivity with automatic data rate
switching
!High Performance 32-bit PCI -The highcapacity PCI interfaceutilized bythe
DWA-520ensuresoptimalperformanceintransmittingawirelesssignalwithin
thedesktopcomputer. Byutilizinga standardPCI2.2 interface, theDWA-520
ensuresawide rangeofcompatibility withmotherboardsused by PCmanufac-
turers
!Quick and Easy Installation-The DWA-520 installsquickly and easilyinto a
standard PCI 2.2 slot in a desktop computer. By following the simple steps
outlined in the Quick Installation Guide, you can connect to an available wire-
less network in a matter of seconds
Stronger Security than ever before with WPA/WPA2 - Wi-Fi Protected
Access authorizes and identifies users based on a secret key that changes
automaticallyat regular intervals,for example:
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!TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), in conjunction with a RADIUS
server,changesthetemporalkeyevery10,000packets,ensuringgreater
security
Pre-Shared Key mode means that the home user, without a RADIUS
server, will obtain a new security key every time he or she connects to
the network, vastly improving the safety of communications on the net-
work
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Extra Protection - 802.1x Authentication in conjunction with the RADIUS
server verifies the identity of wireless clients wishing to gain access to the
WLAN
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Provides a measure of security forthe informationtransmitted overa
wireless network with high data encryption at 64-, 128-, and 152-bit WEP
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Supports Infrastructure networksviaanaccess point andPeer-to-Peer
communicationinAd-Hocmode
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!User-friendly configurationanddiagnostic utilities
Five times faster - achieve data transfer speeds up to 54 Mbps; up to 5x
fasterthanconventional 802.11b networks,whenusedwith other802.11g
devices
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!Provides a simple and inexpensive way to connect your desktop com-
puter to a wireless network at home, at the office, or in public places

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Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and
compatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivitywithinyourhome,businessorpublicaccess
wirelessnetworks. D-Link wireless products willallow youaccess tothe data you want,
whenandwhereyouwantit.Youwillbeabletoenjoythefreedomthatwirelessnetworking
brings.
AWirelessLocalAreaNetwork(WLAN)isacomputernetworkthattransmitsandreceives
datawith radio signalsinstead ofwires. WLANs areused increasinglyin both homeand
office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities.
InnovativewaystoutilizeWLANtechnologyarehelpingpeopleto work andcommunicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed
infrastructurehave proventobe beneficialfor manyusers.
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.
Peopleuse WLAN technologyfor many differentpurposes:
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
informationcan significantlyimprove worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs –WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and
relocate.NetworksthatfrequentlychangecanbenefitfromWLANseaseofimplementation.
WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast
and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. 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 ways to meet the needs of
specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range
frompeer-to-peer networks suitablefor a small number ofusers to larger infrastructure
networkstoaccommodatehundreds or thousandsofusers,dependingon the numberof
wirelessdevices deployed.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as
conventionalEthernetnetworkdevices.

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Wireless Basics (continued)
Standards-Based Technology
The DWA-520Wireless PCIAdapterutilizes the new802.11g standard.
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.
Thismeans thatin mostenvironments, within the specified rangeof thisdevice, 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 (Orthogonal FrequencyDivisionMultiplexing)
technology. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals
that arethen transmittedsimultaneouslyat different frequencies tothe receiver. OFDM
reducestheamountofcrosstalk (interference)insignaltransmissions.TheD-LinkDWL-
G520willautomaticallysense the bestpossibleconnectionspeedto ensurethegreatest
speedand rangepossible.
802.11g offers themost advanced networksecurity features available today,including:
WPA/WPA2,802.1x,TKIP,AES and Pre-Shared Key mode.These security feature
are explained in more detail in the Introduction and the Features section of this manual.
The DWA-520 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.
TheDWA-520iscompatiblewith 802.11gand802.11bwirelessproducts,whichinclude:
D-Link Air DWL-650,D-LinkAirPlus DWL-650+,
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G650
2.4GHzWireless CardbusAdapterused with laptopcomputers
D-Link Air DWL-520, D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+
2.4GHz Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers
D-Link AirPlus DWL-900AP+, D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-2000AP
2.4GHz Wireless Access Points
D-Link AirPlus DI-614+, DI-714P+
2.4GHzWireless Routers
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Installation Considerations
The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWA-520 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, orother objectsthat
thewirelesssignalsmustpassthrough,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:
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devicesor appliances that generate RFnoise.
4
KeepthenumberofwallsandceilingsbetweentheDWA-520andothernetwork
devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DWA-520’s
rangefrom 3-90feet (1-30 meters.)Position yourdevices so thatthe numberof
walls or ceilings is minimized.
1
Beaware of thedirect line betweennetwork devices.Awallthat is1.5feet thick
(.5meters),at a45-degreeangle appearstobe almost3feet (1meter)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 betterreception.
2
Buildingmaterialscanimpedethewirelesssignal-asolidmetaldoororaluminum
studsmayhavea negative effectonrange.Try to positionwirelessdevicesand
computerswith wirelessadapters sothat thesignal passes throughdrywall or
opendoorways andnot othermaterials.
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Wireless Basics (continued)
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LEDs
LED standsfor
Light-Emitting
Diode.
Getting Started
With its default settings, the DWA-520, when activated, will connect
with other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G products, right out of the box.
Power: Solid green light indicates connection to the network
Network: Blinking green light indicates activity on the network
Thereare basically two modes ofnetworking:
Infrastructure – using anAccess Point or Router, such as
theDI-624
Ad-Hoc –directly connecting to another computer, forpeer-to-
peercommunication, using wireless network adapters on
each computer, such as two or more DWA-520 wireless
networkadapters
On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure Network
andan Ad-Hoc Network.
AnInfrastructure network contains anAccess Point or Router.TheInfrastructure
Network exampleshown on the following pagecontains the following D-Link network
devices(your existing networkmay becomprised of otherdevices):
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A wireless Router - D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624
A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWA-520, D-Link Air DWL-520,
or D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+
(D-Link Air devices have speeds up to 11Mbps)
A Cable modem - D-Link DCM-201
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Please remember that D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G wireless devices are pre-
configured to connect together, right out of the box, with their default settings.
Getting Started (continued)
For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the following:
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
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You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into
yourhomeor office).
Consultwithyour CableorDSL providerforproper installationofthe modem.
Connectthe Cableor DSLmodem to your broadband router(see theQuick
Installation Guide includedwithyourrouter.)
Install the D-Link DWA-520 Wireless PCI Adapter into an
availablePCI sloton your desktopcomputer.(See theQuick Installation Guide
includedwiththeDWA-520.)
Install the D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G650 Wireless PC CardAdapter
intoa laptopcomputer.
(Seethe Quick Installation Guide included withthe DWL-G650.)
If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an Ethernet
networkadapter (such asa DFE-530TX+)tothe routeralso.
ARADIUS Server isoptional. ConnectaRADIUS Serverto your networkto use
all the features of WPA/WPA2. (Without a RADIUS Server you can still use the
WPA/WPA2Pre-SharedKey mode.)RADIUSAuthentication canalsobeprovided
byanotherservice provider overtheInternet andremotetoyour networksite.
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