Linksys WUSB11 ver. 2.6 User manual

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
Model No.
USB Network Adapter
Wireless-B
WUSB11
User Guide
WIRELESS
GHz
2.4
802.11b

Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
Copyright and Trademarks
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco
Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
How to Use this Guide
Your guide to the USB Network Adapter has been designed to make understanding networking with the USB
Network Adapter easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:
In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:
Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like
this:
Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the “List of Figures” section.
This exclamation point means there is a caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the USB Network Adapter.
word: definition.
This checkmark means there is a note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to while
using the USB Network Adapter.
This question mark provides you with a reminder about something
you might need to do while using the USB Network Adapter.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
WUSB11_V4-UG-40802A JL
WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known
to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 4
Network Topology 4
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5
Chapter 3: Getting to Know the USB Network Adapter 6
The USB Port 6
The LED Indicators 6
Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 98SE, Me,
and 2000 7
The Installation Procedure 8
Chapter 5: Hardware Installation 11
Connecting the Adapter 11
Using the Adapter’s Wall Mount 13
Chapter 6: Driver Installation and Configuration for Windows XP 14
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 16
Chapter 7: Using the Wireless Network Monitor for Windows 98SE, Me,
and 2000 18
Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 18
Link Information 18
Site Survey 21
Profiles 22
Creating a New Profile 24
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 28
Common Problems and Solutions 28
Frequently Asked Questions 29
Appendix B: Wireless Security 32
Security Precautions 32
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 32

Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
Appendix C: Windows Help 35
Appendix D: Glossary 36
Appendix E: Specifications 42
Appendix F: Warranty Information 43
Appendix G: Regulatory Information 44
Appendix H: Contact Information 46

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: USB Port 6
Figure 3-2: Front Panel 6
Figure 4-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 7
Figure 4-2: The Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 8
Figure 4-3: The Setup Wizard’s Wireless Mode Screen 8
Figure 4-4: The Setup Wizard’s Ad-Hoc Mode Setting Screen 9
Figure 4-5: The Setup Wizard’s Wireless Security - WEP Screen 9
Figure 4-6: The Setup Wizard’s Finalize Settings Screen 10
Figure 4-7: Digital Signature Not Found Screen 10
Figure 4-8: The Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen 10
Figure 5-1: How the Adapter Connects to Your PC 11
Figure 5-2: The Adapter’s USB Port 11
Figure 5-3: A PC’s USB port 11
Figure 5-4: The Adapter’s LEDs 12
Figure 5-5: Digital Signature Not Found Screen 12
Figure 5-6: Positioning the Adapter’s Antenna 12
Figure 5-7: Using the Wall Mount - Step A 13
Figure 5-8: Using the Wall Mount - Step B 13
Figure 5-9: Using the Wall Mount - Step C 13
Figure 6-1: Windows XP - Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard 14
Figure 6-2: Windows XP - Hardware Installation 14
Figure 6-1: Windows XP - Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard 15
Figure 6-3: The Zero Configuration Icon 16
Figure 6-4: Windows XP Zero Configuration Connection without WEP 16
Figure 6-5: Windows XP Zero Configuration Connection with WEP 17
Figure 6-6: Windows XP Zero Configuration - Active Wireless Connection 17
Figure 7-1: The Wireless Network Monitor icon 18
Figure 7-2: The Link Information Screen 18
Figure 7-3: More Link Information 19
Figure 7-4: Site Survey 21

Wireless-G USB Network Adapter
Figure 7-5: WEP Encryption 21
Figure 7-6: Profiles 22
Figure 7-7: Importing a Profile 23
Figure 7-8: Exporting a Profile 23
Figure 7-9: Creating a New Profile 24
Figure 7-10: Enter Profile Name 24
Figure 7-11: Network Settings for New Profile 25
Figure 7-12: Wireless Mode for New Profile 25
Figure 7-13: Ad-Hoc Mode Setting for New Profile 26
Figure 7-14: Wireless Security - WEP for New Profile 26
Figure 7-15: Confirm New Settings for New Profile 27
Figure 7-16: Congratulations for New Profile 27

1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-B USB Network Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking
experience will be faster and easier than ever.
How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility
within your wireless network. Connecting to your PC via the USB port means that this Adapter leaves the PC’s
slots open for other purposes. This Adapter communicates over the 802.11b wireless standard, one of the most
popular wireless standards, to communicate with your network.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers
and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video
games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.
PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you install and use the Wireless-B USB Network Adapter. These
instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.
802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality
to your PC.
network: a series of computers or devices
connected for the purpose of data sharing,
storage, and/or transmission between users.

2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B USB Network Adapter.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide.
• Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.
• Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
This chapter describes the physical features of the Adapter.
• Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000
This chapter instructs you on how to run the Adapter’s Setup Wizard and configure the Adapter for Windows
98SE, Me, and 2000.
• Chapter 5: Hardware Installation
This chapter shows you how to connect the Adapter to your PC.
• Chapter 6: Driver Installation and Configuration for Windows XP
This chapter explains how to install the Adapter’s driver and use Windows Zero Configuration.
• Chapter 7: Using the Wireless Network Monitor for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000
This chapter show you how to use the Adapter’s Wireless Network Monitor.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some potential problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions,
regarding installation and use of the Adapter.
• Appendix B: Wireless Security
This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help
protect your wireless network.
• Appendix C: Windows Help
This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such asinstalling
the TCP/IP protocol.
• Appendix D: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.

3
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
• Appendix E: Specifications
This appendix provides the Adapter’s technical specifications.
• Appendix F: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s warranty information.
• Appendix G: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information.
• Appendix H: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

4
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
Wireless-B USB Network Adapter
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless
network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless
router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an
infrastructurenetwork can talkto anycomputer in a wired network infrastructurevia the access point orwireless
router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the
effectivewireless transmissionrange for twowireless adapter PCs. Since anaccess point is able toforward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same channel and SSID.
Before you enable roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position. Proper access
point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
infrastructure: a wireless network that is
bridged to a wired network via an access point.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly with each other (peer-
to-peer) without the use of an access point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless device from
one access point's range to another without losing
the connection.
ssid: your wireless network's name.
topology: the physical layout of a network.