NETGEAR GA511 - Gigabit Ethernet PC Card User manual

Version v1.0
July 2004
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
User Manual for the
NETGEAR 10/100/1000
Mbps CardBus Adapter
GA511

ii
Technical Support
Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering your
product at www.netgear.com/register, we can provide you with faster expert technical support and
timely notices of product and software upgrades.
NETGEAR, INC. Support Information
Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR, for US & Canada only. For other countries, see your Support
information card.
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web site: www.netgear.com
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to
make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit
layout(s) described herein.
©2004 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, The Gear Guy and Everybody's Connecting are
trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
July 2004
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer
It is hereby certified that the Model GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter has been suppressed in accordance with the
conditions set out in the BMPT- AmtsblVfg 243/1991 and Vfg 46/1992. The operation of some equipment (for example,
test transmitters) in accordance with the regulations may, however, be subject to certain restrictions. Please refer to the
notes in the operating instructions.
Federal Office for Telecommunications Approvals has been notified of the placing of this equipment on the market and
has been granted the right to test the series for compliance with the regulations.
VCCI Statement
This equipment is in the Class B category (information equipment to be used in a residential area or an adjacent area
thereto) and conforms to the standards set by the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Data Processing
Equipment and Electronic Office Machines aimed at preventing radio interference in such residential areas. When used
near a radio or TV receiver, it may become the cause of radio interference. Read instructions for correct handling.

Contents iii
Contents
Chapter 1
About This Manual
Audience, Conventions, Scope ......................................................................................1-1
Chapter 2
Introduction
About the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511 ..................2-1
CardBus Support ......................................................................................................2-2
Bus-Mastering Capability .........................................................................................2-2
Frame Priority Tagging for Virtual LANs ...................................................................2-2
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products ............................................................2-3
What’s in the Box? ..........................................................................................................2-5
Hardware Description .....................................................................................................2-6
Chapter 3
Basic Setup
What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................3-1
Verifying System Requirements ...............................................................................3-1
Preparing to Install Your GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter .............................................3-2
Selecting the Network Cable ....................................................................................3-2
Installation Order ......................................................................................................3-2
Basic Installation Instructions .........................................................................................3-3
Determining the GA511 Connection Status ....................................................................3-7
Using the GA511 Smart Wizard Utility .....................................................................3-7
Checking the Port LEDs ...........................................................................................3-9
Chapter 4
Configuration and Troubleshooting
Understanding the Configuration Options ......................................................................4-1
Configuring Optional Adapter Properties ........................................................................4-2
Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................................4-3
Basic Tips .................................................................................................................4-4
Checking the Device Driver Installation ...................................................................4-4
Using a Troubleshooting Checklist ...........................................................................4-5

iv Contents
Frequently Asked Questions ....................................................................................4-5
What Happens if I Force a CardBus Card into a PC Card Slot? .......................4-5
What are the Differences Between CardBus and 16-bit PCMCIA Cards? ........4-6
Will the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter Work on My Laptop? ........................4-6
How Do I Remove the GA511 Software and Utility? ..........................................4-6
Appendix A
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications for the GA511 ......................................................................... A-1
Appendix B
Preparing Your PCs for Network Access
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking ....................................................... B-1
Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking .............................................. B-1
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ................................................. B-1
Enabling DHCP in Windows 98 and Me .................................................................. B-3
Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method .......................................................... B-5
Verifying TCP/IP Properties .................................................................................... B-5
Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking ............................................. B-6
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components ................................................. B-6
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000 ......................................... B-7
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP ..................................................... B-7
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 .................................................. B-9
Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000 ............................................B-11
Glossary
List of Glossary Terms ...................................................................................................C-1
Index

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
About This Manual 1-1
Chapter 1
About This Manual
Thank you for purchasing the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511.
Audience, Conventions, Scope
This reference manual assumes that the reader has basic-to-intermediate computer and Internet
skills. However, basic computer network, Internet, and firewall technologies tutorial information
is provided in the Appendices and on the NETGEAR Web site.
This guide uses the following typographical conventions:
This manual is written for the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter according to these specifications:
Table 1. Typographical conventions
italics Emphasis, books, CDs, URL names
bold times roman User input
courier font Screen text, file and server names, extensions, commands, IP addresses
Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.
Table 1-1. Manual Specifications
Product Version NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511
Manual Publication Date July 2004
Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. Web site at
http://www.netgear.com/support/main.asp. Documentation updates are available on the
NETGEAR, Inc. Web site at http://www.netgear.com/docs.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
1-2 About This Manual

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
Introduction 2-1
Chapter 2
Introduction
This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the NETGEAR 10/100/
1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511.
About the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus
Adapter GA511
Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR® GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter. The
GA511 connects your CardBus notebook to a Gigabit Ethernet network, incorporating a new
technology that transfers data at a rate of 1 Gbps or 1000 megabits per second (Mbps) over
standard Category 5 cables. Performance is optimized and network overhead on the host system is
minimized with the use of the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter. This guide describes the
installation and use of the GA511 for operation with a Microsoft® Windows® XP, Windows®
2000, Windows® Me, or Windows® 98SE 2nd edition system.
The GA511 has demonstrated interoperability with all major Gigabit Ethernet equipment on the
market that is compliant with IEEE 802.3ab standards and should work with most non-compliant
Gigabit Ethernet products. In addition, because the GA511 uses standard Ethernet frame and
Media Access Control (MAC) formats, it provides full compatibility with Fast Ethernet network
equipment through network switches from a variety of vendors, including NETGEAR®.
The NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511 is a 32-bit,
high-performance adapter that allows any CardBus-equipped computer to connect to an Ethernet
or Fast Ethernet network. The Model GA511 supports hot-swapping, allowing you to insert and
remove it as necessary, without having to turn off or reset your PC.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
2-2 Introduction
CardBus Support
CardBus is a 32-bit bus-mastering architecture that operates at PCI local-bus speeds of up to 33
MHz, yielding a peak bandwidth of 132 MB/sec. Unlike 16-bit PC Cards, which operate at slower
ISA bus speeds of 8 MHz using an ISA-like asynchronous protocol, CardBus provides a fast 32-bit
multiplexed address/data path that allows full access to gigabit Ethernet's bandwidth.
By utilizing internal bus speeds, CardBus can operate at speeds six times faster than a 16-bit PC
Card and five times faster than a 100 Mbps PC Card. In addition, CardBus PC cards operate at 3.3
Volts, saving power and conserving your PC's battery life.
Bus-Mastering Capability
Model GA511 features leading-edge bus-mastering capabilities to optimize throughput while
maintaining low CPU utilization. Bus mastering allows the GA511 to assume control of your PC's
system bus, accelerating data transfers. 16-bit PC Cards, by comparison, act as a bus slave and
pass data through the CPU before sending it to the host system. This slows data transfers and strain
your PC's processor.
Frame Priority Tagging for Virtual LANs
The GA511 is 802.1Q/1p-compliant for frame priority tagging. The IEEE 802.1Q standard defines
the operation of Virtual LAN (VLAN) bridges that permit the definition, operation and
administration of VLAN topologies within a bridged LAN infrastructure. Using the GA511 with
802.1p-compliant switches or routers offers a range of traffic prioritization of Layer 2 frames,
providing a higher quality of service on high-speed local area networks.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
Introduction 2-3
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products
The key features of the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter are:
• Flexible 10/100/1000 Mbps capability
• Designed specifically to harness the power of the latest networking technology with 32-bit
performance
• Includes proven Gigabit controller technology
• Full-duplex operation (2,000 Mbps: 1,000 Mbps each way) with DMA (Direct Memory
Access) Gigabit Ethernet interface (IEEE 802.3ab)
• RJ-45 connector for Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable
• Interoperability with existing Fast Ethernet equipment compliance with the following
standards and protocols:
• IEEE 802.3ab Gigabit Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
• IEEE 802.3u Auto Negotiation for auto-selectable 10/100/1000 Mbps line speed
• IEEE 802.1Q VLAN
• Standard Ethernet frame size (up to 1500 bytes), optional Jumbo frame size (3000 bytes)
• 33 MHz, 32-bit CardBus bus master with adaptive DMA channels
• Software driver support for Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, and Windows 98SE

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
2-4 Introduction
The optional advanced configuration choices include:
• Configurable 802.1Q VLAN ID and 802.1Q/1p VLAN frame tagging for traffic prioritization
• Optional Jumbo Ethernet frame size (3000 bytes)
• Configurable link speed and duplex mode
• Checksum offloading to the network card
• Offload of TCP large packets to the network card
The following NETGEAR products can be configured to communicate with the GA511 Gigabit
CardBus Adapter:
• FS750AT Modular Fast Ethernet Switch with 48-Port 10/100 Mbps + 2 Gigabit Ports
• FS726AT Modular Fast Ethernet Switch with 24-Port 10/100 Mbps + 2 Gigabit Ports
• FS526T 24-Port Smart Switch with Gigabit Ports
• GS104 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• GS108 8-Port Copper Gigabit Switch
• GS105 5-Port 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• GS524T 24-Port 10/100/1000 Mbps Copper Gigabit Switch
• GS516T 16-Port 100/1000 Mbps Copper Gigabit Switch
• GSM712 12-Port Managed Gigabit Switch
• GSM712F 12-Port Managed Fiber Gigabit Switch
• FSM750S 48-Port 10/100 Mbps Managed Stackable Switch with Gigabit Ports
• FSM726S 24-Port 10/100 Mbps Managed Stackable Switch with Gigabit ports
• FSM726 24-Port Mbps Managed Switch with Gigabit Ports
• FS526T 24-Port Smart Switch with Gigabit Ports
• GSM7324 24-Port Layer 3 Managed Gigabit Switch
• GSM7312 12-Port Layer 3 Managed Gigabit Switch

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
Introduction 2-5
What’s in the Box?
The product package should contain the following items:
• GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter
• Installation Guide for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511
•NETGEAR Adapter Resource CD, including:
— Driver and System Utility Software
— User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
— Animated Network Properties Configuration Tutorial
— PC Networking Tutorial
• Warranty/Support information card
If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the
carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.
To qualify for product updates and product warranty registrations, fill out the registration
information within 30 days of purchase. For priority service, register online on the NETGEAR
Web page at:
http://www.NETGEAR.com/support/main.asp
You can also fill out and return the Warranty & Registration Card that is included in your product
package.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
2-6 Introduction
Hardware Description
As illustrated in the figure below, the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter has an RJ-45 connector
port and two LEDs.
Figure 2-1: Front Panel of Model GA511 Gigabit Adapter
The front panel of the GA511 has two LEDs: one for the port speed option (100 Mbps and 1000
Mbps) and one LED for the data transfer status.

Basic Setup 3-1
Chapter 3
Basic Setup
This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus
Adapter GA511 and set up basic connectivity on your Local Area Network (LAN) using the
setup.exe utility.
What You Need Before You Begin
You need to verify your computer meets the minimum system requirements and identify the
network configuration settings of the LAN where you will connect before you can configure your
gigabit Ethernet adapter and connect.
Verifying System Requirements
Before installing the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511, please
make sure that these minimum requirements have been met:
• You must have a notebook PC with a Pentium®300 MHz or higher compatible processor with
an available CardBus slot.
•ACD-ROMdrive
• 64 MB of memory
• At least 5 MB of disk space
• Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, 2000, Me, 98SE (2nd edition), Windows
2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Note: Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation
files to complete the installation of the GA511 driver software.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
3-2 Basic Setup
Preparing to Install Your GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter
Follow the instructions provided in this section for installing the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter
in your notebook computer. For additional information about performing these tasks on your
particular system, refer to the manuals included with your system hardware.
Before installing your gigabit Ethernet adapter:
1. Make sure that your system meets the hardware and software requirements referenced in
“Verifying System Requirements” on page 3-1.
2. Make sure that your system uses the latest BIOS.
Selecting the Network Cable
The GA511 has one RJ-45 connector used for attaching the system to an Ethernet copper-wire
segment.The card will automatically negotiate the fastest connection speed and duplex possible. If
a specific speed or duplex is desired, the card can be placed into one of the supported modes: 1000
Mbps full duplex; 100 Mbps full duplex, 100 Mbps half duplex; 10Mbps full duplex, 10Mbps half
duplex. Prepare an appropriate cable. The cable specifications are:
• Port type: 10/100/1000BASE-T
• Connector: RJ-45
• Media: CAT 5 UTP/CAT 5e UTP
• Maximum Distance: 325 feet (100 meters)
Note: 1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced cabling, as
specified in ISO/IEC 11801:1995 and ANSI/EIA/TIA-568-A (1995) and tested using procedures
defined in TIA/EIA TSB95.
Installation Order
1. First, install the GA511 driver and utility software using the setup.exe program on the
NETGEAR Adapter Resource CD.
2. When the Windows system boots up after installing the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter, the
system automatically detects the new hardware and prompts you to install the driver software
for the device. Follow the prompts of the Found New Hardware Wizard to automatically use
the driver installed in step 1.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
Basic Setup 3-3
If you are installing more than one GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter, you must perform these steps
for each card.
Basic Installation Instructions
Use the procedure below for installation on a Windows XP, 2000, 98SE 2nd edition, or Me system.
FIRST, INSTALL THE GA511 SOFTWARE.
a. Power on your notebook, let the
operating system boot up completely,
and log in as needed.
b. Insert the NETGEAR Adapter Resource
CD into your CD-ROM drive. The
Adapter Resource CD main page will
load.
c. From the Windows Start menu, select
Run. The Run dialog box opens.
d. Enter the path to the GA511 setup.exe
file on the CD. For example, if your
CD-ROM is drive D, enter
D:\GA511\setup as the path.
Then, click OK.
e. Follow the InstallShield Wizard steps,
click Finish when done, and if prompted,
restart your computer.
Now, the GA511 driver and utility software
are installed.
Adapters Resource CD
Windows Start > Run

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
3-4 Basic Setup
NEXT, INSTALL THE GA511 GIGABIT
CARDBUS ADAPTER.
a. Locate an available CardBus slot on the
side of your notebook. Hold the PC Card
with the NETGEAR logo facing up and
insert it into the CardBus slot.
Note: Do not use excessive force, but
make sure the card is fully inserted into
the slot.
b. A Found New Hardware Wizard dialog
box appears, indicating that Windows
has found the adapter. Accept the “Install
the software automatically” setting, and
click Next to proceed.
Note: If Windows XP or 2000 displays a
Windows XP Logo Testing or a Digital
Signature Not Found warning, click
Continue Anyway or Yes to proceed.
c. Click Finish to complete the installation.
If prompted to restart the computer,
remove your adapter CD from the
CDROM drive and click OK. You will
see the GA511 Smart Wizard icon on the
lower right of the Windows task bar.
Windows Found New Hardware Wizard
Local Area Connection Icon before you connect a
network cable
GA511 System Tray icon
For assistance with configuring the network
settings, please see the networking tutorials on
the NETGEAR Adapter Resource CD.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
Basic Setup 3-5
NEXT, CONFIGURE THE GA511 GIGABIT
CARDBUS ADAPTER.
a. Double-click the connection icon in the
Windows system tray to open the
Windows network connection page.
If the connection icon is not visible, you
can change the connection properties by
going to Start > Control Panel >
Network Connections.
b. Double-click on the NETGEAR GA511
Gigabit CardBus Adapter connection.
c. Click Configure.
d. Click Properties and configure the
GA511 according to your network
requirements.
Connection icon
For assistance with configuring the network
settings, please see the networking tutorials on
the NETGEAR Adapter Resource CD.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
3-6 Basic Setup
FINALLY, VERIFY CONNECTIVITY TO YOUR NETWORK.
a. Connect one end of a Cat 5 (or higher) Ethernet cable to the GA511 Gigabit CardBus
Adapter.
b. Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 Ethernet network port.
c. Turn on power to the notebook computer and then to the connected device.
d. Verify that one of the LEDs is on, indicating that there is a good link to the card.
e. Click the GA511 system tray NETGEAR Smart Wizard utility icon on the lower
right side of the Windows task bar. Verify that the GA511 status information matches your
network.
NETGEAR GA511 Smart Wizard Utility
If there is a problem with the installation of the driver, an exclamation point will appear
next to the NETGEAR GA511 Gigabit Adapter. Try rebooting your computer.
Note: If you are unable to connect, see troubleshooting tips in “Troubleshooting” on page 4-3.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
Basic Setup 3-7
Determining the GA511 Connection Status
The NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511 provides the following two
indicators which give you feedback on the status of your connection:
• The GA511 Smart Wizard utility displays the current status of the device.
• The LEDs on the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511 indicate
the condition of link.
Using the GA511 Smart Wizard Utility
The GA511 Smart Wizard utility provides a convenient way to check the status of the adapter
without needing to view the top of the adapter itself. To run the utility:
1. The GA511 Smart Wizard utility icon appears in the right section of the Windows taskbar.
2. Click the GA511 Smart Wizard utility icon to view the current status. If the utility is not
displayed on the taskbar, you can start it by going to Start > Programs > NETGEAR GA511
Adapter > GA511 Smart Wizard Utility.

User Manual for the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511
3-8 Basic Setup
Figure 3-1: NETGEAR GA511 System Utility
The GA511 System Utility displays the following details:
•Link
• Activity
• MAC address
•IPnumber
•Speed
• TCP/IP Transmit/Receive Performance graph — select to view packets transmitted, received,
or both
• TCP/IP Transmit and Receive Statistics