NETGEAR WNA3100 - Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter User manual

202-10539-01
December 2009
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Wireless-N 300 USB
Adapter WNA3100 User
Manual

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v1.0, December 2009
© 2009 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Technical Support
When you register your product at http://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: [email protected]
Website: http://www.netgear.com
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, ProSafe, and Auto Uplink are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and
product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
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.
Maximum Wireless Signal Rate Derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 Specifications
Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic,
building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate.
Safety and Regulatory Notices
FCC Statement
The Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 has been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used according to the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which is found by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s

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• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
FCC Caution: Any change or modification to the product not expressly approved by NETGEAR could void the user’s
authority to operate the device.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure and SAR Statements
SAR Statement
The NETGEAR Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 has been tested for body-worn Specific Absorption Rate
(SAR) compliance. The FCC has established detailed SAR requirements and has established that these requirements
have been met whilethe Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 was installed in a host notebook computer.
RF Exposure Information
The radio module has been evaluated under FCC Bulletin OET 65C (01-01) and found to be compliant to the
requirements as set forth in CFR 47 Sections, 2.1093, and 15.247 (b) (4) addressing RF Exposure from radio frequency
devices. This model meets the applicable government requirements for exposure to radio frequency waves. The highest
SAR level measured for this device was 1.380 W/kg.
Canadian Department of Communications Industry Canada (IC) Notice
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B
est conforme à la norme NMB-003 et CNR-210 du Canada.
Industry Canada Statement
This device complies with RSS-210 of the Industry Canada Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF
exposure compliance. To maintain compliance with IC RF exposure compliance requirements,
please follow operation instruction as documented in this manual.
Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity
Visit the NETGEAR EU Declarations of Conformity website at:
http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621/sno/0

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Product and Publication Details
Model Number: WNA3100 v1
Publication Date: December 2009
Product Family: Wireless-N USB Adapter
Product Name: Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100
Home or Business Product: Home
Language: English
Publication Part Number: 202-10539-01
Publication Version Number: 1.0

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Contents
About This Manual
Conventions, Formats, and Scope .................................................................................. vii
Revision History ...............................................................................................................viii
Chapter 1
Installation with Custom Setup
What You Need Before You Begin .................................................................................1-1
Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines ..................................................1-2
Installation with Custom Setup .......................................................................................1-2
First, Install the WNA3100 Software ........................................................................1-2
Then, Install Your WNA3100 Adapter ......................................................................1-4
Use Smart Wizard Automatic Configuration to Connect to a Wireless Network ......1-5
Monitoring Wireless Network and the Internet Connections ...........................................1-7
WNA3100 Icon .........................................................................................................1-8
Smart Wizard Status Bar ..........................................................................................1-9
Wireless-N USB Adapter LED ................................................................................1-10
Removing the WNA3100 Software ...............................................................................1-10
Upgrading the WNA3100 Software ..............................................................................1-11
Chapter 2
Network Connections and Wireless Security
Viewing Wireless Networks in Your Area .......................................................................2-1
Joining a Network ...........................................................................................................2-2
Using Push 'N' Connect to Join a Network ...............................................................2-4
Creating a Profile to Connect to a Wireless Network .....................................................2-4
Managing Profiles ....................................................................................................2-6
Setting Up a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Profile .............................................2-6
Starting a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network Connection ...........................2-8
About Wireless Security .................................................................................................2-9
Wireless Network Name (SSID) and Security Settings ..........................................2-10
Setting Up WPA-PSK [TKIP] or WPA2-PSK [AES] Security ..................................2-10

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Setting Up WEP Encryption Security .....................................................................2-11
Monitoring Statistics .....................................................................................................2-13
About Your Smart Wizard .............................................................................................2-14
Advanced Settings ........................................................................................................2-15
Chapter 3 Wireless Network Performance
Optimizing Wireless Performance ..................................................................................3-1
Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth ..............................................................................3-2
Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) Networking Technologies ..........................3-3
Assessing Your Network Speed Requirements .......................................................3-4
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................4-1
Troubleshooting Your Wireless Connection ...................................................................4-2
Occasional Windows XP Connection Problems .............................................................4-3
Ad Hoc Mode Is Not Working Correctly ..........................................................................4-4
Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default Settings
Technical Specifications ................................................................................................ A-1
Factory Default Settings ................................................................................................ A-2
Appendix B Related Documents

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About This Manual
The NETGEAR®Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100 User Manual describes how to install,
configure, and troubleshoot the Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter WNA3100.
Conventions, Formats, and Scope
The conventions, formats, and scope of this manual are described in the following paragraphs:
•Typographical conventions.This manual uses the following typographical conventions::
•Formats.This manual uses the following formats to highlight special messages:
•Scope.This manual is written for the Wireless-N USB Adapter. For more information about
network, Internet, firewall, and VPN technologies, click the links to the NETGEAR website in
Appendix B, “Related Documents.”
Italic Emphasis, books, CDs
Bold User input, screen text
Fixed Command prompt, CLI text, code
italic URL links
Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.
Tip: This format is used to highlight a procedure that will save time or resources.
Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. website at
http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WNA3100 v1.asp.

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Revision History
Part Number Version
Number Date Description
202-10539-01 1.0 November
2009 Original publication

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Chapter 1
Installation with Custom Setup
This chapter explains custom installation for your Wireless-N USB Adapter. With custom setup
you can specify where the files are installed. You can also choose whether or not you want to
install the Smart Wizard.
What You Need Before You Begin
To install the wireless-N USB adapter, you need:
• A PC with a Pentium300 MHz or higher compatible processor with an available USB port.
• A CD drive.
• 10 Mbytes of free hard disk space.
• Windows7, Vista, Windows XP Home, or Windows XP Professional. Some versions of
Windows ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the
installation of the WNA3100 v1 driver software.
Note: For help with express installation, see the Installation Guide for the Wireless-N 300
USB Adapter WNA3100.
Note: The maximum speed of a USB v2.0 port is 480 Mbps. If your computer has a
USB v1.1 port, the wireless-N USB adapter is limited to that port’s maximum
speed, which is 14 Mbps.
Note: Windows XP users must install SP2 or install the KB822603 hot fix (update),
which fixes the USB 2.0 host controller driver. Go to this link to install the hot
fix: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/
details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=
733dd867-56a0-4956-b7fe-e85b688b7f86

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Observe Wireless Location and Range Guidelines
For best performance, place the wireless-N USB adapter at least 4 feet (over 1 meter) away from
the wireless router or access point.
Computers can connect over wireless networks indoors at a range that varies significantly based on
the physical location of the computer with the wireless-N USB adapter. For best results, avoid
potential sources of interference, such as the following:
• Large metal surfaces
• Microwave ovens
• 2.4 GHz cordless phones
In general, wireless devices can communicate through walls. However, if the walls are constructed
with concrete, or have metal or metal mesh, the effective range decreases if such materials are
between the devices.
Installation with Custom Setup
First, Install the WNA3100 Software
1. Insert the Resource CD in your computer’s CD drive. If the CD main screen does not display,
browse the files on the CD and double-click Autorun.exe.
2. Click Install the Software. The Software Update Check screen displays.
3. If you are connected to the Internet, click Check for Updates. If not, click Install from CD.
4. Accept the license agreement. Then select Custom and click Next on the Setup Type screen.
Note: For help with Express installation, see the Installation Guide for the Wireless-N
300 USB Adapter WNA3100.

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5. When prompted, browse to select the destination folder for your wireless adapter software,
and then click Next.
6. Select one of the following methods to configure and manage your wireless network:
•Smart Wizard. Manage your wireless networks with the NETGEAR WNA3100 v1
software and connect securely using Push 'N' Connect, also called WPS.
–Automatically. Let the Smart Wizard automatically configure the settings for your
wireless-N USB adapter.
–Manual. Specify the settings for your wireless-N USB adapter in the Settings screen.
•Windows Utility. Connect to and manage your wireless networks using only the Windows
configuration utility.
Figure 1-1
Figure 1-2

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Then, Install Your WNA3100 v1 Adapter
You are prompted to insert your adapter:
1. Locate a USB port on your PC.
2. Insert the adapter into the USB port, or connect it with the USB cable.
Figure 1-3
Figure 1-4
Note: For best results, put the wireless adapter at least 4 feet (1 meter) away from your
router.

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3. Click Next. The WNA3100 v1 software detects the adapter. Follow the onscreen prompts to
install the driver.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
How you connect to a network depends on what you selected during custom installation.
• For automatic configuration, see the following section, “Use Smart Wizard Automatic
Configuration to Connect to a Wireless Network.”
• If you selected manual configuration, the Settings tab displays. See “Joining a Network”
on page 2-2.
• To use a Windows utility, see your Windows documentation or the NETGEAR application
note at http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm.
Use Smart Wizard Automatic Configuration to Connect to a
Wireless Network
After the driver is installed, you are prompted to connect to a wireless network.
1. One of the following screens displays:
• If no WPS networks are in your area, select your wireless network from the list and click
Next. If you select a secured network, you need to enter the passphrase or network key.
Figure 1-5
No WPS-capable networks in your area WPS-capable networks in your area

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• If your router supports Push 'N' Connect (also called WPS) click Next. The following
screen displays:
Press and hold the push button on the side of the wireless-N USB adapter for 2 seconds.
The LED flashes. Click Next. Follow the prompts to push the WPS button on your router
and connect.
2. The adapter connects to the network, which can take a minute or two. Your settings are saved
in a profile, which you can name:
Figure 1-6
Figure 1-7

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3. Click Finish, and the Smart Wizard Settings screen displays.
You are now connected to a wireless network!
The WNA3100 v1 icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop so you can open the
Smart Wizard to make changes or connect to a different wireless network.
Monitoring Wireless Network and the Internet Connections
The wireless-N USB adapter provides several ways to check the status of your connection to a
wireless network and to the Internet:
•WNA3100 v1 icon. After you install the WNA3100 v1 software, the icon appears on the
desktop and on the right end of the Windows task bar. It is color coded to show the status of
the connection. See the following section, “WNA3100 v1 Icon.
•Smart Wizard status bar. Clicking opens the Smart Wizard. The status bar at the bottom
of the screen shows details about your wireless and Internet connection. See “Smart Wizard
Status Bar” on page 1-9.
•Adapter LED. The LED on the wireless-N USB adapter indicates the condition of your
wireless link. See “Wireless-N USB Adapter LED” on page 1-10.
Figure 1-8
Profile name
Status bar

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WNA3100 v1 Icon
The WNA3100 v1 icon is on the desktop and in the Windows system tray, on one end of the
taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. The WNA3100 v1 icon changes colors depending on
the condition of the adapter. The following table describes the colors and conditions indicated.
If you right-click the WNA3100 v1 icon in the system tray, you can disable Internet notification by
clearing the check mark. If you do so, then only the IP address is shown.
In Microsoft Windows 7 and Vista, there is one more option: Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard.
If you clear the check mark for Enable NETGEAR Smart Wizard, the NETGEAR Smart Wizard is
disabled, and you must set up the wireless adapter with Vista autoconfiguration.
Color Condition Description
Red The adapter is not connected
to a wireless network. The wireless-N USB adapter cannot link to any other wireless node, or the link is lost. Check your configuration, or try
moving to a location where the wireless signal quality is better.
Yellow The adapter is connected to a
wireless network. The wireless link is weak. Move to a better location, such as closer to the router. Also, look for possible interference such
as a 2.4 GHz cordless phone or large metal surface.
Green The adapter is connected to a
wireless network. Your adapter has established good communication with an access point, and the signal quality is strong.
Figure 1-9
Figure 1-10

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Smart Wizard Status Bar
Click the icon to open the Smart Wizard Settings tab. The status bar is located at the bottom of
the Settings tab.
The following table describes how to interpret the Smart Wizard status bar.
Figure 1-11
Understanding the Status Bar
Wireless network Identifies which wireless network you have joined.
Security • A closed lock indicates that security is enabled.
• An open lock indicates an open network without wireless security.
Channel The wireless channel used by the network. If many wireless networks in your area
use the same channel, they can interfere with one another.
Data rate To optimize the wireless data rate, connect to a network with a high-speed router or
access point and a high-speed Internet connection. See Chapter 3, “Wireless
Network Performance.”
Signal strength More dots indicate a stronger signal. Usually, you experience higher data rate when
the signal is strongest.
Join a Network Click Join a Network to start the Connection Wizard.
Connection
status The status of your network connection. •Connected to Internet. The wireless Internet connection is OK.
•Connected to Router. The wireless connection to the router is OK, but the router
is not connected to the Internet.
169.254.x.x or ___.___.___.___. The wireless connection to the router is OK, but
there is a problem with the router.
Security Channel Data rate
Signal strength
Connection status
Join a Network
Wireless
network

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Wireless-N USB Adapter LED
The LED on the wireless-N USB adapter indicates the condition of the wireless link, as described
in the following table.
Removing the WNA3100 v1 Software
To remove the wireless adapter software:
1. Use the Windows Start menu in either of these ways:
• Select All Programs > NETGEAR WNA3100 Adapter program group > Uninstall
NETGEAR WNA3100 Software.
• Select Control Panel > Add or Remove Program, and then select the NETGEAR
WNA3100 wireless USB 2.0 adapter.
2. The following screen displays:
Wireless-N USB Adapter LED Meaning
Off • The wireless-N USB adapter is not plugged in to the USB port.
• The wireless-N USB adapter is in power save mode (default
from power up or reset).
Blinking • The wireless-N USB adapter is scanning for a network.
• The wireless-N USB adapter is sending or receiving data.
Solid The wireless-N USB adapter is connected to a wireless network,
but it is not sending or receiving data.
Figure 1-12

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3. Select the Remove radio button and then click Next.
4. Follow the onscreen prompt to disconnect your adapter. A message displays confirming that
the software has been removed.
Upgrading the WNA3100 v1 Software
Upgrades might be available at the NETGEAR website. To install an upgrade:
1. Open the Smart Wizard and click the About tab to display the following screen:
2. Click the Software Update Check button.
If a newer version of firmware is found at the NETGEAR website, the following screen
displays:
Figure 1-13
Figure 1-14

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3. Click OK.When the file has been downloaded a message like the following displays:
4. Click Yes. Follow the installer instructions, and if prompted, restart your computer.
Figure 1-15