NETGEAR MA101 MA101 MA101 User manual

NETGEAR, Inc.
4401 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
Reference Manual for
the Model MA101
802.11b Wireless PC
Card

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: [email protected]
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.
©2002 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.
November 2002

i
Contents
Preface - About This Installation Guide
Chapter 1 - Introduction
About the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter ...................................1
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products ......................................1
What’s in the Box? ...................................................................................2
A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ .......................................3
Chapter 2 - Installing the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter
What You Will Need Before You Begin ....................................................9
Verify System Requirements ...........................................................10
Observe Location and Range Guidelines ........................................10
Two Basic Operating Modes ..................................................................11
MA101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings ....................................12
Using the MA101 to Connect to a Wireless Network Access Point in
Infrastructure Mode ................................................................................13
Setting Up the MA101 in Infrastructure Mode ........................................14
For Windows XP Users Installing a MA101 .....................................14
For Windows 98/Me Users Installing a MA101 ................................17
For Windows 2000 Users Installing a MA101 ..................................20
Using the MA101 to Connect in Ad-Hoc Mode ......................................23
Setting Up a MA101 in Ad-Hoc Mode ..............................................24
Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors .....................................................26
Troubleshooting Tips ..............................................................................27
Chapter 3 - Protecting Your Wireless Connection
Enabling Basic Wireless Security Features ...........................................29
Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security
Settings ............................................................................................30
Setting the Wireless Network Name (SSID) ....................................31

ii
Configuring WEP Encryption Security .............................................32
Appendix A - Technical Specifications
Appendix B - 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics
Related Publications ..............................................................................35
Wireless Networking ..............................................................................35
Wireless Network Configuration ......................................................36
Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) ..................................36
Infrastructure Mode ...................................................................36
Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) ...................................37
Authentication and WEP Encryption ................................................37
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) ...............................................38
Wireless Channel Selection .............................................................38
Appendix C - Preparing Your PCs for Network Access
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking ................................41
Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking ......................42
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components .........................42
Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows
98 and Me ........................................................................................44
Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method ...................................46
Verifying TCP/IP Properties .............................................................47
Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking .....................47
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components .........................47
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000 .................48
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP .............................48
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 ..........................51
Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000 .....................53
Index

iii
Preface
About This Installation Guide
Thank you for purchasing the NETGEAR®MA101 802.11b Wireless USB
Adapter.
This reference manual assumes that the reader has basic to intermediate computer
and Internet skills. However, basic computer network, Internet, and wireless
technologies tutorial information is provided in the Appendices.
This guide uses the following typographical conventions:
italics Media titles, UNIX files, commands, URLs, and directory
names.
bold times roman User input
Internet Protocol (IP)First time an abbreviated term is used.
courier font Screen text, user-typed command-line entries.
[Enter] Named keys in text are shown enclosed in square brackets.
The notation [Enter] is used for the Enter key and the
Return key.
[Ctrl]+C Two or more keys that must be pressed simultaneously are
shown in text linked with a plus (+) sign.
ALL CAPS DOS file and directory names.
Note: If you are unfamiliar with networking, routing, and wireless
communications, refer to Appendix B, “802.11b Wireless Networking
Basics,” to become more familiar with the terms and procedures used in
this guide.

iv

1
Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter introduces the features, package contents, and appearance of the
NETGEAR MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter. See “What You Will Need
Before You Begin” on page 9 for the minimum system requirements. Also, a
“road map” for achieving your installation objectives is provided on page 3.
About the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter
The MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter gives you ultimate flexibility in your
office or home. It frees you from traditional Ethernet wiring and helps you create a
wireless network for sharing your broadband cable or DSL Internet access among
multiple PCs in and around your home. It is designed for computer computers
running Microsoft®Windows®. Its auto-sensing capability allows packet transfer
at up to 11 megabits per second (Mbps), and dynamic range shifting to slower
speeds due to distance or electromagnetic interference limitations.
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products
The MA101 USB Adapter provides the following features:
• Reliable IEEE 802.11b standard-based wireless technology.
• Supports roaming among access points if configured in Infrastructure mode.
• 11 Mbps maximum data transfer speed. Wireless nodes negotiate to operate at
the optimal data transfer rate. In a noisy environment or when the distance
between the wireless nodes is far, the wireless nodes automatically fall back to
operate to the lower transfer rate of one or two megabits per second.

2
• Highest level security with 128-bit Shared Key WEP data encryption. Lower
level data encryption or no data encryption options simplify network setup
and improve data transfer rates.
The following Netgear products can be configured to communicate with the
MA101 USB Adapter.
• WAB102 Dual Band Access Point
• MA401 802.11b Wireless PC Card
• ME102 802.11b Wireless Access Point
• MA311 802.11b Wireless PCI Adapter
• MR314 802.11b Wireless Cable/DSL Router
• MA701 802.11b Wireless Compact Flash Card
What’s in the Box?
The product package should contain the following items:
• MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter with a USB cable
• Reference Manual for the Model MA101 802.11b Wireless PC Card
•AModel MA101 Resource CD, including:
— Driver and Configuration Utility Software
— Reference Guide for the Model MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in
Adobe Acrobat PDF file format
— Reference Guide for the Model MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in
browser readable HTML format
• Warranty card
• 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.

3
A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’
The introduction and adoption of any new technology can be a difficult process.
Wireless technology has removed one of the barriers to networking: running
wires. It allows more people to try networking while at the same time exposes
them to the inherent complexity of networking. General networking concepts, set
up, and maintenance can be difficult to understand. In addition, wireless
technology adds issues, such as range, interference, signal quality, and security to
the picture.
To help overcome potential barriers to successfully using wireless networks, the
table below identifies how to accomplish such things as connecting to a wireless
network, assuring appropriate security measures are taken, browsing the Internet
through your wireless connection, exchanging files with other computers, and
using printers in the combined wireless and wired network.
Table 1-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?
Connect to a
wireless
network
1. Identify the
wireless
network name
(SSID) and, if
used the
wireless
security
settings.
2. Set up the
MA101
802.11b
Wireless USB
Adapter with
the settings
from step 1.
1. A wireless network
2. A PC within the
operating range of the
wireless network. For
guidelines about the
range of 802.11b
wireless networks,
please see “Observe
Location and Range
Guidelines” on page 10.
To set up the MA101,
see Chapter 2,
“Installing the MA101
802.11b Wireless
USB Adapter” and
follow the
instructions
provided.
To learn about
wireless networking
technology, please
see Appendix B,
“802.11b Wireless
Networking Basics”
for a general
introduction.

4
Protect my
wireless
connection from
snooping,
hacking, or
information
theft.
Note: Secure
Internet sites
such as banks
and online
merchants
where the
address begins
with https:\\ ...
are using the
SSL encryption
security built
into browsers
like Internet
Explorer and
Netscape®. Any
security features
you might
implement in a
wireless
network are in
addition to those
already in place
on secure
Internet sites.
1. Assure that the
wireless
network has
security
features
enabled.
2. Configure my
MA101 with
the security
settings of the
wireless
network.
3. Use Windows
security
features.
1. A wireless network with
authentication and WEP
encryption enabled.
2. Wireless networking
equipment that supports
WEP encryption, such as
the MA101 and all
Netgear wireless
networking products.
To learn about
wireless networking
security, please see
“Authentication and
WEP Encryption” on
page 37.
To use WEP security
features, please see
“Enabling Basic
Wireless Security
Features” on page
29 and configure
your MA101
accordingly.
Table 1-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?

5
Connect to the
Internet over my
wireless
network.
1. Activate my
wireless link
and verify my
network
connection.
2. Open an
Internet
browser such
as Internet
Explorer or
Netscape
Navigator.
1. An active Internet
connection like those
from cable or DSL
service providers.
2. A wireless network
connected to the cable or
DSL Internet service
through a cable/DSL
router as illustrated in
“Using the MA101 to
Connect to a Wireless
Network Access Point in
Infrastructure Mode” on
page 13.
3. TCP/IP Internet
networking software
installed and configured
on my PC according to
the requirements of the
Internet service provider
4. A browser like Internet
Explorer or Netscape
Navigator.
To configure your
MA101 in
Infrastructure Mode,
please see “Setting
Up the MA101 in
Infrastructure Mode”
on page 14, and
locate the section for
your version of
Windows.
Please see
Appendix C,
“Preparing Your PCs
for Network Access”
for assistance with
configuring the
TCP/IP Internet
software on a PC.
Table 1-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?

6
Exchange files
between my
wirelessly
connected
computer and
other computers
in a combined
wireless and
wired network.
1. Use the
Windows
Network
Neighborhood
feature to
browser for
computers in
the combined
wireless and
wired network.
2. Browse the
hard drive of
the target
computer in
the network in
order to locate
the directory or
files you want
to work with.
3. Use the
Windows
Explorer copy
and paste
functions to
exchange files
between the
computers.
1. The computer I am using
to connect to the
wireless network needs
to be configured with the
Windows Client and File
and Print Sharing.
2. The computer I am using
to connect to the
wireless network needs
to be configured with the
same Windows
Workgroup or Domain
settings as the other
Windows computers in
the combined wireless
and wired network.
3. Any Windows networking
security access rights
such as login user name/
password that have been
assigned in the Windows
network or for sharing
particular files must be
provided when Windows
prompts for such
information.
4. If so-called Windows
‘peer’ Workgroup
networking is being
used, the drive, file
system directory, or file
need to be enabled for
sharing.
To get assistance
Windows networking
software, please see
Appendix C,
“Preparing Your PCs
for Network Access”
for typical
configuration
scenarios or refer to
the Help system
included with your
version of Windows.
Windows Domain
settings are usually
managed by
corporate computer
support groups.
Windows Workgroup
settings are
commonly managed
by individuals who
want to set up small
networks in their
homes, or small
offices.
To get assistance
with setting up
Windows
networking, refer to
the Help and
Support information
that comes with the
version of the
Windows operating
systems you are
using.
Table 1-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?

7
Use printers in a
combined
wireless and
wired network.
1. Use the
Windows
Printers and
Fax features to
locate
available
printers in the
combined
wireless and
wired network.
2. Use the
Windows Add
a Printer
wizard to add
access a
network printer
from the PC
you are using
to wirelessly
connect to the
network.
3. From the File
menu of an
application
such as
Microsoft
Word, use the
Print Setup
feature to
direct your
print output to
the printer in
the network.
1. The computer I am using
to connect to the
wireless network needs
to be configured with the
Windows Client and File
and Print Sharing.
2. The computer I am using
to connect to the
wireless network needs
to be configured with the
same Windows
Workgroup or Domain
settings as the other
Windows computers in
the combined wireless
and wired network.
3. Any Windows networking
security access rights
such as login user name/
password that have been
assigned in the Windows
network must be
provided when Windows
prompts for such
information.
4. If so-called Windows
‘peer’ networking is
being used, the printer
needs to be enabled for
sharing.
Windows Domain
settings are usually
managed by
corporate computer
support groups.
Windows Workgroup
settings are
commonly managed
by individuals who
want to set up small
networks in their
homes, or small
offices.
To get assistance
with setting up
Windows
networking, refer to
the Help and
Support information
that comes with the
version of the
Windows operating
systems you are
using.
To get assistance
with setting up
printers in Windows,
refer to the Help and
Support information
that comes with the
version of the
Windows operating
systems you are
using.
Table 1-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here ...
If I Want To... ? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I?

8

9
Chapter 2
Installing the
MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter
This chapter describes how to set up your MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter
for wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
What You Will Need Before You Begin
You need to verify your computer meets the minimum system requirements and
identify the wireless network configuration settings of the WLAN where you will
connect before you can configure your wireless USB adapter and connect.
Note: Computers can connect over 802.11b wireless networks at a
range of as much as 500 feet or more indoors. With this distance, and
because walls do not always block wireless signals, others outside your
immediate area could access your network. It is important to take
appropriate steps to secure your network from unauthorized access. The
MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter provides highly effective
security features which are covered in “Enabling Basic Wireless
Security Features” on page 29. Deploy the security features appropriate
to your needs.

10
Verify System Requirements
Before installing the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter, please make sure
that these minimum requirements have been met:
• You must have a Pentium®Class computer.
• An available USB port.
•ACD-ROMdrive.
• 5 Mbytes of free hard disk space.
• Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating
system installation files to complete the installation of the MA101 driver
software.
Observe Location and Range Guidelines
Computers can connect over 802.11b wireless networks indoors at a maximum
range of approximately 500 feet. However, the operating distance or range of your
wireless connection can vary significantly based on the physical location of the
computer with the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter. For best results, avoid
potential sources of interference, such as:
• Large metal surfaces
•Microwaves
• 2.4 GHz Cordless phones
In general, 802.11b wireless devices can communicate through walls. However,
the 802.11b wireless network effective range will decrease if such materials as
walls with concrete, metal, or metal mesh, are between the wireless devices.

11
Two Basic Operating Modes
The MA101 USB Adapter, like all 802.11b adapters, can operate in the following
two basic modes:
•Infrastructure Mode: An 802.11 networking framework in which devices
and computers communicate with each other by first going through an access
point (AP).
For example, this mode is used when computers in a house connect to an
Access Point that is attached to a router which lets multiple computers share a
single Cable or DSL broadband Internet connection.
•Ad-Hoc Mode: An 802.11 networking framework in which devices or
computers communicate directly with each other, without the use of an AP.
For example, Ad-Hoc Mode is used when two Windows computers are
configured with file and print sharing enabled and you want to exchange files
directly between them.
Both of these configuration options are available with the MA101 USB Adapter.

12
MA101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings
If this is a new wireless network installation, use the factory default settings to set
up the network and verify wireless connectivity. If this is an addition to an
existing wireless network, you will need to identify the wireless configuration and
security parameters already defined.
On Windows XP computers, your MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter does
not use factory default settings. On computers with other versions of Windows,
your MA101 factory default basic settings are as follows:
• Wireless Network Name (SSID): Wireless
Note:In order for the MA101 USB Adapter to communicate with a wireless
access point, a wireless adapter, or other 802.11b wireless devices, all devices
must be configured with the same SSID which is also know as the wireless
network name.
• Mode (Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc): Infrastructure
• WEP Encryption: Off

13
Using the MA101 to Connect to a Wireless Network
Access Point in Infrastructure Mode
Figure 2-1: MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Infrastructure Mode
This section provides instructions for setting up the MA101 802.11b Wireless
USB Adapter.
MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter
Connected to a Desktop Computer
Cable/DSL Router
Cable or DSL modem
802.11b
Wireless Access Point

14
Setting Up the MA101 in Infrastructure Mode
Use the procedure below that corresponds to your version of Windows.
For Windows XP Users Installing a MA101
Connect the MA101 USB Adapter to your computer.
a. Power on your computer and let the operating system boot up
completely.
b. Locate an available USB port on the back of your computer.
c. Lift the antenna on the MA101.
d. Connect the USB cable from the MA101 USB Adapter to your
computer.