NETGEAR GA511 - Gigabit Ethernet PC Card User manual

202-10044-02
March 2007
v2.0
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
NETGEAR 10/100/1000
Mbps CardBus Adapter
GA511 User Manual

ii
v2.0, March 2007
Technical Support
Please refer to the support information card that shipped with your product. By registering 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: [e-mail]
North American NETGEAR website: http://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.
©2007 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.
March 2007
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
About This Manual
Conventions, Formats and Scope .....................................................................................v
How to Use This Manual .................................................................................................. vi
How to Print this Manual ................................................................................................... vi
Revision History ................................................................................................................vii
Chapter 1
Introduction
About the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511 ..................1-1
CardBus Support ......................................................................................................1-1
Bus-Mastering Capability .........................................................................................1-2
Frame Priority Tagging for Virtual LANs ...................................................................1-2
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products ............................................................1-2
What’s in the Box? ..........................................................................................................1-4
Hardware Description .....................................................................................................1-5
Chapter 2
Basic Setup
What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................2-1
Verifying System Requirements ...............................................................................2-1
Preparing to Install Your GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter .............................................2-2
Selecting the Network Cable ....................................................................................2-2
Installation Order ......................................................................................................2-2
Basic Installation Instructions .........................................................................................2-3
Determining the GA511 Connection Status ....................................................................2-7
Using the GA511 Smart Wizard Utility .....................................................................2-7
Checking the Port LEDs ...........................................................................................2-8
Chapter 3
Configuration and Troubleshooting
Understanding the Configuration Options ......................................................................3-1
Configuring Optional Adapter Properties ........................................................................3-2

iv Contents
Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................................3-3
Basic Tips .................................................................................................................3-4
Checking the Device Driver Installation ...................................................................3-4
Using a Troubleshooting Checklist ...........................................................................3-5
Frequently Asked Questions ....................................................................................3-5
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 Vista, 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 Vista, XP or 2000 ............................... B-7
Appendix C
Related Documents
Index

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About This Manual
The NETGEAR®NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511 User Manual describes
how to install, configure and troubleshoot the NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus
Adapter GA511. The information in this manual is intended for readers with intermediate
computer and Internet skills.
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:
Italics Emphasis, books, CDs, file and server names, extensions
Bold User input, IP addresses, GUI screen text
Fixed Command prompt, CLI text, code
italics 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.
Warning: Ignoring this type of note may result in a malfunction or damage to the
equipment.

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•Scope. This manual is written for the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter according to these
specifications:
.
How to Use This Manual
The HTML version of this manual includes the following:
• Buttons, and , for browsing forwards or backwards through the manual one page
at a time
• A button that displays the table of contents and an button. Double-click on a
link in the table of contents or index to navigate directly to where the topic is described in the
manual.
• A button to access the full NETGEAR, Inc. online knowledge base for the product
model.
• Links to PDF versions of the full manual and individual chapters.
How to Print this Manual
To print this manual, you can choose one of the following options, according to your needs.
•Printing a Page from HTML. Each page in the HTML version of the manual is dedicated to
a major topic. Select File > Print from the browser menu to print the page contents.
Danger: This is a safety warning. Failure to take heed of this notice may result in
personal injury or death.
Product Version NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit CardBus Adapter GA511
Manual Publication Date March 2007
Note: Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. website at
http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/GA511.asp.

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•Printing from PDF. Your computer must have the free Adobe Acrobat reader installed in
order to view and print PDF files. The Acrobat reader is available on the Adobe Web site at
http://www.adobe.com.
– Printing a PDF Chapter. Use the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page.
• Click the PDF of This Chapter link at the top left of any page in the chapter you want
to print. The PDF version of the chapter you were viewing opens in a browser
window.
• Click the print icon in the upper left of your browser window.
–Printing a PDF version of the Complete Manual. Use the Complete PDF Manual link
at the top left of any page.
• Click the Complete PDF Manual link at the top left of any page in the manual. The
PDF version of the complete manual opens in a browser window.
• Click the print icon in the upper left of your browser window.
Revision History
Tip: If your printer supports printing two pages on a single sheet of paper, you can
save paper and printer ink by selecting this feature.
Part Number Version
Number Description
202-10044-022.0 Addition of Vista compatibility

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Chapter 1
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® Vista, 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.
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.

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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.
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

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– 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 Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, and
Windows 98SE
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

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• GSM7324 24-Port Layer 3 Managed Gigabit Switch
• GSM7312 12-Port Layer 3 Managed Gigabit Switch
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 (201-10177-01)
•NETGEAR Adapter Resource CD, including:
– Driver and System Utility Software
– NETGEAR 10/100/1000 Mbps CardBus Adapter GA511 User Manual
– 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.

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Hardware Description
As illustrated in the figure below, the GA511 Gigabit CardBus Adapter has an RJ-45 connector
port and two LEDs.
Thefront 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.
Figure 1-1

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Chapter 2
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 Vista, 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.

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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 2-1.
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)
Installation Order
1. First, install the GA511 driver and utility software using the setup.exe program on the
NETGEAR Adapter Resource CD.
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.
Note: If you are installing the GA511 adapter on a Windows Vista machine, insert the
GA511 before installing the GA511 driver and utility software.

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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.
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 Vista, 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

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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 Vista, 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.

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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.

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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 3-3.