NETGEAR WG311v2 - 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter User manual

Version v1.1
December 2003
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
Installation Guide for the
NETGEAR 54 Mbps
Wireless PCI Adapter
WG311 v2

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.
©2003 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.
December 2003
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer
It is hereby certified that the Model WG311 Wireless PCI 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

December 2003
iii
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.
FCC Information to User
This product does not contain any user serviceable components and is to be used with approved antennas
only. Any product changes or modifications will invalidate all applicable regulatory certifications and
approvals
FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure
In order to comply with RF exposure limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, the user is advised to maintain a
distance of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the antenna of this device while it is in use.
FCC Electronic Emission Notices
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required
to correct the interference at his own expense.
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
Tested to Comply
with FCC Standards
FCC ID: PY3WG311V2
NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v2

December 2003
iv
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined 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 and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Export Restrictions
This product or software contains encryption code which may not be exported or transferred from the US or
Canada without an approved US Department of Commerce export license.
Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of the European R&TTE Directive
1999/5/EC. Compliance to essential test suites is met per standards:
R&TTE Harmonized Standard Description
LVD specification
EN 60950 EN 60950,ed. (1992), incl A1(1993), A2(1993), A3(1995) and A4(1997)
Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical
business equipment.
Meets R&TTE directive art. 3.1.a of essential requirements on
protection of the health and safety of the user.
ETSI EMC specification
ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.2.1
(2000-08)
ETSI EN 301 489-17 V1.1.1
(2000-09)
Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters
(ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio
equipment and services;
Part 1: Common technical requirements
Part 17: Specific conditions for Wideband data and HIPERLAN
equipment
Meets R&TTE directive art. 3.1.b of essential requirements on
protection with respect to Electro Magnetic Compatibility.

December 2003
v
Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference
Regulations
This digital apparatus (Model WG311 v2 Wireless PCI Adapter) does not exceed the Class B limits for radio-noise
emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.
Canada ID: 4054A-WG311V2
ETSI RF specification
ETSI EN 300 328
Part 1 V1.2.2 (2000-07)
ETSI EN 300 328
Part 2 V1.1.1 (2000-07)
Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters
(ERM); Wideband Transmission systems; data transmission
equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using spread
spectrum modulation techniques;
Part 1: Technical characteristics and test conditions
Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements
under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive
Meets R&TTE directive art. 3.2.a on effective use of spectrum so
as to avoid harmful interference.
This device is a 2.4 GHz low power
RF device intended for home and
office use in EU and EFTA member
states. In some EU / EFTA member
states some restrictions may apply.
Please contact local spectrum
management authorities for further
details before putting this device
into operation.
0470 !

December 2003
vi

Contents vii
Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
About the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v2 ..................................1-1
Key Features and Related NETGEAR Products ............................................................1-1
What’s in the Box? ..........................................................................................................1-2
A Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ .............................................................1-2
Chapter 2
Basic Setup
What You Will Need Before You Begin ...........................................................................2-1
Verify System Requirements ....................................................................................2-1
Observe Location and Range Guidelines ................................................................2-2
Two Basic Operating Modes ...........................................................................................2-2
WG311 v2 Default Wireless Configuration Settings .......................................................2-3
Basic Installation Instructions .........................................................................................2-4
For Windows XP Users Installing a WG311 v2 ........................................................2-4
For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing a WG311 v2 ......................................2-8
WG311 v2 Wireless Connection Indicators ..................................................................2-12
Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors .....................................................................2-12
Basic Troubleshooting Tips ...........................................................................................2-13
About Page ...................................................................................................................2-14
Chapter 3
Configuration
Understanding the Configuration Options ......................................................................3-1
Using Configuration Profiles ...........................................................................................3-1
Networks Page .........................................................................................................3-2
Connect to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode .................................................3-3
How to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile .....................................................3-3
Connecting to Another PC in Ad-Hoc Mode ...................................................................3-5
How to Configure an Ad-Hoc Mode Profile ..............................................................3-5
How to Start a Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network .......................................3-7
Enabling Wireless Security Features ..............................................................................3-8

viii Contents
Identifying the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and WEP Security Settings ...........3-9
How to Configure WEP Encryption Security ..........................................................3-10
Statistics Page ........................................................................................................3-12
Advanced Settings Page ........................................................................................3-13
Appendix A
Technical Specifications
Appendix B
Wireless Networking Basics
Wireless Networking Overview ...................................................................................... B-1
Infrastructure Mode ................................................................................................. B-1
Ad-Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) ................................................................ B-2
Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) ................................ B-2
Authentication and WEP ................................................................................................ B-2
802.11 Authentication .............................................................................................. B-3
Open System Authentication ................................................................................... B-3
Shared Key Authentication ...................................................................................... B-4
Overview of WEP Parameters ................................................................................ B-5
Key Size .................................................................................................................. B-6
WEP Configuration Options .................................................................................... B-6
Wireless Channels ......................................................................................................... B-7
Appendix C
Preparing Your PCs for Network Access
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking .......................................................C-1
Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking ..............................................C-1
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components .................................................C-1
Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 98 and Me C-3
Selecting the Internet Access Method .....................................................................C-5
Verifying TCP/IP Properties ....................................................................................C-5
Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking .............................................C-6
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components .................................................C-6
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000 .........................................C-7
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP .....................................................C-7
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 ..................................................C-9
Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000 ........................................... C-11

Contents ix
Glossary
List of Glossary Terms ...................................................................................................D-1
Index

xContents