TP-Link TL-WN821N User manual

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
TL-WN821N
Wireless N USB Adapter
Rev: 1.0.1
1910010100

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark
of TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Other brands and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make
any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Copyright © 2008 TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
All rights reserved.
http://www.tp-link.com

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
FCC 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 in a residential installation.
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. 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 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:
¾Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
¾Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
¾Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
¾Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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.
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This device and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter.
“To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, the antenna used for this
transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons
and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter”.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference,
in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
National Restrictions
2400.0-2483.5 MHz
Country Restriction Reason/remark
Bulgaria General authorization required for outdoor use and
public service
France
Outdoor use limited to 10
mW e.i.r.p. within the band
2454-2483.5 MHz
Military Radiolocation use. Refarming of the 2.4 GHz
band has been ongoing in recent years to allow current
relaxed regulation. Full implementation planned 2012
Italy If used outside of own premises, general authorization is
required
Luxembourg None General authorization required for network and service
supply(not for spectrum)
Norway Implemented This subsection does not apply for the geographical area
within a radius of 20 km from the centre of Ny-Ålesund
Russian Federation Only for indoor applications
Note: Please don’t use the product outdoors in France.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
Package Contents
The following contents should be found in your package:
¾One TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
¾Quick Installation Guide
¾One USB cable
¾One Resource CD for TL-WN821N, including:
•TP-LINK Wireless N Client Utility (11NWCU) and Drivers
•User Guide
•Other Helpful Information
)Note:
Make sure that the package contains the above items. If any of the listed items are damaged or
missing, please contact with your distributor.
Conventions:
The ‘Adapter’ mentioned in this user guide stands for TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
without any explanations.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Introduction ........................................................................................ 1
1.1 Overview of the product...................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Features ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 LED Status ......................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 2. Installation Guide ............................................................................... 3
2.1 Hardware Installation.......................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Software Installation ........................................................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Software Installation for Windows XP.......................................................................... 3
Chapter 3. Configuration for Windows XP........................................................ 10
3.1 Current Status ..................................................................................................................10
3.2 Profile Management ......................................................................................................... 12
3.2.1 Add or Modify a Configuration Profile........................................................................ 12
3.2.2 Remove a profile ....................................................................................................... 17
3.2.3 Switch another Profile ............................................................................................... 18
3.2.4 Export a Profile.......................................................................................................... 18
3.2.5 Import a Profile.......................................................................................................... 18
3.2.6 Scan Available Networks........................................................................................... 19
3.2.7 Auto Profile Selection Management .......................................................................... 19
3.3 Diagnostics....................................................................................................................... 21
3.3.1 Check Driver Information........................................................................................... 21
3.3.2 Check Receive and Transmit Statistical Information ................................................. 22
Chapter 4. Configuration for Windows Vista.................................................... 23
Chapter 5. QSS configuration............................................................................ 26
5.1 PBC (Push Button Configuration) method ........................................................................ 26

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
5.2 PIN method ......................................................................................................................29
5.2.1 Enter a PIN into your AP device................................................................................ 29
5.2.2 Enter the PIN from your AP device............................................................................ 30
Chapter 6. Example for Application .................................................................. 32
6.1 Configuration of PSP Mode .............................................................................................. 32
Appendix A: Specifications................................................................................... 38
Appendix B: Glossary............................................................................................ 39

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Chapter 1.Introduction
1.1 Overview of the product
Thank you for choosing the TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter. The adapter is a draft
802.11n client device; it is designed to provide a high-speed and unrivaled wireless
performance for your notebook and PC. With a faster wireless connection, you can get a better
Internet experience, such as downloading, gaming, video streaming and so on.
With the 802.11n technology, higher throughput improvements using MIMO (multiple input,
multiple output antennas), the TL-WN821N’s auto-sensing capability allows high packet transfer
rate of up to 300Mbps for maximum throughput. It has good capability on anti-jamming, it can also
interoperate with other wireless (802.11b) products. The adapter supports WEP, WPA and WPA2
encryption to prevent outside intrusion and protect your personal information from being exposed.
The Quick Setup Wizard guides you step-by-step through the installation process; the TP-LINK
Wireless N Client Utility helps you create a wireless connection immediately.
With unmatched wireless performance, reception, and security protection, the TL-WN821N is the
best choice for easily adding or upgrading wireless connectivity.
1.2 Features
¾Complies with IEEE802.11n (draft), IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11b standards
¾Supports WPA/WPA2 data security, IEEE802.1x authentication, TKIP/AES encryption,
WEP encryption
¾Supports high rate of up to 300Mbps for maximum throughput, supports automatically
adjust to lower speeds due to distance or other operating limitations
¾Provides USB interface
¾Supports Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure modes
¾Good capability on anti-jamming
¾Supports roaming between access points when configured in Infrastructure mode
¾Ease to configure and provides monitoring information
¾Supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista.
¾Built-in two internal antennas which are listed in a format of 2x2 for two receivers and two
transmitters.

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1.3 LED Status
LED Indications Status Working Status
Status Blue
Activity Blue
Flashing Alternately The adapter is trying to scan a networking
connection.
Status Blue
Activity Blue
Intermittently The adapter is already connected but is not
transmitting or receiving data.
Status Blue
Activity Blue
Flashing The adapter is transmitting or receiving data.

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Chapter 2.Installation Guide
2.1 Hardware Installation
There are two ways to install the Adapter:
1. Plug the Adapter directly to the USB port on your computer.
2. Connect the Adapter and your computer through the USB cable attached in package.
The LED will light up when the Adapter is installed successfully and the PC is on.
2.2 Software Installation
2.2.1 Overview
The Adapter’s Setup Wizard will guide you through the Installation procedure for Windows XP.
The Setup Wizard will install the TP-LINK Wireless N Client Utility (11NWCU) and drivers.
When you install the hardware prior to before installing the software, the system will prompt
“Found New Hardware Wizard”, click Cancel, and run the Setup Wizard program on the
CD-ROM.
The Setup steps for Windows 2000 and XP are similar with each other. This user guide takes
Windows XP for example.
For the Setup steps in Windows Vista, please follow the clues of the screens.
2.2.2 Software Installation for Windows XP
1. Insert the Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive, Click the Start button and choose Run. In
the field that appears, enter F:\XXX\Setup.exe (Presume "F" is the letter of your CD-ROM
drive, XXX represents the setup program path, which is labeled on the Resource CD) and
click OK, then Figure 2-1 will appear.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Figure 2-1
2. Soon,
7Figure 2-2 will display after a moment. Click Next to continue.
Figure 2-2
3. After that, you should choose a Setup type. It is recommended that you select Install
Client Utilities and Driver. Select Install Driver Only to install driver only, select Make

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
5
Driver Installation Diskette(s) to make the diskette(s) as the installation driver (shown in
7Figure 2-3). Click Next to continue.
Figure 2-3
4. Click Browse to change the destination location for the software, then click Next in the
screen below (shown in 7Figure 2-4).
Figure 2-4

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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5. After that, select the program folder, you should create a new folder name or select one
from the Existing Folders list. It is recommended that you keep the default setting. Click
Next to continue the installation.
Figure 2-5
6. Choose configuration tool, if you are not sure, please leave it default. Then click Next to
continue.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Figure 2-6
7. Click OK to continue the Installation on the screen below.
Figure 2-7
8. Wait a while for the setup as shown in 7Figure 2-8.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Figure 2-8
)Note:
1) For Windows XP, the Setup Wizard will notify you of how to proceed with the installation
during these steps (shown in 7Figure 2-9). Our drivers have been tested thoroughly, and
are able to work with the operating system. Click Continue Anyway to continue the
Installation.
Figure 2-9
9. After all the steps above, you will see the screen below, click Finish to reboot the system.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Figure 2-10

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Chapter 3.Configuration for Windows XP
TP-LINK TL-WN821N can be configured by TP-LINK Wireless N Client Utility (11NWCU) in
Windows XP & 2000. This chapter describes how to configure your Adapter for wireless
connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and use the data security encryption
features.
The configuration of the adapter in Windows XP is similar with that of Windows 2000. This User
Guide takes Windows XP for example.
For the configuration in Windows Vista, please refer to Chapter 4.
After Installing the Adapter, the Adapter’s tray icon will appear in your system tray. It
appears at the bottom of the screen, and shows the signal strength using color and the received
signal strength indication (RSSI).
If the icon is gray, there is no connection.
If the icon is red, there is poor signal strength and the RSSI is less than 5dB.
If the icon is yellow, there is poor signal strength and the RSSI is between 5dB and 10dB.
If the icon is green, there is good signal strength and the RSSI is between 10dB and 20dB.
If the icon is green, there is excellent signal strength and the RSSI is more than 20dB.
Double-click the icon and the 11NWCU will run. You can also run the utility by clicking the Start
→Program→TP-LINK→TL-WN821N Wireless Utility→TL-WN821N Wireless Utility. The
11NWCU provides some integrated and easy tools to:
¾Display current status information
¾Edit and add configuration profiles
¾Display current diagnostics information
The section below introduces these above capabilities.
3.1 Current Status
The Current Status tab contains general information about the program and its operations. The
Current Status tab needn’t any configurations.

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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Figure 3-1
The following table describes the items found on the Current Status screen.
¾Profile Name - This shows the name of current selected configuration profile. The
configuration of Profile name will be described on the General tab of Profile Management.
¾Link Status - This shows whether the station is associated to the wireless network.
¾Wireless Mode - Here displays the wireless mode.
¾Network Type - The type of network and the station currently connected are shown here.
The options include:
•Infrastructure (access point)
•Ad Hoc
)Note:
You can configure the network type and wireless mode on the Advanced tab of Profile
Management.
¾IP Address - This displays the computer’s IP address.
¾Control Channel - This shows the currently connected channel.
¾Data Encryption - Here displays the encryption type the driver is using. You can configure
it on the Security tab of Profile Management.
¾Server Based Authentication - This shows whether the server based authentication is
used.

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¾Signal Strength - This shows the strength of the signal.
Click Advanced on the screen above, you can see advanced information about the program
and its operations.
3.2 Profile Management
Click the Profile Management tab of the 11NWCU and the next screen will appear (shown in
7Figure 3-2). The Profile Management screen provides tools to:
¾Add a new profile
¾Modify a profile
¾Remove a profile
¾Activate a Profile
¾Import a Profile
¾Export a Profile
¾Scan Available Networks
¾Order profiles
Figure 3-2
3.2.1 Add or Modify a Configuration Profile
To add a new configuration profile, click New on the Profile Management tab. To modify a
configuration profile, select the configuration profile from the Profile list and click Modify. Then

TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter
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you will see the Management dialog box (shown in 7Figure 3-3).
1. Edit the General tab
¾Profile Name - Please enter the Profile name which identifies the configuration profile. This
name must be unique. Note that the profile names are not case-sensitive.
¾Client Name - Please enter the Profile name which identifies the client machine.
¾Network Names (SSIDs) - Please enter the IEEE 802.11 wireless network name. This
field has a maximum limit of 32 characters.
Figure 3-3
2. Edit the Security tab
Select the Security tab in the screen above, and then you can edit the fields to configure the
profile. To define the security mode, select the radio button of the desired security mode as
follows.