Microsoft MN-500 manual Adjusting the Antenna, Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards

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OAvoid placing wireless components next to large metal objects such as computer cases, monitors, and appliances. Metal objects reduce signal strength.

OAvoid placing wireless components close to electromagnetic devices, especially those with frequencies in the 2.4-gigahertz (GHz) range. Devices such as cordless phones, microwave ovens, radios, and televisions can interfere with wireless transmission.

OIf you notice poor connection speed on an adapter, try moving your wireless components closer together. Connection speeds will be slower if your wireless components are very far apart from each other on the network.

OBe aware that wireless signal range, speed, and strength can be affected by interference from neighboring wireless networks and devices.

Adjusting the Antenna

To improve wireless reception, you can adjust the base station’s external antenna.

Start with the antenna pointing straight up, and adjust the antenna if you get poor signal strength on an adapter. Certain areas, such as directly below the antenna, get relatively poor reception. Pointing the antenna toward another wireless component does not improve reception.

Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards

802.11is a series of wireless transmission standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks. Currently, four specifications make up the 802.11 series: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Your Microsoft Wireless Base Station conforms to the 802.11b specification. The main features that distinguish these specifications are connection speed and radio frequency.

The following table summarizes the four specifications in the 802.11 series.

Specification

Connection speed

Radio frequency band

802.11

1 or 2 megabits per second (Mbps)

2.4 GHz

 

 

 

802.11a

Up to 54 Mbps

5 GHz

 

 

 

802.11b

Up to 11 Mbps

2.4 GHz

 

 

 

802.11g

Up to 54 Mbps

2.4 GHz

 

 

 

Note The benefit of the 2.4-GHz radio frequency band is that it allows for greater range than the 5-GHz band. The drawback is that it is susceptible to interference from other devices, such as 2.4-GHz cordless telephones.

Because 802.11b and 802.11g use the same radio frequency band, your base station is compatible with 802.11g devices on your network. However, when you transfer data between 802.11b and 802.11g devices, the connection speed is limited to the 802.11b maximum of 11 Mbps.

Note Your Microsoft Wireless base station is not compatible with 802.11a-only devices.

6Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station User’s Guide

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Contents Page Avertissement Contents View Status View Network Devices Contents Page About Your Wireless Base Station IntroductionUPnP Standards and Your Wireless Base Station Base Station Ports, Status Lights, and the Reset ButtonIntroduction Using the Base Station Stand Resetting the Base StationRestoring Factory Default Settings About Wireless Radio Connections Placement of Wireless ComponentsAdjusting the Antenna Understanding Wireless Transmission StandardsAbout Wired Ethernet Connections Ethernet CablesWhich Cable Should You Use? Straight-Through Ethernet CableCrossover Ethernet Cable Setup Typical Setup Gather Components, Tools, and InformationRun the Setup Wizard This User’s GuideConnect the Base Station Configure the Base Station Test Your NetworkWhat’s Next? Setting Up the Base Station Wirelessly To set up the base station wirelesslyCustom setup Base Station Setup Establish the Base Station PasswordOpen the Base Station Management Tool Establish Your Internet Settings Establish Your Wireless Settings Establish Your Wireless Security SettingsCustomize Network Settings Configure Your ComputerTest Your Internet Connection Network activities Using an Internet Connection over a Network Logging on to Your NetworkTo log off and log back on to your network Using the Broadband Network Utility To start the Broadband Network UtilityTo refresh the Network Devices list To remove an inactive device from the Network Devices listUsing Files and Folders over a Network Make your files and folders available to the networkTo share a folder or drive on your computer in Windows XP To share a folder or drive on your computer in Windows Using a Printer over a Network Access shared filesTo access shared files on other computers Using Other Peripheral Devices over a Network About Reading E-Mail Messages on a NetworkPlaying Games on Your Network and on the Internet Monitoring Your Network View StatusView Network Devices To refresh the network device listTo upgrade software, drivers, or firmware Updating Software, Drivers, and FirmwareMaking Your Network More Secure Help Protect Your Network from Computer VirusesHelp Protect Your Network from Unauthorized Access Help Protect Your Network from HackersPage Troubleshooting Setup and Hardware ProblemsSetup does not recognize my wireless base station If your base station is connected wirelesslyIf your base station is connected with an Ethernet cable Troubleshooting To clone a MAC address Troubleshooting Network and Internet Problems Can’t stay connected to my wireless networkTo disable 802.1x authentication in Windows XP Troubleshooting Page Troubleshooting My network is slow Troubleshooting Page Printing and File Sharing Issues Cant print to a networked printerPage Troubleshooting Click OK to save the changes Internet Connection Type To determine which connection type your ISP providesGeneral Internet Settings Dynamic IP Dhcp SettingsTo locate your Internet settings Host NameStatic IP Settings To locate your static IP address settings Windows XPTo locate your static IP address settings Windows PPPoE Settings Workgroup NameTo determine your workgroup name in Windows XP or Windows Wireless Network Name Wireless Security SettingsTo determine your workgroup name in Windows Me and Windows Getting Help Technical Support OptionsRegulatory Information United States Radio and TV Interference RegulationsCanadian Radiocommunication Regulations Technical Specifications Base StationSystem Requirements END-USER License Agreement for Microsoft Software General Provisions Limited Warranty Contrat DE Licence Utilisateur Final Pour Logiciel Microsoft Dispositions Générales Garantie Limitée Page Glossary Page Glossary Page Glossary Page Index Interference Index Typical Setup base station, 9 preparing for My Network Settings
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