NETGEAR WPN511 Chapter Basic Setup, What You Need Before You Begin, Verifying System Requirements

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Chapter 3

Basic Setup

This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 and set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced wireless network configuration is covered in Chapter 4, “Configuration” in this manual.

Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of several hundred feet. 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 NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511 provides highly effective security features which are covered in “Enabling Wireless Security Features” on page 4-7in this manual. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.

What You 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 pc card and connect.

Verifying System Requirements

Before installing the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PC Card WPN511, 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.

A CD drive.

5 Mbytes of free hard disk space.

Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, 2000, Me, 98SE or 98

Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of the WPN511 driver software.

B a sic S e tu p

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February 2005

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Contents B ru a ry 2 NETGEAR, I n cTechnical Support FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure N 5 1 Wire le ss a cce ss p oin tOm e GlishContents Appendix C  Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Glossary Viii Audience, Scope, Conventions Chapter About This ManualHow to Print this Manual Chapter Introduction About the Netgear RangeMax Wireless PC Card WPN511Key Features and Related Netgear Products What’s in the Box? Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ Wire le ss lin k Wire le ss TworkRote ct m y Twork h a s En cryp tion en a b le d Sn oop in gSe th e Wire le ss a n dCon n e cte d With th e W in d owsTo wirele ssly D ows n e twork m u st b e Wire d n etworkLoca te Va ila b leVerifying System Requirements Chapter Basic SetupWhat You Need Before You Begin Observing Location and Range Guidelines WPN511 Default Wireless Configuration SettingsTwo Basic Operating Modes Basic Installation Instructions A rt W iza rd I n sta ll a ssista n t For Windows XP Users Installing a WPN511Install the Netgear RangeMax Wireless PC Card WPN511 February Lte rn a te Ookin g for n e twork a ssocia tion Lin k Low b lin kTwork L E D goe s O N With n etwork n o a ctivityA rt W iza rd W ire le ss a ssista n t For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing a WPN511Install the Netgear RangeMax Wireless PC Card WPN511 February Verify connectivity to the Internet or network resources Interpreting the LEDs on the WPN511 WPN511 Wireless Connection IndicatorsInterpreting System Tray Icon Colors TroubleshootingBasic Tips Troubleshooting Frequently Asked QuestionsSic S e tu p February Using Configuration Profiles Chapter ConfigurationUnderstanding the Configuration Options Run the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Assistant Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure ModeHow to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile Save your settings in a Profile Configure the wireless Network settingsVerify wireless connectivity to your network Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc ModeRun the WPN511 Smart Wizard Wireless Utility How to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode ProfileConfigure the PC network settings How to Start a Computer-to-Computer Ad-Hoc Network Enabling Wireless Security FeaturesFebruary Configure the Security settings How to Configure WEP Encryption SecuritySave your settings in a Profile Statistics tab StatisticsAdvanced Settings Advanced SettingsAppendix a Technical Specifications Ch n ica l S p e cifica tion s Infrastructure Mode Appendix B Wireless Networking BasicsWireless Networking Overview Network Name Extended Service Set Identification Essid Authentication and WEPAd Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer Workgroup Open System Authentication AuthenticationAuthentication Open System Steps Key Size Use WEP for Authentication and Encryption a transmittingDo Not Use WEP Use WEP for Encryption a transmittingWEP Configuration Options 802.11b and g Radio Frequency Channels Wireless ChannelsFebruary Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network AccessInstalling or Verifying Windows Networking Components Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP NetworkingInstalling TCP/IP Open the Network Panel Verify the Configuration SettingsVerifying TCP/IP Properties Selecting the Windows’ Internet Access MethodVerify the Properties IP Address Setting Install or Verify Windows Networking Components Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP NetworkingTh rou gh A d d re ss 2 6 8 5 B n e t m a sk 5 5 5 5 5 E fa u lt a d d re ssDhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP Configuring Dhcp of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4Open the Network Connection Window Go to the Network Connection Status windowSet Dhcp for TCP/IP Go to PropertiesCheck the Local Area Connection Properties Settings Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in WindowsCheck the Internet Protocol Properties Complete the configurationGo to TCP/IP Properties Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows NT4Set the TCP/IP Properties Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP, 2000, and NT4Re p a rin g Y ou r P C s for N e twork a cce ss February List of Glossary Terms GlossaryDSL Internet service provider Ssid WEP February Numerics Index
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WPN511 specifications

The NETGEAR WPN511 is a popular wireless network card specifically designed for laptops and other portable devices, allowing users to connect to wireless networks with ease. With its IEEE 802.11g wireless standard, the WPN511 provides a high-speed connection of up to 54 Mbps, making it suitable for tasks like streaming, file sharing, and online gaming.

One of the key features of the WPN511 is its compatibility with both 802.11g and the older 802.11b standards. This backward compatibility ensures that users can connect to nearly any wireless network, providing flexibility and convenience. The device also employs advanced wireless security features, including WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption, which help protect users from unauthorized access and ensure data privacy.

The WPN511 is designed with a compact form factor, making it easy to install and use in various laptop models. It uses a PC Card interface, which allows for simple plug-and-play functionality. Upon inserting the card, users can quickly access an intuitive setup wizard that guides them through the configuration process.

In terms of performance, the NETGEAR WPN511 is equipped with MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) technology, which enhances signal range and reduces dead spots in wireless connectivity. This feature is particularly beneficial in larger environments where a reliable wireless connection is essential. The card is engineered to minimize interference and maintain a stable connection, which is crucial for users engaged in activities requiring consistent bandwidth.

Moreover, the WPN511 supports Quality of Service (QoS) features, which prioritize network traffic to ensure that critical applications like video conferencing and online gaming receive the bandwidth they need without lag or interruption.

Overall, the NETGEAR WPN511 is a robust wireless network card that combines compatibility, security, and performance. Whether professionals need to stay connected during travel or home users want a seamless internet experience, the WPN511 offers a solid solution to meet modern wireless networking demands. Its user-friendly installation process and reliable performance have established it as a go-to choice for many laptop users seeking efficient wireless connectivity.