NETGEAR MA101 manual Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics

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Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking Basics

This chapter provides an overview of IP networks, routing, and wireless networking.

Related Publications

As you read this document, you may be directed to various RFC documents for further information. An RFC is a Request For Comment (RFC) published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), an open organization that defines the architecture and operation of the Internet. The RFC documents outline and define the standard protocols and procedures for the Internet. The documents are listed on the World Wide Web at www.ietf.org and are mirrored and indexed at many other sites worldwide.

Wireless Networking

The MA101 USB Adapter conforms to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b standard for wireless LANs (WLANs). On an 802.11b wireless link, data is encoded using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and is transmitted in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.4 GHz. The maximum data rate for the wireless link is 11 Mbps, but it will automatically back down from 11 Mbps to 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps when the radio signal is weak or when interference is detected.

The 802.11b standard is also called Wireless Ethernet or Wi-Fi by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA, see http://www.wi-fi.net), an industry standard group promoting interoperability among 802.11b devices.

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Contents NETGEAR, Inc Technical Support Contents Index Bold times roman User input Preface About This Installation GuidePage Chapter Introduction About the MA101 802.11b Wireless USB AdapterKey Features and Related Netgear Products Model MA101 Resource CD, including What’s in the Box?Road Map for How to Get There From Here Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’A Road Map for How to Get There From Here Up the MA101 Other computers Connect to Password that have been Help Network Page What You Will Need Before You Begin Chapter Installing MA101 802.11b Wireless USB AdapterObserve Location and Range Guidelines Verify System RequirementsTwo Basic Operating Modes MA101 Default Wireless Configuration Settings MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Infrastructure Mode Connect the MA101 USB Adapter to your computer Setting Up the MA101 in Infrastructure ModeFor Windows XP Users Installing a MA101 Install the MA101 driver software Verify wireless connectivity to your network Insert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your computer For Windows 98/Me Users Installing a MA101Install the MA101 software Click Yes when asked if you want to reboot the system Ssid Wireless Configure your wireless adapterInsert the Model MA101 Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive For Windows 2000 Users Installing a MA101Page MA101 Configuration Utility MA101 802.11b Wireless USB Adapter in Ad-Hoc Mode Using the MA101 to Connect in Ad-Hoc ModeSet up the MA101 USB Adapter for your computer Setting Up a MA101 in Ad-Hoc ModeConfigure your wireless adapters Computer-to-computer Ad-Hoc networks onlyVerify wireless connectivity between the computers Color Condition Description Interpreting System Tray Icon ColorsSymptom Cause Solution Troubleshooting TipsPage Enabling Basic Wireless Security Features Protecting Your Wireless ConnectionPage Changing the Ssid Setting the Wireless Network Name SsidConfiguring WEP Encryption Configuring WEP Encryption SecurityDsss Appendix a Technical SpecificationsPage Related Publications Wireless Networking Appendix B 802.11b Wireless Networking BasicsAd Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer Workgroup Wireless Network ConfigurationAuthentication and WEP Encryption Extended Service Set Identification EssidWired Equivalent Privacy WEP Wireless Channel SelectionRadio frequency channels used are listed in Table Page Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network AccessInstall or Verify Windows Networking Components Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP NetworkingPage Page Primary Network Logon is set to Windows logon Choose Settings, and then Control PanelLocate your Network Neighborhood icon Page Verifying TCP/IP Properties Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP NetworkingDhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP orConnection with the wireless icon and choose Status TCP/IP details are presented on the Support tab Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows Page Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or Page Numerics IndexPage Page Page Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer Page NETGEAR, Inc