NETGEAR WG121 user manual Wireless Channels

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User Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121

Note: Whatever keys you enter for an AP, you must also enter the same keys for the client adapter in the same order. In other words, WEP key 1 on the AP must match WEP key 1 on the client adapter, WEP key 2 on the AP must match WEP key 2 on the client adapter, etc.

Note: The AP and the client adapters can have different default WEP Keys as long as the keys are in the same order. In other words, the AP can use WEP key 2 as its default key to transmit while a client adapter can use WEP key 3 as its default key to transmit. The two devices will communicate as long as the AP’s WEP key 2 is the same as the client’s WEP key 2 and the AP’s WEP key 3 is the same as the client’s WEP key 3.

Wireless Channels

IEEE 802.11b and g wireless nodes communicate with each other using radio frequency signals in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Neighboring channels are 5 MHz apart. However, due to spread spectrum effect of the signals, a node sending signals using a particular channel will utilize frequency spectrum 12.5 MHz above and below the center channel frequency. As a result, two separate wireless networks using neighboring channels (for example, channel 1 and channel 2) in the same general vicinity will interfere with each other. Applying two channels that allow the maximum channel separation will decrease the amount of channel cross-talk, and provide a noticeable performance increase over networks with minimal channel separation.

Wireless Networking Basics

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Contents NETGEAR, Inc Technical Support FCC Information to User Export Restrictions Requirements For Operation in the European Community Page Vii Viii Contents Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Glossary Index Xii Contents Audience, Scope, Conventions Chapter About This ManualHtml version of this manual How to Use this ManualHow to Print this Manual About This Manual Key Features and Related Netgear Products About the Netgear 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121Chapter Introduction What’s in the Box? Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ Road Map for How to Get There From Here Netgear 54 Mbps Exchange files Use printers Introduction What You Need Before You Begin Chapter Basic SetupVerifying System Requirements Observing Location and Range Guidelines Two Basic Operating ModesWG121 Default Wireless Configuration Settings For Windows XP Users Installing a WG121 Basic Installation InstructionsInstall the WG121 driver and configuration utility software Install the Netgear 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG121 Configure your WG121 LED Descriptions Verify wireless connectivity to your networkClick Install Driver & Utility For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing a WG121Found New Hardware Wizard WG121 System Tray Icon Profile Configure your WG121 and saveVerify wireless connectivity to your network Interpreting the LED on the WG121 WG121 Wireless Connection IndicatorsColor Condition Description Interpreting System Tray Icon ColorsBasic Tips TroubleshootingClick Windows XP Hotfix SP2 Q815485, and then click Remove Troubleshooting Frequently Asked QuestionsBasic Setup Basic Setup Basic Setup Understanding the Configuration Options Chapter ConfigurationUsing Configuration Profiles How to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure ModeRun the WG121 Configuration Utility Configure the wireless Network settingsHow to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode Profile Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc ModeWindows Run program dialog box Configure the PC network settingsPing test results How to Start a Computer-to-Computer Ad-Hoc Network Enabling Wireless Security FeaturesConfigure the Security settings How to Configure WEP Encryption SecuritySave your settings in a Profile Statistics Advanced SettingsConfiguration FCC, CE Appendix a Technical SpecificationsTechnical Specifications Wireless Networking Overview Appendix B Wireless Networking BasicsInfrastructure Mode Ad Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer Workgroup Authentication and WEPNetwork Name Extended Service Set Identification Essid Open System Authentication AuthenticationAuthentication Open System Steps Do Not Use WEP Authentication Shared Key StepsKey Size WEP Configuration OptionsWireless Channels Radio frequency channels used are listed in Table Configuring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network AccessInstall or Verify Windows Networking Components Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP NetworkingPreparing Your PCs for Network Access Locate your Network Neighborhood icon Choose Settings, and then Control PanelPrimary Network Logon is set to Windows logon Verifying TCP/IP Properties Selecting Windows’ Internet Access MethodConfiguring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP orTCP/IP details are presented on Support tab Verify that Obtain an IP address Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in WindowsRight click on Local Area Connection and select Properties Obtain an IP address automatically is selected Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Glossary DSL Internet service provider Ssid Wins Glossary Numerics Index