2. Introduction

The D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+ Wireless PCI Adapter is an enhanced 802.11b high-performance, wireless adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking at home, at work or in public places.

Unlike most 802.11b network cards, the DWL-520+ provides speeds of up to 22 Mbps (compared to the standard 11 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus products such as the DWL-520+ Wireless Cardbus Adapter. Now increased speed can be obtained when you enable the new 4x feature (when used with the 4x-enabled DI-614+ Wireless Broadband Router or the 4x-enabled DWL-900AP+ Wireless Access Point.)

The DWL-520+ is also compatible with existing 802.11b devices such as the D-Link AirPlus family of products including the DWL-650+ Wireless Cardbus Adapter, the DI-614+ Wireless Broadband Router and the DWL-900AP+ Wireless Access Point.

Extra security is provided by the addition of 802.1x* support. With 802.1x compatible routers and access points along with a radius server, the DWL- 520+ will participate in a much more secure network (that includes client authentication) than is available with WEP encryption alone.

It is an ideal way to connect one computer to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN.) After completing the steps outlined in the Quick Installation Guide (included in the package) you will have the ability to share information and resources, such as files and printers, and take full advantage of a “connected” environment for work or play!

The DWL-520+ includes software drivers for the most popular Microsoft Windows operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98) and can be integrated into a larger network, running, in either Ad Hoc mode (without an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (with an Access Point.) Please take a look at our Getting Started section in this manual to see examples of typical network setups using the DWL-520+ in both Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc modes.

This manual provides a quick introduction to wireless technology and its application as it relates to networking. Take a moment to read through this manual and get acquainted with wireless technology.

*802.1x Authentication requires EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol.) 802.1x supported EAP is available through the Windows XP Operating System. You will need to use the same type of EAP protocol on all the devices in your network when using the 802.1x feature.

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D-Link DWL-520 manual Introduction