Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics | NETGEAR WG111 instruction

Appendix B

Wireless Networking Basics

This chapter provides an overview of Wireless networking.

Wireless Networking Overview

The WG111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter conforms to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b standard for wireless LANs (WLANs) and a product update will bring the WG111 into conformance to the 802.11g standard when it is ratified. On an 802.11b or g wireless link, data is encoded using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and is transmitted in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.5GHz. 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 802.11g auto rate sensing rates are 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps.

The 802.11 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 802.11 devices. The 802.11 standard offers two methods for configuring a wireless network - ad hoc and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Mode

With a wireless Access Point, you can operate the wireless LAN in the infrastructure mode. This mode provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed range or area of coverage, interacting with wireless nodes via an antenna.

In the infrastructure mode, the wireless access point converts airwave data into wired Ethernet data, acting as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple Access Points via a wired Ethernet backbone can further extend the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one Access Point domain to another and still maintain seamless network connection.

Wireless Networking Basics

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NETGEAR WG111 user manual Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics, Wireless Networking Overview, Infrastructure Mode

Contents

202-10026-01 Vcci Statement Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure Declaration Of ConformityFCC Requirements for Operation in the United States Netgear 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111 Operation Using 2.4 GHz Channels in France Metropolitan Regions with Eased Restrictions in 2.4GHz Band 202-10026-01 Contents Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Glossary Index Contents Typographical conventions Manual SpecificationsChapter About This Manual Audience, Scope, Conventions Html version of this manual How to Use this Manual How to Print this Manual About This Manual Key Features Chapter IntroductionAbout the WG111 What’s in the Box? Road Map for ‘How to Get There From Here’ If I Want To? What Do I Do? What’s Needed? How Do I? Road Map for How to Get There From Here Netgear 54 Mbps Exchange files Use printers Chapter Basic Setup What You Need Before You BeginVerifying System Requirements Observing Location and Range Guidelines Two Basic Operating Modes WG111 Default Wireless Configuration Settings Basic Installation Instructions Install the WG111 driver and configuration utility software For Windows XP Users Installing a WG111 Install the Netgear 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WG111 Configure your WG111 Verify wireless connectivity to your network Click Install Driver and Utility For Windows 2000 & 98/Me Users Installing a WG111 Found New Hardware Wizard WG111 System Tray Icon Profile Configure your WG111 and save Verify wireless connectivity to your network WG111 Wireless Connection Indicators Interpreting the LED on the WG111LED Descriptions Yellow TroubleshootingInterpreting System Tray Icon Colors Red Basic Tips Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions Basic Setup Basic Setup Basic Setup Chapter Configuration Understanding the Configuration OptionsUsing Configuration Profiles Configure the wireless Network settings Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure ModeHow to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile Run the WG111 Configuration Utility How to Configure an Ad-hoc Mode Profile Connecting to Another PC in Ad-hoc Mode Windows Run program dialog box Configure the PC network settings Ping test results How to Start a Computer-to-Computer Ad-Hoc Network Enabling Wireless Security Features Configure the Security settings How to Configure WEP Encryption Security Save your settings in a Profile Statistics Advanced Settings Configuration USB Appendix a Technical Specifications Technical Specifications Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics Wireless Networking OverviewInfrastructure Mode Authentication and WEP Ad Hoc Mode Peer-to-Peer WorkgroupNetwork Name Extended Service Set Identification Essid Open System Authentication Authentication Authentication Open System Steps Do Not Use WEP Authentication Shared Key Steps Key Size WEP Configuration Options Wireless Channels 802.11b and g Radio Frequency Channels Radio frequency channels used are listed in Table Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network AccessConfiguring Windows 98 and Me for TCP/IP Networking Install or Verify Windows Networking Components Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Choose Settings, and then Control Panel Enabling Dhcp in Windows 98 and MeLocate your Network Neighborhood icon Primary Network Logon is set to Windows logon Verifying TCP/IP Properties Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or TCP/IP details are presented on Support tab Dhcp Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows Verify that Obtain an IP addressRight 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