NETGEAR WN311B user manual Installation, Using the Status Bar

)NSTALLATION 'UIDE

NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B

These setup instructions assume that you will connect to an access point or wireless router. Estimated completion time: 10 minutes.

Installation

1.First, install the WN311B software.

Insert the NETGEAR CD. If the CD main page does not appear, double click Autorun.exe on the CD.

a.Click Install the Software. The Check for Updates window opens.

b.If you are connected to the Internet, click

Check for Updates. If not, you can choose to install from the CD.

c.Follow the Wizard steps and click Next to continue.

When the software has been installed the Connection Wizard prompts you to shut down the computer.

2.Now, insert the wireless PCI adapter.

a.When prompted, shut down the computer.

b.Unplug the computer, open the case, and install the WN311B into a PCI slot.

c.Connect the antenna to the adapter and position the antenna to the up position.

d.Close the case, plug the power cord back in, and restart your computer.

You will be prompted to select the country where you are located.

e.Select the country and click Agree.

3.Use the Smart Wizard to set up your wireless PCI adapter.

a.Windows 2000 users go to Step b. Windows XP or Vista users can set up the wireless adapter either with the NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended) or the Windows configuration utilities.

•NETGEAR Smart Wizard: Reveals more information about each network and makes it easier to troubleshoot network connection problems.

•Windows configuration utilities: See the Windows documentation or “Using Windows XP and Vista Wireless Configuration Utilities” at: http://documentation.netgear.com/reference/enu/winzerocfg/index.htm

b.Click Next to accept the NETGEAR Smart Wizard. You will be prompted to let the wizard help you connect to a network (recommended).

c.Click Next to accept.

4.Connect to a wireless network.

a.Select the wireless network from the drop-down list, and the wizard records your choice.

Note: Hidden networks do not broadcast

the Network Name (SSID). TheseHidden Network networks are in the drop-down list, but

the Network Name (SSID) is blank.

b.The Smart Wizard detects if the network uses security or not. Follow the Wizard

steps for Security (if used) and for saving a Profile.

c.After you have reviewed the settings, click Finish.

The WN311B icon appears in the system tray and on the desktop, and the Settings page opens. The wizard initiates your wireless connection. It could take up to a minute for your wireless connection to be established.

Using the Status Bar

The status bar is located at the bottom of the Settings page.

					Channel
			Security			Throughput
Wireless							Signal
							strength
network
Find a Network				Connection status
		Understanding the Status Bar
Wireless network	Identifies which wireless network you have joined.
Security	• Locked: security enabled.
	• Unlocked: security not enabled.
Channel	The wireless channel used by the network. If many wireless networks
	in your area use the same channel they can interfere with one
	another.
Throughput	Wireless throughput measured in Mega bits per second.
Signal strength	More dots indicates a stronger signal. Usually, you will experience
	higher throughput when the signal is strongest.
Find a Network	Click Find a Network to open the Connection Wizard.
Connection	Identifies the status of your network connection.
status	• Connected to Internet: Wireless Internet connection is OK.
	• Connected to Router: Wireless connection to the router is OK but
	the router is not connected to the Internet.
	• 169.254.x.x or ___.___.___.___ : The wireless connection to the
	router is OK but there is a problem with the router. See the online
	help or the NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter
	WN311B User Manual on the NETGEAR CD for troubleshooting.

Note: To optimize throughput, connect to a network with a high-speed router or access point, and a high-speed Internet connection. For more information about optimizing wireless performance, and network bandwidth, see the NETGEAR RangeMax™ NEXT Wireless PCI Adapter WN311B User Manual on the NETGEAR CD.