NETGEAR WPN311 Connecting to Another PC in Ad-Hoc Mode

User Manual for the NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311

Configuration 4-5

You can check the status bar in the configuration utility for the current connection status.

Note: If you cannot connect, see the “Basic Troubleshooting Tips” on page3-12. Also, if you

have problems accessing network resources, the Windows Client and File and Print Sharing

software might not be installed and configured properly on your computers. Please refer to

“Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking” on pageC-1.

Connecting to Another PC in Ad-Hoc Mode

The computer-to-computer setting of the WPN311 uses Ad-Hoc mode. Ad-Hoc mode is an 802.11

networking framework in which devices or computers communicate directly with each other,

without the use of an access point. For example, this mode is used when two Windows computers

are configured with file and print sharing enabled and you want to exchange files directly between

them.

How to Configure an Ad-Hoc Mode Profile

Note: Ad-Hoc mode will not work using DHCP settings. Ad-Hoc mode requires either static IP

addresses (such as 192.168.0.1) or other appropriate Windows networking configuration

parameters such as adding IPX protocol support. For instructions on setting up static IP addresses

or IPX protocol settings on a Windows PC, refer to the PC Networking Tutorial included on the

NETGEAR RangeMax™ Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 Resource CD.

Follow the instructions below to configure an Ad-Hoc mode profile.

1. Run the WPN311 Configuration Utility.

a. Open the configuration utility by clicking on the WPN311 icon in the Windows

system tray.

Contents

Main Page iii FCC Electronic Emission Notices FCC Radio Frequency Interference Statement Export Restrictions Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations Page Contents Page Page Page Chapter 1 About This Manual Audience, Scope, Conventions How to Print this Manual Chapter 2 Introduction About the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter WPN311 Key Features and Whats in the Box? A Road Map for How to Get There From Here Chapter 2-4 Introduction Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here Introduction Chapter 2-5 Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here Chapter 2-6 Introduction Table 2-1. A Road Map for How to Get There From Here Chapter 3 Basic Setup What You Will Need Before You Begin Verify System Requirements Observe Location and Range Guidelines Two Basic Operating Modes WPN311 Default Wireless Configuration Settings Page For Windows XP Users Installing a WPN311 Page Page Page For Windows 2000 & 98SE/Me Users Installing a WPN311 Page Page WPN311 Wireless Connection Indicators 3-12 Basic Setup Interpreting System Tray Icon Colors The System Tray (SysTray) resides on one end of the taskbar in the Microsoft Windows desktop. Basic Troubleshooting Tips About Page Page Chapter 4 Configuration Understanding the Configuration Options the network you want to join. Using Configuration Profiles Networks Page Connecting to an Access Point in Infrastructure Mode How to Configure an Infrastructure Mode Profile Page Connecting to Another PC in Ad-Hoc Mode How to Configure an Ad-Hoc Mode Profile Page Page Enabling Wireless Security Features Identifying the Wireless Security Settings How to Configure WEP Encryption Security How to Configure WPA-PSK Encryption Security Statistics Page Advanced Settings Page Page Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions General Questions Page Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Questions Page Technica l Sp ecifications A-1 Appendix A Technical Specifications Page Appendix B Wireless Networking Basics Wireless Networking Overview Infrastructure Mode Ad-Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup) Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) Authentication and WEP 802.11 Authentication Open System Authentication Shared Key Authentication Overview of WEP Parameters Key Size WEP Configuration Options Wireless Channels WPA Wireless Security How Does WPA Compare to WEP? How Does WPA Compare to IEEE 802.11i? What are the Key Features of WPA Security? Page Wired Network with Optional 802.1x Port Based Network Access Control Wireless LAN Page Page Page Is WPA Perfect? Product Support for WPA Page Page Appendix C Preparing Your PCs for Network Access Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking Configuring Windows 98SE and Me for TCP/IP Networking Install or Verify Windows Networking Components Page Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 98SE and Me Page Selecting the Internet Access Method Verifying TCP/IP Properties Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for TCP/IP Networking Install or Verify Windows Networking Components DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP or 2000 DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP Page DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 Page Verifying TCP/IP Properties for Windows XP or 2000 Page Glossary List of Glossary Terms Use the list below to find definitions for technical terms used in this manual. Page Page Page Page Page Index