D-Link AirPlus DWL-120+ User manual

Manual

Building Networks for People

D-Link

AirPlus® DWL-120+

2.4GHz Wireless USB Adapter

Contents

Package Contents ................................................................................ 3

Introduction ........................................................................................... 4

Wireless Basics .................................................................................... 6

Getting Started ..................................................................................... 9

Using the Conﬁguration Utility ............................................................ 12

Networking Basics .............................................................................. 18

Troubleshooting .................................................................................. 31

Technical Speciﬁcations ..................................................................... 34

Contacting Technical Support ............................................................. 35

Warranty and Registration .................................................................. 36

Properly installed and working USB Controller

Contents of Package:

D-Link AirPlus DWL-120+

2.4 GHz Wireless USB Adapter

Manual on CD-ROM

Quick Installation Guide

Package Contents

If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.

System Requirements:



Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE

A computer or laptop with an available USB port



At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor



USB Cable



Introduction

The D-Link AirPlus DWL-120+ 2.4GHz Wireless USB Adapter is a convenient

Plug & Play USB 1.1 solution that brings wireless networking to your laptop

or desktop PC. It provides up to 256-bit level of WEP security to your wireless

data transfers.

After completing the steps outlined in the Quick Installation Guide (included in

your package) you will have the ability to share information and resources, such

as ﬁles, printers, and Internet connection and enjoy the freedom that wireless

networking delivers.

The DWL-120+ comes with software drivers for the most popular Microsoft

Windows operating systems and can be integrated into a larger network, running

Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, or Windows 98SE in either Ad

Hoc mode (without an Access Point or Router) or Infrastructure mode (with an

Access Point or Router). The IEEE 802.11b Ethernet standard allows you to

connect computers and 802.11b compatible devices at speeds up to 22Mbps*,

dependent upon the distance between wireless adapters, the conﬁguration of

your working environment, or the capabilities or limitations of your computer

systems.

*”Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11b speciﬁcations. Actual data throughput

will vary Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network trafﬁc, building materials

and construction, and network overhead lower actual data throughput rate.”

Features and Beneﬁts

Convenience of Plug & Play installation



* Environmental factors may adversely affect range

Three year warranty (USA only)



Connects at up to 328 feet indoors*



User-friendly conﬁguration and diagnostic utilities



Supports infrastructure networks via an Access Point or Router and

Peer-to-Peer communication in Ad-Hoc mode



Stronger Network Security with 256-bit WEP encryption



USB 1.1 standard



Fully 802.11b compatible



D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use

and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or

public access wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you access

to the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the

freedom that wireless networking brings.

A WLAN is a cellular computer network that transmits and receives data with

radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly in both home

and ofﬁce environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee shops and

universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to

work and communicate more efﬁciently. Increased mobility and the absence

of cabling and other ﬁxed infrastructure have proven to be beneﬁcial for many

users.

Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network.

Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same

protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.

Wireless Basics

Features

Link/Activity LED

Power - Indicates that

the DWL-120+ is properly

installed in the computer.

Link - Blinks when data is

being transmitted through

the wireless connection.

Antenna

Used to wirelessly

connect to 802.11b

networks

Mini-USB port

Used to connect the

DWL-120+ to your

computer

Wireless Basics (continued)

People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:

Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any

location within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based

on real-time information can signiﬁcantly improve worker efﬁciency.

Low Implementation Costs – WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change

and relocate. Networks that frequently change can beneﬁt from WLANs ease

of implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring

may be impractical.

Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can

be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and

ceilings. Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go

- even outside the home or ofﬁce.

Scalability – WLANs can be conﬁgured in a variety of topologies to meet

the needs of speciﬁc applications and installations. Conﬁgurations are easily

changed and range from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of

users to larger infrastructure networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands

of users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.

Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively

priced as conventional Ethernet network devices.

Standards-Based Technology

Based on the IEEE 802.11b standard, the DWL-120+ is interoperable with

existing compatible 2.4GHz wireless technology with data transfer speeds of

up to 22Mbps* when used with other D-Link AirPlus devices.

*”Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11b speciﬁcations. Actual data throughput

will vary Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network trafﬁc, building materials

and construction, and network overhead lower actual data throughput rate.”

Wireless Basics (continued)

Installation Considerations

The D-Link AirPlus DWL-120+ lets you access your network, using a wireless

connection, from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep in mind,

however, that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other

objects that the wireless signals must pass through, may limit the range. Typical

ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF (radio

frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to maximizing wireless

range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1. Keep the antenna of the DWL-120+ in an upright position.

Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-120+ and other

network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your D-

Link wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your

devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.

Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5 feet

thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter)

thick. At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Position

devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead

of at an angle) for better reception.

Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical

devices or appliances that generate extreme RF noise.

Building Materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door or

aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position wireless

devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes

through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.

Getting Started

With its default settings, the DWL-120+ will connect with other

D-Link AirPlus products, right out of the box.

A wireless broadband Router-

D-Link AirPlus DI-614+

A laptop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -

D-Link AirPlus DWL-120+

A desktop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -

D-Link AirPlus DWL-120+

A Cable modem -

D-Link DCM-201

There are basically two modes of networking:

Infrastructure – using an Access Point or Router, such as the DI-614+.

Ad-Hoc – directly connecting to another computer, for peer-to-peer

communication, using wireless network adapters on each computer, such

as two or more DWL-120+ wireless USB adapters.

On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure

Network and an Ad-Hoc Network.

An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point or Router. The

Infrastructure Network example shown on the following page contains the

following D-Link network devices (your existing network may be comprised of

other devices):

You will need broadband Internet access (a Cable or DSL-subscriber line into

your home or ofﬁce)

Consult with your Cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the modem

Connect the Cable or DSL modem to your broadband router (see the Quick

Installation Guide included with your router.)

Install the D-Link AirPlus DWL-120 wireless USB adapter into an available USB

port on your desktop computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with

the DWL-120+.)

If you are connecting a laptop computer to your network, you can install the

DWL-120+ into an available USB port on your laptop. (See the Quick Installation

Guide included with the DWL-120+.)

Getting Started

For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the

following:

Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network

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