D-Link AirPlus DWL-G120 User manual
Manual
Building Networks for People
802.11g (2.4GHz)
Wireless USB Adapter
D-Link AirPlus G
DWL-G120
TM
2
Contents
PackageContents ................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................4
Wireless Basics....................................................................................6
GettingStarted....................................................................................10
UsingtheConfigurationUtility..............................................................13
NetworkingBasics ..............................................................................19
Troubleshooting...................................................................................32
TechnicalSpecifications ......................................................................35
ContactingTechnical Support ..............................................................36
WarrantyandRegistration ...................................................................37
3
Contents of Package:
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120
802.11g (2.4 GHz) Wireless USBAdapter
Manual on CD-ROM
QuickInstallation Guide
Package Contents
Properly installed and working USB Controller
USB Cable
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
SystemRequirements:
Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
Acomputer or laptop with an available USB port
At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
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4
Introduction
* This is the theoretical maximum of the chipset used in the DWL-G120 Wireless USB
Adapter.Actualthrough-putmay vary.
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The D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120 802.11g (2.4GHz) Wireless USBAdapter is
a convenient Plug & Play USB 2.0 solution that brings wireless networking to
your laptop or desktop PC. It provides up to a 128-bit level of WEP security to
your wireless data transfers.
The DWL-G120 comes with software drivers for the most popular Microsoft
Windowsoperatingsystemsandcan beintegratedintoalargernetwork, running
Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE in either Ad-Hoc mode (without an access point
or router) or Infrastructure mode (with an access point or router). The IEEE
802.11g Ethernet standard allows you to connect computers and 802.11g
compatible devices at speeds up to 54Mbps*, dependent upon the distance
between wireless adapters, the configuration of your working environment, or
the capabilities or limitations of your computer systems.
Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G120 provides data transfers at up to 54
Mbps when used with other D-Link AirPlus G products. The 802.11g standard
is backwards compatible with 802.11b products.
5
Features and Benefits
**
* Environmental factors may adversely affect range
Convenience of Plug & Play installation.
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.
Network Security with 128-bit WEP encryption.
USB 2.0 standard.
Fully 802.11g compatible. Backwards compatible with 802.11b
devices.
Five times faster - achieve data transfer speeds up to 54 Mbps; up to
5x faster than conventional 802.11b networks, when used with other
802.11g devices.
6
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-
useandcompatiblehigh-speedwirelessconnectivitywithinyour 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 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that
transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are
usedincreasingly inboth home andoffice environments,and publicareas 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/ActivityLED
Power - Indicates that the
DWL-G120is properly
installed in the computer.
Link - Blinks when data is
beingtransmitted through
thewirelessconnection.
Mini-USB 2.0 port
Used to connect the
DWL-G120to your
computer
Antenna
Used to wirelessly
connectto 802.11g
networks
7
Wireless Basics (continued)
People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
locationwithintheoperating rangeoftheWLAN. Managementdecisions based
on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs –WLANsare easy toset up, manage,change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease
ofimplementation. WLANscan operatein locations where installation ofwiring
may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be
fastandeasyandcaneliminatetheneedtopullcablethroughwallsandceilings.
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
userstolarger infrastructurenetworksto accommodatehundredsor 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.
8
Standards-Based Technology
The DWL-G120 Wireless USBAdapter utilizes the 802.11g standard.
TheIEEE802.11g standardis anextensionofthe802.11b standard.Itincreases
thedatarateupto54Mbpswithinthe2.4GHzband,utilizing OFDM technology.
Thismeans thatin mostenvironments, withinthe specifiedrange ofthis device,
you will be able to transfer large files quickly or even watch a movie in MPEG
format over your network without noticeable delays. This technology works by
transmittinghigh-speeddigitaldataoveraradiowaveutilizingOFDM(Orthogonal
FrequencyDivisionMultiplexing) technology.OFDM works bysplitting theradio
signalinto multiplesmaller sub-signals thatare thentransmitted simultaneously
at different frequenciesto the receiver. OFDMreducesthe amountof crosstalk
(interference)in signaltransmissions. TheD-Link DWL-G120 will automatically
sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the greatest speed and
range possible.
The DWL-G120 is backwards compatible with 802.11b devices. This means
that if you have an existing 802.11b network, the devices in that network will be
compatible with 802.11g devices at speeds up to 11Mbps in the 2.4GHz range.
Wireless Basics (continued)
9
Installation Considerations
TheD-LinkAirPlusG DWL-G120 letsyou accessyournetworkusingawireless
connection from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep in mind,
however, that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other
objectsthatthe wirelesssignals mustpassthrough, maylimit therange.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:
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate RF noise.
4
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G120 and
other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce
your DWL-G120’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your
devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
1
Be aware of the direct line between network devices.Awall 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.
2
Building materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door
oraluminum studs mayhave anegative effectonrange.Tryto position
wireless devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the
signalpasses throughdrywalloropendoorwaysandnotothermaterials.
3
Wireless Basics (continued)
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10
Getting Started
With its default settings, the DWL-G120 will connect with other
D-Link AirPlus G products, right out of the box.
A wireless broadband Router-
D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624
A laptop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120
A desktop computer with a USB wireless network adapter -
D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G120
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-624.
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-G120 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):
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