D-Link DWL-G550 User manual

Manual

DWL-G550

D-Link

AirPlus G

Wireless G PCI Adapter

Building Networks for People

Contents

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

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

Wireless Basics ....................................................................................5

Installation Considerations ....................................................................7

Getting Started ......................................................................................8

Using the Configuration Utility .............................................................. 11

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

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

Technical Specifications ......................................................................36

Contacting Technical Support ..............................................................39

Warranty and Registration ...................................................................40

Package Contents

Contents of Package:

D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G550

802.11g (2.4GHz) Wireless G PCI Adapter

CD-ROM with Manual, Warranty, and Drivers

Printed Quick Installation Guide

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

System Requirements for Configuration:



An 802.11g or 802.11b access point (for Infrastructure mode),

or another 802.11g or 802.11b wireless adapter (for Ad-Hoc,

Peer-to-Peer networking mode.)



At least 32MB of memory and a 300MHz processor



A desktop computer with an available 32-bit PCI slot



Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE



Features

Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g Devices - Fully compatible with the IEEE

802.11b and 802.11g standards, the DWL-G550 can connect with existing 802.11b-

or 802.11g- compliant routers, access points and cards. That means you can still

communicate with colleagues and friends while you have the ability to link to even

more wireless networks.



Faster Wireless Networking - Faster data transfers mean increased productivity.

With the DWL-G550 in your desktop PC, you will have the flexibility of wireless

networking speeds that save you time and money.



User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.

Introduction

The D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter is an 802.11b/802.11g (2.4GHz)

wireless adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking.

Unlike most network cards, the DWL-G550 provides data transfers at up to 54 Mbps

(compared to the standard 11 Mbps) when used with other D-Link AirPlus®G products.

The 802.11g standard is backwards compatible with 802.11b products.

32-bit PCI Performance/Plug & Play Connectivity -The DWL-G550 is a powerful

32-bit PCI adapter that installs quickly and easily into desktop PCs, and when used

with other D-Link Air Plus®G products will automatically connect to the network out

of the box.

LED

LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. The DWL-G550 has two LEDs:

A steady light indicates a

connection to an access

point.

Activity

A blinking light indicates

activity on the network.

Power

Wireless Basics

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.

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 wireless local area network (WLAN) is a 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 to many users.

People use WLAN 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.

Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced as

conventional Ethernet network devices.

Scalability - WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways 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.

D-Link AirPlus®G DI-524

Wireless Router

Wireless Basics (continued)

Standards-Based Technology

The DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter utilizes the 802.11b and the 802.11g standards.

The IEEE 802.11g standard is an extension of the 802.11b standard. It increases the

data rate up to 54 Mbps within the 2.4GHz band, utilizing OFDM technology.

This means that in most environments, within the specified range of this 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 transmitting high-speed

digital data over a radio wave utilizing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)

technology. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals

that are then transmitted simultaneously at different frequencies to the receiver. OFDM

reduces the amount of crosstalk (interference) in signal transmissions. The D-Link DWL-

G510 will automatically sense the best possible connection speed to ensure the greatest

speed and range possible.

The DWL-G550 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.

D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G570

Wireless PCI Adapters used with desktop computers

D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G700AP

Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Access Point



The DWL-G630 is also interoperable with other 802.11g and 802.11b standards-

compliant devices.

The DWL-G550 is compatible with the following wireless products:

D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G630

Wireless Cardbus Adapters used with laptop computers



Wireless Basics (continued)

Installation Considerations

The D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550 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:

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

or appliances that generate RF noise.

Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G550 and other network

devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your DWL-G550’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.

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

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 a wireless 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):

A wireless router - D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624

A laptop computer with a wireless adapter -

D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G630

A desktop computer with a wireless adapter -

D-Link AirPlus®G DWL-G550

A cable modem - D-Link DCM-201

There are basically two modes of networking:



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-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapters.

Infrastructure – using an access point, or wireless router, such as

the DI-624.

Getting Started (continued)

Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network

For a typical wireless

setup at home (as shown

above), please do the

following:

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®G DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter into an

available PCI slot on your desktop computer.

(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the network adapter).

Install the D-Link DWL-G630 Wireless G Cardbus Adapter into a laptop computer.

(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G630).

If you wish, you may connect a computer that is equipped with an Ethernet net-

work adapter (such as a DFE-530TX+) to the router also.

344

DWL-G630

DWL-G550

Getting Started (continued)

Setting up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network

Install the D-Link DWL-G550 Wireless G PCI Adapter into one desktop

computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product for

installation instructions.)

Install another DWL-G550 into a desktop computer.

(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the product.)

Set the wireless configuration for the adapters to Ad-Hoc mode, set the

adapters to the same channel, and assign an IP address to each computer

on the Ad-Hoc network. (See the box below).

When assigning IP addresses to the computers on the network, please remember

that the IP address for each computer must be in the same IP address range

as all the computers in the network, and the subnet mask must be exactly the

same for all the computers in the network.

For example: If the first computer is assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.2 with a

subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be assigned an IP

address of 192.168.0.3 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, etc.

IMPORTANT: If computers or other devices are assigned the same IP address,

one or more of the devices may not be visible on the network.

IP Address

DWL-G550

Wireless PCI Adapter with a

desktop computer

DWL-G550

Wireless PCI Adapter with a

desktop computer

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