Linksys WUSB54GP User manual
A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.
®
Model No.
Portable USB Adapter
Wireless-G
WUSB54GP Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc.
and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries.
User Guide
WIRELESS
GHz
2.4
802.11g
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
Copyright and Trademarks
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco
Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright © 2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
How to Use this User Guide
This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:
In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:
Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like
this:
Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section in the “Table of Contents”.
This exclamation point means there is a Caution or
warning and is something that could damage your
property or the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter.
This checkmark means there is a Note of interest and
is something you should pay special attention to
while using the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter.
This question mark provides you with a reminder
about something you might need to do while using
the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter.
word: definition.
Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Welcome 1
What’s in this Guide? 2
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network 4
Network Topology 4
Roaming 4
Network Layout 5
Chapter 3: Software Installation and Configuration for Windows 2000 6
Chapter 4: Connecting the Portable USB Adapter 10
Using the USB Extension Base 11
Chapter 5: Driver Installation for Windows XP 12
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 13
Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor 15
Overview 15
Accessing the WLAN Monitor 15
The Link Information Tab 15
The Site Survey Tab 17
The Profiles Tab 18
Creating a New Profile 20
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 24
Common Problems and Solutions 24
Frequently Asked Questions 25
Security Precautions 28
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 28
Appendix B: Wireless Security 28
Appendix C: Windows Help 31
Appendix D: Glossary 32
Appendix E: Specifications 35
Appendix F: Warranty Information 37
Appendix G: Regulatory Information 38
Appendix H: Contact Information 39
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
Appendix I: Windows Help 31
Appendix J: Glossary 32
Appendix K: Specifications 35
Appendix L: Warranty Information 37
Appendix M: Regulatory Information 38
Appendix N: Contact Information 39
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
List of Figures
Figure 3-1: The Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6
Figure 3-2: The License Agreement Screen 7
Figure 3-3: The Wireless Mode Screen 7
Figure 3-4: The Ad-Hoc Mode Settings Screen 8
Figure 3-5: The Wireless Security Screen 8
Figure 3-6: The Check Settings Screen 9
Figure 3-7: The Congratulations Screen 9
Figure 4-1: The Portable USB Adapter on Your Laptop 10
Figure 4-2: A USB Port 10
Figure 4-3: The Windows 2000 Digital Signature Screen 11
Figure 5-1: XP Setup Welcome Screen 12
Figure 5-2: Windows logo testing screen 12
Figure 5-3: New Hardware Found screen 12
Figure 5-4: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration icon 13
Figure 5-5: Network Connection - No WEP 13
Figure 5-6: Network Connection - WEP 14
Figure 5-7: Optional Settings 14
Figure 6-1: The Wireless Icon 15
Figure 6-2: The Link Information Tab 15
Figure 6-3: The Link Information Tab - More Information 16
Figure 6-4: The Site Survey Tab 17
Figure 6-5: The Profiles Tab 18
Figure 6-6: Importing a Profile 19
Figure 6-7: Optional Settings 19
Figure 6-8: The Profiles Tab 20
Figure 6-9: Create Connection Profile 20
Figure 6-10: Profiles - Network Settings 21
Figure 6-11: Profiles - Wireless Mode 21
Figure 6-12: Profiles - Ad-Hoc Settings 22
Figure 6-13: Profiles - Security Settings 22
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
Figure 6-14: Profiles - Confirm New Settings 23
Figure 6-15: Profiles - Congratulations 23
1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking
experience will be faster and easier than ever.
How does the Adapter do this? Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility
within your wireless network. Connecting to your PC via the USB port means that this Adapter leaves the PC’s
slots open for other purposes. This adapter communicates over the 802.11g wireless standard, one of the newest
wireless standards, to communicate with your network.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing computer resources. You can access one printer from different computers
and access data located on another computer's hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video
games. So, networks are not only useful in homes and offices, they can also be fun.
PCs equipped with wireless cards and adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the
same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Adapter, set it up, and configure it for your network.
These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Adapter.
802.11g: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a
maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an operating frequency
of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC.
network: a series of computers or devices
connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage,
and/or transmission between users.
2
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
What’s in this Guide?
This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-B USB Network Adapter.
• Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter describes the Adapter’s applications and this User Guide.
• Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network
This chapter discusses a few of the basics about wireless networking.
• Chapter 3: Software Installation and Configration for Windows 2000
This chapter instructs you on how to install the Adapter’s Setup Wizard and Configure the Adapter for
Windows 2000.
• Chapter 4: Connecting the Portable USB Adapter
This chapter shows you how to connect the Adapter to your PC’s USB port.
• Chapter 5: Driver Installation and Configuration for Windows XP
This chapter explains how to install the Adapter’s driver and use Windows Zero Configuration.
• Chapter 6: Using the WLAN Monitor
This chapter show you how to use the Adapter’s WLAN Monitor.
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This appendix describes some problems and solutions, as well as frequently asked questions, regarding
installation and use of the Adapter.
• Appendix B: Wireless Security
This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help
protect your wireless network.
• Appendix C: Windows Help
This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing
the TCP/IP protocol.
• Appendix D: Glossary
This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.
• Appendix E: Specifications
This appendix provides the Adapter’s technical specifications.
3
Chapter 1: Introduction
What’s in this Guide?
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
• Appendix F: Warranty Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s warranty information.
• Appendix G: Regulatory Information
This appendix supplies the Adapter’s regulatory information.
• Appendix H: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.
4
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
Wireless-G Portable USB Adapter
Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network
Network Topology
A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers in a wireless
network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped with wireless cards or
adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access point or wireless
router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure network. Each wireless PC in an
infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired network infrastructure via the access point or wireless
router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and can double the
effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an access point is able to forward data
within a network, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure network can be doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you can move your
wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless PC's signal, providing that they
both share the same channel and SSID.
Before enabling you consider roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position.
Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance performance.
access point: device that allows wireless-
equipped computers and other devices to
communicate with a wired network.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly with each other (peer-
to-peer) without the use of an access point
infrastructure: Configuration in which a
wireless network is bridged to a wired
network via an access point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless
device from one access point's range to
another without losing the connection.
ssid: your wireless network’s name
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