NETGEAR WNDA3200 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

January 2011

202-10701-01

v1.0

Virgin Media Wireless USB

Adapter WNDA3200

User Manual

Virgin Media Wireless USB Adapter WNDA3200

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated

into any language in any form or by any means without the written permission of NETGEAR, Inc.

Technical Support

Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. To register your product, get the latest product updates, or get support online,

visit us at http://support.netgear.com.

Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR

Phone (Other Countries): See Support information card.

Trademarks

NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, ReadyNAS, ProSafe, Smart Wizard, Auto Uplink, X-RAID2, and NeoTV are

trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Vista are

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or

trademarks of their respective holders.

Statement of Conditions

To improve internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to make changes

to the products described in this document without notice. NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur

due to the use, or application of, the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

Revision History

Publication Part Number Version Publish Date Comments

202-10701-01 v1.0 January 2011 First publication

Table of Contents |3

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started

What You Need Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installing Your Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Joining Wireless Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wireless-N USB Adapter LED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Upgrading the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Removing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 2 Wireless Network Performance

Optimizing Wireless Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Networking Technology and Connection Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Assessing Your Network Speed Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 3 Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Appendix A Technical Specifications and Factory Default Settings

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix B Related Documents

Appendix C Notification of Compliance

Chapter 1. Getting Started |4

1. Getting Started

What You Need Before You Begin

Make sure your computer meets the system requirements. You should also know the name

of the wireless network you want to join and its wireless security settings (if used).

• PC with a Pentium 300 MHz or higher compatible processor with a USB 2.0 or 1.1 port.

The maximum speed of a USB v2.0 port is 480 Mbps. If your computer has a USB v1.1

port, the wireless-N USB adapter is limited to the port’s maximum speed of 14 Mbps.

• 5 Mbytes of free hard disk space.

• Vista, Windows XP Home, or Windows XP Professional. Some versions of Windows ask

for the original Windows operating system installation files to complete the installation of

the WNDA3200 software.

Note: Windows XP users must install SP2 or install the KB822603 hot fix

(update), which fixes the USB 2.0 host controller driver. Go to the

following link to install the hot fix:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=

en&FamilyID=733dd867-56a0-4956-b7fe-e85b688b7f86

Installing Your Adapter

1. Make sure that your wireless network is up and running.

2. Insert your adapter into a USB port on your computer or connect it with the USB cable.

3. Your computer detects the adapter and automatically installs its software.

4. Follow the Found New Hardware wizard instructions, and click Finish to complete the

installation.

The NETGEAR wizard screen displays. Use the wizard to join a network.

Chapter 1. Getting Started |5

Virgin Media Wireless USB Adapter WNDA3200

Joining Wireless Networks

If your gateway or router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) technology, also called Push

'N' Connect, you can use a WPS button or PIN to join the network. WPS-compatible

NETGEAR gateways and routers use the symbol. This symbol could be on a button on

the gateway, or displayed on a WPS screen when you have logged in to the gateway. You

can also opt out of the wizard to join a network that does not support WPS.

Figure 1. Using the WPS button to join a wireless network

To join a network with a WPS button:

1. Follow the instructions on the WPS tab to push the SYNC button on your gateway and

on your Wireless-N USB Adapter.

2. Join a wireless network.

• A profile is written on the Windows system.

• The WPS and PIN tabs are removed from the display.

• If you want to return the WPS and PIN tabs, select the Enable WPS Pairing with my

router check box on the About tab and click Apply.

6|Chapter 1. Getting Started

Virgin Media Wireless USB Adapter WNDA3200

To join a network with a WPS PIN:

1. Click the PIN tab.

2. Log in to the gateway or hub and either locate its PIN or follow the gateway instructions to

generate a PIN.

3. Follow the instructions on the PIN tab to join a wireless network.

• A profile is written on the Windows system.

• The WPS and PIN tabs are removed from the display.

• If you want to return the WPS and PIN tabs, select the Enable WPS Pairing with my

router check box on the About tab and click Apply.

To join a network without WPS:

1. Click the About tab.

2. Clear the Enable WPS Pairing with my router check box, and click Apply.

3. Click the Windows wireless icon in the system tray to connect to your gateway or router.

Chapter 1. Getting Started |7

Virgin Media Wireless USB Adapter WNDA3200

Wireless-N USB Adapter LED

The LED shows the status of the wireless link as explained in the following table.

Wireless-N USB Adapter LED Meaning

The LED color changes

depending on the type of

network connection. Amber

indicates 2.4 GHz, and blue

indicates 5 GHz.

Off • The wireless-N USB adapter in not plugged in to the USB port.

• The wireless-N USB adapter is in power save mode (default from

power up or reset).

Slow

blinking • Alternating amber and blue. The wireless-N USB adapter is

scanning for a network.

• Amber. The wireless-N USB adapter is connecting to a network at

2.4 GHz.

• Blue. The wireless-N USB adapter is connecting to a network at 5

GHz.

Blinking The wireless-N USB adapter is connected to a wireless network, and

is sending or receiving data.

Solid The wireless-N USB adapter is connected to a wireless network, but

it is not sending or receiving data.

Upgrading the Software

Upgrades might be available at the NETGEAR website. Follow the installer instructions, and

if prompted, restart your computer.

Removing the Software

You can remove the wireless adapter software through the Windows Program List or the

Windows Control Panel.

• Windows Program List: Select Windows Start > NETGEAR WNDA3200 Smart Wizard

> Uninstall NETGEAR WNDA3200 Software, and follow the screen prompts.

• Control Panel: How you do this depends on your Windows operating system:

-Windows 7: Select Windows Start >Control Panel > Programs and Features >

Wireless USB Adapter. Click Uninstall and follow the screen prompts.

-Windows Vista: Select Windows Start >Control Panel > Programs and Features >

Wireless USB Adapter. Click Uninstall/Change from the top menu and follow the

screen prompts.

-Windows XP: Select Windows Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Program,

and then select Wireless USB Adapter.

Chapter 2. Wireless Network Performance |8

2. Wireless Network Performance

This chapter explains how to maximize the performance of your wireless-N USB adapter within

your network.

Optimizing Wireless Performance

The position of your wireless-N USB adapter and the local environment can affect its

wireless performance.

• Use the plastic cradle that came in the package with your adapter. This lets you place the

adapter in a better position for wireless communication.

• Make sure you do not have interference from other wireless equipment, especially those

in the 2400–2500 MHz frequency band. Common sources of interference are:

-Other computers and fax machines (no closer than 1 foot)

-Copying machines, elevators, and cell phones (no closer than 6 feet)

-Microwave ovens (no closer than 10 feet)

How the wireless router or access point is set up also affects wireless communication. For

best performance, try the following:

• For better throughput and a higher link rate, set your router or access point wireless

mode to Up to 300 Mbps, or HT 20/40 Mbps.

• For a faster connection, set the security for the router as WPA2 or WPA + WPA2 mixed

wireless security instead of WPA (TKIP). Wi-Fi regulations allow only the adapter to

connect at up to 54 Mbps when WPA (TKIP) security mode is set on the router.

• Avoid using the same wireless channel as your neighbor.

Optimizing Your Network Bandwidth

The speed of network connections depends on the type of equipment that you use. Try to

use high-speed technologies for network connections with the heaviest traffic to avoid

Chapter 2. Wireless Network Performance |9

Virgin Media Wireless USB Adapter WNDA3200

lower-speed bottlenecks. The following illustration shows a home network that includes many

different connection speeds.

Figure 2. Home Network

In this network, the two PCs with gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet adapters have a gigabit

connection through the router to the storage server. With a high-speed router this connection

allows for extremely fast backups or quick access to large files on the server. The PC

connected through a pair of Powerline HD adapters is limited to the 200 Mbps speed of the

Powerline HD connection. Although any of the links in this example would work for high-traffic

applications such as streaming HD video, the use of older devices such as 10 Mbps Ethernet

or 802.11b wireless would create a bottleneck.

In planning your network, think about which tasks will have the heaviest traffic flow between

them. Examples are:

• A media center in one room streaming high-definition video from a server in another room

• A storage device that is used for backing up your computers

Networking Technology and Connection Speed

Common connection types and their speed and security considerations are:

• Broadband Internet

Your Internet connection speed depends on your modem type, such as ADSL or cable

modem, as well as the speed of the sites to which you connect, and general Internet

traffic. ADSL and cable modem connections have a lower data rate to the Internet

(upstream) than from the Internet (downstream). Keep in mind that when you connect to

someone else who also has an ADSL or cable modem connection, the data rate between

your sites is limited by each side’s upstream data rate. A typical residential ADSL or cable

10 |Chapter 2. Wireless Network Performance

Virgin Media Wireless USB Adapter WNDA3200

modem connection provides a downstream throughput of about 1 to 3 megabits per

second (Mbps). Newer technologies such as ADSL2+ and Fiber to the Home (FTTH) l

increase the connection speed to tens of Mbps.

• Wireless

A high-speed wireless router can provide a wireless data throughput of up to 300 Mbps

with excellent range and coverage. WPA and WPA2 wireless security are extremely

strong.

To get the best performance, connect to networks that use newer routers. Your wireless-N

USB adapter will work with older 802.11b and 802.11g routers, but the use of these older

wireless technologies in your network can result in lower throughput overall. In addition,

many older wireless products do not support the latest security protocols, WPA and

WPA2.

• Powerline

You can use Powerline connections for rooms that are upstairs or too far from your router

for a good wireless connection. NETGEAR’s Powerline HD products deliver up to 200

Mbps to any outlet. Data transmissions are encrypted for security, and you can set up a

network password to prevent neighbors from connecting.

• Wired Ethernet

Wired Ethernet remains a good choice for speed, economy, and security. Gigabit Ethernet

can extend up to 100 meters.

Note: Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and

environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building

materials and construction, and network overhead, can lower actual

data throughput rate.

Assessing Your Network Speed Requirements

Because your Internet connection is likely to operate at a much lower speed than your local

network, faster local networking technologies might not improve your Internet experience.

However, many emerging home applications require high data rates. For example:

• Streaming HD video requires 10 to 30 Mbps per stream. Because latency and packet loss

can disrupt your video, plan to provide at least twice the capacity you need.

• Streaming MP3 audio requires less than 1 Mbps per stream and does not strain most

modern networks. Like video, however, streaming audio is also sensitive to latency and

packet loss, so a congested network or a noisy link can cause problems.

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