Linksys WMP54G user guide

LINKSYS®

A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc.

2.4GHz 802.11g

Wireless-G

PCI Adapter

User Guide

WIRELESS

Model No. WMP54G

CISCO SYSTEMS

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 © 2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

How to Use This User Guide

This User Guide has been designed to make understanding networking with the Wireless-G PCI Adapter easier than ever. Look for the following items when reading this User Guide:

This checkmark means there is a note of interest and is something you should pay special attention to while using the Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

This exclamation point means there is a caution or warning and is something that could damage your property or the Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

This question mark provides you with a reminder about something you might need to do while using the Wireless-G PCI Adapter.

In addition to these symbols, there are definitions for technical terms that are presented like this:

word: definition.

Also, each figure (diagram, screenshot, or other image) is provided with a figure number and description, like this:

Figure 0-1: Sample Figure Description

Figure numbers and descriptions can also be found in the "List of Figures" section in the "Table of Contents".

WMP54G-v4-UG-50419A BW

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: Setting up and Connecting the USB Network Adapter 6 Starting the Setup Wizard 6 Installing the Adapter 7 Setting Up the Adapter 8 Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor 23 Accessing the Wireless Network Monitor 23 Link Information Screens 23 Secure Easy Setup 26 Site Survey 28 Profiles 29 Creating a New Profile 30 Appendix A: Troubleshooting 45 Common Problems and Solutions 45 Frequently Asked Questions 46 Chapter B: Using Windows XP Wireless Configuration 49 Appendix C: Wireless Security 52 Security Precautions 52 Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks 52 Appendix D: Windows Help 55 Appendix E: Glossary 56 Appendix F: Specifications 59 Appendix G: Warranty Information 60 Appendix H: Regulatory Information 61 Appendix I: Contact Information 63

List of Figures

Figure 3-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen 6
Figure 3-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement 6
Figure 3-3: The Connecting the Adapter Screen 7
Figure 3-4: Installing the Adapter 7
Figure 3-5: Positioning the Antenna 7
Figure 3-6: Available Wireless Network 8
Figure 3-7: Available Wireless Network 9
Figure 3-8: Secure Easy Setup 9
Figure 3-9: The Secure Easy Setup Logo and Location 9
Figure 3-10: Secure Easy Setup Complete 10
Figure 3-11: Available Wireless Network 11
Figure 3-12: WEP Key Needed for Connection 11
Figure 3-13: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 12
Figure 3-14: PSK2 Needed for Connection 12
Figure 3-15: The Congratulations Screen 13
Figure 3-16: Available Wireless Network 14
Figure 3-17: Network Settings 14
Figure 3-18: Wireless Mode 15
Figure 3-19: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 15
Figure 3-20: Wireless Security 16
Figure 3-21: Wireless Security - WEP 16
Figure 3-22: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 17
Figure 3-23: Wireless Security - PSK2 17
Figure 3-24: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS 18
Figure 3-25: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP 18
Figure 3-26: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 19
Figure 3-27: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 19
Figure 3-28: Wireless Security - LEAP - Windows XP and 2000 Users 20
Figure 3-29: Wireless Security - LEAP - Windows 98SE and ME Users 20
Figure 3-30: Advanced Wireless Settings 21

Figure 3-31: Confirm New Settings 22 Figure 3-32: Congratulations 22 Figure 4-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 23 Figure 4-2: Link Information 23 Figure 4-3: More Information - Wireless Network Status 24 Figure 4-4: More Information - Wireless Network Statistics 25 Figure 4-5: The Secure Easy Setup Button 26 Figure 4-6: The Secure Easy Setup Logo and Location 26 Figure 4-7: Secure Easy Setup 26 Figure 4-8: Secure Easy Setup is Complete 27 Figure 4-9: Site Survey 28 Figure 4-10: WEP Key Needed for Connection 28 Figure 4-11: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 28 Figure 4-12: PSK2 Needed for Connection 29 Figure 4-13: Profiles 29 Figure 4-14: Import a Profile 29 Figure 4-15: Export a Profile 30 Figure 4-16: Create a New Profile 30 Figure 4-17: Available Wireless Network 30 Figure 4-18: Available Wireless Network 31 Figure 4-19: The Secure Easy Setup Logo and Location 31 Figure 4-20: Secure Easy Setup 31 Figure 4-21: Secure Easy Setup Complete 32 Figure 4-22: Available Wireless Network 33 Figure 4-23: WEP Key Needed for Connection 33 Figure 4-24: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection 34 Figure 4-25: PSK2 Needed for Connection 34 Figure 4-26: The Congratulations Screen 35 Figure 4-27: Available Wireless Network 35 Figure 4-28: Network Settings 36 Figure 4-29: Wireless Mode 36 Figure 4-30: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings 37 Figure 4-31: Wireless Security 37

Figure 4-32: Wireless Security - WEP 38 Figure 4-33: Wireless Security - WPA Personal 39 Figure 4-34: Wireless Security - PSK2 39 Figure 4-35: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS 40 Figure 4-36: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP 40 Figure 4-37: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS 41 Figure 4-38: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP 41 Figure 4-39: LEAP - Windows XP and 2000 42 Figure 4-40: LEAP - Windows 98SE and ME 42 Figure 4-41: Advanced Wireless Settings 43 Figure 4-42: Confirm New Settings 44 Figure 4-43: The Congratulations Screen 44 Figure B-1: Wireless Network Monitor Icon 49 Figure B-2: Windows XP - Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration 49 Figure B-3: Windows XP Wireless Configuration Icon 49 Figure B-4: Available Wireless Network 50 Figure B-5: No Wireless Security 50 Figure B-6: Network Connection - Wireless Security 51 Figure B-7: Wireless Network Connection 51

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G PCI Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless networking experience will be faster and easier than ever.

Like all wireless products, the Adapter allows for greater range and mobility within your wireless network. This adapter communicates over the 54Mbps 802.11g wireless standard, which is almost five times faster than 802.11b. But since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, the Adapter can also communicate with the widely used 11Mbps 802.11b standard.

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.

The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step. Then just slide it into your computer's PCI Card slot and enjoy network access with the freedom of wireless.

Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network. At home, you can surf the web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out on the patio. Your wireless connection is protected by the new, industrial-strength security of Wireless Protected Access (WPA).

And now, with SecureEasySetup, setting up your network and your Wireless-G PCI Adapter is easier than ever.

Get connected to current-standard 802.11b networks today, and be prepared for the future with the Wireless-G PCI Adapter from Linksys.

network: a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users.

adapter: a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

Mbps: one million bits per second; a unit of measurement for data transmission

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.

802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz

Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome 1

What’s in this Guide?

This user guide covers the steps for setting up and using the Wireless-G PCI 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: Setting Up and Connecting the PCI Adapter This chapter shows you how to setup and connect the Adapter.

• Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor This chapter show you how to use the Adapter's Wireless Network 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: Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration This chapter instructs you on how to install Window XP Wireless Zero Configuration

• Appendix C: Wireless Security This appendix discusses security issues regarding wireless networking and measures you can take to help protect your wireless network.

• Appendix D: Windows Help This appendix describes how you can use Windows Help for instructions about networking, such as installing the TCP/IP protocol.

• Appendix E: Glossary This appendix gives a brief glossary of terms frequently used in networking.

• Appendix F: Specifications This appendix provides the Adapter's technical specifications.

• Appendix G: Warranty Information This appendix supplies the Adapter's warranty information.

• Appendix H: Regulatory Information This appendix supplies the Adapter's regulatory information.

Chapter 1: Introduction What's in this Guide? 2

• Appendix I: Contact Information This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical Support.

Chapter 1: Introduction What’s in this Guide? 3

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.

topology: the physical layout of a network.

ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of an access point.

access point: a device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range of a wireless network

infrastructure: a wireless network that 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.

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Topology 4

Network Layout

Linksys wireless access points and wireless routers have been designed for use with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g products. With 802.11g products communicating with the 802.11b standard and some products incorporating both “a” and “g”, products using these standards can communicate with each other.

Access points and wireless routers are compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g adapters, such at the PC Cards for your laptop computers, PCI Card for your desktop PC, and USB Adapters for when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with the wireless PrintServer.

When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on access points and wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or routers.

With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about wireless products.

switch: a data switch that connects computing devices to host computers, allowing a large number of devices to share a limited number of ports

router: a networking device that connects multiple networks together

Chapter 2: Planning your Wireless Network Network Layout 5

Chapter 3: Setting up and Connecting the USB Network Adapter

The USB Network Adapter is set up with the Setup Wizard that comes on the CD enclosed with the Adapter. This chapter will guide you through the setup procedure.

IMPORTANT: Do not connect the Adapter until you are instructed to do so or the setup will not work.

Starting the Setup Wizard

To begin the setup process, insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The Setup Wizard should run automatically, and the Welcome screen should appear. If it does not, click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears, enter D:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).

On the Welcome screen, you have the following choices:

Click Here to Start - Click the Click Here to Start button to begin the software installation process.

User Guide - Click the User Guide button to open this User Guide.

Exit - Click Exit to exit the Setup Wizard.

1. To install the Adapter, click the Click Here to Start button on the Welcome screen.
2. After reading the License Agreement, click Next if you agree and want to continue the installation, or click Cancel to end the installation.

Figure 3-1: Setup Wizard’s Welcome Screen

Figure 3-2: Setup Wizard’s License Agreement

Starting the Setup Wizard 6

3. Windows will begin copying the files onto your PC.

4. The Setup Wizard will now prompt you to install the Adapter into your PC . Click Next and your PC will power down. After installing the Adapter, as shown below, and restarting your PC, the Setup Wizard will continue.

Installing the Adapter

1. Before connecting the PCI Adapter to your PC, turn off your desktop PC.

2. Open your PC case and locate an available PCI slot on the motherboard. Check with your computer manufacturer for instructions.

3. Slide the PCI Adapter into the PCI slot. Make sure that all of its pins are touching the slot's contacts. You may have to apply a bit of pressure to slide the adapter all the way in. After the adapter is firmly in place, secure its fastening tab to your PC's chassis with a mounting screw. Then, close your PC.

4. Attach the external antenna to the adapter's antenna port.

5. Power on your desktop PC.

Figure 3-3: The Connecting the Adapter Screen

Figure 3-4: Installing the Adapter

Figure 3-5: Positioning the Antenna

Installing the Adapter 7

Setting Up the Adapter

The next screen to appear will be the Available Wireless Network screen.

This screen provides three options for setting up the Adapter

• Secure Easy Setup. This Adapter features Secure Easy Setup. This means that you can set it up with just the press of a button when connecting to wireless routers or access points that also feature Secure Easy Setup. Both devices on the network must feature Secure Easy Setup for this to work.
• Available Wireless Network. (For most users.) Use this option if you already have a network set up with devices that do not have Secure Easy Setup. The networks available to this Adapter will be listed on this screen. You can choose one of these networks and click the Connect button to connect to it. Click the Refresh button to update the Available Wireless Network list.
• Manual Setup. If you are not taking advantage of Secure Easy Setup and your network is not listed on this screen, select Manual Setup to set up the adapter manually. This method of setting up the Adapter is intended for Advanced Users only.

The setup for each option is described, step by step, under the appropriate heading on the following pages.

Click Exit to close the Setup Wizard, if you wish to set up the Adapter later.

Figure 3-6: Available Wireless Network

Setting Up the Adapter 8

Setting Up the Adapter with Secure Easy Setup

With Secure Easy Setup, setting up the Adapter is as simple as pushing a couple of buttons. Before you press any buttons, though, you should locate the Secure Easy Setup button on the device you're connecting the Adapter to, such as a wireless router or access point.

1. Starting from the Available Wireless Network screen, click the Secure Easy Setup button on the right hand side.

Figure 3-7: Available Wireless Network

2. You will be asked to locate the Secure Easy Setup button on the device with which the Adapter will be communicating. If you are not sure where to find this button, click Where can I find the button?.

This will walk you through a couple of screens to help you find the button, which is usually located on the front of the wireless router or access point.

Figure 3-9: The Secure Easy Setup Logo and Location

Figure 3-8: Secure Easy Setup

Setting Up the Adapter 9

3. Press the Cisco logo or Secure Easy Setup button on the wireless router or access point. When it turns white and begins to flash, click the Next button on the Setup Wizard screen. The logo or button will stop flashing on the wireless router or access point when the Adapter has been successfully added to the network. Repeat this procedure for any additional Secure Easy Setup device.

NOTE: You can only add one Secure Easy Setup device at a time.

4. When Secure Easy Setup is complete, you may save your configuration to a text file by clicking the Save button, or print the configuration by clicking the Print button. Click Connect to Network to connect to your network.

Congratulations! Setup is complete.

To check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration changes, refer to Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Figure 3-10: Secure Easy Setup Complete

Setting Up the Adapter 10

Setting Up the Adapter with Available Networks

If you’re not setting up the Adapter with Secure Easy Setup, another method for setting up the Adapter is with the available networks listed on the Available Wireless Network screen. The available networks are listed in the table on the center of the screen by SSID. Select the wireless network you wish to connect to and click the Connect button. (If you do not see your network listed, you can click the Refresh button to bring the list up again.) If the network utilizes wireless security, you will need to configure security on the Adapter. If not, you will be taken directly to the Congratulations screen.

1. If wireless security has been enabled on this network, you will see a wireless security screen. If your network utilizes WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption, the WEP Key Needed for Connection screen will appear. If your network utilizes WPA-Personal (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption, the WPA-Personal Needed for Connection screen will appear. If your network utilizes PSK2 (Pre-Shared Key 2) encryption, the PSK2 Needed for Connection screen will appear.

Figure 3-11: Available Wireless Network

encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network.

WEP Key Needed for Connection

Select 64-bit or 128-bit.

Then, enter a passphrase or WEP key.

Passphrase - Enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. The passphrase is case-sensitive and should not be longer than 16 alphanumeric characters. It must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)

WEP Key - The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. For 64-bit encryption, enter exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. For 128-bit encryption, enter exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.

Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.

Figure 3-12: WEP Key Needed for Connection

wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of encrypting network data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.

Setting Up the Adapter 11

WPA-Personal Needed for Connection

Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field. The longer and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure your network will be.

Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.

Figure 3-13: WPA-Personal Needed for Connection

PSK2 Needed for Connection

Enter a Passphrase of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.

Then, click Connect and proceed to the Congratulations screen. To cancel the connection, click Cancel.

Figure 3-14: PSK2 Needed for Connection

Setting Up the Adapter 12

2. After the Adapter has been configured for the network, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Connect to Network to connect to your network.

Figure 3-15: The Congratulations Screen

Congratulations! Setup is complete.

To check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration changes, refer to Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Setting Up the Adapter 13

Setting Up the Adapter with Manual Setup

If you are not taking advantage of Secure Easy Setup and your network is not listed with the available networks, click Manual Setup on the Available Wireless Network screen to set up the adapter manually.

1. After clicking Manual Setup, the Network Settings screen will appear. If your network has a router or other DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain network settings automatically (DHCP).

If your network does not have a DHCP server, click the radio button next to Specify network settings. Enter an IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS addresses appropriate for your network. You must specify the IP Address and Subnet Mask on this screen. If you are unsure about the Default Gateway and DNS addresses, leave these fields empty.

IP Address - This IP Address must be unique to your network.

Subnet Mask - The Adapter's Subnet Mask must be the same as your wired network's Subnet Mask.

Default Gateway - Enter the IP address of your network's Gateway here.

DNS 1 and DNS 2 - Enter the DNS address of your wired Ethernet network here.

Click Next to continue, or click Back to return to the Available Wireless Network screen.

Figure 3-16: Available Wireless Network

Figure 3-17: Network Settings

Setting Up the Adapter 14

2. The Wireless Mode screen shows a choice of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a wireless router or access point. Then, enter the SSID for your network.

Infrastructure Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to a wireless router or access point.

Ad-Hoc Mode - Use this mode if you want to connect to another wireless device directly without using a wireless router or access point.

SSID - This is the wireless network name that must be used for all the devices in your wireless network. It is case- sensitive and should be a unique name to help prevent others from entering your network.

Click Next to continue or Back to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-18: Wireless Mode

3. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 4 now. If you chose Ad-Hoc Mode, the Ad-Hoc Mode Settings screen will appear.

Select the correct Channel for your wireless network. The channel you choose should match the channel set on the other devices in your wireless network. If you are unsure about which channel to use, keep the default setting.

Then, select the Network Mode in which your wireless network will operate. In Mixed Mode, Wireless-B and Wireless-G devices can both operate on the network, though at a slower speed. In G-Only Mode, no Wireless-B devices can operate in the network.

Click Next to continue or click Back to change any settings.

Figure 3-19: Ad-Hoc Mode Settings

Setting Up the Adapter 15

4. The Wireless Security screen will appear. This step will configure wireless security.

If your wireless network doesn’t use wireless security, select Disabled and then click the Next button to continue. Proceed to Step 5.

Select WEP, WPA-Personal, PSK2, WPA Enterprise, Radius, or LEAP for the Encryption Method. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access, which is a security standard stronger than WEP encryption, PSK2 stands for Pre-Shared Key 2, which is a security standard stronger than WPA-Personal, RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, and LEAP stands for Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol. If you don’t want to use encryption, select Disabled.

Then, click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

WEP

WEP - To use WEP encryption, select 64-bits or 128-bit characters from the drop-down menu, and enter a passphrase or key.

WEP Key- The WEP key you enter must match the WEP key of your wireless network. If you are using 64-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exactly 10 hexadecimal characters. If you are using 128-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exactly 26 hexadecimal characters. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.

Passphrase - Instead of manually entering a WEP key, you can enter a passphrase in the Passphrase field, so a WEP key is automatically generated. This case-sensitive passphrase must match the passphrase of your other wireless network devices and is compatible with Linksys wireless products only. (If you have any non-Linksys wireless products, enter the WEP key manually on those products.)

TX Key - The default transmit key number is 1. If your network’s access point or wireless router uses transmit key number 2, 3, or 4, select the appropriate number from the TX Key drop-down box.

Authentication -The default is set to Auto, where it auto-detects for Shared Key or Open system. Shared Key is when both the sender and the recipient share a WEP key for authentication. Open key is when the sender and the recipient do not share a WEP key for authentication. All points on your network must use the same authentication type.

Click the Next button to continue to the Confirm New Settings screen or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-20: Wireless Security

encryption: encoding data transmitted in a network.

Figure 3-21: Wireless Security - WEP

wep (wired equivalent privacy): a method of encrypting network data transmitted on a wireless network for greater security.

Setting Up the Adapter 16

WPA Personal

WPA Personal offers two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys. Select TKIP or AES for encryption. Then enter a Passphrase that is 8-63 characters in length.

Encryption - Select the type of algorithm you want to use, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

Passphrase - Enter a Passphrase, also called a pre-shared key, of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field. The longer and more complex your Passphrase is, the more secure your network will be.

Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-22: Wireless Security - WPA Personal

PSK2

Enter a Passphrase of 8-63 characters in the Passphrase field.

Click the Next button to continue to the Confirm New Settings screen or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-23: Wireless Security - PSK2

Setting Up the Adapter 17

WPA Enterprise

WPA Enterprise features WPA security used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) WPA Enterprise offers two authentication methods, EAP-TLS and PEAP, as well as two encryption methods, TKIP and AES, with dynamic encryption keys.

Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.

EAP-TLS

If you selected EAP-TLS, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the name of the authentication server in the Server Name field (this is optional). From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network. Select the type of encryption, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-24: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - EAP-TLS

PEAP

If you selected PEAP, enter the login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the password of your wireless network in the Password field. Enter the name of the authentication server in the Server Name field (this is optional). From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network; if you want to use any certificate, keep the default setting, Trust Any. Then select the authentication method (Inner Authen.) used inside the PEAP tunnel. Select from EAP-MSCHAP v2. Then, select the type of encryption, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-25: Wireless Security - WPA Enterprise - PEAP

Setting Up the Adapter 18

Wireless-G PCI Adapter

RADIUS

RADIUS uses the security of a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router.) It offers two authentication methods: EAP-TLS and PEAP.

Authentication - Select the authentication method your network is using, EAP-TLS or PEAP.

EAP-TLS

Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network.

PEAP

Enter the Login name of your wireless network in the Login Name field. Enter the password of your wireless network in the Password field. From the Certificate drop-down menu, select the certificate you have installed to authenticate you on your wireless network. Then select the authentication method (Inner Authen.) used inside the PEAP tunnel. Select from EAP-MSCHAP v2. Then, select the type of encryption, TKIP or AES, from the Encryption drop-down menu.

Click the Next button to continue to the Confirm New Settings screen or the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-26: Wireless Security - RADIUS - EAP-TLS

Figure 3-27: Wireless Security - RADIUS - PEAP

Setting Up the Adapter 19

LEAP

If you selected LEAP, then enter the Username and Password that will authenticate you on your wireless network.

Username - Enter the username used for authentication. Password - Enter the password used for authentication. Confirm - Enter the password again.

Click the Next button to continue, or click the Back button to return to the previous screen.

Figure 3-28: Wireless Security - LEAP

Setting Up the Adapter 20

5. The next screen displays all of the Adapter’s settings. If these are correct, you can save these settings to your hard drive by clicking Save. Click Next to continue and finish the setup. If these settings are not correct, click Back to change your settings. To exit the setup, click Exit.

Figure 3-29: Confirm New Settings

6. After the software has been successfully installed, the Congratulations screen will appear. Click Connect to Network to connect to your network. Clicking Return to Profiles screen will open the Wireless Network Monitor’s Profiles screen. For more information about the Wireless Network Monitor, refer to Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Congratulations! Setup is complete.

To check the link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional configuration changes, refer to Chapter 4: Using the Wireless Network Monitor.

Figure 3-30: Congratulations

Setting Up the Adapter 21