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D-Link DWA-54 User Manual

Appendix A - Wireless Basics

Security

 

  
Don’t let you next-door neighbors or intruders connect to your wireless network. Secure your wireless network by turning 
on the WPA or WEP security feature on the router. Refer to product manual for detail information on how to set it up.

 

 
 

 

 

There are basically two modes of networking: 

• 

Infrastructure

 – All wireless clients will connect to an access point or wireless router.

• 

Ad-Hoc

  –  Directly  connecting  to  another  computer,  for  peer-to-peer  communication,  using  wireless 

network adapters on each computer, such as two or more DWA-542 wireless network wireless desktop 
adapters.

An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point or wireless router. All the wireless devices, or clients, will connect 
to the wireless router or access point. 

An Ad-Hoc network contains only clients, such as laptops with wireless desktop adapters. All the adapters must be in 
Ad-Hoc mode to communicate.

Wireless Modes

Summary of Contents for DWA-542

Page 1: ......

Page 2: ...t 21 Windows XP Configuration Utility 22 Disabling The Windows XP Utility 23 Wireless Security 25 What is WEP 25 What is WPA 26 Configure WEP 27 Using the D Link Wireless Connection Manager 27 Using the Windows XP Utility 29 Configure WPA WPA2 Passphrase 31 Using the D Link Wireless Connection Manager 31 Using the Windows XP Utility 33 Configure WPA WPA2 35 Using the D Link Wireless Connection Man...

Page 3: ...nnection Manager on CD System Requirements A desktop computer with an available PCI slot Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or XP Service Pack 2 300MHz processor and at least 64MB of RAM An 802 11n or 802 11g access point for Infrastructure mode or another 802 11n or 802 11g wireless adapter for Ad Hoc networking mode Product Overview Package Contents ...

Page 4: ... intrusion and protect your personal information from being exposed The D Link RangeBooster N DWA 542 is a powerful 32 bit desktop adapter that installs quickly and easily into desktop computers Like all D Link wireless adapters the DWA 542 can be used in ad hoc mode to connect directly with other cards for peer to peer file sharing or in infrastructure mode to connect with a wireless access point...

Page 5: ... in your laptop PC you can securely connect to a wireless network using 802 1x for wireless authentication as well as WPA Wi Fi Protected Access providing you a much higher level of security for your data and communication than has previously been available Total Performance Upgrade your computer with the latest draft 802 11n technology Total Wireless Protection Connect to secure wireless networks...

Page 6: ... D Link DWA 542 User Manual Section 1 Product Overview Hardware Overview WLAN LED A solid light indicates that wireless is ready This LED blinks during wireless data transmission ...

Page 7: ...adapters Verify the settings such as the SSID and security settings of the network s you want to connect to Remove Existing Installations If you ve installed a different manufacture s adapter or a different model D Link adapter make sure the software is uninstalled before installing the new software Some utilities may cause a conflict with the new software If you plan to use multiple adapters at d...

Page 8: ...Link wireless adapter it is recommended to disable the wireless adapter as well as any unused Ethernet adapters From the desktop right click on the My Computer icon and select Properties Click the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager Scroll down the list and click the sign to the left of Network Adapters Right click the adapter you would like to disable and select Disable ...

Page 9: ...Installation Click Yes to disable the adapter The adapter is now disabled When disabled a red X will be displayed Disabling the adapter will not remove the drivers If you would like to use the adapter simply right click it and select Enable ...

Page 10: ...hat 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 3 Building Materials make a difference A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range Try to po...

Page 11: ...the D Link DWA 542 Driver CD in the CD ROM drive The step by step instructions that follow are shown in Windows XP The steps and screens are similar for the other Windows operating systems If the CD Autorun function does not automatically start on your computer go to Start Run In the run box type D DWA542 exe where D represents the drive letter of your CD ROM drive Adapter Installation Click Insta...

Page 12: ...to continue By default setup will install to the default location C Program Files D Link DWA 542 where C represents the drive letter of your hard drive To install to a different location click Browse and specify the location Click Next Select the Program Files folder location Click Next Click Next Click Next ...

Page 13: ...stallation alert screen will appear Click Continue Anyway Click Finish Click Next The D Link Configuration Wizard will now appear If you are using Windows XP SP2 you will have the option to use either the D Link utility or the built in Windows Wireless utility Click Finish to continue ...

Page 14: ... select Yes I want to restart my computer now Click Finish Click Next Enter the network name SSID manually If you enter the SSID incorrectly you will automatically be brought to the site survey page Click Scan to display the site survey page Click Next Click on the network name SSID and click Next ...

Page 15: ...k Wireless Connection Manager The D Link DWA 542 uses the Wireless Connection Manager as the management software The manager provides the user an easy interface to change any settings related to the wireless adapter Double clicking on the Wireless Connection Manager icon on your desktop will start the Configuration If you are using Windows XP please skip to page 22 Double clicktheWirelessConnectio...

Page 16: ... wireless networks in your area Highlight a wireless network and click the Connect button If the network is secure a pop up window will appear Enter the security information to connect refer to the Wireless Security section for more information Select a wireless network profile from the drop down menu and click Activate to connect Allow up to 30 seconds to connect MAC SSID Channel Signal Security ...

Page 17: ...created New Button Modify Click New to create a new wireless network profile refer to page 18 Click Modify to edit a current profile refer to page 19 Click Delete to remove a profile Click Activate to use a profile Allow up to 30 seconds to connect to the wireless network TheProfileDetailssectionwilldisplayinformation about the wireless network such as the network name SSID network type Infrastruc...

Page 18: ... Office Coffee Shop Enter the SSID of the wireless network Select the network type If you are connecting to a wireless router or access point select Infrastructure If you are connecting to another wireless client such as an adapter select Ad Hoc Select the type of security used Please refer to the Wireless Security section for more information Click OK to save your settings Network Type Set Securi...

Page 19: ...rom the My Wireless Networks page Profile Name SSID Enter a name for your profile e g Home Office Coffee Shop Displays the SSID of the network Displays the network type Select the type of security used Please refer to the Wireless Security section for more information Click OK to save your settings Network Type Set Security OK Button ...

Page 20: ...20 D Link DWA 542 User Manual Section 3 Configuration Support If you need help click the Support button A pane will appear to the right of the utility which will display information about the utility ...

Page 21: ...21 D Link DWA 542 User Manual Section 3 Configuration The About screen gives you information about the Firmware and Utility Versions of the DWA 542 About ...

Page 22: ...s computer icon in your system tray lower right corner next to the time Select View Available Wireless Networks If you receive the Wireless Networks Detected bubble click on the center of the bubble to access the utility The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area Click on a network and click the Connect button Refer to the Wireless Security section for information on con...

Page 23: ...reless Connection Manager you must disable the Windows XP wireless utility Right click on the wireless computer icon in your system tray lower right corner next to the time Select View Available Wireless Networks In the Choose a Wireless Network window click Change Advanced Settings on the left side below Related Tasks ...

Page 24: ...on 3 Configuration In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window uncheck UseWindows to configure my wireless network settings and then click OK Refer to page 15 on instructions for launching the D Link Wireless Connection Manager ...

Page 25: ...er your wireless network so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one wireless device to another To gain access to a WEP network you must know the key The key is a string of characters that you create When using WEP you must determine the level of encryption The type of encryption determines the key length 128 bit encryption requires a longer key than 64 bit encryption Keys are defined by...

Page 26: ...e authentication protocol EAP WEP regulates access to a wireless network based on a computer s hardware specific MAC address which is relatively simple to be sniffed out and stolen EAP is built on a more secure public key encryption system to ensure that only authorized network users can access the network WPA PSK WPA2 PSK uses a passphrase or key to authenticate your wireless connection The key i...

Page 27: ...e clicking on the D Link icon on your desktop From the list of available wireless networks select the network you want to connect to and click Connect If the network is using WEP the screen as shown to the right will appear 2 Enter the WEP key exactly as it is on your wireless router or access point 3 Click the Show text in the password field box to see the WEP key Unchecking it will hide the key ...

Page 28: ... set the authentication to Shared Key 1 Open the Wireless Connection Manager by double clicking on the D Link icon on your desktop Click on New to create a new profile or highlight an existing profile and click Modify 2 Select WEP under Set Security Option 3 Select Shared and then select the Key Length from the drop down menu 4 Enter the WEP key exactly as it is on your wireless router or access p...

Page 29: ...e configuring your wireless adapter If you are joining an existing network you will need to know the WEP key being used 2 Highlight the wireless network SSID you would like to connect to and click Connect 1 Open the Windows XP Wireless Utility by right clicking on the wireless computer icon in your system tray lower right corner of screen Select View Available Wireless Networks ...

Page 30: ...ork Connection box will appear Enter the WEP key and click Connect It may take 20 30 seconds to connect to the wireless network If the connection fails please verify that the WEP settings are correct The WEP key must be exactly the same as on the wireless router or access point ...

Page 31: ...ion Manager by double clicking on the D Link icon on your desktop 2 Highlight the wireless network SSID you would like to connect to and click Connect If the network is using WPA PSK the screen as shown to the right will appear 3 Enter the WPA PSK passphrase exactly as it is on your wireless router or access point Click the Show text in the password field box to see the passphrase Unchecking it wi...

Page 32: ...n all wireless devices 1 Open the Wireless Connection Manager by double clicking on the D Link icon on your desktop Click on New to create a new profile or highlight an existing profile and click Modify 2 Select WPA WPA2 Passphrase under Set Security Option 3 Select TKIP or AES 4 Enter the passphrase exactly as it is on your wireless router or access point 5 Click OK to connect to the network Allo...

Page 33: ...nt before configuring your wireless adapter If you are joining an existing network you will need to know the WEP key being used 2 Highlight the wireless network SSID you would like to connect to and click Connect 1 Open the Windows XP Wireless Utility by right clicking on the wireless computer icon in your system tray lower right corner of screen Select View Available Wireless Networks ...

Page 34: ...n box will appear Enter the WPA PSK passphrase and click Connect It may take 20 30 seconds to connect to the wireless network If the connection fails please verify that the WPA PSK settings are correct The WPA PSK passphrase must be exactly the same as on the wireless router or access point ...

Page 35: ...t TKIP or AES 3 Click on Advanced Config to continue 4 Next to EAP Type select EAP TLS EAP TTLS or PEAP Extensible Authentication Protocols allow devices on the network to request authentication from the RADIUS server in the network All the devices on the network must use the same EAP type when using a RADIUS server for authentication Some RADIUS servers require that the Validate Server field be s...

Page 36: ...r provides solutions to problems that can occur during the installation and operation of the DWA 542 Read the following descriptions if you are having problems The examples below are illustrated in Windows XP If you have a different operating system the screenshots on your computer will look similar to the following examples Go to Start My Computer Properties ...

Page 37: ...rs Right click on D Link DWA 542 Wireless Desktop Adapter Select Properties to check that the drivers are installed properly Look under Device Status to check that the device is working properly Click OK to continue D Link DWA 542 Wireless Desktop Adapter D Link DWA 542 Wireless Desktop Adapter ...

Page 38: ...cy Turn off your Access Point and the computer with the DWA 542 Turn on the Access Point and then turn on the computer with the DWA 542 Refresh the DWA 542 Utility 2 I cannot connect to the access point or the wireless router Check to see if the DWA 542 desktop adapter is firmly inserted into the PCI slot of your laptop computer 3 The DWA 542 Power and Link lights are not on Reset the Access Point...

Page 39: ...files from the INF and SYSTEM DRIVERS folders in the Windows directory Note Windows XP and 2000 will rename inf files that have not received WHQL certification into oem inf files e g oem1 inf 5 The computer does not recognize the DWA 542 Wireless Adapter Check that the LED indicators for the broadband modem are indicating normal activity If not there may be a problem with the broadband connection ...

Page 40: ...ients associated to it Check that the Network Connection for the wireless client is configured properly Select AP Infrastructure when connecting to an access point and select Ad Hoc mode when connecting without an access point Double click on the WLAN icon in the taskbar click on Configuration to change the settings for the wireless adapter If Security is enabled make sure that the correct encrypt...

Page 41: ...eless LANs 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 for many users Wireless users can use the same applicatio...

Page 42: ...ata from one point A to point B But wireless technology has restrictions as to how you can access the network You must be within the wireless network range area to be able to connect your computer There are two different types of wireless networks Wireless Local Area Network WLAN and Wireless Personal Area Network WPAN Wireless Local Area Network WLAN In a wireless local area network a device call...

Page 43: ...ones laptops speakers and other devices that operate on batteries Who uses wireless Wireless technology as become so popular in recent years that almost everyone is using it whether it s for home office business D Link has a wireless solution for it Home Gives everyone at home broadband access Surf the web check email instant message and etc Gets rid of the cables around the house Simple and easy ...

Page 44: ...e a task not knowing where to start That s why we ve put together a few setup steps and tips to help you through the process of setting up a wireless network Tips Here are a few things to keep in mind when you install a wireless network Centralize your router or Access Point Make sure you place the router access point in a centralized location within your network for the best performance Try to pl...

Page 45: ...s clients will connect to an access point or wireless router Ad Hoc Directly connecting to another computer for peer to peer communication using wireless network adapters on each computer such as two or more DWA 542 wireless network wireless desktop adapters An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point or wireless router All the wireless devices or clients will connect to the wireless router...

Page 46: ...Run In the run box type cmd and click OK At the prompt type ipconfig and press Enter This will display the IP address subnet mask and the default gateway of your adapter If the address is 0 0 0 0 check your adapter installation security settings and the settings on your router Some firewall software programs may block a DHCP request on newly installed adapters If you are connecting to a wireless n...

Page 47: ...tep 3 Highlight Internet Protocol TCP IP and click Properties Step 4 Click Use the following IP address and enter an IP address that is on the same subnet as your network or the LAN IP address on your router Example If the router s LAN IP address is 192 168 0 1 make your IP address 192 168 0 X where X is a number between 2 and 99 Make sure that the number you choose is not in use on the network Se...

Page 48: ...nector Operating Temperature 32 F to 131 F 0 C to 55 C Humidity 95 maximum non condensing Dimensions L 4 64 114 3mm W 2 13 54mm H 0 34 inches 8 7mm Weight 0 12 lb 55g Warranty 1 Year Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802 11g and draft 802 11n specifications Actual data throughput will vary Network conditions and environmental factors including volume of network traffic buildi...

Page 49: ...del number of the product e g DWA 542 Hardware Revision located on the label on the adapter e g rev A1 Serial Number s n number located on the label on the adapter You can find software updates and user documentation on the D Link website as well as frequently asked questions and answers to technical issues For customers within the United States Phone Support 877 453 5465 24 hours a day seven days...

Page 50: ...er this Limited Warranty will be at D Link s option to repair or replace the defective Hardware during the Warranty Period at no charge to the original owner or to refund the actual purchase price paid Any repair or replacement will be rendered by D Link at an Authorized D Link Service Office The replacement hardware need not be new or have an identical make model or part D Link may at its option ...

Page 51: ...see for the non conforming Software will be refunded by D Link provided that the non conforming Software and all copies thereof is first returned to D Link The license granted respecting any Software for which a refund is given automatically terminates Non Applicability of Warranty The Limited Warranty provided hereunder for Hardware and Software portions of D Link s products will not be applied t...

Page 52: ... return shipping charges for any product that is not packaged and shipped in accordance with the foregoing requirements or that is determined by D Link not to be defective or non conforming What Is Not Covered The Limited Warranty provided herein by D Link does not cover Products that in D Link s judgment have been subjected to abuse accident alteration modification tampering negligence misuse fau...

Page 53: ...E SOLE REMEDY FOR A BREACH OF THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS REPAIR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF THE DEFECTIVE OR NONCONFORMING PRODUCT THE MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF D LINK UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY THE FOREGOING EXPRESS WRITTEN WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND ARE IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES OR REMEDIES EXPRESS IMPLIED OR ST...

Page 54: ...locate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful i...

Page 55: ...ited per regulations of Industry Canada The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms IMPORTANT NOTE IC Radiation Exposure Statement This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm ...

Page 56: ...nk DWA 542 User Manual Appendix F Registration Version 1 0 04 26 2006 Product registration is entirely voluntary and failure to complete or return this form will not diminish your warranty rights Registration ...

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