ActionTec 802UIG, User Manual

Page 1: ...Solutions for the Digital Life User Manual 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter Model 802UIG ...

Page 2: ...bout 12 Link Status 13 Site Monitor 14 View Available Networks 15 Exit 16 Hide Systray Icon 16 5 Troubleshooting and FAQs 17 Troubleshooting 17 Frequently Asked Questions 18 A Specifications 21 General 21 Wireless Operating Range 21 LED Indicators 22 Environmental 22 B Using the Adapter with Windows XP 23 Connecting to an Unsecured Access Point 23 Connecting to a Secured Access Point 25 Glossary 2...

Page 3: ...ii Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual ii This page left intentionally blank ...

Page 4: ...s Wireless USB Adapter and customize its configuration to get the most out of your wireless network The 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter is compliant with the 802 11g specifications and requires a wireless access point router gateway or any other compatible wireless device Package Contents s Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter s USB cable s Installation CD includes user manual s Quick Start guide M...

Page 5: ...tronics prides itself on making durable high performance high quality products If you need assistance the Actiontec Technical Support Department is available all day every day to provide professional support Actiontec Electronics Inc 760 N Mary Avenue Sunnyvale CA 94085 United States Technical Support Phone USA 1 888 436 0657 UK 0845 65 80411 E mail http support actiontec com email_support support...

Page 6: ...tworks differ from wired local area networks only in their operating mode The two operation modes are Ad Hoc and Infrastructure Ad Hoc Mode Ad hoc mode is a networking framework by which wireless devices or stations communicate directly with each other without the need for an access point or wireless router gateway Ad hoc mode is also called peer to peer mode or independent basic service set IBSS ...

Page 7: ...ructure mode lets wireless devices communicate with each other or with a wired network Two types of service can exist while in infrastructure mode Basic Service Set BSS An access point connected to a wired network and a set of wireless stations Extended Service Set ESS A set of two or more basic service sets forming a single subnetwork Note Corporate WLANs require infrastructure mode to use servic...

Page 8: ...pter until instructed during the installation procedure 1 Insert the Installation CD in the CD ROM drive of the computer Connection 1 2 3 starts automatically Temporary files and drivers for the Adapter are loaded onto the hard drive then the first Connection 1 2 3 screen appears Read the onscreen instructions then click Next Note If Connection 1 2 3 does not start automatically click Start from t...

Page 9: ...ontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual 2 Get the USB cable and Adapter from the box then click on Next 3 Plug the smaller end of the USB cable into the port on the front of the Adapter then click Next ...

Page 10: ...nto the USB port located on the back of the computer Note After plugging in the Adapter to the computer wait for the Add New Hardware Wizard to complete before clicking Next Click Next 5 If using Windows XP follow the steps on the next screen Otherwise click Next to continue ...

Page 11: ...ar asking for 98 SE Installation CD Remove the Connection 1 2 3 CD from the CD ROM drive replace it with the 98 SE Installation CD then when finished remove it and put the Connection 1 2 3 CD back in the CD ROM drive 6 Connection 1 2 3 detects the Adapter Click Next 7 When the Adapter is successfully detected make sure the Power light PW glows steadily orange The Link Activity light LK may blink a...

Page 12: ...ck Next 9 Read the onscreen instructions then click Finish Reboot the computer The USB Adapter is now ready to use For additional config uration options see chapter 4 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility If using Windows XP see Appendix B Using the Adapter With Windows XP ...

Page 13: ...10 Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual This page left intentionally blank ...

Page 14: ...he XP Utility by right clicking on the appropriate network icon in the system tray then selecting Status from the menu that appears In the next window click Properties In the next window make sure the check box next to Use Windows to configure my wire less network settings is deactivated no check mark Opening the Wireless Configuration Utility To open the Utility go to the right hand corner of the...

Page 15: ...ars displaying the Utility s options To select one click on it and the appropriate window will appear About Selecting About from the Utility menu generates the About window This window displays the version numbers for the Adapter s chipset driver version and firmware ...

Page 16: ...tus from the Utility menu generates the Link Status window The Link Status window provides information regarding the current status of the USB Adapter and its settings including how many packets are being received and transmitted transfer rate SSID IP address and other related settings ...

Page 17: ...ndow displays information regarding nearby visible access points or wireless routers gateways as well as other computers available through ad hoc networks To view more information about a particular network select it from the Visible Networks list box and click Advanced Monitor The Advanced Site Monitor appears displaying more information about the selected network ...

Page 18: ... user to change networks To configure the SSID or name of a wireless network highlight the name Actiontec in the figure above for example and click Configure To automati cally connect to a particular network every time the Adapter searches for a net work click Add select the network and when the network name appears in the Preferred networks list box select it Using the Move Up button make sure th...

Page 19: ...window to select the type of network to which the Adapter connects Exit Selecting Exit from the Utility menu closes the Utility Hide Systray Icon Selecting Hide Systray Icon removes the Utility icon from the system tray To place it back in the system tray start the Utility by selecting Start from the desktop then Programs Actiontec 54 Mbps and Wireless Utility ...

Page 20: ...f the access point Many access points are case sensitive and require all devices to match the letter case as well Check the security settings In the WEP Encryption window for example make sure all of the WEP settings match the WEP settings of the access point Changing the Adapter s IP address There are two methods to change the Adapter s IP address Open the USB Adapter Network Connection from the ...

Page 21: ...ed does vary depending on distance from the access point and the amount of attenuation physical barriers such as walls glass etc the wireless signal must go through My Adapter seems to be installed correctly and it says that it is getting a link but I can t access the Internet What should I do Disable any other network adapters that may be installed on the computer If these adapters were installed...

Page 22: ...ause wireless inter ference Can my wireless signal pass through floors walls and glass The effect of the physical environment can have varying effects on signal strength and quality The denser an object a concrete wall compared to a plaster wall for example the greater the interference Concrete or metal reinforced structures cause a higher degree of wireless signal loss than those made of wood pla...

Page 23: ...from the appropriate list boxes then enter the WEP key in the Network key text box If connecting to an ad hoc network click in the This is a computer to computer ad hoc network check box to activate Click OK What is the difference between 40 bit and 64 bit encryption There really is no difference between the two They are different terminologies used throughout the industry for the same level of en...

Page 24: ...for products purchased in Europe Frequency Band 2 4 2 4835 GHz Interface USB Plug N Play compatible with USB 1 1 and 2 0 Data Rate 802 11b up to 11 Mbps 802 11g up to 54 Mbps when used with USB 2 0 only Data Encryption 64 and 128 bit WEP compatible WPA WPA_PSK 802 1x Wireless Operating Range Indoors Up to 91 M 300 ft Outdoors Up to 533 M 1750 ft A ...

Page 25: ... PW Link Activity LK Environmental Operating Temperature 0º C to 65º C 32º F to 149º F Storage Temperature 20º C to 85º C 4º F to 185º F Operating Humidity 0 to 95 non condensing Storage Humidity 5 to 95 non condensing Note Specifications are subject to change without notice ...

Page 26: ...ng the name of the available access point appears To connect to an another unsecured access point 1 Locate the wireless network double computer icon corresponding to the Adapter by moving the cursor over the network icons in the system tray When the correct icon is located a dialog box similar to the one below appears 2 Once the correct icon is located right click on it and from the menu that appe...

Page 27: ... gateway with which to connect 4 Activate the box next to Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network even though it is not secure by clicking in it to cause a check mark to appear 5 Click Connect Note If Windows XP SP1 is not running on the computer the check mark will not appear and connection with an unsecured network will automatically appear The Adapter is connected to an unsecured w...

Page 28: ...e wireless network double computer icon corresponding to the Adapter by moving the cursor over the network icons in the system tray When the correct icon is located a dialog box similar to the one below appears 2 Once the correct icon is located right click on it and from the menu that appears select View Available Wireless Networks ...

Page 29: ...e Wireless Network Connection window appears Click Advanced 4 When the window below appears make sure the check box next to Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is activated 5 Select the SSID or access point to connect to then click Configure ...

Page 30: ...Network Properties window select the type of network authentication from the Network Authentication menu list The choices include Open Open authentication allows any wireless station to communicate with the access point In general security is improved when using this method Shared In Shared authentication mode the client is required to have the secret key in order to authenticate with the access p...

Page 31: ...ng To use WPA PSK a static key or pass phrase is set as with WEP But using TKIP WPA PSK automatically changes the keys at a preset time interval making it much more difficult for hackers to find and access them WPA WPA Wi Fi Protected Access is a security technology for wireless net works WPA improves on the authentication and encryption features of WEP 9 Enter the Network key Confirm the key if p...

Page 32: ...bile computer connected to a network DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol A protocol designed to automatically assign an IP address to every computer on the network DNS Domain Name System Server Address Allows Internet host computers to have a domain name and one or more IP addresses A DNS server keeps a database of host computers and their respective domain names and IP addresses so that when...

Page 33: ...s is only required when using a cable or DSL modem ISP Internet Service Provider A business that allows individuals or businesses to connect to the Internet LAN Local Area Network A group of computers and devices connected together in a relatively small area such as a house or an office A home network is considered a LAN MAC Media Access Control Address The unique hardware address of a device conn...

Page 34: ...tionis between a com puter and external peripheral over a cable using biserial transmission WAN Wide Area Network A network that connects computers located in separate areas i e different buildings cities countries The Internet is a WAN WECA Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance An industry group that certifies cross vender interoperability and compatibility of IEEE 802 11b wireless networking ...

Page 35: ...apter User Manual Wi Fi Wireless Fidelity A generic term for any kind of wireless network WPA Wi Fi Protected Access An improved version of WEP using better encryption and authentication designed to work with existing WEP enabled products ...

Page 36: ...d by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by implementing one or more of the following measures s Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna s Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver s Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected s Consult the dealer or an experienced ...

Page 37: ... co located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter For questions regarding your product or the FCC declaration contact Actiontec Electronics Inc 760 North Mary Ave Sunnyvale CA 94085 United States Tel 408 752 7700 Fax 408 541 9005 Miscellaneous Legal Notices 2004 Actiontec Electronics Inc Actiontec Installation Buddy Connection 1 2 3 Solutions for the Digital Life Action...

Page 38: ...tronics warrants the media con taining software against failure during the warranty period The only updates that will be provided are at the sole discretion of Actiontec Electronics and will only be available for download at the Actiontec Web site www actiontec com Actiontec Electronics sole obligation under this express warranty shall be at Actiontec Electronics option and expense to refund the p...

Page 39: ... repaired or replaced item will be shipped to Customer at Actiontec Electronics expense not later than thirty 30 days after Actiontec Electronics receives the defective product Return the product to In the United States Actiontec Electronics Inc 760 North Mary Avenue Sunnyvale CA 94085 Actiontec Electronics shall not be responsible for any software firmware informa tion memory data or Customer dat...

Page 40: ...VISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND LIMITS ITS LIABILITY TO REPAIR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID AT ACTIONTEC ELECTRONICS OPTION THIS DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IF ANY REMEDY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL FAIL OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE Disclaimer Some countries states or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or the...

Page 41: ...r Manual Governing Law This Limited Warranty shall be governed by the laws of the State of California U S A excluding its conflicts of laws and principles and excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods ...