D-Link DWA-556, User Manual

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Page 2: ... 20 Support 23 About 24 Connect to a Wireless Network 25 Using Windows 7 25 Using Windows Vista 26 Using Windows XP 27 Wireless Security 28 What is WPA 28 Configure WPA WPA2 Personal 29 Using the D Link Utility 29 Using Windows Vista 34 Using Windows XP 36 Configure WPA WPA2 Enterprise 38 Using the D Link Utility 38 Troubleshooting 39 Windows 7 Troubleshooting 44 Wireless Basics 46 Networking Basi...

Page 3: ...xpress slot Windows 7 Vista XP Service Pack 2 or 2000 Service Pack 4 300MHz processor and at least 64MB of RAM Product Overview Package Contents If any of the above items are missing please contact your reseller D Link DWA 556 Xtreme N Desktop PCI Express Adapter Three Antennas Low Profile Bracket CD with drivers and software ...

Page 4: ...trusion and protect your personal information from being exposed The D Link Xtreme N DWA 556 is a powerful 64 bit desktop adapter that installs quickly and easily into desktop computers Like all D Link wireless adapters the DWA 556 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 or route...

Page 5: ...h the DWA 556 in your Desktop PC you can securely connect to a wireless network using WPA Wi Fi Protected Access for wireless authentication WPA provides you with a much higher level of security for your data and communication than what has previously been available Total Performance Upgrade your computer with the latest 802 11n technology Total Wireless Protection Connect to secure wireless netwo...

Page 6: ...6 D Link DWA 556 User Manual Section 1 Product Overview Hardware Overview LEDs 1 WLAN LED A solid light indicates that wireless is ready This LED blinks during wireless data transmission 1 ...

Page 7: ...e 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 different times make sure the utilities ...

Page 8: ... is recommended to disable any wireless adapter as well as any unused Ethernet adapters Fromthedesktop right clickontheMyComputericonandselectProperties 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: ...that 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 p...

Page 11: ...n on the computer and Insert the D Link DWA 556 Driver CD in the CD ROM drive The step by step instructions that follow are shown in Windows Vista 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 autorun exe where D represents the drive letter of your CD ROM drive...

Page 12: ...Next to continue By default setup will install to the default location C Program Files D Link DWA 556 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 to continue ...

Page 13: ...install This may take 1 2 minutes The Wireless Connection Wizard will now appear If you want to manually connect to a wireless network refer to page 14 The following instructions will connect you to a wireless network using Wi Fi Protected Setup WPS Click Next to continue ...

Page 14: ...onfiguration method click the virtual button as shown in the screenshot PresstheWPSbuttononyouraccesspointorwirelessrouterwithin2minutestoestablish connectivity When this screen appears you have successfully connected to your wireless network Click Finish to complete your setup Push Button Configuration PBC ...

Page 15: ...15 D Link DWA 556 User Manual Section 2 Installation Click Finish to complete your setup ...

Page 16: ...ess network select Manually connect to a wireless network and then 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 to continue Manual Connect ...

Page 17: ... to continue If you are prompted to reboot your computer select Yes I want to restart my computer now Please enter the encryption key and click Next Click the Scan button to display a list of wireless networks site survey Click on the network name SSID and click Next ...

Page 18: ... Vista WLAN Auto Configuration The D Link DWA 556 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 Clicking on the Wireless Connection Manager icon on the desktop will start the Configuration If you are using Windows 7 Vista or XP please skip to pages 25 26 or 27 respectively Doubl...

Page 19: ...etwork is secure You must know the encryption key security settings to connect Displays the channel of the wireless network Connect to a wireless network using Wi Fi Protected Setup Refer to the next page Rescans for available wireless networks in your area Highlightawirelessnetworkandclickthe Connect button If the network is secure a pop up window will appear Enter the security information to con...

Page 20: ...ted New Button Modify Click New to create a new wireless network profile refer to page 21 Click Modify to edit a current profile refer to page 22 Click Delete to remove a profile Click Activate to use a profile Allow up to 30 seconds to connect to the wireless network The Profile Details section will display information about the wireless network such as the network name SSID network type Infrastr...

Page 21: ...rofile e g Home Office Coffee Shop Enter the SSID of the wireless network If you are connecting to a wireless router or access point select Infrastructure If you are connecting toanotherwirelessclientsuchasanadapter 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 Security OK Button ...

Page 22: ...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 23: ...23 D Link DWA 556 User Manual Section 3 Configuration Support If you need help click the Support button A panel will appear to the right of the utility which will display information about the utility ...

Page 24: ...24 D Link DWA 556 User Manual Section 3 Configuration The About screen gives you information about the Firmware and Utility Versions of the DWA 556 About ...

Page 25: ...ilar to the Windows 7 utility as seen below Left click the wireless icon in your system tray lower right corner next to the time If you receive the Wireless Networks Detected bubble click on the center of the bubble to access the utility or The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area Click on a network displayed using the SSID and click the Connect button If you get a goo...

Page 26: ...indows Vista utility as seen below Right click on the wireless computer icon in your system tray lower rightcornernexttothetime SelectConnecttoanetwork If you receive the Wireless Networks Detected bubble click on the center of the bubble to access the utility or The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area Click on a network displayed using the SSID and click the Connect ...

Page 27: ...survey option similar to the Windows XP utility as seen below Right click on the wireless computer icon in your system tray lower right corner next to the time Select View Available Wireless Networks If you receive the WirelessNetworksDetected bubble click on the center of the bubble to access the utility or The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area Click on a network d...

Page 28: ...Standard instead of TKIP User authentication which is generally missing in WEP through the extensible 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 ...

Page 29: ... 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 WPA2 Personal the screen as shown to the bottom right will appear 3 Enter theWPA WPA2 Personal 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 ...

Page 30: ... on 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 Personal under Set Security Option 3 Select TKIP or AES or Auto 4 Enter the passphrase exactly as it is on your wireless router or access point 5 Click OK to connect to the netw...

Page 31: ...security WPA WPA2 on your wireless router or access point before configuring your wireless adapter If you are joining an existing network you will need to know the security key or passphrase being used 2 The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area 1 Click on the wireless icon in your system tray lower right corner ...

Page 32: ...would like to connect to and click the Connect button IfyougetagoodsignalbutcannotaccesstheInternet checkyour TCP IPsettingsforyourwirelessadapter Refertothe Networking Basics section in this manual for more information 4 The following window appears while your computer tries to connect to the router ...

Page 33: ... is on your router and click Connect You can also connect by pushing the WPS button on the router It may take 20 30 seconds to connect to the wireless network If the connection fails please verify that the security settings are correct The key or passphrase must be exactly the same as on the wireless router ...

Page 34: ...nt before configuring your wireless adapter If you are joining an existing network you will need to know the security key or passphrase being used 2 Highlight the wireless network SSID you would like to connect to and click Connect 1 Open the Windows Vista Wireless Utility by right clicking on the wireless computer icon in your system tray lower right corner of screen Select Connect to a network ...

Page 35: ...ecurity key or passphrase that is on your router and click Connect It may take 20 30 seconds to connect to the wireless network If the connection fails please verify that the security settings are correct The key or passphrase must be exactly the same as on the wireless router ...

Page 36: ...ore configuring your wireless adapter If you are joining an existing network you will need to know the WPA WPA2 Personal 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 ViewAvailableWirelessNetworks ...

Page 37: ...ear Enter the WPA WPA2 Personal 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 WPA2 Personal settings are correct TheWPA WPA2 Personal passphrase must be exactly the same as on the wireless router or access point ...

Page 38: ...d then select TKIP or AES 3 Click on Advanced Config to continue 4 NexttoEAPType selectEAP TLS EAP TTLS orPEAP ExtensibleAuthentication 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 sameEAPtypewhenusingaRADIUSserverforauthentication SomeRADIUS servers require that the Validate Server field be selec...

Page 39: ...r provides solutions to problems that can occur during the installation and operation of the DWA 556 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 40: ... on D Link DWA 556 Desktop PCI Express 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 556 Wireless Desktop PCI Express Adapter D Link DWA 556 Wireless Desktop PCI Express Adapter ...

Page 41: ...ff your Access Point and the computer with the DWA 556 Turn on the Access Point and then turn on the computer with the DWA 556 Refresh the DWA 556 Utility 2 I cannot connect to the access point or the wireless router Check to see if the DWA 556 desktop adapter is firmly inserted into the PCI Express slot of your laptop computer 3 The DWA 556 Power and Link lights are not on Reset the Access Point ...

Page 42: ...movethesefilesfromtheINFandSYSTEM DRIVERS folders intheWindowsdirectory Note Windows XPand2000willrename inffilesthathavenotreceivedWHQL certification into oem inf files e g oem1 inf 5 The computer does not recognize the DWA 556 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 Check tha...

Page 43: ...ltiple clients 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 correc...

Page 44: ...44 D Link DWA 556 User Manual Section 5 Troubleshooting Windows 7 Troubleshooting Go to Start Computer Properties Select the Device Manager ...

Page 45: ... Click the sign next to Network Adapters Right click on D Link DWA 556 Desktop PCI Express 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 ...

Page 46: ...lessLANsareusedincreasinglyinbothhomeandofficeenvironments andpublicareassuchasairports coffeeshops 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 applications they use on a ...

Page 47: ...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 called an Access Point ...

Page 48: ...ps speakers and other devices that operate on batteries Who uses wireless Wirelesstechnologyasbecomesopopularinrecentyearsthatalmosteveryoneisusingit whetherit sforhome 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 to use Small Office and Hom...

Page 49: ...s 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 place the router access point as high as possible in the room so the signal gets dispersed throughout your home If you have a...

Page 50: ...ipconfig and press Enter ThiswilldisplaytheIPaddress subnetmask andthedefaultgatewayofyouradapter Windows 7 Vista Users Click Start All Programs Accessories Command Prompt You may need administrative access to run this application For all additional prompt windows inquiring of running the command prompt application select Yes OK or Continue At the prompt type ipconfig and press Enter This will dis...

Page 51: ...etworkadapter orotheradapter whichwillbeconnected to your router Highlight Internet Protocol TCP IP and click Properties Click Use the following IP address and enter an IP address that is on the same subnet as your network or 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 n...

Page 52: ...r network Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP IPv4 and click Properties Click Use the following IP address and enter an IP address that is on the same subnet as your network or LAN IP address on your router or network 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 o...

Page 53: ...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 Limited Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802 11g and 802 11n specifications Actual data throughput will vary Network conditions and environmental factors including volume of network traffic building materials and construction and network overhead lo...

Page 54: ...oduct e g DWA 556 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 Internet Support http support dlink com For c...

Page 55: ...ers under 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 ...

Page 56: ...licensee 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 appl...

Page 57: ... 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 Submitting A Claim Canada The customer shall return the product to the original purchase point based on its return policy In case the return policy period has expired and the product is within warranty the customer shall submit a claim to D L...

Page 58: ...ng negligence misuse faultyinstallation lack of reasonable care repair or service in any way that is not contemplated in the documentation for the product or if the model or serial number has been altered tampered with defaced or removed Initial installation installation and removal of the product for repair and shipping costs Operational adjustments covered in the operating manual for the product...

Page 59: ...TEN WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND ARE IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES OR REMEDIES EXPRESS IMPLIED OR STATUTORY Governing Law This Limited Warranty shall be governed by the laws of the State of California Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts so the foregoing limitations and exclusions...

Page 60: ... connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help FCC Caution Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void the user s authority to operate the equipment 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 interference and 2 this device m...

Page 61: ...rference that may cause undesired operation IMPORTANT NOTE Radiation Exposure Statement This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator your body This device has been designed to operate with an antenna having a maximum gain of 2 dB Antenna having a hi...

Page 62: ...nk DWA 556 User Manual Appendix F Registration Version 1 4 June 8 2010 Product registration is entirely voluntary and failure to complete or return this form will not diminish your warranty rights Registration ...