ii

Contents

Connecting to the Wireless Game Adapter

....................................................................

4-2

Viewing the Wireless Game Adapter Status

...................................................................

4-2

Configuring the Adapter for Infrastructure Mode Access

................................................

4-4

Using WEP Security Encryption

...............................................................................

4-7

Authentication Type

...........................................................................................

4-7

Key Size

............................................................................................................

4-7

Automatic Key Generation (Passphrase)

..........................................................

4-7

Manual Entry Mode

...........................................................................................

4-7

Using WPA-PSK Security Encryption

.......................................................................

4-7

Configuring the Wireless Game Adapter for Ad-Hoc Mode

............................................

4-8

Viewing the Wireless Networks Available

.......................................................................

4-9

Configuring the IP Settings

...........................................................................................

4-10

Changing the WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter Password

.........................................

4-11

Upgrading the Firmware

...............................................................................................

4-11

Restoring the Factory Defaults

.....................................................................................

4-12

Chapter 5

Troubleshooting

Basic Tips

.......................................................................................................................

5-2

Frequently Asked Questions

..........................................................................................

5-5

Troubleshooting the TCP/IP Settings Using Ping

...........................................................

5-6

Troubleshooting the Web Configuration Interface

..........................................................

5-6

Restoring the Default Configuration and Password

........................................................

5-7

Appendix A

Technical Specifications

Appendix B

Understanding IP Addresses

IP Addresses and the Internet

.................................................................................

B-1

Netmask

..................................................................................................................

B-3

Subnet Addressing

..................................................................................................

B-4

Private IP Addresses

...............................................................................................

B-6

Address Resolution Protocol

...................................................................................

B-7

IP Configuration by DHCP

......................................................................................

B-7

Appendix C

Wireless Networking Basics

Wireless Networking Overview

......................................................................................

C-1

Infrastructure Mode

.................................................................................................

C-1

Contents

iii

Ad Hoc Mode (Peer-to-Peer Workgroup)

................................................................

C-2

Network Name: Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID)

................................

C-2

Authentication and WEP

................................................................................................

C-2

802.11 Authentication

..............................................................................................

C-3

Open System Authentication

...................................................................................

C-3

Shared Key Authentication

......................................................................................

C-4

Overview of WEP Parameters

................................................................................

C-5

Key Size

..................................................................................................................

C-6

WEP Configuration Options

....................................................................................

C-6

Wireless Channels

.........................................................................................................

C-7

WPA Wireless Security

..................................................................................................

C-8

How Does WPA Compare to WEP?

........................................................................

C-9

How Does WPA Compare to IEEE 802.11i?

........................................................

C-10

What are the Key Features of WPA Security?

......................................................

C-10

WPA Authentication: Enterprise-level User

Authentication via 802.1x/EAP and RADIUS

..................................................

C-12

WPA Data Encryption Key Management

........................................................

C-14

Is WPA Perfect?

....................................................................................................

C-16

Product Support for WPA

......................................................................................

C-16

Supporting a Mixture of WPA and WEP Wireless Clients is Discouraged

......

C-16

Changes to Wireless Access Points

...............................................................

C-17

Changes to Wireless Network Adapters

.........................................................

C-17

Changes to Wireless Client Programs

............................................................

C-18

Glossary

List of Glossary Terms

...................................................................................................

D-1

Index

iv

Contents

User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

About This Manual

1-1

Chapter 1

About This Manual

Thank you for purchasing the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter.

Audience, Conventions, Scope

This reference manual assumes that the reader has basic-to-intermediate computer and Internet

skills. However, basic computer network, Internet, and firewall technologies tutorial information

is provided in the Appendices, on the

NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter Resource CD

,

and on the NETGEAR Web site.

This guide uses the following typographical conventions:

This manual is written for the WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter according to these specifications:

Table 1.

Typographical conventions

italics

Emphasis, books, CDs, URL names

bold times roman

User input

courier font

Screen text, file and server names, extensions, commands, IP addresses

Note:

This format is used to highlight information of importance or special interest.

Table 1-1.

Manual Specifications

Product Version

NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

Manual Publication Date

2005.03.14

Note:

Product updates are available on the NETGEAR, Inc. Web site at

.

User Manual for the NETGEAR WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter

1-2

About This Manual