MSI US54G (MS-6861)
Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick
User’s Guide
Important Safety Precautions
Always read and follow these basic safety precautions carefully when handling any
piece of electronic component.
1. Keep this User’s Guide for future reference.
2. Keep this equipment away from humidity.
3. Lay this equipment on a reliable flat surface before setting it up.
4. The openings on the enclosure are for air convection hence protects the
equipment from overheating.
5. All cautions and warnings on the equipment should be noted.
6. Never pour any liquid into the opening that could damage or cause electrical
shock.
7. If any of the following situations arises, get the equipment checked by a
service personnel:
Liquid has penetrated into the equipment
The equipment has been exposed to moisture
The equipment has not work well or you can not get it work
according to User’s Manual
The equipment has dropped and damaged
If the equipment has obvious sign of breakage
8. DO NOT LEAVE THIS EQUIPMENT IN AN ENVIRONMENT
UNCONDITIONED, STORAGE TEMPERATURE ABOVE 60O C OR
BELOW -20OC, IT MAY DAMAGE THE EQUIPMENT.
iii
How to Use This Guide
This User’s Guide provides instructions and illustrations on how to install and use your
MSI US54G - the Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick.
Chapter 1, Introduction, provides a general information on the product you
bought, including its application, specification, and requirements.
Chapter 2, Hardware Installation, tells you how to install the product into
your system.
Chapter 3, Software Installation, guides you through the installation of the
product’s driver and utility.
Chapter 4, Wireless Network Utility, describes the MSI Wireless Network
Utility that lets you configure your product to connect the network quickly
and easily.
Chapter 5, Networking Basic, helps you to build your network and share
resources over the network.
Please note that the setting diagrams or values in this guide are FOR YOUR REFER-
ENCE ONLY. The actual settings and values depend on your system and network. If
you are not sure about these information, please ask your network administrator or MIS
staff for help.
Technical Support
Visit the MSI website for FAQ, technical guide, driver and software updates,
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction .........................................................................................................1
1.1 US54G - Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick .............................................................1
1.2 How US54G Works........................................................................................ 2
1.3 Specifications.................................................................................................. 4
1.4 System Requirements .....................................................................................5
1.5 Package Contents............................................................................................ 5
1.6 Product View .................................................................................................. 6
2. Hardware Installation .........................................................................................7
2.1 Connecting US54G .........................................................................................7
2.2 Removing US54G ........................................................................................... 8
3. Software Installation .......................................................................................... 9
4. Wireless Network Utility ................................................................................... 12
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 12
4.1.1 The MSI Wireless LAN Icon .................................................................12
4.1.2 Changing the Control Setting (for Windows XP only)........................... 14
4.2 Networking .....................................................................................................16
4.2.1 Infrastructure Mode ............................................................................... 16
4.2.2 Ad-hoc Mode .........................................................................................19
4.3 Encryption...................................................................................................... 22
4.4 Status .............................................................................................................. 24
4.5 Information .....................................................................................................25
5. Networking Basics .............................................................................................. 26
5.1 Checking the Network Elements .................................................................... 26
5.2 Computer Identification .................................................................................27
5.3 Configuring a Dynamic/Fixed IP Address ...................................................... 29
5.4 Checking TCP/IP Address.............................................................................. 31
5.5 Checking Connection by Pinging .................................................................... 32
5.6 Sharing Files .................................................................................................... 33
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Introduction
>>> 1.1 US54G - Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick
The MSI Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick - US54G (hereafter
called US54G), compliant with IEEE802.11g, is a high-efficiency
wireless adapter for wireless networking at home, in office or in
public places. The data rate can be up to 54 Mbps and auto-
negotiated to 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6Mbps (IEEE 802.11g), or 11,
5.5, 2, 1Mbps (IEEE802.11b).
With US54G, you can roam between conference room and office
without being disconnected the LAN cables; in addition, sharing
files and printers can be easy tasks.
The US54G is available to Microsoft Windows operating sys-
tems (Windows® XP/2000) and can be integrated into network-
ing with either Ad-hoc mode (computer-to-computer, without
an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (computer-to-access
point, an Access Point is required).
1
>>> 1.2 How US54G Works
Ad-hoc Mode : An Ad-hoc network is a local area network or
other small network, especially one with wireless or temporary
plug-in connections, in which some of the network devices are
part of the network only for the duration of a communications
session. Users in the network can share files, print to a shared
printer, and access the Internet with a shared modem. In this
kind of network, new devices can be quickly added; however,
users can only communicate with other wireless LAN comput-
ers that are in this wireless LAN workgroup, and are within
range.
US54G
Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick
US54G
Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick
2
Infrastructure Mode : The difference between Infrastructure
network and Ad-hoc network is that the former one includes an
Access Point. In an Infrastructure network, the Access Point
can manage the bandwidth to maximize bandwidth utilization.
Additionally, the Access Point enables users on a wireless LAN
to access an existing wired network, allowing wireless users to
take advantage of the wired networks resources, such as Internet,
email, file transfer, and printer sharing. The scale and range of the
Infrastructure networking are larger and wider than that of the
Ad-hoc networking.
US54G
Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick
US54G
Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick
3
>>> 1.3 Specifications
Form Factor /
USB 2.0; 5 ± 0.5V (from USB port)
Operation Voltage
Network Standard
Frequency Range
IEEE 802.11g/b
2.412 ~ 2.484GHz
Data Rate and
Modulation Types
- IEEE 802.11b (Auto-Fallback):
CCK @ 5.5 and 11Mbps; DQPSK
@ 2Mbps; DBPSK @ 1Mbps
- IEEE 802.11g (Auto-Fallback):
OFDM @ 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12,
9, 6Mbps
Operating
Channels
- USA/Canada: 11 channels (1~11);
- Europe: 13 channels (1~13);
- Japan: 14 channels (1~14);
- Spain: 2 channels (10~11);
- France: 4 channels (10~13)
Media Access
Protocol
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
(DSSS) with ACK
Security /
Encryption
Hardware 64/128 bit WEP/TKIP/
AES-OCB/802.1x, support for WPA
Range
Up to 400m (outdoor)
Chip Antenna
Antenna
Operating system
Microsoft® Windows® 98SE/ME/
2000/XP
Environmental
- Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 50OC
- Storage Temperature: -40 ~ 75OC
- Operating Humidity: 10 ~ 90%,
non-condensing
4
>>> 1.4 System Requirements
Before installing the US54G, your PC should meet the following
items:
- One desktop/notebook PC with an available USB port.
- Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating system.
- Minimum 5MB free disk space for installing the driver and
utilities.
- One CD-ROM drive, double speed or higher.
>>> 1.5 Package Contents
Unpack the package and check all the items carefully. If any item
contained is damaged or missing, please contact your local dealer
as soon as possible. Also, keep the box and packing materials in
case you need to ship the unit in the future. The package should
contain the following items:
- One Wireless 11g USB 2.0 Stick - US54G.
- One USB cable (45cm, Type-A).
- One Neck Strap.
- One Quick Start Guide.
- One Installation CD-ROM including drivers, utilities, and the
user’s manual.
5
>>> 1.6 Product View
Cover
LED (GREEN)
ON - US54G is connected to the
computer.
Flashing - US54G is transmitting
data over the network.
USB Connector
6
Hardware Installation
The following diagrams provide you with a basic installation for
your US54G, including how to install and remove the USB stick.
>>> 2.1 Connecting US54G
Connection 1. The hardware installation for US54G is simply plugging it into
an available USB port on your desktop/notebook computer.
USB Port
Connecting US54G
7
Connection 2. If necessary, you can connect the provided USB cable to your
computer, and connect US54G to the cable.
USB Cable
>>> 2.2 Removing US54G
The MSI US54G supports hot-plug function, so that you can
remove it under Windows operating system without shutting
down the system. Note: DO NOT remove US54G while trans-
ferring data (the LED is flashing). Please close the communica-
tion programs or stop the task before removing it.
Removting US54G
8
Software Installation
This chapter describes the procedures of installing the driver
and utility. Follow the instruction step by step to finish the
installation.
Please NOTE that your US54G should be installed into the
computer before installing the driver and utility. Then, the
operating system will detect a new device and start to configure
the new device. Click Cancel here to start installation from the
InstallShield Wizard.
Your Wireless LAN adapter type
Click
9
Step 1. Insert the software CD into your CD-ROM drive, and the
Setup program should launch automatically.
If the Autorun program doesn’t launch automatically, click Start
at the taskbar and select Run.... Type E:\setup.exe (where E is
your CD-drive) in the Open box and click OK to launch the
Setup program manually.
The main screen of Setup program will appear as below. Click
the Install Software button.
Click
Step 2. The welcome screen of InstallShield Wizard appears. Click
Next.
Read and accept the License Agreement; then, click Next.
In the following window, enter the user’s information (User
Name, Organization) in the respective fields; then, click Next.
10
Step 3. Click Install and the program will copy the necessary files to
the system. The progress indicator shows the installing status.
Step 4. Click Finish when the installation is completed. The MSI Wire-
less LAN icon* will appear in the status area.
MSI Wireless LAN icon
11
Wireless Network Utility
After installing the driver, MSI US54G provides a convenient
and powerful utility that allows you to set up, configure, and
know your networking status easily and clearly.
>>> 4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 The MSI Wireless LAN icon
- Not connected to the network.
- Connected to the network.
- Receiving/transmitting data from/to the network.
When you move the mouse over the icon, it shows the current
connection information.
Right-clicking the icon will bring up a sub-menu containing
more settings:
12
Language
You can select language according to your operating
system.
Switch to AP Mode (optional)
If your MSI wireless LAN adapter supports Software AP
function, you can see this item in the sub-menu, and which
allows you to use your MSI wireless adapter as a virtual
access point. For details, refer to the MSI Software AP/
Gateway User’s Guide.
Switch to Gateway Mode (optional)
If your MSI wireless LAN adapter supports Software
Gateway function, you can see this item in the sub-menu,
and which allows you to use your MSI wireless adapter as
a virtual gateway. For details, refer to the MSI Software
AP/Gateway User’s Guide.
Open Network Connections
Select to open the Network Connections window.
View Available Wireless Networks
Launch the utility to configure your network settings.
Exit
Close the program.
Clicking the icon will launch the utility as shown below to
configure your network settings.
13
4.1.2 Changing the Control Setting (for Windows XP only)
If you use Windows XP, the wireless LAN is controlled by the
operating system (default). To take full advantage of your MSI
wireless adapter, it is recommended to use the MSI Wireless
Network Utility to control your wireless LAN.
To change the control setting:
1.
Right-click the MSI Wireless LAN icon and select the
Open Network Connections option.
2.
In the Network Connections window, double-click
the Wireless Network Connection icon to bring up the
following dialog window.
Double-click
Click
14
3.
Click Advanced, and the Properties window will
appear as below.
Uncheck this option
Click
4.
5.
Uncheck the Use Windows to configure my
wireless network settings option. Then, click OK.
Now, you can use MSI Wireless Network Utility to
configure your network.
15
>>> 4.2 Networking
Since the US54G is installed in your computer, you have to
configure the settings for communication to start working in
your network environment.
4.2.1 Infrastructure Mode - Authentication (802.1x authentication)
Using 802.1x Authenticate is to provide: when the wireless net-
work you are configuring requires that you authenticate using
your personal credentials, check Authenticate using profile, and
select the profile to use for authentication from the drop-down
list at the right. You must have already configured a profile
appropriate for authenticating onto this network. When you
check Authenticate using profile, MSI utility performs an
802.1X authentication using your password, certificate, or by
other means, as is configured in the selected profile.
Connecting to the Access Point:
1.
Click the MSI Wireless LAN icon to bring up the
Wireless Network Connection window.
Click
Select
Click
2.
In the list of Available wireless networks, select
(highlight) the network you want, and then click
Connect.
16
If you want to configure the network settings:
1.
Click Advanced in the Wireless Network Connection
window.
2.
The Available Networks field contains a list of
available Access Points in your network. Select
(highlight) one network you want, and then click
Configure to set up the selected network. You can
click Refresh to search the available Access Points in
the network again.
Click
3.
Setup the Network Key (if needed) in the Wireless
Network Key (WEP) field according to the
network’s settings.
Only the network administrator
can change the SSID and WEP
settings in the Association
window; if you have problem of
accessing the network, please
ask the administrator for help.
17
4.
Click OK. The selected network will appear in the
Preferred Networks field. If it contains two or more
networks in the list, you can use Move up/Move down
to set the priority.
Click
5.
Click OK to complete the configuration, and an icon
indicating connected to the network will appear in
the status area.
connected
18
4.2.2 Ad-hoc Mode
Ad-hoc mode allows your computer to communicate directly
with any computer installed with compatible wireless adapter.
If you want to use the network in Ad-hoc mode:
-
All the computers connected should be set to Ad-
hoc mode.
-
The computers have the same SSID (network name)
setting.
To configure the settings:
1. Click the MSI Wireless LAN icon to bring up the
Wireless Network Connection window. Then,
click Advanced.
Click
Click
19
2.
You can build up the Ad-hoc network by clicking
Add... in the Preferred Networks field.
Click
3.
Set up the Network Name (SSID) and Network Key
(if needed) for the network. Then, check the This
is a computer-to-computer [ad hoc] network;
wireless access points are not used option and
click OK to enable the Ad-hoc mode.
Enter a Network
Name (SSID).
Setup the WEP settings
for your need.
IMPORTANT
Check this to enable Ad-
hoc mode.
Click
20
4.
The computer set up with this Ad-hoc network in
step 3 is the designated administrator of the network.
Any computer can access the network by selecting
Connect in the Wireless Network Connection
window.
Select
Click
5.
Click OK to complete the configuration, and an icon
indicating connected to the network appears in the
status area.
connected
21
>>> 4.3 Status
In the Status tab, you can configure more network settings.
Signal Strength:
shows the received signal
strength level.
Link Quality:
shows the measured signal
level and connection status.
Channel
Specifies the operating radio frequency channel in Ad-hoc
mode, which should be set to the same channel as the other
points in the wireless network.
Speed
This field sets the current transmitting rate. The speed
should be set to Auto rate to optimize performance and
range, which will adjust the transfer speed for best perfor-
mance and longest range automatically.
Radio
Set to On to activate the radio.
SSID
Means Service Set Identifier, a unique name shared among
all points in a wireless network. It must be identical for all
points in the network. Then the card will be able to
connect to an access point with the same SSID.
Click Advance, and you can get more information about the LAN
traffic status and more detailed settings.
22
It is not recommended to
change these settings if
you are not familiar with the
advanced configuration.
Fragmentation Threshold
You may set the length of the fragment in this field. Please
note that each fragment should not be larger than the Frag-
mentation Threshold.
RTS Threshold
You may set the length threshold.
Preamble Type
You may set the length of preamble in this field. The
available options are:
- Long: It is set to 144 bits.
- Short: It is set to 72 bits.
- Auto: The card supports an auto-detection feature,
it will automatically select the Preamble Type
depending on the Access Point Preamble Type if this
option is selected.
Country
Display the country that you are in (read only).
Power save
The card will turn into power save mode when idle.
Band
Display the information of current band.
23
>>> 4.4 Authentication
The Authentication page is to provide users to build different
authentication type, the authentication type includes MD5-
Challenge, TLS and PEAP.
Profile
You can Add/Delete/Save the settings of your configuration.
Authentication type
According to your network configuration, select one au-
thentication type from the pull-down menu:
- MD5-Challenge: Only one-way authentication and does
not facilitate generation of key, use a login name that
matches the form of the user name as it is stored in the
authentication database. Enter the User name and
Pasword that provided by the server.
- TLS: TLS requires that both user and authentication
server have certificates for mutual authentication. While
TLS is cryptographically strong, it requires that the cor
poration that deploys it maintain a certificate infrastruc
ture for all of its users
- Protected EAP: PEAP is a suitable protocol for perform-
ing secure authentications against Windows domains and
directory services.
24
>>> 4.5 Information
In the Information tab, you can get some information about the
manufacturer, hardware and software.
Your Wireless LAN adapter model
25
Networking Basics
This chapter describes how to prepare for connection to net-
work and some basic outline of networking basics, including
sharing files, printing from a computer on the network, or ac-
cessing the Internet on multiple computers with one connection.
>>> 5.1 Checking the Network Elements
The following elements are required for all computers if you
want to connect to a network:
- Client for Microsoft Network
- TCP/IP
- File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks
To check the required elements are installed in the system, you
can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click Start and choose Control Panel to open the
Control Panel window.
Double-click the Network Connection icon to open
the Network Connection window.
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon
and click Properties from the shortcut menu.
The Wireless Network Connection Properties
window appears to show the current network settings
of the system.
Your Wireless LAN adapter model
Check the required
elements from this field.
26
>>> 5.2 Computer Identification
Please verify that each computer has a unique name and common
workgroup name, if you had previously given your Windows
2000/XP computer’s name.
1. Right-click My Computer icon on your Windows
desktop, and click Properties from the shortcut menu.
Right-click
Select
2. The System Properties window appears; choose
Computer Name tab.
Enter some information for
reference.
Your computer’s name.
Your computer will belong to
this workgroup.
27
3. To rename the computer and join a workgroup/domain,
click Change.
4. The Computer Name Changes window appears as
below. Enter a Computer Name, select Workgroup
and enter the name of your workgroup. Please NOTE
that each computer’s name must be unique on a
particular network to avoid confusion.
Enter a name for your
computer (less than 15
characters without space.
Enter the name of the
workgroup.
5. Click OK to save changes.
28
>>> 5.3 Configuring a Dynamic/Fixed IP Address
When the drivers are installed, the default setting here is set to
obtain IP dynamically through a DHCP server. If you want to
change the settings, please follow the steps below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click Start and choose Control Panel to open the
Control Panel window.
Double-click the Network Connection icon to open
the Network Connection window.
Right-click the USB Wireless Network Adapter icon
and click Properties from the shortcut menu.
When the Wireless Network Connection Proper-
ties window appears, choose General tab and select
Internet Protocol [TCP/IP], and click Properties to
bring up the Internet Protocol [TCP/IP] Proper-
ties window.
Your Wireless LAN adapter model
Select this
Click
29
5.a To configure a dynamic IP address, check the Obtain
an IP Address Automatically option.
5.b To configure a fixed IP address, check the Use the
following IP address option. Then, enter an IP
address into the empty field. Suggested IP Address
Range is 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.253, and suggested
Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0.
Check this
5.a Configuring a dynamic IP address
Check this
Enter a fixed IP address
and Subnet Mask
5.b Configuring a fixed IP address
6.
Click OK to complete the configuration.
30
>>> 5.4 Checking TCP/IP Address
1.
2.
Go to Start -> Run....
Type cmd in the Open box and click OK.
Type cmd here.
3.
A DOS prompt window appears. Type ipconfig/all
and press [Enter] to display IP information.
Your Wireless LAN adapter model
Check the configuration of
IP Address, Subnet Mask,
and Default Gateway are
correct.
31
>>> 5.5 Checking Connection by Pinging
1.
2.
3.
Go to Start -> Run....
Type cmd in the Open box and click OK.
A DOS prompt window appears. Type ping 210.59.
147.160 (or any URL address), which is the IP address
of the Gateway in this case, and press [Enter].
You will get reply if the
pinging is successful.
32
>>> 5.6 Sharing Files
You may now open and save files on other computers once your
computers are connected together on a network. You will also be
able to specify particular folders or disk drives to share and even
password to protect them. Please verify that each computer has
a unique name and common workgroup name, if you had previ-
ously given your Windows® 2000/XP computers names. Fol-
low the steps below to share specific files and folders with other
computers on your network.
1.
2.
3.
On your Windows desktop, right-click My Network
Place icon and select Properties from the shortcut
menu.
You will configure your computers network settings
in this dialog. It is also available through the Network
icon in the Control Panel.
Click the File and Print Sharing option.
Your Wireless LAN adapter model
Click
33
4. Select the I want to be able to give others access to
my files option, and click OK.
Check this
Click
5.
Click OK in the Network dialog box.
6.
Provide the Windows Setup CD or direct the path
to the proper location of the installation files if
prompted. Then, reboot if prompted.
7.
Now you can identify a particular folder or disk drive
to share, which means you can share a folder that both
you and your family member/colleague needs to access
occasionally. You can also share your CD-ROM drive
for others to use if your other computers do not have
one. Both of these processes are the same. Only the
disk drives and folders that you specifically identify as
shared will be accessible to other computers on your
network.
8.
9.
Locate the disk drive or folder you want to share in
Windows Explore or My Computer icon on your
desktop.
Right-click the disk drive or folder and select Sharing.
34
10. Select the Share As option to set the parameters for
sharing this particular disk drive or folder.
Share Name
This is used to identify the disk drive or folder you are
sharing to other computers in the network, which can be
helpful as more resources in your network for others.
Comment
This field is optional, which can be used to further de-
scribe the disk drive or folder for others in the network.
Access Type
This option allows you to designate how much someone
else can do with this shared disk drive or folder. Setting
options are:
- Read-Only: only allows others to look at or open
the files in the disk drive or folder.
- Full: allows others to read, write, open, save, copy,
move, and even delete files.
- Depends on Password: gives other computers access
conditional on the password they provide.
35
Password
This option allows you to apply a level of security to
your shared disk drive and folder. Any other computer
(user) will be asked to enter the password you set here
before accessing the disk drive or folder. Two passwords
are used to give two levels of security (or access) to others
in the network using the Depends on Password setting.
Leaving the Password boxes empty will give everyone in
the network access to the disk drive or folder.
11. Click OK to continue. You will be prompted to type
the password(s) you provided for verification. Type
the password(s) just as you typed them again.
12. Now you may access this disk drive or folder from
another computer in your network. You may do so by
double-clicking the My Network Place icon on your
Windows desktop or inside Windows Explorer.
13. Navigate to the computer with the shared disk drive or
folder (recognized by the Computer Name you
provided), and double-click it. If you specified a
password when sharing this disk drive or folder, you
will be asked for the password.
14. You can access a disk drive of folder shared over the
network from most Windows 2000/XPapplications.
you can map these disk drives and folders to a drive
letter on another computer to make this process easier.
For example, on a computer where you are accessing a
shared folder from another computer, inside Windows
Explorer right-click and select the Map Network Drive
option. Now you are able to assign an available drive
letter. Checking the Reconnect at logon option
allows Windows to map this network drive each time
when you start your computer.
36
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