Introduction

The dual band WNDA3100 USB Wireless LAN adapter from NETGEAR has the ability to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks. It features a multicolored LED, which lights up differently depending on its status, so we will know on what type of network we are connected, without checking up the software application.



I would like to thank NETGEAR for making this review possible of their WNDA3100 RANGEMAX DUAL BAND Wireless N USB 2.0 Adapter .



About NETGEAR:

”NETGEAR® (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs innovative, branded technology solutions that address the specific networking, storage, and security needs of small- to medium-sized businesses and home users. The company offers an end-to-end networking product portfolio to enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, multimedia content, and applications among multiple computers and other Internet-enabled devices. Products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR® products are sold in over 29,000 retail locations around the globe, and via more than 41,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR® is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available by visiting www.netgear.com or calling (408) 907-8000.”

Features:

Delivers consistent wireless connections using Dual Band Wireless-N
Provides enough bandwidth to support music downloads, file sharing and HD
multimedia applications
Works with all new Wireless-N Gateways, Routers and Access Points
Backward compatible with older Wireless-G hotspots
Designed for your notebook or desktop PC
Supports Windows® Vista and 7



Network solution




System Requirements

Desktop or notebook PC with Intel® Pentium® 300 MHz–compatible processor or higher
Available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 slot
Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ or XP

Standards

IEEE 802.11n draft specification, IEEE 802.11b, IEE 802.11g, 2.4 GHz

Wireless Speed

802.11b/g, 802.11a, 802.11n draft (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)

Physical Specifications

Dimensions (l x w x h): 94.5 x 30.2 x 15.2 mm (3.72 x 1.19 x .6 in)
Weight: 21.5 g (0.76 oz)

Ease of Use

Smart Wizard® simplifies setup and Touchless WiFi Security makes connecting to secure networks simple and fast

Security

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK)
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) 64-bit, 128-bit encryption for IEEE 802.11b
and IEEE 802.11g

Related Products

Rangemax Dual Band Wireless-N Router (WNDR3300
HD/Gaming 5 GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit (WNHDE111/WNHDEB111)
RangeMax Next Wireless-N Routers (WNR834B, WNR854T Gigabit version)
RangeMax Next Wireless-N Modem Router (DG834N)

Warranty

NETGEAR 2-year Warranty

Package Contents

RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter (WNDA3100)
Installation guide
Resource CD
Warranty/support information card

Packaging:

The WNDA3100 Wireless LAN adapter from NETGEAR comes in a fully sealed cardboard box:



On the frontal part of the product box, we can find the NETGEAR logo, the product full name, its code name, a product description and some icons which represent the supported technologies:



On one of the laterals, we can find most of the product specifications:



On the back of the box we can find the full list of product features, in 5 different languages and we are also presented with a network solution:



Inside the box, we can find the adapter with its bundle (on the left side), but also some documents inside a plastic transparent sealed bag:



Besides the adapter, we can find an installation CD, a USB extender cable, some papers concerning the warranty, a paper with a red “STOP” sign on it to attract attention that we have to accept the driver installation on Windows XP when we get the prompt and multiple manuals in different languages with the software installation procedure:



We can find another “STOP” sign, which acts as a seal to the plastic bag the Wireless N LAN adapter sits in, which warns us to run the installation CD and to install the drivers prior connecting it in a spare USB port:



The device does also have some protective transparent film on it, to avoid any external damages:



On one side of the product, we can see a writing which tells us it is a Wireless-N Dual Band adapter, along with some ventilation holes to prevent overheating:



On the other side, a embossed NETGEAR logo can be found, a multicolored LED and the same ventilation as on the opposite side:



On one lateral of the device, we are told that it is Made in China, its serial number and the MAC:



Finally, on the opposite side, we can find a sticker with the product code name, the FCC ID and some certifications:



Here is how the product does look with the protective cap removed:

Operating the device

If the adapter is plugged inside a spare USB port and there are no drivers present, the LED will stay lit purple:



After inserting the installation CD into the drive, we are prompted to execute the autorun.exe application:



The disk autorun shows up and we can choose to install the software, but also view the electronic installation guide, the user manual, access the web support or register the purchased product:



What I really liked about the software is that it has a Software Update utility which prompts us to check if there are any updates on the Internet for the driver or install the one present on the disk:



In case an update is found, the search results are shown and we can proceed to the new driver download:



After the driver and utility kit have been downloaded from the Internet, the software tells us where they have been saved, for a later use:



After the software installation is complete, we are prompted to insert the adapter in a spare USB port:



When running the utility for the first time, which has been installed along with the drivers, we can see that it has multiple tabs; in the Settings one, we can see the name of the connected adapter, a large NETGEAR logo, a place where we can select, save or delete profiles with different network configurations, the detected network name (SSID), a button to reveal some advanced settings, select the network type and modify the settings regarding security; on the bottom, we are informed that the adapter is in scan mode. When scan mode is activated, the LED on the device will cycle between orange and blue colors:






After the scan is complete, in the Networks tab, we can see the name of the detected networks, the channel, its security, the signal strength, the MAC address and the network type:



In the Statistics tab, the Transmit/Receive performance graph can be seen, along with the statistics in the right part:



In the About tab, we can see information regarding the driver version, the driver date, the adapter MAC address and the allocated IP address; here we can also see the version of the running utility and its build date:



After the network is selected from the ones detected in the “Networks” tab, when we come back to the Settings screen, we can type in the security key, if required:



In the same section, we can push the “Advanced Settings” button, for more tweaking:



When the connection to the network is done successfully, we can observe the status on the bottom of the window has changed, and we can see the name of the wireless network, the MAC of the router/access point to which the connection has been made, the allocated IP address, on which channel the adapter has connected, the speed and the signal level:

Test Setup

Wired Workstation
CPU	Core i7 920
Cooling	Stock
Mainboard	Foxconn BloodRage X58
Memory	PVT36G1600LLK tri channel kit
VGA	ATI RADEON 4770
Other	Sound card : ASUS Xonar D2 PCI Wireless router : TRENDnet TEW-691BR

For the client wireless tests I used an Asus X55SV Laptop. For testing the USB Wireless LAN adapter throughput, I have connected the server ( I7 PC ) to the router with a UTP wire and the client ( ASUS X55SV ) had installed the Wireless LAN adapter.

The application I have used to test the speeds was Performance Test 7.0, fully compatible with Windows 7.

Test Results

Summary graph for 2.4GHz



Detailed results


WNDA3100 to server via Wireless B/G, 2.4GHz


WNDA3100 to server via Wireless N, 2.4GHz

Summary graph for 5GHz



Detailed results


WNDA3100 to server via Wireless A, 5GHz


WNDA3100 to server via Wireless A/N, 5GHz

Conclusive thoughts

The installation of the product was very intuitive, both hardware and software; the manufacturer includes in the package enough documentation in different languages so anyone, no matter the experience can use the product. I found the automatic update very useful, so we won’t have to search on the website for newer software kits.

Prior to the software installation, I wanted to see if Windows 7 recognizes the hardware; it was a no go. It would have been a nice feature if we had the possibility to install the drivers only, without the utility, like TRENDnet does pack their drivers.

The multicolored LED is a nice feature: when drivers are not installed and the adapter is not recognized, we will have the LED light up purple; when a network search is performed, the LED will cycle through the orange and blue colors. After the adapter is connected and we have network activity, for 2.4GHz it will light up orange and for 5GHz it will be blue.

The adapter had decent performances in the performed tests, but we must keep in mind that the router we tested it on is made by TRENDnet, not NETGEAR. It is known that wireless equipment provide optimal performances when they are made by the same manufacturer. The WNDA3100 will be also tested in one of the future reviews also with a NETGEAR router.

At $50-80 this wireless upgrade doesn't come cheap. If you're able to invest in some nice UTP cabling that would definitely prove superior, if however you require a faster wireless connection and your PC doesn't support the latest N standard, this adapter can give you that extra speed boost at a premium price.



I would like to thank again to NETGEAR for making this review possible!