Airlink WLL013 User Manual
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card
User’s Manual
2003 All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission
of the seller.
Disclaimer
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The material contained herein is
supplied without representation or warranty of any kind. The seller therefore assumes no
responsibility and shall have no liability of any kind arising from the supply or use of this document
or the material contained herein.
Trademarks
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. GUI and Ethernet is a
registered trademark of Xeros Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the
property of their respective owners.
Date: January 2003
Part No. A150Rev03
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 1
Wireless LAN Basics ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Local Area Network (LAN).................................................................................................................................................2
Wireless Network Topologies .............................................................................................................................................3
Infrastructure Network....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card........................................................................................................ 7
System Requirements ...........................................................................................................................................7
Wireless LAN Card Status LEDs............................................................................................................................ 8
The Antenna on the Wireless LAN Card (Only for Wireless LAN USB Card) .......................................................... 8
Software and Hardware Installation ....................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 3 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility............................................................................................................. 17
Accessing the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility.......................................................................................................... 17
Note to Windows XP Users...............................................................................................................................................18
Status.................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Basic Configuration for Ad Hoc Network ......................................................................................................................... 20
Basic Configuration for Infrastructure Network................................................................................................................22
I
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
Checking Link Quality (Infrastructure Mode Only)........................................................................................................... 24
Statistics ............................................................................................................................................................. 25
Site Survey.......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Encryption ........................................................................................................................................................... 28
Advanced............................................................................................................................................................ 31
Profiles................................................................................................................................................................33
Info......................................................................................................................................................................34
Chapter 4 Using Wireless Tray Icon Functions ................................................................................................ 35
Viewing Signal Strength and Speed..................................................................................................................... 35
Tray Icon Graphic Indication ................................................................................................................................36
Other Functions................................................................................................................................................... 38
Chapter 5 Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility ............................................................................ 41
Connecting to an Access Point or Wireless LAN Card.......................................................................................... 42
Viewing Wireless Connection Status.................................................................................................................... 44
Configuring Your Wireless Properties .................................................................................................................. 45
General ...........................................................................................................................................................................45
Wireless Networks............................................................................................................................................................46
To Access Certain Wireless Network Only ........................................................................................................................ 49
Authentication.................................................................................................................................................................. 50
Chapter 6 Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card ................................................................................................. 53
Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card Software.......................................................................................................53
Removing the Wireless LAN Card ....................................................................................................................... 55
II
Contents
Chapter 7 Updating the Device Driver ............................................................................................................... 57
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................ 59
Radio Interference............................................................................................................................................... 59
Card Not Detected............................................................................................................................................... 60
Cannot Connect to Another Wireless LAN Card................................................................................................... 60
Poor Link Quality................................................................................................................................................. 61
Cannot Connect to Access Point ......................................................................................................................... 61
Appendix A Limited Warranty............................................................................................................................ 63
Wireless LAN Hardware ...................................................................................................................................... 63
Wireless LAN Software........................................................................................................................................ 64
Appendix B Regulatory Compliance ................................................................................................................. 65
FCC Part 15 Declaration of Conformity (DoC)...................................................................................................... 65
FCC Rules and Regulations - Part 15 .................................................................................................................. 66
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement .................................................................................................................... 67
Appendix C Setting Up TCP/IP........................................................................................................................... 69
For Windows 98/ME ............................................................................................................................................ 69
For Windows 2000/XP .........................................................................................................................................71
Appendix D Specification .................................................................................................................................. 73
Software.............................................................................................................................................................. 73
III
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
Hardware ............................................................................................................................................................75
Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................81
IV
List of Figures
Contents
Figure 1-1 Ad-Hoc Mode................................................................................................................................. 3
Figure 1-2 Infrastructure Mode ........................................................................................................................ 4
Figure 1-3 Roaming Across Multiple Access Points ......................................................................................... 5
Figure 3-1 Ad-Hoc Mode Configuration ......................................................................................................... 21
Figure 3-2 Infrastructure Mode Configuration ................................................................................................ 23
Figure 3-3 Infrastructure Mode Link Status.................................................................................................... 24
Figure 3-4 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility – Statistics ....................................................................................... 25
Figure 3-5 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility – Site Survey.................................................................................... 27
Figure 3-6 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility – Encryption..................................................................................... 30
Figure 3-7 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility – Advanced...................................................................................... 32
Figure 3-8 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility – Profiles..........................................................................................33
Figure 3-9 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility – Info................................................................................................ 34
Figure 5-1 Windows XP Configuration Utility-Connect to Wireless Network.................................................... 43
Figure 5-2 Windows XP- Connection Status.................................................................................................. 44
Figure 5-3 Windows XP Connection Properties –General .............................................................................. 46
Figure 5-4 Windows XP Connection Properties-Wireless Networks ............................................................... 47
Figure 5-5 Windows XP-Add Preferred Networks .......................................................................................... 48
Figure 5-6 Windows XP Configuration Utility-Set up Network to Aceess ........................................................ 50
Figure 5-7 Windows XP Connection Properties -Authentication ..................................................................... 51
V
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
About This User’s Manual
This manual was written for two models:
!
PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card
!
USB Wireless LAN Card
For brevity, throughout this manual Wireless LAN Card is used to indicate both models.
Also, the following terms/abbreviations are used interchangeably:
!
Access Point-AP
!
Wireless LAN-WLAN
!
Ethernet network-LAN-network
This User’s Manual contains information on how to install and configure your Wireless LAN
Card. From now on, we will guide you through the correct configuration steps to get your
device up and run.
VI
Chapter 1 Introduction
This Wireless LAN Card is an IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN PCMCIA/USB adapter. It allows
your computer to connect to a wireless network and to share resources, such as files or printers
without being bound to the network wires. Operating in 2.4GHz Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) radio transmission, the Wireless LAN Card transfers data at speeds up to
11Mbps. Both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure mode are supported. For network security concern,
64/128-bit Wired Equivalent Protection (WEP) algorithm is used. In addition, its standard
compliance ensures that it can communicate with any 802.11b networks.
1
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
Wireless LAN Basics
This section conations some Wireless LAN basics to help you better understand how the
product work together to create a wireless network.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Simply put, a LAN is a network that exists in a relatively limited area. A network is two or
more computers connected together sharing files and peripheral devices such as printers.
The Wireless LAN Card allows you to interact with other computers without having to run
cables normally associated with networks. This lets you move your computer around while
staying connected to your network.
There are two ways to use the Wireless LAN Card. One way is to connect directly to one or
more Wireless LAN Card equipped computers, forming an Ad Hoc wireless network. The
second way is to connect to an Access Point that gives you access to an existing wired LAN,
forming an Infrastructure wireless network.
2
Chapter 1 Introduction
Wireless Network Topologies
The 802.11 standard defines two wireless modes: Infrastructure mode and Ad Hoc mode.
Ad Hoc Network
An Ad Hoc network offers peer to peer connections between wireless stations that are in range
of each other. The stations communicate directly with each other without using an Access
Point or any connection to a wired network. This mode is useful for quickly and easily setting
up a wireless network anywhere that a wireless infrastructure does not exist or is not required
for services. In an Ad Hoc network, all wireless stations must have the same SSID, channel
and WEP keys (if enabled) to communicate with each other.
Figure 1-1 Ad-Hoc Mode
3
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
Infrastructure Network
An Infrastructure wireless network consists of at least one Access Point connected to the
wired network infrastructure and a set of wireless end stations. The AP acts as a gateway,
linking the wireless network to a wired LAN. As a result, wireless stations have access to all
of the features of your wired LAN including e-mail, Internet, network printers and files server
access.
Figure 1-2 Infrastructure Mode
4
Chapter 1 Introduction
Roaming Between Multiple Access Points
For large environments, multiple Access Points can be implemented to extend the wireless
service coverage area for seamless wireless access. It allows wireless clients to roam from one
AP to another while maintaining the wireless connectivity at all times. A wireless client
wandering across multiple APs will automatically change the operating radio frequency as
required.
In a roaming network, all APs and wireless clients must have the same Service Set Identity
(SSID) and security setting (if enabled). Alternatively the mobile station may use an SSID of
“any” to associate with any available AP, regardless of the AP’s SSID. Roaming among
different Access Points is controlled automatically to maintain the wireless connectivity at all
times.
Figure 1-3 Roaming Across Multiple Access Points
5
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card
This chapter describes the installation process for the driver and software for the Wireless
LAN Card. Proper driver installation is to allow the device to operate on your host computer
while the utility software, Wireless Client Manager, is to help you configure and monitor your
Wireless LAN Card.
System Requirements
To use the Wireless LAN Card, your computer must meet the following minimum
requirements:
!
Windows 98(SE)/Me/2000/XP
!
32 MB of RAM, additional memory recommended
!
Standard PCMCIA slot/USB port
!
UL listed I.T.E. computers.
7
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
f
Wireless LAN Card Status LEDs
The two LEDs on the Wireless LAN Card indicate connection status and data transfer
operation status described as below:
LED Color State Description
Power Red On The adapter is plugged into the PCMCIA slot/USB port o
Activity Green Blinking Transmission mode. The faster the LED blinks, the higher
The Antenna on the Wireless LAN Card (Only for Wireless LAN USB Card)
The USB adapter comes with one powerful antenna. You can
rotate the antenna from 0 to 180 degrees to adjust its range and
the connection quality.
Caution: Do not rotate the antenna more than 180 degrees,
otherwise permanent damage may be caused.
your computer.
the data exchange rate.
8
Software and Hardware Installation
Caution: Do not connect the Wireless LAN Card device to your computer before installing its
software. If this happens, the Windows PnP function will detect the PCMCIA/USB device and
issue a dialog box requesting its driver. Click Cancel to quit the wizard and unplug the
Wireless LAN Card.
Follow these steps to install the Wireless LAN Card:
1. Close all Windows programs that are running.
2. Insert the provided Software Utility CD into your CD-ROM drive and select
Utility&Driver. Or, run Setup.exe from D:\Utility&Driver folder of the Software
Utility CD where D is the drive letter. When the welcome screen pops up, click Next.
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card
9
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
3. When the License Agreement screen appears, click Yes.
4. For quick installation, select Typical and click Next. Then skip to step 11.
For custom installation (to select the parameters that you would like to use), select
Custom and click Next to go to next step.
10
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card
5. To install the software to the default destination folder, click Next. If you are to install
the software to a different folder, click Browse to select another folder, and then click
Next.
6. If required, you may type a new folder name for the program icons to be added to the
Program Folder. Then click Next to continue.
11
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
7. Select the network type you prefer and then click Next.
8. Enter the SSID of the wireless network you wish to connect to. Then click Next.
12
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card
9. This step is for Ad Hoc network type only. For Ad Hoc mode network, specify a channel
number for the Wireless LAN Card.
10. If the settings listed are correct, click Next. Otherwise, click Back to modify your
settings.
13
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
d
The power LED on the Wireless
AN Card will light when the
ireless LAN Card is connecte
o your computer.
11. Later, the following screen will pop up to ask you to insert your wireless card into the
PCMCIA slot / USB port of your computer. Please do as the dialog request.
12. Subject to your Windows OS, the following situation may occur:
For Windows 98(SE)
You will be prompted for Windows 98 CD. Click OK. Then enter the path to your
Windows 98(SE) CD (if Windows 98 CD files are not in you host computer, you need to
insert the CD into your CD-ROM at this step) and click OK.
For Windows 2000
If you are prompted with the Digital Signature not Found alarm message, just click Yes
to continue with the installation.
For Windows XP
a. Upon hardware detection, Windows OS will pop up a dialog requesting for driver.
Select Install the software automatically and click Next.
b. If Windows logo compatibility message appears, click Continue Anyway to
proceed with the installation.
c. Click Finish.
14
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card
13. Click Finish to complete the installation.
Now you are done with the installation procedure. Proceed to next chapter to configure or
fine-tune your Wireless LAN Card settings.
Note: If you need to set up the TCP/IP properties of your Wireless LAN Card, refer to
“Appendix C Setting Up TCP/IP” for details.
15
Chapter 3 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility
The configuration of the Wireless LAN Card is done through the Wireless LAN Monitor
Utility. This utility also includes a number of tools to display current statistics and status
information pertaining to your Wireless LAN Card. See the appropriate subsection as
required.
Accessing the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility
The Wireless LAN Monitor Utility is launched automatically with its icon located on the
system tray. If the utility is not launched, manually start the monitor by selecting Start >
Programs > IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN > IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN Utility. You can
access the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility by any of the following methods:
!
Double-click the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility tray icon on the system tray
17
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
!
Note to Windows XP Users
Under Windows XP, if you are launching the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility for the first time,
you will find that you are only allowed to view the statistics and version information.
Configuration fields and buttons are dimmed. This is because that the Windows XP built-in
Wireless Zero Configuration Utility overrides the management of the Wireless LAN
Monitor Utility.
If you want to disable the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility and have your
device managed by the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility, proceed as follows:
1. Double-click the Windows XP wireless tray icon and then click Advanced (or
Right-click the tray icon and select Settings from the context menu.
Properties) > Wireless Networks.
Windows XP wireless icon
Manufacturer’s wireless utility tray icon
18
Status
Chapter 3 Wireless LAN Monitor Utility
2. On the Wireless Networks tab, uncheck the Use Windows to configure my wireless
network settings box and click OK.
If you need to revert back to using Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility, just
go to the Wireless Networks tab and check the Use Windows to configure my wireless
network settings box and click OK.
The Status tab displays the current status of your Wireless LAN Card. It also allows you to
re-configure the Wireless LAN Card setting. Even though you might have configured the
settings during the driver and utility installation, it is possible that you want to change your
operating mode between Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc mode and fine-tune other settings.
You can connect your computer to a network in one of the following two ways. Refer to
sequential sections for configuration:
Ad Hoc
Infrastructure
Connecting to other Wireless LAN Card equipped computers, forming a
wireless network.
Connecting to a wired/wireless network through an Access Point.
19
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User Manual
Basic Configuration for Ad Hoc Network
1. In the taskbar, double-click the Wireless LAN Monitor Utility icon to display the
2. Click the Status tab and then click Change to make the setting items configurable.
3. From the Operating Mode list, select Ad-Hoc.
4. From the Channel list, select the channel number which you want to use.
5. In the SSID field, type the Service Set ID (SSID) of the Wireless LAN group. A network
6. From the Tx Rate list, select the transmit rate to use. If Auto is selected, the wireless
7. From the Radio list, select On to enable the radio signal.
8. Click Submit.
9. Click Exit if you wish to exit the utility.
Wireless LAN Monitor Utility dialog box. Make sure to select the desired profile from
the Current Profile list.
name is mandatory for Ad Hoc mode. All wireless clients must use the same SSID in
order to communicate with each other.
adapter will adaptively adjust its data rate from 11 Mbps to 5.5, 2 or 1 Mbps as the signal
strength warrants.
20
If WEP encryption is enabled in the Ad Hoc network you are going to connect to, proceed to
configure the Encryption tab as described in the “Encryption” section.
Loading...