Atheros AR5BMB6 User Manual

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Atheros Client

Utility Help

Model AR5BMB6 (802.11a/b/g radio)

PRELIMINARY

Introduction

• System Requirements

Profile Management

• Create or Modify a Profile

• Remove a Profile

• Profile Auto Selection

• Switch Profiles

• Configure TCP/IP

• Configuring Win XP

Security

• EAP-TLS

• EAP-TTLS

• PEAP (EAP-GTC)

• PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2)

• LEAP

• WPA Passphrase

Check Status or Diagnostics

• Check Current Status

• Check Driver Information

• Check Statistics

Connect to Another Network

Settings

• Signal Strength Display

• Data Display

• Display Refresh Interval

Tools

• Tray Icon

• Troubleshooting Utility

• Enable/ Disable the Radio

Compliance

Introduction

The Atheros Client Utility (ACU) is a user-mode utility designed to edit and add configuration profiles, as well as display diagnostics pertaining to a selected Atheros network interface card (wireless adapter).

System Requirements

• Laptop/ PC containing:

• 32-bit CardBus slot (or Desktop PC with PC Card-PCI adapter)

• Mini PCI

• 32 MB memory or greater

• 300 MHz processor or higher

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PRELIMINARY

Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows XP, or Windows NT 4.0 (with Service Pack 6)

Profile Management

Configure the wireless network adapter (wireless card) from the Profile Management tab of the Atheros Client Utility.

• Add a profile

• Edit a profile

• Import a Profile

• Export a Profile

The wireless network adapter works in either infrastructure mode (which uses an access point) or

ad hoc mode

(a group of stations participating in the wireless LAN).

• Order profiles

• Switch to a different profile

• Remove a profile

• Connect to a Different

Network

Create or Modify a Configuration Profile

To add a new configuration profile, click New on the Profile Management tab. To modify a configuration profile, select the configuration from the Profile list and click the Modify button.

The Profile Management dialog box displays the General tab

Profile Management:

• Edit the General tab.

• Edit the Security tab.

• Edit the Advanced tab.

To configure a profile for ad hoc or access point (infrastructure) mode, edit the Network Type field on the Advanced tab.

Remove a Configuration Profile

1. Go to the Profile Management tab.

Select the profile to remove from the list of configuration profiles.

Click the Remove button.

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Auto Profile Selection Management

Including a profile in the auto selection feature allows the wireless adapter to automatically select that profile from the list of profiles and use it to connect to the network.

Including a profile in auto profile selection:

On the Profile Management tab, click the Order Profiles button.

The Auto Profile Selection Management window appears, with a list of all created profiles

in the Available Profiles box.

Highlight the profiles to add to auto profile selection, then click Add. The profiles appear

in the Auto Selected Profiles box.

Ordering the auto selected profiles:

1. Highlight a profile in the Auto Selected Profiles box.

Click Move Up or Move Down as appropriate.

The first profile in the Auto Selected Profiles box has highest priority, and the last profile has lowest priority.

Click OK.

Check the Auto Select Profiles box.

Save the modified configuration file.

When auto profile selection is enabled by checking Auto Select Profiles on the Profile Management tab, the client adapter scans for an available network. The profile with the highest priority and the same SSID as one of the found networks is the one that is used to connect to the network. If the connection fails, the client adapter tries the next highest priority profile that matches the SSID, and so on.

With auto profile selection enabled, the wireless adapter scans for available networks. The highest priority profile with the same SSID as a found network is used to connect to the network. On a failed connection, the client adapter tries with the next highest priority profile.

Switching to a different configuration profile

1. To switch to a different profile, go to the Profile Management tab.

Click on the profile name in the Profile List.

Click the Activate button.

The Profile List provides icons that specify the operational state for that profile. The list also provides icons that specify the signal strength

See also:

• Configure a Profile for Ad Hoc Mode

• Configure a Profile for Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode

Identifies the configuration profile. This name must be unique. Profile names are not case sensitive.

Identifies the client machine.

The IEEE 802.11 wireless network name. This field has a maximum limit of 32 characters.

Configure up to three SSIDs (SSID1, SSID2, and SSID3).

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PRELIMINARY

Advanced Tab

In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Advanced tab by clicking New or Modify on the Profile Management tab, then clicking the Advanced tab in Profile Management. of Profile Management to configure the profile.

Also edit the General and Security tabs.

Edit the Advanced tab

Transmit Power

Level

Power Save

Mode

Network Type

802.11b

Preamble

Wireless Mode

when Starting an

Ad Hoc

Network

Selects the transmit power level for 80211b/g or 802.11a in mW. Actual transmit power may be limited by regulatory domain or hardware limitations.

Specify:

• Maximum mode causes the access point to buffer incoming

messages for the wireless adapter. The adapter up periodically polls the access point to see if any messages are waiting.

• Normal uses maximum when retrieving a large number of packets,

then switches back to power save mode after retrieving the packets.

• Off turns power saving off, thus powering up the wireless adapter

continuously for a short message response time.

Specifies the network as either infrastructure (access point mode) or ad hoc.

Specifies the preamble setting in 802.11b. The default setting is Short &

Long (AP mode), which allows both short and long headers in the 802.11b

frames. The adapter can only use short radio headers if the access point supports and uses them. Set to Long Only to override allowing short frames.

Specifies 5GHz 54 Mbps, 2.4 GHz 54 Mbps, 2.4 GHz 11 Mbps, or Super A/G operation in an access point network. the wireless mode of the access point it associates to.

Specifies 5GHz 54 Mbps, 5GHz 108 Mbps, or 2.4 GHz 54/11 Mbps to start an ad hoc available modes.

network if no matching network name is found after scanning all

The wireless adapter must match

This mode also allows selection of the channel the wireless adapter uses. The channels available depend on the regulatory domain. If the adapter finds no other ad hoc adapters, this selection specifies the which channel with the adapter starts the ad hoc network with.

The wireless adapter must match the wireless mode and channel of the clients it associates to.

802.11a

Authentication

Mode

For infrastructure (access point) networks, click the Preferred APs button to specify up to four access points to which the client adapter should attempt to associate.

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Select the mode the wireless adapter uses to authenticate to an AP:

• Auto causes the adapter to attempt authentication using shared, but

switches it to open authentication if shared fails.

• Open enables an adapter to attempt authentication regardless of its

WEP settings. It will only associate with the access point if the WEP keys on both the adapter and the access point match.

• Shared only allows the adapter to associate with access points that

have the same WEP key.

PRELIMINARY

Security Tab

In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab by clicking New or Modify on the Profile Management tab. Click the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

Edit the fields in the Security tab of Profile Management to configure the profile. To define the security mode, select the radio button of the desired security mode. Make sure to also edit the

General

and Advanced tabs.

Enables the use of Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). Choosing WPA

WPA

opens the WPA EAP drop-down menu. The options include:

Enables WPA Passphrase security. Click on the Configure button and

WPA

Passphrase

fill in the WPA Passphrase.

• EAP-TLS

• EAP-TTLS

• PEAP (EAP-GTC)

• PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2)

• LEAP

802.1x

Pre-Shared Key

(Static WEP)

Enables 802.1x security. This option requires IT administration.

Choosing 802.1x opens the 802.1x EAP type drop-down menu. The options include:

• EAP-TLS

• EAP-TTLS

• PEAP (EAP-GTC)

• PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2)

• LEAP

If the access point that the wireless adapter is associating to has WEP set to Optional and the client has WEP enabled, make sure that Allow

Association to Mixed Cells is checked on the Security Tab

association.

Enables the use of pre-shared keys that are defined on both the access point and the station.

To define pre-shared encryption keys, choose the Pre-Shared Key radio button and click the Configure button to fill in the Define Pre-Shared

Keys window.

to allow

If the access point that the wireless adapter is associating to has WEP set to Optional and the client has WEP enabled, make sure that Allow

Association to Mixed Cells is checked on the Security Tab

association.

None

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No security (not recommended).

to allow

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Using EAP-TLS Security

To use EAP-TLS security In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

1. On the Security tab, choose the WPA radio button.

OR: On the Security tab, choose the 802.1x radio button.

2. Choose EAP-TLS from the drop-down menu.

Enabling EAP-TLS security:

To use EAP-TLS security, the machine must already have the EAP-TLS certificates downloaded onto it. Check with the IT manager.

If EAP-TLS is supported, choose EAP-TLS from the drop-down menu on the right, then

click the Configure button.

Select the appropriate certificate authority from the list. The server/domain name and the

3. Click OK.

Activate the profile.

Using EAP-TTLS Security

To use EAP security In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

1. On the Security tab, choose the WPA radio button.

OR: On the Security tab, choose the 802.1x radio button.

Choose EAP-TTLS from the drop-down menu.

Enabling EAP-TTLS security:

To use EAP-TTLS security, the machine must already have the EAP-TTLS certificates downloaded onto it. Check with the IT manager.

1. If EAP-TTLS is supported, choose EAP-TTLS from the drop-down menu on the right,

then click the Configure button.

Select the appropriate certificate from the drop-down list and click OK.

Specify a user name for EAP authentication:

o Check Use Windows User Name to use the Windows user name as the

EAP user name.

o OR: Enter a EAP user name in the User Name field to use a separate

user name and password and start the EAP authentication process.

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4. Click Advanced and:

o Leave the server name field blank for the client to accept a certificate

from any server with a certificate signed by the authority listed in the

Click OK.

Enable the profile.

Network Certificate Authority drop-down list. (recommended)

o Enter the domain name of the server from which the client will accept a

certificate.

o Change the login name if needed.

Using PEAP-GTC Security

To use PEAP-GTC security In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

On the Security tab, choose the WPA radio button. OR: On the Security tab, choose the 802.1x radio button.

Choose PEAP (EAP-GTC) from the drop-down menu.

To use PEAP (EAP-GTC) security, the server must have WPA-PEAP certificates, and the

server properties must already be set. Check with the IT manager.

Click the Configure button.

Select the appropriate network certificate authority from the drop-down list.

Specify a user name for inner PEAP tunnel authentication:

o Check Use Windows User Name to use the Windows user name as the

PEAP user name.

o OR: Enter a PEAP user name in the User Name field to use a separate

user name and start the PEAP authentication process.

Choose Token or Static Password, depending on the user database.

Note that Token uses a hardware token device or the Secure Computing SofToken program (version 1.3 or later) to obtain and enter a one-time password during authentication.

Click Advanced and:

o Leave the server name field blank for the client to accept a certificate

from any server with a certificate signed by the authority listed in the Network Certificate Authority drop-down list. (recommended)

o Enter the domain name of the server from which the client will accept a

certificate.

The login name used for PEAP tunnel authentication, fills in automatically as PEAPxxxxxxxxxxxx, where xxxxxxxxxxxx is the computer's MAC address. Change the login name if needed.

Click OK.

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7. Enable the profile.

Using PEAP-MSCHAP V2 Security

To use PEAP-MSCHAP V2 security In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

1. On the Security tab, choose the WPA radio button.

OR: On the Security tab, choose the 802.1x radio button.

Choose PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2) from the drop-down menu.

To use PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2) security, the server must have WPA-PEAP certificates, and

the server properties must already be set. Check with the IT manager.

Click the Configure button.

Select the appropriate certificate from the drop-down list.

Specify a user name for inner PEAP tunnel authentication:

o Check Use Windows User Name to use the Windows user name as the

o OR: Enter a PEAP user name in the User Name field to use a separate

PEAP user name.

user name and start the PEAP authentication process.

4. Click Advanced and:

o Leave the server name field blank for the client to accept a certificate

from any server with a certificate signed by the authority listed in the Network Certificate Authority drop-down list. (recommended)

o Enter the domain name of the server from which the client will accept a

certificate.

o The login name used for PEAP tunnel authentication, fills in

automatically as PEAP-xxxxxxxxxxxx, where xxxxxxxxxxxx is the computer's MAC address. Change the login name if needed.

Click OK.

Enable the profile.

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PRELIMINARY

Using LEAP Security

To use security In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

LEAP security requires that all infrastructure devices (e.g. access points and servers) are configured for LEAP authentication. Check with the IT manager.

Configuring LEAP:

• Configuring LEAP

• Enabling LEAP

• On the Security tab, choose the WPA radio button. Choose WPA-LEAP from the drop-

down menu.

• OR: On the Security tab, choose the 802.1x radio button. Choose LEAP from the drop-

down menu.

Click the Configure button.

Specify a user name and password:

Select to Use Temporary User Name and Password by choosing the radio button:

o Check Use Windows User Name to use the Windows user name as the

LEAP user name.

o OR: Check Manually Prompt for LEAP User Name and Password to

manually login and start the LEAP authentication process.

Select to Use Saved User Name and Password by choosing the radio button:

o Specify the LEAP user name, password, and domain to save and use.

3. Enter the user name and password.

Confirm the password.

Specify a domain name:

o Check the Include Windows Logon Domain with User Name setting to pass the

Windows login domain and user name to the RADIUS server. (default)

o OR: Enter a specific domain name.

If desired, check No Network Connection Unless User Is Logged In to force the wireless

adapter to disassociate after logging off.

Enter the LEAP authentication timeout time (between 30 and 500 seconds) to specify

how long LEAP should wait before declaring authentication failed, and sending an error message. The default is 90 seconds.

Click OK.

Enable the profile.

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Pre-Shared Encryption Keys

Defining pre-shared encryption keys:

Click the Define Pre-Shared Keys radio button on the Security tab.

Click on Configure.

3. Fill in the fields in the Define Pre-Shared Keys dialog box:

Key Entry

Encryption

Keys

WEP Keys (1-

WEP Key

Determines the entry method for an encryption key: hexadecimal (0-9, AF), or ASCII text (all keyboard characters except spaces).

Selects the default encryption keys used. Only allows the selection for a shared First, Second, Third, or Fourth key whose corresponding field has been completed.

Defines a set of shared encryption keys for network configuration security. At least one Shared Key field must be populated to enable security using

a shared key. encryption key.

Defines the size for each encryption key. The options include:

Size

−

64-bit (enter 10 digits for hexadecimal, 5 ASCII characters)

Click on the radio button to set the key as the default

− 128-bit (enter 26 digits for hexadecimal, 13 digits for ASCII)

−

152-bit (enter 32 digits hexadecimal, 16 digits for ASCII)

4. Click OK for the changes to take effect.

Overwriting an Existing Static WEP Key

1. Click the Define Pre-Shared Keys radio button on the Security tab.

Click on Configure.

In the window, all existing static WEP keys are displayed as asterisks for security

reasons. Click in the field of the existing static WEP key to overwrite.

Delete the asterisks in that field.

Enter a new key.

Make sure to select the Transmit Key button to the left of this key is selected for the key

to transmit packets.

Click OK.

Disabling Static WEP

• To disable static WEP for a particular profile, choose None on the Profile Management tab and click OK.

• OR: Select any other security option on the Profile Management tab to automatically disable static WEP.

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Using WPA Passphrase Security

To use WPA Passphrase security In the Atheros Client Utility, access the Security tab in the Profile Management window.

On the Security tab, choose the WPA Passphrase radio button.

Click on the Configure button.

Fill in the WPA Passphrase.

Click OK.

Zero Configuration

This section describes the operation of the Atheros Client Utility (ACU) and Windows XP Wireless Configuration Service (WZCS).

Wireless Network Configuration

The Windows WZCS is an NT service that manages the wireless connection in a largely dynamic way. Only minimal connection information must be identified and configured.

To set Zero Configuration on Windows XP, take the following steps:

In Windows XP, open the Wireless Network Configuration Properties dialog box.

Select the check box “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” to set

Zero Configuration.

When this check box is selected, Windows XP takes control of these settings for all configuration profiles:

The Zero Configuration settings override all configuration profiles, even when you select other options. However, the ACU does still control the following settings when Zero Configuration is set:

• SSID

• Security keys

• Ad hoc settings

• Power settings

• Active/Passive scanning (where applicable)

• Transmit power

• Wireless band

• Short/Long preamble (802.11b)

When Zero Configuration is in use, a pop-up message is displayed on the ACU when you attempt to create or edit a configuration profile from the Station Configuration tab of the ACU.

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To turn Zero Configuration off on Windows XP, take the following steps:

1. In Windows XP, open the Wireless Network Configuration Properties dialog box.

2. Clear the check box “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” to set Zero Configuration.

When this check box is cleared, all profile settings are controlled by the configuration profile, which is set up from the Station Configuration tab of the ACU.

Check the Status Information or Diagnostics

The Atheros client utility includes a number of tools to display current diagnostics and status information.

• Check current status

• Check driver information

• Check receive and transmit diagnostics

Current Status

The Current Status tab contains general information about the program and its operations. The Current Status tab does not require any configuration.

The following table describes the items found on the Current Status screen.

Profile Name

Link Status

Wireless Mode

IP Address

Network Type

The name of the current selected configuration profile. Set up the configuration name on the General tab

Shows whether the station is associated to the wireless network.

Displays the wireless mode. Configure the wireless mode on the

Advanced tab.

Displays the computer's IP address.

The type of network the station is connected to. The options include:

• Infrastructure

• Ad Hoc

(access point)

Configure the network type on the Advanced tab.

Current Channel

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Shows the currently connected channel.

PRELIMINARY

Server Based

Authentication

Data Encryption

Signal Strength

Click the Advanced button to see the advanced status diagnostics.

Shows whether server based authentication is used.

Displays the encryption type the driver is using. Configure the encryption type on the Security tab

Shows the strength of the signal.

Adapter Information Button

The Adapter Information button contains general information about the network interface card (the wireless network adapter) and the network driver interface specification (NDIS) driver. Access the adapter information from the Diagnostics tab

Card Name

MAC Address

Driver

Driver Version

The name of the wireless network adapter.

The MAC address of the wireless network adapter.

The driver name and path of the wireless network adapter driver.

The version of the wireless network adapter driver.

Driver Date

Client Name

The creation date of the wireless network adapter driver.

The name of the client computer.

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Diagnostics Tab

The Diagnostics tab of the Atheros Client Utility provides buttons used to retrieve receive and transmit statistics. The Diagnostics tab does not require any configuration.

The Diagnostics tab lists the following receive and transmit diagnostics for frames received by or transmitted by the wireless network adapter:

• Multicast frames transmitted and received

• Broadcast frames transmitted and received

• Unicast frames transmitted and received

• Total bytes transmitted and received

Click the Adapter Information button for more general information about the the wireless network adapter and the network driver interface specification (NDIS) driver.

Click the Advanced Statistics button on the Diagnostics tab to also show receive and transmit statistical information for the following receive and transmit diagnostics for frames received by or transmitted to the wireless network adapter:

Transmitted Frames

• Frames transmitted OK

• Frames retried

• Frames dropped

• NoACK frames

• ACK frames

• RTS Frames

• Clear-to-send (CTS)

Frames

• No CTS frames

• Retried RTS frames

• Retried data frames

Received Frames

• Frames received OK

• Beacons

• Frames with errors

• CRC errors

• Encryption errors

• Duplicate frames

• AP mismatches

• Data rate mismatches

• Authentication time-out

• Authentication rejects: the number of AP

authentication failures received by the wireless network adapter

• Association time-out

• Association rejects: the number of access

point authentication rejects received by the wireless network adapter

• Standard MIC OK

• Standard MIC errors

• CKIP MIC OK

• CKIP MIC errors

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Scan Available Networks

Click the Scan button on the Profile Management tab to scan for available infrastructure and ad hoc networks. On this list, click Refresh to refresh the list at any time.

Connecting to a different network

• Highlight a network name and click the Activate button to connect an available network. If no configuration profile exists for that network, the Profile Management window opens to the General tab. Fill in the profile name and click OK to create the configuration profile

for that network.

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Display Settings

To change the display settings, choose Options > Display Settings from the menu.

The display settings dialog box contains tools to set the:

Signal Strength Display

Units

Refresh Interval

Data Display

Sets the units used when displaying signal strength: percentage (%) or dBm.

Use the up/down arrows to set the display refresh interval in seconds.

Sets the display to cumulative or relative:

• Relative displays the change in statistical

data since the last update.

• Cumulative displays statistical data collected

since opening the profile.

ACU Tools

Use the Action menu to access the Atheros Client Utility tools:

Enable/Disable Radio

Enable/Disable Tray Icon

Troubleshooting

Manual LEAP Login

Enable or disable the RF Signal on all Atheros

station reference designs.

Enable or disable the tray icon.

Run the optional Troubleshooting Utility.

prompt for user name and password on each login.

Reauthenticate

Reauthenticate to a LEAP-configured access point.

Exit the Atheros Client Utility application.

Exit

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Tray Icon

The tray icon appears at the bottom of the screen, and shows the signal strength using colors and the received signal strength indication (RSSI

Hold the mouse cursor over the tray icon to display the current configuration profile name and association, as well as transmit and receive speed and the wireless adapter name.

Right-click on the tray icon to:

Help

Open Atheros Client Utility

Troubleshooting

Preferences

Enable/Disable Radio

Manual LEAP Login

Reauthenticate

Select Profile

Show Connection Status

Open the online help.

Launch the Atheros Client Utility (ACU). Use the ACU to

configure the profile information.

Run the Troubleshooting Utility.

Set the startup options and menu options for the ACU. Check whether the program should start automatically when Windows starts, and check the menu items that should appear on the popup menu.

Enable or disable the RF Signal.

for user name and password on each login.

Reauthenticate to the access point.

Click a configuration profile name to switch to it. If no configuration profile exists for a connection, add first.

Display the Connection Status window. This window displays information about the connection:

Active Profile

or view status and statistics

a profile

Displays the name of the active

configuration profile.

Auto Profile Selection

Connection Status

Link Quality

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Shows whether auto profile selection is enabled.

Displays whether the adapter is connected to a wireless network.

Lists the quality of the link connection.

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Exit

The colors are defined as follows:

Color Quality RSSI*

Green Excellent 20 dB +

Green Good 10-20 dB +

Yellow Poor 5-10 dB

SSID

Access Point Name

Access Point IP Address

Link Speed

Client Adapter IP Address

Exit the Atheros Client Utility application.

Displays the SSID of the associated network.

Shows the name of the access point the wireless adapter is connected to.

Shows the IP address of the access point the wireless adapter is connected to.

Lists the speed of the link connection.

Displays the IP address of the wireless adapter.

Red Poor < 5 dB

Gray No Connection No Connection

*Received signal strength indication RSSI. Displayed in dB or percentage.

Enable or disable the tray icon in the Action menu.

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Troubleshooting Utility

The Troubleshooting Utility is an optional utility that identifies and resolves wireless adapter configuration and association problems when the adapter is in access point (infrastructure) mode.

This utility is available only in Mini PCI solutions.

To run the Troubleshooting Utility:

Click Run Test to run the troubleshooting utility tests:

• From the Diagnostics tab, click the Troubleshooting button to run the Troubleshooting Utility.

• OR: Select Action > Troubleshooting from the action menu.

• Driver Installation

• Card Insertion

• Card Enable

• Radio

• Association

• Authentication

• Network

The utility posts the test results as:

• Test passed: Successful test completion

• Test failed: The test failed because the wireless adapter is not configured improperly to

associate to an access point

• Test bypassed: The test was not required for the active profile

To view a report of the tests, click View Report.

• To save the report, click Save Report and browse to the directory to save the report to.

Name the file and click Save.

• Click Start Test to re-run the troubleshooting utility.

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Ad Hoc Mode

In ad hoc mode, a wireless network adapter works within an independent basic service set (IBSS), as illustrated here. All stations communicate directly with other stations without using an access point (AP).

To connect to an ad hoc network, configure the profile for ad hoc mode

Ad Hoc Mode Profile Configuration

To configure a profile in ad hoc mode, change the Network Type in the Profile Management's

Advanced tab

• Network Name (on General Tab

• Transmit Power Level

• 802.11b Preamble

• Wireless Mode When Starting an Ad Hoc Network

Make sure to also edit the General

. For ad hoc mode, modify the settings:

)

(if using 802.11b)

and Security tabs.

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Infrastructure (Access Point) Mode

In infrastructure (access point (AP)) mode, the wireless network adapter participates in a basic service set (BSS) as a station, and communicates with the other stations through an AP, as illustrated here.

To connect to an access point network, configure the profile for access point mode.

Infrastructure (Access Point) Mode Profile Configuration

To configure a profile in infrastructure (access point) mode, change the Network Type in the

Advanced tab

• Transmit Power Level

• Power Save Mode

• 802.11b Preamble (if using 802.11b)

• Wireless Mode

• 802.11a Authentication Mode (if using 802.11a)

Make sure to also edit the General and Security tabs.

. For access point mode, modify the settings:

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Uninstall an Old Driver

Uninstall an old driver before upgrading to a new NDIS driver release.

To remove the newly installed driver from the system if the system does not have previously installed versions of the NDIS driver, proceed to Step 4

To remove the NDIS driver from the OS, go to Device Manager, right-click Atheros

Wireless Network Adapter, and choose Uninstall.

Click OK to uninstall the device.

When the device is uninstalled from Device Manager, search for and delete the driver

files that reside in the system.

Go to the Start menu and choose Search > For Files or Folders.

Enter oem*.inf in the Search for files or folders named: field, and enter

Atheros in the Containing text: field. Click Search Now.

A few files matching these criteria are possible, if previous drivers have

not been removed properly. Choose the files that have been found and delete them from the system.

To complete the uninstallation, remove the file ar5211.sys from the folder

\WINNT\system32\drivers.

Additional Security Features

These security features prevent attacks on a wireless network's WEP keys. The wireless adapter automatically supports each of these features, but these features must be enabled on the access point.

Message Integrity Check (MIC)

MIC prevents bit-flip attacks on encrypted packets. In a bit-flip attack, someone intercepts an encrypted message retransmits it after some alterations. Thus the receiver accepts the message as legitimate. The MIC adds some bytes to each packet to protect it against tampering.

Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)

This feature prevents attacks on WEP in which someone catches encrypted packets and uses their initialization vector (IV) to decipher the WEP key. TKIP removes the predictability to protect both unicast and broadcast WEP keys.

Broadcast Key Rotation

EAP authentication provides dynamic unicast WEP keys for wireless adapters, but uses static broadcast keys. In broadcast WEP key rotation, the access point supplies a dynamic broadcast WEP key and changes it at intervals.

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Advanced Status Information

Click the Advanced button on the Current Status tab of the Atheros Client Utility to see advanced information about the program and its operations. The Current Status tab does not require any configuration.

The following table describes the items found on the Advanced Status screen.

Network Name (SSID)

Server Based

Authentication

Data Encryption

Authentication Type

Message Integrity

Check

Associated AP Name

Associated AP IP

Address

Associated AP MAC

Address

Power Save Mode

Displays the wireless network name.

Configure the network name on the General tab.

Shows whether server based authentication is used.

Displays the encryption type the driver is using. Configure the encryption type on the Security tab

Displays the authentication mode.

Configure the authentication mode on the General tab.

Shows whether MIC is enabled. MIC prevents bit-flip attacks on encrypted packets.

Displays the name of the access point the wireless adapter is associated to.

Shows the IP address of the access point the wireless adapter is associated to.

Displays the MAC address of the access point the wireless adapter is associated to.

Shows the power save mode. Power management is disabled in ad hoc mode.

Configure the power save mode on the Advanced tab.

Current Power Level

Available Power

Levels

Current Signal

Strength

Current Noise Level

Up Time

802.11b Preamble

Current Receive Rate

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Displays the transmit power level rate in mW.

Configure the transmit power level on the Advanced tab.

Shows the 802.11a and/or 802.11b/g available power levels.

Shows the current signal strength in dBm.

Displays the current noise level in dBm.

Shows how long the client adapter has been receiving power (in hours:minutes:seconds). If the adapter runs for more than 24 hours, the display shows in days:hours:minutes:seconds.

Displays the 802.11b preamble format.

Configure the preamble format on the Advanced tab.

Shows the current receive rate in Mbps.

PRELIMINARY

Current Transmit

Channel

Frequency

Channel Set

Displays the current transmit rate in Mbps.

Rate

Shows the currently connected channel. Displays frequency the station is using.

Shows the current channel set.

Compliance

FCC Radio-Frequency Exposure Notice:

FCC ID#: PPD-AR5BMB6

This device generates and radiates radio-frequency energy. In order to comply with FCC radiofrequency radiation exposure guidelines for an uncontrolled environment, this equipment has to

be installed and operated while maintaining a minimum body to antenna distance of 20cm.

The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must not be co-located or

operated in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

This product does not contain any user serviceable components. Any unauthorized product changes or modifications will invalidate warranty and all applicable regulatory certifications and approvals. This product must be installed by a professional technician/installer

FCC Part 15 Notice (Applicable to Use Within the USA):

802.11a radio only: This product is for indoor use only when using channels 36, 40, 44, or 48 (5150–5250 MHz). 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 must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from the one which the receiver

is connected to.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

- The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications

Commission helpful: The Interference Handbook This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.

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PRELIMINARY

FCC OEM Labeling instructions:

OEM should add following label:

Contains FCC ID: PPD-AR5BMB6

Above should be clearly visible on products where AR5BMB6 modules are installed.

Industry Canada Notice (Applicable to Use Within Canada):

This device complies with Canadian RSS-210. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated

indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmitting

antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing. The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located or pointed such that it does not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from Health Canada’s web site www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb

Avis de Conformité à la Réglementation d’Industrie Canada:

Pour empêcher toute interférence aux services faisant l'objet d'une licence, cet appareil doit être utilisé à l'intérieur seulement et devrait être placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournir un écran de blindage maximal. L’installateur du présent matériel radio doit s’assurer que l’antenne est située ou pointée de manière à ce que cette dernière n’émette pas de champs radioélectriques supérieurs aux limites specifées par Santé Canada pour le grand public; consulter le Code de sécurité 6, disponible sur le site Web de Santé Canada, à l’adresse suivante: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb

European Community—CE Notice (802.11a Radio):

Marking by the symbol:

CE Mark with notified body number

CE mark with NB# indicates compliance with the essential requirements of Directive 73/23/EC and the essential requirements of articles 3.1(b), 3.2 and 3.3 of Directive 1999/5/EC. Such marking is indicative that this equipment meets or exceeds the following technical standards:

EN 301 893 - Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 5 GHz high performance RLAN; Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

EN 301 489-17—Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM); Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17: Specific conditions for 2.4 GHz wideband transmission systems and 5 GHz high performance RLAN equipment.

EN 60950—Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment.

Marking by the symbol:

Exclamation Mark !

Indicates that usage restrictions apply.

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PRELIMINARY

- This product is for indoor use only when using channels 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, or 64 (5150–5350 MHz).

- Turbo mode is not allowed in EC countries.

European Community—CE Notice (802.11b Radio)

Marking by the symbol:

CE Mark with exclamation mark

indicates compliance with the essential requirements of Directive 73/23/EC and the essential requirements of articles 3.1(b), 3.2 and 3.3 of Directive 1999/5/EC. Such marking is indicative that this equipment meets or exceeds the following technical standards:

- EN 300 328-2—Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Wideband Transmission systems; data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using spread spectrum modulation techniques

- EN 301 489-17—Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM); Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17: Specific conditions for 2.4 GHz wideband transmission systems and 5 GHz high performance RLAN equipment.

- EN 60950—Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment.

Marking by the symbol: Exclamation Mark indicates that usage restrictions apply.

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Atheros AR5BMB6 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual