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© Copyright 2004. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com
JUNE 2004
LW6001A
Pure Networking 802.11g
Wireless PCI Adapter
1
FCC AND IC RFI STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
and INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
Class B Digital Device. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular 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. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
telephone reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one 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 that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
To meet FCC requirements, shielded cables and power cords are required to
connect this device to a personal computer or other Class B certified device.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emission from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
2
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This equipment complies with the requirements of the European EMC Directive
89/336/EEC.
3
NOM STATEMENT
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de
que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.
4
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del
aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su
desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.
5
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Windows is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries.
NetWare is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the
trademark owners.
6
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4. Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.1 Site Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.2 Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.2.1 Configure the Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.2.2 Enable WPA in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.3 Link Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.4 Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.5 Advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.6 About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.1 Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.2 Calling Black Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
5.3 Shipping and Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Antenna: External detachable dipole antenna with attached 37" (94-cm) cable and
RP-SMA connector
Distance (Maximum): 328 ft. (100 m)
Frequency Band: 2.4000–2.4835 GHz
Modulation: OFDM with BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM (11g), BPSK, QPSK, CCK
(11b)
Operating System: Compatible with all major operating systems; Drivers included
for Windows
®
98 SE/Me/XP, Windows 2000, and Linux
®
Security: 64-/128-/152-bit WEP data encryption, WPA (TKIP with IEEE 802.1x),
and AES
Speed: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 11, 9, 6, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps with auto fallback
Standards: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Receive Sensitivity: 54 Mbps OFDM, 10% PER, -70 dBm, 11 Mbps CCK, 8% PER,
-86 dBm, 1 Mbps BPSK, 8% PER, -92 dBm
Interface: 32-bit PCI V.2.2/2.1
Connectors: (1) RP-SMA detachable
Indicators: (2) LEDs: (1) TX/RX, (1) Link
Temperature Tolerance: 32 to 131°F (0 to 55°C)
Humidity: Up to 95%, noncondensing
Power: From the interface
Transmit Power: 18 dBm
Size: 0.7"H x 5"W x 4.8"D (1.9 x 12.7 x 12.1 cm)
8
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
2. Introduction
2.1 Overview
The Pure Networking 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter is used to attach a PC to
another network device using wireless technology to transfer data. It complies with
the IEEE 802.11g standard, which supports high-speed wireless network
connections up to 54 Mbps. It can also work with IEEE 802.11b devices. When the
adapter connects to 11b devices, maximum link speed is 11 Mbps.
High throughput supports multimedia data bandwidth, and 64-/128-/152-bit WEP,
WPA (TKIP [Temporal Key Integrity Protocol] with IEEE 802.1x), and AES
functions for a high level of security. Client users are required to get authorization
before connecting to access points (APs) or AP routers, and the data transmitted in
the network is encrypted/decrypted by a dynamically changed secret key.
Automatic fallback also increases data security and reliability.
The adapter works with Windows 98 SE/Me/XP, Windows 2000, and Linux, and it
supports a 32-bit PCI interface.
Two power-saving features make the adapter particularly efficient. First, the
adapter’s power consumption is very low. Second, you can control how long the
adapter’s attached devices’ power stays on. Simply set the time (in minutes) that
your portable or handheld devices wait before powering off.
2.2 What’s Included
Before you begin the installation, check the contents of your package. The package
should include the following items:
• (1) Pure Networking 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter
• (1) Antenna
• (1) CD-ROM containing this users’ manual and software drivers
If anything is missing or damaged, contact Black Box at 724-746-5500.
9
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3. Installation
Before you proceed with the installation, read the following notes.
NOTES
Do not install the adapter in your computer before installing the
software program from the CD.
The following installation was operated under Windows XP.
(Procedures are similar for Windows 98 SE/Me, Windows 2000, and
Linux.)
If you have installed the Pure Networking 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter
driver and utility before, please uninstall the old version first.
1. Insert the Installation CD in your CD-ROM drive. The screen shown in Figure
3-1 appears.
Figure 3-1. InstallShield Wizard screen, preparing setup.
10
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
2. Once the software finishes preparing for setup, the screen shown in Figure
3-2 appears. Click on Easy Install or Next to continue.
Figure 3-2. Setup screen.
11
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3. The system starts to install the card’s software (see Figures 3-3 and 3-4).
Follow the program’s instructions and plug the PCI card into your desktop
computer’s PCI slot. (See Figure 3-5.)
Figure 3-3. The above screen appears first as the system installs the
software, then the two screens below appear.
Figure 3-4. Wait while software is installed.
Figure 3-5. Plug in the adapter.
12
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
4. The system will automatically detect the card and display the Hardware
Installation screen. See Figure 3-6. Click on Continue Anyway to continue.
Figure 3-7 appears as the adapter is installed.
Figure 3-6. The hardware installation screen.
Figure 3-7. Wait while hardware is installed.
13
CHAPTER 3: Installation
5. The current card’s country channel setting is displayed for your reference.
See Figure 3-8. If you are in a different country, please change the country
channel from the drop-down menu, then click on Next.
Figure 3-8. Selecting the country channel.
14
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
6. The Ralink chipset screen (a common hardware chipset) appears. See Figure
3-9. Click on Finish to complete the installation.
Figure 3-9. The Ralink chipset screen.
7. The Config utility screen appears and you can begin configuring the card as
described in Chapter 4.
15
4. Configuration Utility
The Configuration Utility is a powerful application that helps you configure the
adapter and monitor the link status and the statistics during the communication
process.
The Configuration Utility appears as an icon (fourth from left) on the Windows
system tray while the card is running. Open it by double-clicking on the icon (see
Figure 4-1). The next screen (not shown in this manual) appears. From this screen,
select Launch Config Utilities to open the Configuration Utility tool, or select Exit
to close the Configuration Utility tool.
Figure 4-1. Windows system tray.
4.1 Site Survey
When you open the Configuration Utility, the system will scan all the channels to
find all the access points/stations within the adapter’s accessible range and
automatically connect to the wireless device with the highest signal strength. From
the Site Survey tab, all the networks nearby will be listed. You can change the
connection to another network or add one of the networks to your own profile list.
See Table 4-1.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
16
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Figure 4-2. Configuration Utility, Site Survey tab.
Table 4-1. Site survey parameters.
Parameter Description
Available Networks This list shows all available wireless networks within
range of your card. It also displays network information,
including the SSID, BSSID, Signal Strength, Channel,
Encryption, Authentication, and Network Type. If you want
to connect to any networks on the list, double-click the
item on the list. The card will automatically connect to the
selected network.
Rescan Button Click on this button to collect the information for all the
wireless networks nearby.
17
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
Table 4-1 (continued). Site survey parameters.
Parameter Description
Connect Button Click on this button to connect to the selected network.
Add to Profile Button Add the selected network to the Profiles List.
OK Click on this button to save your changes.
4.2 Profile
The Profiles List enables you to manage the networks that you connect to
frequently. You can Add/Delete/Edit/Activate a profile. See Figures 4-3 through
4-5 and Tables 4-2 through 4-4.
Figure 4-3. Profile tab.
18
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Table 4-2. Profiles List parameters.
Parameter Description
Profiles List The Profiles List displays all the profiles and the relative
information, including Profile Name, SSID, Channel, etc.
Add/Delete/Edit Button Click on these buttons to add/delete/edit the selected
profiles.
Activate Button Click on this button to connect to the selected profile.
OK Click on this button to save your changes.
4.2.1 C
ONFIGURE THEPROFILE
To add a profile, select the Profile tab from the Configuration Utility screen (see
Figure 4-3). Click on the Add button. The Add Profile screen, System
Configuration table appears (see Figure 4-4). In this screen, enter the parameters
described in Table 4-3.
Figure 4-4. Add Profile screen, System Configuration tab.
19
Table 4-3. System Configuration parameters.
Parameter Description
Profile Name Define a recognizable profile name for identifying the
different networks.
SSID The SSID (up to 32 printable ASCII characters) is the
unique name identified in a WLAN. The ID prevents the
unintentional merging of two co-located WLANs.
You may specify a SSID for the card; then, only the
device with the same SSID can interconnect to the card.
If you want to add one of the nearby networks to the
profile list, pull down the menu. All the networks nearby
are listed and you can add one of them to the profile list.
Power Saving Mode The power saving function is only available when the
network type is in Infrastructure.
CAM (Constantly Awake Mode)—The card will always be
set in active mode.
Power Saving Mode—Enable the card in the power
saving mode when it is idle.
CAM when AC Power—Select this option to automatically
switch the card from power saving mode to CAM while
your laptop computer’s power is supplied by the AC
power but not the battery.
Network Type Infrastructure—This operation mode requires the
presence of an 802.11 access point device. All
communication is done via the access point or router.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
20
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Table 4-3 (continued). System Configuration parameters.
Parameter Description
Network Type Ad-hoc—Select this mode if you want to connect to
(continued) another wireless station in the Wireless LAN network
without an access point or router.
Transmit Power To lower the card’s transmit power to save system power,
select the lower percentages from the list.
11B Preamble Type The preamble defines the length of the CRC block for
communication among wireless stations. This option is
only active in the ad-hoc network.
There are two modes including auto and long preamble. If
auto mode is selected, the card will auto switch the
preamble mode depending on the wireless stations that
the card is connecting to.
RTS Threshold This is the minimum packet size required for an RTS
(Request To Send). For packets smaller than this
threshold, an RTS is not sent and the packet is
transmitted directly to the wireless network. Select a
setting within a range of 0 to 2312 bytes. We recommend
changing the size in small increments.
Fragment Threshold The value defines the maximum size of packets; any
packet size larger than the value will be fragmented. If
you have decreased this value and experience high
packet error rates, you can increase it again, but it will
likely decrease overall network performance. Select a
setting within a range of 256 to 2312 bytes. We
recommend changing the size in small increments.
Channel This setting is only available for ad-hoc mode. Select the
number of the radio channel used for the networking. The
channel setting should be the same as the network you
are connecting to.
21
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
Table 4-3 (continued). System Configuration parameters.
Parameter Description
OK Click on this button to save your changes.
Once you click on OK to save your changes, the screen refreshes, but this time the
Authentication vs. Security tab is highlighted (see Figure 4-5). In this screen, enter
the parameters’ information described in Table 4-4.
Figure 4-5. Add Profile screen, Authentication vs. Security tab.
22
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Table 4-4. Authentication vs. Security parameters.
Parameter Description
Authentication Type This setting has to be consistent with the wireless
networks that the card intends to connect to.
None—No authentication is needed among the wireless
networks.
Shared—Only wireless stations using a shared key (WEP
Key identified) are allowed to connect to each other.
WPA-PSK—This is a special mode designed for home
and small-business users who do not have access to
network authentication servers. In this mode, known as
Pre-Shared Key, manually enter the starting password in
the access point or gateway, as well as in each wireless
station in the network. WPA takes over automatically from
that point, keeping unauthorized users that don’t have a
matching password from joining the network while
encrypting the data traveling between authorized devices.
The encryption methods include TKIP and AES. This
option is only available for Windows XP.
Encryption Type None—Disable the WEP Data Encryption.
WEP—Enable the WEP Data Encryption. When the item
is selected, you have to continue setting the WEP
Encryption keys.
TKIP—TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) changes
the temporal key every 10,000 packets (a packet is a
message transmitted over a network.) This ensures much
greater security than the standard WEP security.
23
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
NOTE
All devices in the network should use the same encryption method to
ensure proper communication.
Table 4-4 (continued). Authentication vs. Security parameters.
Parameter Description
Encryption Type AES—AES has been developed to ensure the highest
(continued) degree of security and authenticity for digital information.
It is the most advanced solution defined by IEEE 802.11i
for security in a wireless network.
WPA Pre-Shared Key The WPA Pre-Shared Key can be from 8 to 64
characters, either letters or numbers. This same key must
be used on all of the wireless stations in the network.
Key Values #1–#4 The keys are used to encrypt data transmitted in the
wireless network. Fill the text box, keeping in mind the
points listed below.
• 64-bit—Type in 10-digit Hex values (in the A–F, a–f,
and 0–9 range) as the encryption keys. For example,
“0123456aef”.
• 128-bit—Type in 26-digit Hex values (in the A–F, a–f,
and 0–9 range) as the encryption keys. For example,
“01234567890123456789abcdef”.
OK Button Click on this button to save your changes.
24
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
4.2.2 E
NABLE
WPA INW
INDOWS
XP
In the Profiles screen (see Figure 4-5), there’s an option for WPA Pre-Shared Key
(described in Table 4-4). When you’re using Windows XP, you can enable this
option. Here’s what it does: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a standards-based,
interoperable specification for security enhancement that strongly increases the
level of data protection (encryption) and access control (authentication) for
existing and future wireless LAN systems. The technical components of WPA
include Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for dynamic key exchange, and
802.1x for authentication.
There are two types of WPA security: WPA-PSK (no server) and WPA (with server).
WPA requires a radius server to complete the authentication among wireless
stations and access points. Typically, this mode is used in a enterprise environment.
WPA-PSK uses a so-called pre-shared key as the security key. A pre-shared key is a
password that each wireless station uses to access the network. Typically, this mode
will be used in a home environment.
To enable the WPA function in Windows XP, the following software systems are
required: Windows XP Service Pack 1 with Windows XP Support Patch for Wi-Fi
Protected Access program. Follow the steps below to use WPA.
1. Configure the card by the wireless built-in utility (Wireless Zero
Configuration). See Figures 4-6 and 4-7.
NOTE
When WPA is enabled, there are two utility selections (either RaConfig
or Wireless Zero Configuration) when you open the card’s Configuration
Utility (see Figure 4-6). Select the XP built-in utility with full WPA
function. If you select XP Wireless Zero Configuration, you can only
configure the Advance setting or check the Link Status and Statistics
from the RaConfig utility. From Figure 4-6, click on OK to save your
selection.
Figure 4-6. Selecting the utility.
25
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
2. Once you click on OK, the Wireless Network Connection screen appears (see
Figure 4-7). From here, right-click the icon to select View Available Wireless
Networks.
3. Click on the Advanced button from the screen shown in Figure 4-7.
Figure 4-7. Selecting the wireless network.
4. The screen refreshes with the Wireless Networks tab highlighted (see Figure
4-8). In this screen, click on the Configure button to configure the WPA
function for the current network.
NOTE
Uncheck “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings,” and
the RaConfig utility will be enabled again.
26
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Figure 4-8. Wireless Networks tab.
27
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
5. Configure the network key. See Figure 4-9 and Table 4-5.
Figure 4-9. Association tab.
28
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Table 4-5. Association parameters.
Parameter Description
Network name (SSID) The SSID (up to 32 printable ASCII characters) is the
unique name identified in a WLAN. The ID prevents the
unintentional merging of two co-located WLANs.
Network Authentication Open—No authentication is needed among the wireless
networks.
Shared—Only wireless stations using a shared key (WEP
Key identified) are allowed to connect to each other.
WPA—This mode is for an enterprise network with an
authentication server (radius server), WPA-enabled
access point, and a WPA-enabled client. Once WPA is
enabled, all clients and access points on the network
must be WPA-enabled in order to access the network.
WPA-PSK—This is a special mode designed for home
and small-business users who do not have access to
network authentication servers. In this mode, known as
Pre-Shared Key, manually enter the starting password in
the access point or gateway, as well as in each PC on the
wireless network. WPA takes over automatically from that
point, keeping unauthorized users that don’t have the
matching password from joining the network, while
encrypting the data traveling between authorized devices.
Data Encryption WEP—In WPA or WPA-PSK mode, WEP is also able to
be the encryption method for the transmission data.
TKIP—TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) changes
the temporal key every 10,000 packets (a packet is a
message transmitted over a network). This ensures much
greater security than the standard WEP security.
29
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
NOTE
All devices in the network should use the same encryption method to
ensure the communication.
Table 4-5 (continued). Association parameters.
Parameter Description
Data Encryption AES—AES ensures the highest degree of security and
(continued) authenticity for digital information. It is the most advanced
solution defined by IEEE 802.11i for security in the
wireless network.
Network Key Type in an alphanumeric key. This will identify your
network.
Confirm Network Key Re-type the alphanumeric key you entered in the Network
Key field to confirm it.
Key Index Select a key index number from the drop-down menu, or
check the box labeled “The key is provided for me
automatically.”
Ad-Hoc Checkbox Click on this checkbox if you have a computer-to-
computer network (no access points).
OK button Click on this button to save your changes.
6. Click on OK to save your changes.
30
PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
4.3 Link Status
From the Link Status tab, you can view all the information of the network you are
connecting to. See Figure 4-10 and Table 4-6.
Figure 4-10. Link Status tab.
31
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
Table 4-6. Link Status parameters.
Parameter Description
Status Display the SSID and MAC ID of the network the card is
connecting to.
Current Channel Display the radio channel’s number and the frequency
used for networking.
Current Tx Rate Display the network’s transmission rate. The maximum
transmission rate is 54 Mbps.
Throughput (kbits/sec) Display the speed of data transmitted and received.
Link Quality This bar indicates the link’s quality. The higher the
percentage, the better the quality.
dBm If you want to know the signal strength in dBm, select this
check box.
Signal Strength This bar shows the signal strength level. The higher
percentage shown in the bar, the more radio signal has
been received by the card. This indicator helps find the
wireless device’s proper position for quality network
operation.
OK button Click on this button to exit the screen.
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PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
4.4 Statistics
This tab enables you to view the available statistic information with its Tx counts
(Tx success, Tx error, RTS success and RTS failed) and Rx counts (Rx success, Rx
error). To reset the counters, click on Reset Counter. See Figure 4-11. Click on OK
to save the change.
Figure 4-11. Statistics tab.
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CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
4.5 Advance
This option enables you to configure more advanced settings, such as wireless
mode, protection mode, etc. See Figure 4-12 and Table 4-7.
Figure 4-12. Advance tab.
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PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
Table 4-7. Advance parameters.
Parameter Description
Wireless Mode 802.11 B/G mix—If you have a mix of 802.11b and
802.11g wireless stations in your network, we recommend
setting the card to this mode. This mode is also the
default setting.
802.11 B only—This card can be compatible with both
802.11g and 802.11b wireless stations. If there are only
802.11b wireless stations in the network, set the card to
this mode.
Tx BURST Tx Burst enables the card to deliver better throughput in
the same period and environment.
B/G Protection If you have a mix of 802.11b and 802.11g wireless
stations in the network, enable the protection mechanism.
This mechanism can decrease the rate of data collision
between 802.11b and 802.11g wireless stations. When
the protection mode is enabled, the card’s throughput will
be a little lower since much of the frame traffic is
transmitted.
Auto—Based on the network’s status, automatically
disables/enables protection mode.
On—Always enables the protection mode.
Off—Always disables the protection mode.
ADHOC_OFDM When the network type is in ad-hoc mode, the card can
only work in the 11b data rate. It is defined by the Wi-Fi
organization. If you want to enable the data rate up to
54 Mbps (11g), select ADHOC_OFDM.
35
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Utility
Table 4-7 (continued). Advance parameters.
Parameter Description
Tx Rate There are several options including Auto, 1, 2, 5.5, 11, 6,
9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps. When Auto is selected, the
device will choose the most suitable transmission rate
automatically. The higher the data rate you designate in
the network, the shorter the distance allowed between the
card and the wireless stations.
When the wireless mode is 802.11 B only, the maximum
data rate is 11 Mbps (11b). Auto, 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps
are the available options.
Turn Off RF Button If you want to turn off the card’s radio temporarily, click
this button. To turn on the radio, click this button again.
Use Turbo rate
(72/100 Mbps) Select this option when your network is configured as
802.11g.
Use Short Slot Time Select this option when your network is configured as
802.11b.
Apply button Click on this button to apply the current settings.
OK button Click on this button to save your changes.
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PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
4.6 About
By choosing this tab, you can click the hyperlink to connect the Web site for the
wireless chipset vendor’s information and review basic information about the utility
such as the driver, utility, and EEPROM version. The MAC address of the card is
displayed on the screen as well. See Figure 4-13. Click on OK to exit the screen.
Figure 4-13. About tab.
37
5. Troubleshooting
5.1 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the IEEE 802.11g standard?
802.11g is the new IEEE standard for high-speed wireless LAN
communications that provides a data rate of up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz
band. 802.11g is quickly becoming the next mainstream wireless LAN
technology for the home, office, and public networks.
802.11g defines the use of the same OFDM modulation technique specified in
IEEE 802.11a for the 5 GHz frequency band and applies it in the same
2.4 GHz frequency band as IEEE 802.11b. The 802.11g standard requires
backward compatibility with 802.11b.
The standard specifically calls for:
A. A new physical layer for the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) in the
2.4 GHz frequency band, known as the extended rate PHY (ERP). The
ERP adds OFDM as a mandatory new coding scheme for 6, 12 and 24
Mbps (mandatory speeds), and 18, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps (optional speeds).
The ERP includes the modulation schemes found in 802.11b including
CCK for 11 and 5.5 Mbps and Barker code modulation for 2 and 1 Mbps.
B. A protection mechanism called RTS/CTS that governs how 802.11g
devices and 802.11b devices interoperate.
2. What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?
The IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN standard subcommittee formulates the
standard for the industry. The objective is to enable wireless LAN hardware
from different manufacturers to communicate.
3. What does the IEEE 802.11 feature support?
The product supports the following IEEE 802.11 functions:
• CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge Protocol
• Multi-Channel Roaming
• Automatic Rate Selection
• RTS/CTS Feature
CHAPTER 5: Troubleshooting
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PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
• Fragmentation
• Power Management
4. What is Ad-hoc?
An ad-hoc integrated wireless LAN is a group of computers linked to each
other without using an access point; each has a Pure Networking 802.11g
Wireless PCI Adapter connected as an independent wireless LAN. You’d
typically use an ad-hoc wireless LAN for a branch or SOHO operation.
5. What is infrastructure?
When you connect a wireless LAN and a combination (wireless and wired)
LAN together, it’s called an infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is
applicable on an enterprise scale for wireless access to a central database, or
for a wireless application for mobile workers.
6. What is BSS ID?
A specific ad-hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS
must be configured with the same BSS ID.
7. What is WEP?
WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40-bit
shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802 .11 standard.
8. What is TKIP?
TKIP is a quick-fix method to quickly overcome the inherent weaknesses in
WEP security, especially the reuse of encryption keys. TKIP is involved in the
IEEE 802.11i WLAN security standard.
9. What is AES?
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), a chip-based security, has been
developed to ensure the highest degree of security and authenticity for digital
information, wherever and however communicated or stored, while making
more efficient use of hardware and/or software than previous encryption
standards. It is also included in IEEE 802.11i standard. Compared with AES,
TKIP is a temporary protocol for replacing WEP security until manufacturers
implement AES at the hardware level.
39
CHAPTER 5: Troubleshooting
10. Can wireless products support printer sharing?
Wireless products perform the same function as LAN products. Therefore,
wireless products can work with NetWare
®
, Windows 2000, or other LAN
operating systems to support printer or file sharing.
11. Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?
WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security
feature of scrambling. On the software side, WLAN series offer the encryption
function (WEP) to enhance security and access control. Users can set it up
depending upon their needs.
12. What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that
changes frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver.
Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel.
To an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern
for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping
code). The longer the chip is, the greater the probability that the original
data can be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged
during transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover
the original data without the need for retransmission. To an unintended
receiver, DSSS appears as low-power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored)
by most narrowband receivers.
13. What is Spread Spectrum?
Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique
developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical
communication systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for
reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is
consumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade off
produces a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided
that the receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being
broadcast. If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum
signal looks like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct
Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread
Spectrum (FHSS).
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PURE NETWORKING 802.11G WIRELESS PCI ADAPTER
5.2 Calling Black Box
If you determine that your Pure Networking 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter is
malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit. It contains no userserviceable parts. Contact Black Box at 724-746-5500.
Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. We will be able to
provide more efficient and accurate assistance if you have a complete description,
including:
• the nature and duration of the problem.
• when the problem occurs.
• the components involved in the problem.
• any particular application that, when used, appears to create the problem or
make it worse.
5.3 Shipping and Packaging
If you need to transport or ship your Pure Networking 802.11g Wireless PCI
Adapter:
• Package it carefully. We recommend that you use the original container.
• If you are shipping the adapter for repair, make sure you include everything
that came in the original package. Before you ship, contact Black Box to get a
Return Authorization (RA) number.
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