Broadcom BRCM1028 User Manual

Contents: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

Introduction
Completing the Setup
Utility Functions
Specifications
Regulatory Information

Company Copyright Statement

Company Trademark Statement. Microsoft® and Windows® are trademarks owned by Microsoft Corporation. All other

trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

WLCARD-UG200-D2 01.30.03

Broadcom 802.11g Mini PCI-E Card, BCM94312MCG User Manual

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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

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Introduction: Broadcom 802.11g Mini PCI-E Card User Manual

Broadcom 802.11g WLAN Solution
Using the Broadcom 802.11g WLAN
Features and Requirements

Broadcom 802.11g WLAN Solution

The Broadcom 802.11g WLAN solution accesses wireless local area networks (LANs), enables the sharing of a local printer
and files with others in the network, accesses the Internet, and enables roaming about the office—wire-free. This wireless
LAN solution is designed for both the home user and small businesses—and it is scalable so that users can be added and
new network features can be enabled as networking needs grow.

WEP is a security protocol for wireless local area networks (defined in IEEE Std 802.11, 1999 Edition) that encrypts data
sent over radio waves. The use of the WEP key is optional and can be enabled or disabled. If the network being
connecting to has enabled WEP, WEP must also be enabled in the network profile and the WEP key must be set to match
the WEP key used by the network. Otherwise, it is impossible to connect to the network.

The Broadcom 802.11g enabled notebook makes a wireless connection to a network, as illustrated on the following figure.

Networks 1 and 2 are infrastructure type of networks. The two notebook computers connected by radio waves form an ad
hoc type of network.

Enterprise Users

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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

Obtain the following information from the network administrator:

● Network names (SSID) of the specific wireless networks to connect to

● WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key information (if any) for the networks to connect to

● For Microsoft® Windows® networking, the customer name and workgroup name

● For a network account, a user name and password

● An IP address (if not using a DHCP server)

Home Users

The access point (AP) that communicates with the Broadcom 802.11g enabled notebook has a preassigned network name

(SSID) that the notebook recognizes upon startup. To enable WEP, use any string of numbers for the WEP key.

Upon startup, the Broadcom 802.11g enabled notebook detects certain wireless networks (WLANs) that are within range.

Before connecting to these and other wireless networks, configure a profile for each network.See

Completing the setup.

Using the Broadcom 802.11g WLAN

The Broadcom 802.11g enabled notebook is an IEEE 802.11g based wireless LAN device. A LAN is composed of two or more

computers that are connected to each other to share files or common equipment such as a printer or an Internet
connection. A wireless LAN provides the same functionality of a wired network, but it eliminates the need to install
networking cables and other networking equipment. Not only is a wireless LAN easier to deploy, but it also allows for
roaming. For example, when using the WLAN enabled notebook, it is possible to roam from a conference room to
an office without being disconnected from the network.

Features and Requirements

An IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN includes the following features:

● Support for IEEE 802.11g draft specification

● Support for IEEE 802.11b standard

● 2.4-GHz band operation

● Network data rate of up to 54 Mbit/s

● Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption

The following items are needed for participating in a wireless LAN:

● Broadcom 802.11g enabled notebook computer running on a Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system

● Software compact disc containing the drivers, software reference guide, and Help file

The Broadcom 802.11g enabled notebook works with any Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® base station or wireless client adapter.

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Ccopyright and Trademark Information.

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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual

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Completing the Setup: Broadcom 802.11g WLAN

User Manual

NOTE—Before starting, obtain the required network information from the network administrator or the wireless access
point installer (see The Broadcom 802.11g WLAN Solution in Introduction).

Modes of Operation
Configuring a Network Profile

Modes of Operation

A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of operation: infrastructure network and computer-to-computer
(ad hoc) network. Whereas each mode has its advantages, one mode may be more appropriate than the other, depending
on the location and type of network connection.

Infrastructure Mode

The key difference between the infrastructure type of network and an ad hoc network is that the infrastructure network
includes a base station (host) computer that has a built-in wireless network adapter and is connected to a wireless access
point (AP). This functionality allows computers on the infrastructure wireless LAN to access the resources and tools of the
wired LAN, including Internet access, e-mail, file transfers, and printer sharing.

Characteristics

Networked computers communicate with each other through a dedicated AP. All data transmitted between the computers
on this wireless LAN passes through the AP.

Advantages

● Extended range. The access point extends the range of the wireless LAN. Each computer can communicate with

other computers equipped by wireless networks that are within the range of the access point.

● Roaming. As the user moves around the home or office, the Company 54g enabled notebook determines the

best access point to use to ensure continuous communication with the network.

● Network connectivity. An access point can provide wireless LAN access to an existing wired network by bridging

the two networks together. This gives users of the wireless LAN access to all the functions of a wired
network—from file server access to e-mail and the Internet.

Disadvantages

Because the infrastructure mode offers more features, it requires additional components and setup time to deploy.

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Requirements

A base station computer having a wired connection to the Internet, a wireless network adapter, and a connection to an
AP.

Computer-to-Computer Mode

A peer-to-peer (ad hoc) network is the easiest to deploy and is ideal for home use or in small offices. This mode allows
the sharing of files with other employees, printing to a shared office printer, and access to the Internet through a shared
modem. With ad hoc networking, however, the computer is only able to communicate with other wireless networks that
are within a certain range and are in the same wireless workgroup.

Characteristics

Networked computers send data directly to each other.

Advantages

● Simple setup

● Cost efficiency

Disadvantages

Communication is limited to those who are located within a certain range.

Configuring a Network Profile

To connect to a wireless network, a network profile for that network must be configured on the Company 54g enabled
notebook. If the Company 54g enabled notebook computer came with the Company 54g WLAN card already installed

and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below.

NOTE—For more information on how to configure a network profile and IEEE 802.1x authentication, click Learn about

setting up wireless network configuration at the bottom of the Wireless Networks tab of Wireless Network
Connection Properties.

Open Network Connections and then open Properties for the Wireless Network Connection you want to configure by
doing the following.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Network Connections.

3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.

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4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

You can configure a network profile for networks that are listed under Available networks as well as those that are not
listed. When you have completed configuring a network profile, the network name and icon appear at the top of the list
under Preferred networks. The computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the list. Follow the
applicable instruction set below, based on whether or not the network is listed and whether or not the network requires a
WEP key (check with your network administrator to see if a WEP key is required).

NOTE—Both the network name and the network key are case-sensitive.

● Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Does Not Require a WEP Key

● Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Requires a WEP key

● Configuring a Profile for a Network That Is Not Listed and Does Not Require a WEP Key

● Configuring a Profile for a Network That is Not Listed and Requires a WEP Key

Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Does Not Require a WEP Key

1. Open Network Connections and then open Properties for the Wireless Network Connection to configure by

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doing the following.

a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Network Connections.

3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.

2. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

3. Under Available networks, click the network name, and then click Configure.

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4. Click OK. The network name and icon appear at the top of the list under Preferred networks.

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5. Click OK to activate the network connection. To verify that the network connection has been made, reopen
Wireless Network Connection Properties for that wireless network and click the Wireless Networks tab. The

computer is connected to the selected network when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon

for that
network. If the bubble does not appear, click Refresh. If it still does not appear, try to access a Web page to
verify that an Internet connection exists.

Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Requires a WEP Key

1. Open Network Connections and then open Properties for the Wireless Network Connection to configure by
doing the following.

a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Network Connections.

3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.

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2. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

3. Under Available networks, click the network name, and then click Configure.

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4. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box.

5. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.

6. Type the network key in the Network key box and again in the Confirm network key box.

NOTE—It is not necessary to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These
settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as the network key is typed.

7. Click OK. The network name and icon appear at the top of the list under Preferred networks.

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