Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 User Manual

User’s Guide

Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200

July 2002

This guide provides information on installing and setting up the
Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 as well as tips on solving
common problems.

© 2002 Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
Compaq and t he Compaq logo are trademarks of Compaq Information

T echnologies Group, L.P . in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft

Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
All otherproduct names mentioned hereinmaybe trademarks of theirrespective

companies.
Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions

contained herein. The information is provided “as is” without warranty of any
kind and is subject to change without notice. The warranties for Compaq
products are set forth in the express limited warranty statements accompanying
such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional
warranty.

User’s Guide
First Edition (J uly 2002)

1 Getting Started

Introduction . . . ................................ 1–1

UsingaWirelessLocalAreaNetwork........... 1–1

FeaturesandRequirements ....................... 1–2

SelectingaNetworkMode........................ 1–3

Peer-to-PeerNetwork........................ 1–3

BaseStationNetwork........................ 1–3

2 Installing Software & Hardware

Beforeyoustart................................ 2–1

PreparingforInstallation......................... 2–2

InstallingSoftware.............................. 2–3

InstallingtheWirelessLANMultiPortW200......... 2–7

RemovingtheMultiportCover................. 2–7

■ Notebookcomputers....................... 2–7

■ Desktopcomputers........................ 2–7

Contents

MountingtheWirelessLANMultiPortW200..... 2–8

■ Notebookcomputers....................... 2–8

■ Desktopcomputers........................ 2–8

CompletingtheInstallation.................... 2–9

3 Using the Wireless LAN MultiPort W200

Introduction . . . ................................ 3–1

RadioAntennas............................. 3–1

Maintenance................................ 3–1

User’s Guid e iii

UsingtheClientManager ........................ 3–2

StartingClientManager....................... 3–2

ViewWirelessLinkQuality................... 3–2

View/ModifyWirelessSettings................. 3–3

DisableRadio .............................. 3–4

EnableRadio............................... 3–5

RemovingtheWirelessLANMultiPortW200..... 3–5

■ Notebookcomputers....................... 3–6

■ Desktopcomputers........................ 3–6

FindingInformation............................. 3–7

4 Advanced Operations

Introduction . . . ................................ 4–1

SetupandManageUserProfiles................... 4–2

Manage Profiles with Windows XP ............. 4–2

Manage Profiles with Windows 98/2000 ......... 4–3

■ CreateaWirelessConfigurationProfile........ 4–4

■ Customize your Wireless Configuration Profiles . 4–7

■ ActivateWirelessConfigurationProfiles....... 4–8

Disable/EnabletheWirelessLANMultiPortW200.... 4–9

SecureyourWirelessNetwork.................... 4–10

EncryptionOptions......................... 4–10

■ EncryptionKeyFormats................... 4–11

■ EncryptionKeyDistribution................ 4–12

Diagnostic Options............................. 4–13

Basic Diagnostics .......................... 4–13

Advanced Diagnostics. ...................... 4–13

■ Card Diagnostics. . . ...................... 4–14

■ LinkTest............................... 4–14

■ SiteMonitor ............................ 4–14

DisplayVersionInformation.................. 4–14

iv User’sGuide

A Specifications

PhysicalSpecifications...........................A–1

PowerCharacteristics ........................A–1

NetworkingCharacteristics....................A–1

RegulatoryInformation..........................A–2

RadioCharacteristics.........................A–2

B Troubleshooting

UsingtheWorldWideWeb.......................B–1

Preparing to Call Technical Support .............B–1

SolvingCommonProblems.......................B–2

User’s Guid e v

Getting Started

Introduction

The Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 allows you to
access wireless L ocal Area Networks, share a local printer and
files with others in your network, access the Internet, and roam
about the office—wire-free.

This wireless Local Area Network solution is designed for both
large and small businesses, and it is scalable so that you can add
users and new network features as your networking needs grow.

Using a Wireless Local Area Network

1

This product is a Local Area Network ( LAN) de vice. A LAN is
two or more computers that are connected to each other in order
to share files or common equipment such as a printer or a modem.

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 a notebook computer with a Wireless
LAN MultiPort W200, you can roam from a conference room to
an office without being disconnected from the network.

User’s Guid e 1-1

Getting Started

Features and Requ irements

This wireless LAN product includes the following features:

■ Support for the IEEE 802.11b Standard

■ 2.4-GHz band operation

■ Network speeds up to 11 Mbps

■ Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption

To participate in a wireless LAN, you need the following items:

■ Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200

■ Software CD containing application, drivers, software

reference guide, and help file

■ A computer with a MultiPort bay, a CD drive, and Microsoft

Windows98 SE,Windows2000 Professional, or WindowsXP
Professional or Hom e Edition.

The Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 is WiFi (Wireless Fidelity)
certified and will work with any other WiFi certified base station
or wireless client adapter.

1-2 User’s Guide

Selecting a Network Mode

A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of
operation. While each method has its advantages, one may be
better suited for your needs. R eview the following configurations
to determine which mode is best for you.

■ “Peer-to-Peer Network”

■ “Base Station Network”

Peer-to-Peer Network

Also called “ad hoc” network. This mode is the easiest to deploy
and is ideal for small offices. As a user on this type of network,
you are able to share files with other e mployees, print to a shared
office printer, and access the Internet through a shared modem.
However, with peer-to-peer networking your computer is only
able to communicate with other wireless computers that are
within range and in your wireless workgroup.

Getting Started

Characteristics • Networked computers send data di rectly to

each other

Advantages • Simple to set up

• Cost-efficient

Disadvantages • Communication is limited to those who are in

range

Base St ation Network

Also called “infrastructure” network.The key difference between
a wireless Base Station network and a peer-to-peer network is the
addition of one extra element—the base station or access point.

Additionally, the wireless Base Station can provide access to an
existing wired LAN. This link allows computers on the
infrastructure wireless LAN to access the other wired LAN’s
resources and tools, including Internet access, electronic mail
delivery, file transfer, and printer sharing.

User’s Guid e 1-3

Getting Started

Characteristics Networked computers communicate with each

Advantages Extended range: The access point extends the

other through a dedicated base station.
All data transmitted between the computers on

this wireless LAN passes through the base
station.

range of the wireless LAN. Each computer can
communicate with other computers equipped
for wireless networking that are within the
range of the access point.

Roaming: As you move throughout the
building, the Wireless LAN M ultiPort W200
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 br idging the two networks
together. This gives users of the wireless LAN
access to all the functions of a wired
network—from file serveraccess to electronic
mail and the Internet.

Disadvantages Because this network mode offers m ore

features, i t requires additional components and
setup time to deploy.

Requirements One base station, such as the:

• WL310 Wireless Home Office Gateway

• WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point

• WL510 Wireless Ent erprise Access Point

1-4 User’s Guide

2

Installing Software & Hardware

Before you start

Read and follow these guidelines where applicable:

■ New Computers—Before installing the Wireless LAN

MultiPort W200, complete the system software setup process
and ensure that your operating system is fully operational.
Refer to the Ge tting Started guide included with your
computer for instructions.

■ Existing Computers—If you previously installed a wireless

LAN device, such as a WL110 Wireless PC Card or WL215
Wireless USB Adapter, you must uninstall the wireless LAN
drivers and software according to the device manufacturer’s
instructions.

User’s Guid e 2-1

Installing S oftware & H ardw are

Preparing for Installation

The Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 Software CD includes a
wizard that will guide you through the installation and install the
correct drivers and software for your computer.

To ensure a successful installation, follow these guidelines.

1. Ask your network administrator for the settings that apply in
your wireless network.

Alternatively:

❏ Consult your peers for this information.
❏ Consult the documentation that came with your base

station equipment for its default settings.

2. Install Software before Hardware (page 2-3).

3. Turn off the computer and install the Wireless LAN
MultiPort W200 (page 2-7).

4. Turn on the computer again and complete the system
software setup process.

After completing the installation, refer to the Microsoft Windows
operating system manual, included with your computer, for
information on sharing network resources such as printers.

2-2 User’s Guide

Installing Software

1. Turn on your computer.

2. Insert the Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 Software
CD into the CD drive of your computer.

The CD-ROM will start automatically and display the screen
pictured below.

Installing Softw are & Hardwa re

If the CD-ROM does not start automatically, consult “ Solving
Common Problems” on page B-2.

3. Click the button “Start”.

Some screens in the wizard look different for computers running
Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Home Edition.
This is because the architecture of this operating system behaves
differently when compared to Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000
Professional. If your c omputer runs Windows XP, skip steps 4
through 8 and continue with step 9 on page 2-6.

4. Select “Identify Settings” (not applicable for Windows XP).

Follow the instructions on your screen and:

❏ Click the button “Next” to proceed to the next step.

User’s Guid e 2-3

Installing S oftware & H ardw are

❏ Clickthebutton“Back”toreturntothepreviousscreen.

5. Select the type of network to whichyou wish to connect your
computer.

Consult the section page 1-3 ‘Selecting a Network Mode’ for
more information.

6. Enter the name of your wireless network.

The Network Name is also referred to as Service Set
Identification Designator (SSID).

7. Select the Security Settings

2-4 User’s Guide

Installing Softw are & Hardwa re

To secure your wireless communications, use this screen to
enable data encryption and enter the Encryption Key.
Your selection on this window must match the values of the
Base Station or your peer-to-peer group partners.
Valid values are:

❏ 5 or 13-digit alphanumeric keys
❏ 10 or 26-digit hexadecimal keys, preceded by 0x.

For more information about encryption keys, consult the
electronic user’s guide provided on the CD-ROM.

8. Click the “Next” button to return to the screen “Setup
Overview for Windows”.

User’s Guid e 2-5