D Link 2002060009-1 Users Manual

®

D-Link

2.4 GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapter

Air

Manual

WCB-

B13

Building Networks for People

Contents

1. Package Contents ......................................................................3

2. Introduction.................................................................................4

3. Wireless Basics ..........................................................................6

4. Getting Started............................................................................9

5. Using the Configuration Utility................................................... 12

6. Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 18

7. Networking Basics ....................................................................22

8. Technical Specifications............................................................ 50

9. Contacting Technical Support................................................... 52

10. Warranty and Registration........................................................53

2

1. Package Contents

CB-B13

W

Contents of Package:

•

•

D-Link

Manual, QIG, and Drivers on CD

• Printed Quick Installation Guide

If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.

• A laptop computer with an available 32-bit Cardbus PC Card slot

•

•

•

Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, or Windows 98SE

Cardbus Controller, properly installed and working

At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor

WCB-B13 2.4GHz Wireless Cardbus Adapter

Air

System Requirements:

• An 802.11b Access Poin

3

2. Introduction

The D-Link Air WCB-B13 Wireless Cardbus Adapter is an 802.11b wireless
adapter that supports high-speed wireless networking at home, at work or in
public places.

The WCB-B13 is compatible with existing 802.11b devices such as the D­Link Air and AirPlus family of products including the DWL-520 and DWL­520+ Wireless PCI Adapters, the DI-614+ Wireless Router, DWL-900AP+
Wireless Access Point and the DWL-120 Wireless USB Adapter.

The WCB-B13 is an ideal way to connect your laptop computer to a Wireless
Local Area Network (WLAN.) After completing the steps outlined in the
Quick Installation Guide (included in the package) you will have the ability
to share information and resources, such as files and printers, and take full
advantage of a “connected” environment for work or play!

The WCB-B13 includes software drivers for the most popular Microsoft
Windows operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me,
Windows 98SE) and can be integrated into a larger network, running, in
either Ad Hoc mode (without an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (with
an Access Point.) Please take a look at our

Getting Started

manual to see examples of typical network setups using the WCB-B13 in
both Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc modes.

This manual provides a quick introduction to wireless technology and its
application as it relates to networking. Take a moment to read through this
manual and get acquainted with wireless technology.

section in this

4

Product Features

Provides high-speed wireless connection up to 11Mbps

•

Operates in the 2.4GHz frequency range

•

Maximum reliability, throughput and connectivity with automatic data

•

rate switching

Supports Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption at 64 or

•

128-bit encryption

Supports infrastructure networks via an Access Point and peer-to-

•

peer communication in ad-hoc mode

• Built-in dual diversity antenna for reduced interference in a multi-path
environment

32-bit Cardbus Performance

•

User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities

•

LEDs

LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. The WCB-B13 has two LEDs:

• Link - Green

connection to the network.

• Activity - Amber LED flashes to indicate activity on the network.

Activity

LED lights on steady to indicate a proper

CB-B13

W

Link

5

3. Wireless Basics

D-Link Air wireless products are based on industry standards to provide
easy-to-use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your
home, business or public access wireless networks. Strictly adhering to the
IEEE 802.11b and other standards, the D-Link wireless products will allow
you to access the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be
able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that
transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless
LANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments, and
public areas such as airports, coffee shops and universities. Innovative ways
to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and communicate
more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other
fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.

Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network.
Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the
same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.

Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices
to link to a conventional Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an
Internet connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Access
Point (AP) is a device used to provide this link.

People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes.

Mobility -

Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions
based on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.

Low Implementation Costs –

WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) are
easy to set up, manage, change and relocate. Networks that frequently
change, both physically and logically, can benefit from WLANs ease of
implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.

Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can
be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and
ceilings.

Network Expansion - Wireless technology allows the network to go where
wires cannot.

Scalability

- Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) can be configured in a

variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific applications or

6

Wireless Basics

existing infrastructures. Configurations are easily changed and range from
peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to larger
infrastructure networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of users,
depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.

The WCB-B13 is compatible with the D-Link Air and AirPlus 802.11b family of
products which include:

 2.4GHz Wireless PCI cards used with desktop computers (DWL-520,

DWL-520+)

 Wireless Routers (DI-614+, DI-714P+)

 Wireless Access Points (DWL-900AP, DWL-900AP+)

Standards - Based Technology

Based on the 802.11b standard, the WCB-B13 is also interoperable with
existing compatible 2.4GHz wireless technology with data transfer speeds of
up to 11Mbps.

Installation Considerations

The D-Link Air WCB-B13 lets you access a wireless network with your laptop
computer from virtually anywhere. Keep in mind, however, that the number,
thickness and location of walls, ceilings or other objects that the wireless
signal must pass thru may limit range. Typical ranges vary depending on the
types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home
or business. The key to maximizing range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the WCB-B13 and other

network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your D­Link Air Wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position
your receiving devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is
minimized.

2. Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5

feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet
(1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters)
thick! Try to make sure that devices are positioned so that the signal will
travel straight through a wall or ceiling for better reception.

7

Wireless Basics

3. Building Materials make a difference - a solid metal door or aluminum

studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position wireless
devices, and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes
through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.

4. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate RF noise.

8

4. Getting Started

With its default settings, the WCB-B13, when activated,

will automatically connect with other D-Link

Air

or AirPlus products, right out of the box.

There are basically two modes of networking:

Infrastructure

Ad-Hoc – directly connecting to another computer, for peer-to-peer

On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure
Network and an Ad-Hoc Network.

An Infrastructure network contains an Access Point. The Infrastructure
Network

network devices:

A wireless Broadband Router – i.e., D-Link

example shown on the following page contains the following D-Link

– using an Access Point, such as the DWL-6000AP

communication, using wireless network adapters on each
computer, such as two or more WCB-B13 cardbus adapters.

Plus DI-614+

Air

A laptop computer with a wireless network adapter –
i.e.,

D-Link Air WCB-B13

A desktop computer with an Ethernet adapter – i.e.,

A Cable modem – i.e., D-Link DCM-200

DHCP

for assigning IP addresses “automatically.” With a DHCP-capable
gateway/router, there is no need to manually assign an IP address.

stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a protocol

(D-Link DFE-530TX+)

Please refer to the following sections of this manual for additional information
about setting up a network:

Networking Basics- learn how to check and assign your IP Address; share
printers and files.

Using the Configuration Utility-

the web-based interface.

Troubleshooting –

other tips for troubleshooting.

learn how to check for common installation issues and

learn the settings for the WCB-B13, using

9