eHome EH-102 User Manual

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Product Overview ......................................................3

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

System Requirements ...........................................3

Introduction ............................................................4

Features .................................................................5

Hardware Overview ............................................... 6

LEDs ................................................................ 6

Installation .................................................................. 7

Getting Started ......................................................7

Remove Existing Installations ..........................7

Disable Other Wireless Adapters ..................... 8

Wireless Installation Considerations ....................10

Adapter Installation ..............................................11

Configuration ...........................................................17

eHome Configuration Utility .................................17

Wireless Networks ......................................... 18

My Wireless Networks ...................................19

Support ..........................................................22

Wireless Security ..................................................... 23

What is WEP? ......................................................23

What is WPA? ...................................................... 24

Configure WEP ....................................................25

Configure WPA/WPA2 Passphrase ......................27

Configure WPA/WPA2 ..........................................29

Table of Contents

Troubleshooting .......................................................30

Networking Basics ..................................................35

Check your IP address ........................................35

Statically Assign an IP address ...........................36

Technical Specifications .........................................37

Contacting Technical Support ................................38

Warranty ...................................................................39

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eHome EH102 User Manual

• eHome EH102 Wireless G Desktop Adapter

• Manual, Software, and Warranty on CD

System Requirements

• A desktop computer with an available PCI slot

• Windows® 2000 (Service Pack 4) or XP (Service Pack 2)

• 300MHz processor and at least 64MB of RAM

• An 802.11g or 802.11b access point (for Infrastructure mode), or another

802.11g or 802.11b wireless adapter (for Ad-Hoc, Peer-to-Peer networking
mode.)

Product Overview

Package Contents

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Introduction

The eHome Wireless G EH102 Desktop adapter features the very latest in advanced wireless silicon chip technology to
deliver a maximum wireless signal rate of up to 54Mbps* in the 2.4GHz frequency. The EH102 also works with 802.11b
standard wireless devices and when used with other eHome Wireless G products delivers throughput speeds capable
of handling heavy data payloads.

The EH102 also includes a configuration utility to discover available wireless networks and create and save detailed
connectivity profiles for those networks most often accessed.

The EH102 is a powerful 32-bit Desktop adapter that installs quickly and easily into desktop PCs and when used
with other eHome Wireless G products automatically connects to the network. Like all eHome wireless adapters, the
EH102 can be used in Ad-Hoc mode to connect directly with other 2.4GHz wireless computers for peer-to-peer file
sharing or in Infrastructure mode to connect with a wireless access point or wireless router for access to the Internet
in your office or home network. The EH102 is an ideal solution enabling wireless networking capabilities on desktops
PCs for the home or office.

* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11g specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and
environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput
rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

• Faster Wireless Networking - Faster data transfers mean increased productivity. With the EH102 in your
desktop PC, you will have the flexibility of wireless networking speeds that save you time and money.

• Compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g Devices - Fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g
standards, the EH102 can connect with existing 802.11b or 802.11g compliant routers, access points
and cards. That means you can still communicate with colleagues and friends while you have the ability
to link to even more wireless networks.

• 32-bit PCI Performance/Plug & Play Connectivity - The EH102 is a powerful 32-bit PCI adapter that

installs quickly and easily into desktop PCs, and when used with other eHome wireless products will
automatically connect to the network out of the box.

• User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.

Features

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Hardware Overview

LEDs

Link

A steady light indicates a connection
to a wireless network.

A blinking light indicates activity on
the network.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Getting Started

Installation

This section will walk you through the installation process. If you have a built-in wireless adapter, please disable it in
device manager before installing your eHome adapter. Also, if you have previously installed another wireless adapter,
please make sure any software is uninstalled.

Before installing your new eHome wireless adapter, please verify the following:

• Remove any previous installations of wireless adapters

• Disable any built-in wireless adapters

• Verify the settings such as the SSID and security settings of the network(s) you want to connect to

Remove Existing Installations

If you’ve installed a different manufacture’s adapter or a different model eHome adapter, make sure the software is
uninstalled before installing the new software. Some utilities may cause a conflict with the new software. If you plan
to use multiple adapters at different times, make sure the utilities are not set to load when your computer boots up.
Windows® XP users may use the built-in wireless utility for all adapters.

To remove any old software:

Windows® XP users: Click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Windows® 2000 users: Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Disable Other Wireless Adapters

Most newer laptops may include a built-in wireless adapter. To prevent any
conflicts or confusion with the eHome wireless adapter, it is recommended to
disable the wireless adapter (as well as any unused Ethernet adapters).

From the desktop, right-click on the My Computer icon and select
Properties.

Click the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager. Scroll down the list
and click the + sign to the left of Network Adapters.

Right-click the adapter you would like to disable and select Disable.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Click Yes to disable the adapter.

The adapter is now disabled. When disabled, a red X will
be displayed.

Disabling the adapter will not remove the drivers. If you
would like to use the adapter, simply right-click it and
select Enable.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Wireless Installation Considerations

The eHome wireless adapter lets you access your network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere within
the operating range of your wireless network. Keep in mind, however, that the number, thickness and location of walls,
ceilings, or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through, may limit the 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
wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the eHome adapter and other network devices to a

minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your adapter’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position
your 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! Position devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of
at an angle) for better reception.

3. Building Materials make a difference. A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on

range. Try to position access points, wireless routers, and computers so that the signal passes through
drywall or open doorways. Materials and objects such as glass, steel, metal, walls with insulation, water
(fish tanks), mirrors, file cabinets, brick, and concrete will degrade your wireless signal.

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

generate RF noise.

5. If you are using 2.4GHz cordless phones or X-10 (wireless products such as ceiling fans, lights, and

home security systems), your wireless connection may degrade dramatically or drop completely. Make
sure your 2.4GHz phone base is as far away from your wireless devices as possible. The base transmits
a signal even if the phone in not in use.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

Note: Please install the EH102 Desktop Adapter into your computer before installing the driver software from
the eHome CD. Refer to the insert included with this adapter for installation instructions.

Turn on the computer and Insert the eHome EH102 Driver CD in the CD-ROM drive. The step-by-step instructions that
follow are shown in Windows XP. The steps and screens are similar for the other Windows operating systems.

If the CD Autorun function does not automatically start on your computer, go to Start > Run. In the run box type “D:\
Drivers\setup.exe” (where D: represents the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive).

When the autorun screen appears, click Install Drivers.

Adapter Installation

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eHome EH102 User Manual

The InstallShield Wizard window will appear.

Click Next to continue.

By default setup will install to the default location: C:\Program Files\
eHome, where C: represents the drive letter of your hard drive. To install
to a different location click Browse and specify the location.

Click Next.

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eHome EH102 User Manual

For Windows® XP: This Hardware Installation alert screen will appear.
Click Continue Anyway.

Select the Program Files folder location.

Click Next to continue.