Lenovo ThinkPad Access Connections 5.1 User Guide [en, ar, bg, bs, cs, da, de, el, es, fi, fr, he, hr, hu, id, it, ko, nl, pl, pt, pt, ro, ru, sk, sl, sr, sv, tr, uk, zc, zh]

Access Connections 5.1
for Windows Vista:
User Guid e

Access Connections 5.1
for Windows Vista:
User Guid e

Note

Before using this information and the product it supports, read the general information in “Notices” on page 77.

First Edition (January 2009)

© Copyright Lenovo 2009. All rights reserved.

LENOVO products, data, computer software, and services have been developed exclusively at private expense and
are sold to governmental entities as commercial items as defined by 48 C.F.R. 2.101 with limited and restricted
rights to use, reproduction and disclosure.

LIMITED AND RESTRICTED RIGHTS NOTICE: If products, data, computer software, or services are delivered
pursuant a General Services Administration ″GSA″ contract, use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions
set forth in Contract No. GS-35F-05925.

© Lenovo 2009

About this manual

This manual provides information about using Access Connections™ 5.1 for
Windows Vista®.

The manual is divided into sections as follows:

“Basic information” on page 3

This section provides basic information for connecting to the Internet.

“Advanced

This section provides advanced information for connecting to the Internet.

information” on page 23

© Copyright Lenovo 2009 iii

iv Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Contents

About this manual . . . . . . . . . . iii

Overview of Access Connections . . . .1

Introducing Access Connections . . . . . . . .1

Basic view and Advanced view . . . . . . . .1

Basic information . . . . . . . . . .3

Using Access Connections . . . . . .5

Tips for connecting to the Internet . . . . . . .5

Other tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . .7

Connecting to the Internet from Basic view . . . .7

Connecting to the Internet via a wireless LAN . .8
Connecting to the Internet via a wireless WA N . .9
Connecting to the Internet via a WiMAX network 10
Connection through other network devices . . .11

Connecting to the Internet from Advanced view . .12

Creating a location profile . . . . . . . .12

Connecting to the Internet by selecting a location

profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Switching locations automatically . . . . . .15

Connecting to the Internet from Access Connections

Gadget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Connecting to the Internet from the Access
Connections icon or the Fn+F5 On-Screen Display .16

Viewing the connection status . . . . . . . .18

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . .21

Connecting to the Internet via a wireless WA N 42
Connecting to the Internet via a WiMAX network 44

Switching locations automatically . . . . . .46

Connecting to the Internet from Access

Connections Gadget . . . . . . . . . .47

Connecting to the Internet from the Access
Connections icon or the Fn+F5 On-Screen

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Viewing the connection status . . . . . . .49

Specifying security settings for a wireless LAN . .52

Using Static WEP keys . . . . . . . . . .52

Using Wi-Fi Protected Access - Pre-Shared Key

(WPA-PSK) . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Using 802.1x or other security . . . . . . .53

Specifying additional settings to a location profile 55

Managing a location profile . . . . . . . . .57

Importing or exporting location profiles . . . .58

Introducing a wireless WAN connection 59

Using a wireless WA N connection from Access

Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Activating the integrated wireless WAN card . .59

Using a PIN code . . . . . . . . . . .60

Sending and receiving a text message . . . .62

Going to the We b site of the service provider . .63

Configuring Access Connections . . .65

Configuring settings . . . . . . . . . . .65

Global settings for network . . . . . . . .65

Global settings for notifications . . . . . . .67

User preferences . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Advanced information . . . . . . . .23

Using Access Connections . . . . . .25

Tips for connecting to the Internet . . . . . . .25

Tips for using a location profile . . . . . . . .26

Other tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Connecting to the Internet . . . . . .29

Connecting to the Internet from Advanced view . .30

Connecting to the Internet via a wired LAN and

a wireless LAN . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Connecting to the Internet via a wired LAN . .35
Connecting to the Internet via a wireless LAN . .37
Connecting to the Internet via a wired broadband 39
Connecting to the Internet via a dial-up

connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

© Copyright Lenovo 2009 v

Problem solving . . . . . . . . . . .69

Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Getting help and support . . . . . . . . . .72

Appendix A. Command line interface 73

Appendix B. Windows user account . .75

Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

vi Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Overview of Access Connections

This chapter presents following information.

v “Introducing Access Connections”

v “Basic view and Advanced view”

Introducing Access Connections

Access Connections is a software utility for your computer that manages your
network connectivity at multiple locations through location profiles. A location
profile stores the network configuration required to connect to a desired network
in addition to location-specific settings such as your browser home page, proxy
configuration, firewall status, file and printer sharing, and default printer.

Basic view and Advanced view

Access Connections provides two views.

Basic view

To automatically search for a network and easily connect to it, use this
view. You do not need to create a location profile beforehand. After
connecting to it, you can save the network as your location profile. To
create your own location profile and manage your network connections, go
to Advanced view.

Advanced

view

To create a location profile and specify settings for establishing a network
connection on demand, use this view.

go from Basic view to Advanced view, click the Advanced button, at the upper

To
right corner of the main window. To go from Advanced view to Basic view, click
the Basic button, in the same spot at upper right.

© Copyright Lenovo 2009 1

2 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Basic information

© Copyright Lenovo 2009 3

4 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Using Access Connections

This chapter presents tips to help you optimize the use of Access Connections.

Tips for connecting to the Internet

Do you want to know
how to start Access
Connections?

No 鱀

Is this your first time
to connect to the
Internet?

No 鱀 No 鱀

Do you want to see
what networks are
available?

No 鱀

Do you want to select
a network from your
location profiles?

To start Access Connections, do one of the following.

v Click Start > All programs > ThinkVantage >

Yes 򐂰

Access Connections.

v Click the Access Connections icon in the task tray.

v Open the Fn+F5 On-Screen Display by pressing

Fn+F5, and then click Open Access Connections.

Do you want to

Yes 򐂰

create a location

Yes 򐂰

See “Creating a location
profile” on page 12.

profile? *Notes

See “Connecting to the Internet from Basic view” on
page 7.

Yes 򐂰

Access Connections searches for available networks
automatically. After connecting a network, you can
save it as your location profile.

See “Connecting to the Internet by selecting a location

Yes 򐂰

profile” on page 14.

Notes:

v You need to create a location profile in the following cases.

– A security type for your wireless LAN network is other than a WEP key.

– A dial-up connection such as a modem or a cellular telephone is used.

– Both wired Ethernet and wireless networks are used at the same location.

– A wired broadband connection such as DSL or cable modem is used.

You don’t need to create a location profile for a wireless WAN connection. When

v

you start Access Connections, it creates a location profile automatically.

© Copyright Lenovo 2009 5

Other tips

I use several networks. 򐂰 When you move your computer from place to place,

Access Connections can automatically detect
available wireless LAN and Ethernet networks and
then apply the location profile for the place you
move to.

See “Switching locations automatically” on page 15.

I want to monitor the
connection status.

I need to disable the
wireless radio.

I cannot connect to the
Internet.

I want to use the
Access Connections
Administrator Profile
Deployment feature.

I need to install or
upgrade Access
Connections.

򐂰 See “Viewing the connection status” on page 18.

򐂰 To disable the wireless radio, use one of the

following.

v Wireless radio switch on your computer

v Wireless Connection Status icon in the task tray

v Fn+F5 On-Screen Display

򐂰 See “Troubleshooting” on page 21.

򐂰 You can download the Access Connections Deployment

Guide from the following Web site:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/
ACON-Deploy.html

򐂰 You can download the latest Access Connections

from the following We b site:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/
document.do?lndocid=MIGR-67283

6 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Connecting to the Internet

This chapter presents the following information.

v “Connecting to the Internet from Basic view”

– “Connecting to the Internet via a wireless LAN” on page 8

– “Connecting to the Internet via a wireless WAN” on page 9

– “Connecting to the Internet via a WiMAX network” on page 10

– “Connection through other network devices” on page 11

“Connecting to the Internet from Advanced view” on page 12

v

– “Creating a location profile” on page 12

– “Connecting to the Internet by selecting a location profile” on page 14

– “Switching locations automatically” on page 15

“Connecting to the Internet from the Access Connections icon or the Fn+F5

v

On-Screen Display” on page 16

v “Connecting to the Internet from Access Connections Gadget” on page 16

v “Viewing the connection status” on page 18

Connecting to the Internet from Basic view

To connect to the Internet from Basic view, you can use one of the following
methods, depending on the type of network.

Wireless LAN connection

Connecting to the Internet via a wireless LAN.

Wireless

WiMAX

Connection

WAN connection

Connecting to the Internet via a wireless WAN.

network

Connecting to the Internet via a WiMAX network.

through other network devices

Connecting to the Internet via a wired LAN (Ethernet) or a dial-up
connection.

© Copyright Lenovo 2009 7

Connecting to the Internet via a wireless LAN

To connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN, do as follows.

1. In the Access Connections main window, click the Connect to the Internet tab.

2. Select WiFi. You see the screen used to search for network access points and

show the result graphically.

3. Click Find. A search to find access points within the range of your wireless
adapter begins. Once the search is complete, the label of the Find button is
replaced with Find Again. Tw o or more access points with the same SSID
(Service Set ID) converge, and appear as one access point. When you click the
″v″ button to the left of the access point icon, you see every access point
included in the icon.

4. Double-click one of the access point icons to connect to the Internet. If you
select a secure access point, a prompt to type a network key opens.

5. If you want to search for access points again, click Find Again.

The maximum number of access points with the same signal strength that

Note:

appear on the search result screen is eight. To view the list of all access points
found, go to Advanced view by clicking the Advanced button. Then click Details
at lower right. To return to the main screen, click Graphical.

8 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Connecting to the Internet via a wireless WAN

To connect to the Internet via a wireless WAN, do as follows.

1. In the Access Connections main window, click the Connect to the Internet tab.

2. Select Mobile Broadband.

3. Click Find to find the service provider.

4. Double-click the icon for the service provider you use.

5. If your SIM card required for the wireless WA N connection is not activated, the

screen for activating the SIM card opens. Follow the instructions on the screen.

6. If you want to find the service provider again, click Find Again.

Connecting to the Internet 9

Connecting to the Internet via a WiMAX network

To connect to the Internet via a WiMAX network, do as follows.

1. In the Access Connections main window, click the Connect to the Internet tab.

2. Select WiMAX.

3. Click Find to find the service provider.

4. Double-click the icon for the service provider you use.

5. If activation has not been completed, the We b browser window opens once the

connection is established. Follow the instructions on the browser screen.

6. If you want to search for the service provider again, click Find Again.

10 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Connection through other network devices

Connecting to the Internet via a wired LAN

To connect to the Internet via a wired LAN, do as follows.

1. In the Access Connections main window, click the Connect to the Internet tab.

2. Select Other connections.

3. A wired LAN (Ethernet) icon appears on the screen.

4. Click the icon.

Connecting to the Internet via a dial-up connection

To connect to the Internet via a dial-up connection, do as follows.

1. In the Access Connections main window, click the Connect to the Internet tab.

2. Select Other connections.

3. A dial-up icon appears on the screen.

4. Click the icon.

5. A window to create a location profile opens. For instructions on how to create

the location profile, refer to the Help for Access Connections.

Connecting to the Internet 11

Connecting to the Internet from Advanced view

To connect to the Internet from Advanced view, create a location profile and
specify settings for your networks.

Creating a location profile

Access Connections provides a wizard that helps you create location profiles. A
location profile defines all of the settings required to establish a connection to a
given network and additional settings which are location specific such as default
printer and browser settings etc. Access Connections has the following network
connection types. For instructions on how to create each location profile, refer to
the Help for Access Connections.

Best Available Network

Select this network connection type to create a profile that will
automatically select between wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11 networks
at the same location. Yo u can define the selection order and the wireless
security settings. This capability is useful when you move frequently
within a single location, such as your office building; you will have a
wired connection while at your desk and a wireless LAN connection while
away from your desk.

Before you start creating a location profile, obtain the following from your
Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator.

v Network name (SSID)

v Wireless security type

LAN (Ethernet)

Wired

Select this network connection type to connect to a wired LAN (Ethernet)
only.

Wireless

LAN (802.11)

Select this network connection type to connect to a wireless LAN only. You
can configure authentication and encryption settings.

12 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Before you start creating a location profile, obtain the following from your
Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator.

v Network name (SSID)

v Wireless security type

Broadband (DSL or Cable Modem)

Wired

Select this network connection type to connect only to wired broadband,
such as DSL, cable modem, or ISDN. Typically, your computer will
interface to the broadband network through an Ethernet adapter.

Before you start creating a location profile, obtain DSL account information
from your Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator.

Dial-up

Wireless

WiMAX

(Modem or Cellular Phone)

Select this network connection type to connect to dial-up only, for instance
with a standard modem attached to a telephone line.

Before you start creating a location profile, obtain either of the following
from your Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator.

v Dialer program

-or-

v Telephone number to an access point

v User name and password

WAN

Select this network connection type to connect to a wireless WA N (wide
area network) only.

Select this network connection type to connect to a WiMAX (Worldwide
Interoperability for Microwave Access) connection only.

Connecting to the Internet 13

Connecting to the Internet by selecting a location profile

To select a location profile, go to Advanced view. From the Location drop-down
list box, select the location profile which matches where you are, and then click

Connect. If there is no location profile matching where you are, create one.

14 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Switching locations automatically

When you move your computer from place to place, Access Connections can
automatically detect available wireless LAN and Ethernet networks and then apply
the location profile for the place you move to.

To configure automatic switching between location profiles, do as follows.

1. In Advanced view, click the Tools tab.

2. Select Location Switching.

3. Click OK.

You can also configure the following settings.

Include Ethernet connections in automatic switching and prompt me to save
Ethernet ports

To include available wired networks in addition to wireless LAN networks,
select the check box for this option. If this option is enabled, Access
Connections will automatically obtains identifying information, a MAC
address, for each new Ethernet port to which you connect, and then
prompt you to associate that port with the location profile of your choice.
When you subsequently connect to the same Ethernet port, Access
Connections will apply the profile that you selected.

To view or delete the MAC addresses of Ethernet ports associated with
location profiles, click Edit Saved Ports.

Preferred WLAN profile

To specify the location profile to be used after resuming from sleep mode
or hibernation mode, or roaming, select the check box for this option.
Then, from the drop-down list box, select the location profile.

Connecting to the Internet 15

When no other connections are available, connect through Wireless WA N

If your computer supports wireless WA N connections, select the check box
for this option. Then, from the drop-down list box, select an appropriate
wireless WA N location profile.

Connecting to the Internet from Access Connections Gadget

The Access Connections Gadget is in the Windows® Sidebar. To connect
to the Internet, select a location profile from the list displayed in the
Gadget, and then click the Connect button.

Connecting to the Internet from the Access Connections icon or the Fn+F5 On-Screen Display

Access Connections icon in the task tray

To connect to the Internet from the Access Connections icon, do as follows.

1. Left-click the Access Connections icon

2. Select the location profile which matches where you are.

in the task tray.

16 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Fn+F5 On-Screen Display

To connect to the Internet from the Fn+F5 On-Screen Display, do as follows.

1. Press and hold the Fn key and then press F5 key.

2. Click the Location Profile tab.

3. Select the location profile which matches where you are.

Connecting to the Internet 17

Viewing the connection status

You can monitor the status of your network connections using Access Connections.

Access Connections main window

When Access Connections is launched, the Connect to the Internet tab of the main
window is selected by default. The window associated with this tab graphically
depicts the status for the access point. Additional details are available by holding
the mouse over any graphic.

18 Access Connections 5.1 for Windows Vista: User Guide

Task tray icons

Access Connections provides two task tray icons.

The Access Connections icon is for general connection status.

The Wireless Connection Status icon is for wireless LAN, wireless WAN, and
WiMAX network detailed status. Click the icon, and the Wireless Connection Status
window opens.

Connecting to the Internet 19