Linksys WCF11 Owner's Manual

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Wireless Network

CF Card

User Guide

Use this Guide to install: WCF11

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2001 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless™ is a registered trade­mark of Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their
respective proprietors.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Linksys guarantees that every Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network CF Card is free from
physical defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase,
when used within the limits set forth in the Specification section of this User Guide. If
these products prove defective during this warranty period, call Linksys Customer
Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization Number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR
PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT'S PACKAGING ON
HAND WHEN CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT
PROOF OF PURCHASE. When returning a product, mark the Return Authorization
Number clearly on the outside of the package and include your original proof of pur­chase. All customers located outside of the United States of America and Canada shall
be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’ LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PROD­UCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM­AGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFT­WARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANY
PRODUCT. Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statuto­ry, with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and all
accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, performance, mer­chantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves the right to revise or
update its products, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any individ­ual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:

Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
FCC STATEMENT

This product have been tested and complies with the specifications for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea­sonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equip­ment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communi­cations. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which is found by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment or device

• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s

• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance

UG-WCF11-011003NC KL

Introduction

Experience the same speed and ease of wireless networking with your
CompactFlash Type II ready personal digital assistant as you do with your lap­top or desktop computer with the Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network CF
Card. This Type II CompactFlash card connects directly to your PDA—just
plug it in and you’re ready to share data, printers, or high speed Internet access
over your existing wireless network. User-friendly software makes it simple to
set up.

Not only is the Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network CF Card easy to install
and use, it’s also powerful. You can send and receive data at speeds up to
11Mbps. A high-powered built-in antenna means that you’re connected at dis­tances of up to 1500 feet. It’s also versatile and easily configurable through
your PC.

So for full wireless flexibility and conv enience, the Instant W ireless™ Wireless
Network CF Card puts wireless networking in the palm of your hand!

• Up to 11 Mbps High-Speed Data Transfer Rate

• Compatible with Windows CE

• Low Interference and High Sensitivity to Guarantee Reliable Performance

• User-Friendly Software Provides Hassle-Free Installation and
Configuration

• Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Setup

• Built-in Antenna with Link LED

• Works with Vir tually All Standard Internet Applications

• Interoperable with IEEE 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4GHz-Compliant Equipment

• Capable of up to 128-Bit WEP Encryption

• Free Software Driver Upgrades

• Free Technical Support-24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week for North America
Only

• 1-Year Limited Warranty

1

Features

The Instant WirelessTMWireless Network CF Card

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Instant WirelessTMWireless Network CF Card 1
Features 1
Package Contents 2
System Requirements 2

Planning Y our Wir eless Network 3

Network Topology 3
Roaming 3
Ad-Hoc Versus Infrastructure Mode 4

Installing the Drivers 5

Before You Start 5
Driver Installation 5

Installing the Wireless PCI Card 14
Configuration Utility 12

Using the Configuration Utility 12

Troubleshooting 18

Common Problems and Solutions 18
Frequently Asked Questions 18

Glossary 22
Specifications 27

Environmental 27

Warranty Information 28
Contact Information 29

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Wireless Network CF Card

32

Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless LAN is exactly like a regular LAN, except that each Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA) in the LAN uses an Instant Wireless™ Wireless
Network CF Card to connect to the network using no wires. PDAs in a wire­less LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel.

The Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network CF Card provides LAN access for
PDAs. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure con­figuration. A group of Network CF Card users and an Access Point compose
a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each PDA equipped with a Network CF Card in a
BSS can talk to any computer in a wired LAN infrastructure via the Access
Point also allows you to synchronize the PDA through wireless connection.

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a Network CF Card
PDA to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wireless transmission range for
two Network CF Card PDAs. Since the Access Point is able to forward data
within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is
doubled.

The use of a unique ID in a Basic Service Set is essential.

The Wireless LAN Infrastr ucture configuration is appropriate for enterprise­scale wireless access to a central database, or as a wireless application for
mobile users.

Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More
than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Ser vice Set (ESS). This con­tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All Network CF
Card PDAs within one Extended Service Set must be configured with the same
SSID.

Selecting a feasible radio channel and optimum Access Point position is rec­ommended. Proper Access Point positioning combined with a clear radio sig­nal will greatly enhance performance.

Roaming

• One Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network CF Card

• One Setup CD-ROM with Drivers and User Guide

• One Registration Card (not shown)

• Windows 9x or higher PC with CD-ROM (to load drivers)

• PDA with available Type II CompactFlash Slot

• Windows CE

Package Contents

System Requirements

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Wireless Network CF Card

5

Installing the Drivers

Your new Instant Wireless™ Wireless Network CF Card comes with an auto­mated software installation procedure that interacts with the Windows operat­ing system on your PC and the Windows CE operating systems on your PDA.
This procedure automatically installs the drivers and Configuration Utility
while the Network CF Card is installed on your PDA.

1. With the Network CF Card inserted into your PDA while your PDA is con­nected to your PC, insert the Setup CD into your PC’s CD-ROM drive.
Unless you have deactivated the auto-run feature of Windows, the follow­ing screen should appear automatically.

If this screen does not appear automatically, you can access the installation
by pressing the Start button and choosing Run. In the drop down bo x pro­vided, type D:\setup.exe (where D: is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).
Alternately, double-click My Computer, and then double-click the CD­ROM drive where the Setup CD is located. Then double-click the
Setup.exe icon that appears.

Before You Start

Driver Installation

Wireless Network CF Card

Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which
they may be set up: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc. Choosing between these two
modes depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or
peripherals with a wired network or not.

If the computers on the wireless network need to be accessible by a wired net­work or need to share a peripheral, such as a printer, with the wired network
computers, the wireless network should be set up in the Infrastructure mode.
The basis of Infrastructure mode centers around an access point, which serves
as the main point of communications in a wireless network. Access points
transmit data to PCs
equipped with wireless
network card, which can
roam within a certain
radial range of the access
point. Multiple access
points can be arranged to
work in succession to
extend the roaming
range, and can be set up
to communicate with
your Ethernet hardware
as well.

If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only
with the other computers on the wireless network, then the Ad-Hoc mode can
be used. Ad-Hoc mode allows computers equipped with wireless transmitters
and receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating the need for
an access point. The dra wback of this mode is in the fact that, in Ad-Hoc mode,
wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with computers on

a wired network.
And, of course,
communication
between the wire­less-equipped com­puters is limited by
the distance and
interference directly
between them.

Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

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4. The next screen that appears will show the W arranty P olicy. Read the entire
policy by clicking the Page Down button on your keyboard. Click the Yes
button if you agree, or No if you disagree. Clicking No will terminate the
installation. If you click Yes, the installation will continue.

5. From the following screen, you will determine where the driver will be
installed. If you would lik e the driver installed to the default directory, click
the Next button. If you would like to choose an alternate directory , click the
Bro wse button and select the appropriate folder.

Wireless Network CF Card

2. The first tab across the top of the screen, labeled Install, should now be high-

lighted. Click the Install button. The following screen should appear , indi­cating that Windows is preparing the installation.

If, for whatever reason, y ou need to abort or terminate the installation, click
the Cancel button at any time during the installation. Otherwise the instal­lation will continue automatically.

3. The following screen will indicate that Windows is ready to continue the

installation. Click the Next button.

Note: If you stop the installation before it has finished, you will have to
run the installation completely again before installing your hardware.

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7b. On the following screen, enter your wireless network’s SSID name. The

SSID must be identical for all points in the network. To join any available
SSID, type ANY. The default setting is linksys (all lowercase). Enter this
information and click the Next button.

8. At this point, the Wizard will ask you to review your settings before start­ing to copy files. Select Back to review or change any settings or Next if
you are satisfied with your settings.

8

6. When the following screen appears, choose either Infrastructure mode or
Ad-Hoc mode, depending on your needs. If you are unsure whether to

choose Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc, refer to the next section for more infor­mation. Once you have made your choice, click the Next button.

7a. If you chose Infrastructure Mode,go on to Step 7b now . If you chose Ad-

Hoc Mode, choose the correct operating channel that applies to your net­work. The channel you choose should be set as the same as the other points
in your wireless network. The default channel is set to Channel 6. Select
the appropriate channel and click the Next button.

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Wireless Network CF Card

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9. The following screen will ask if you wish to install the driver in the default
directory. Click the Yes button to continue.

10. When you see the following screen, check your PDA to see if additional
steps are required. Follow the steps requested by your PDA. Once this is
done, or if none are requested, click the OK button.

11. Once the installation wizard is complete, click the Finish button.

12. The following screen will also appear on your PD A, sho wing that the de vice

has been successfully installed. When you see this, click the OK button.

Note: Check your network setting to set IP Address.

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Wireless Network CF Card

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12

You can save any of your configuration settings by setting up a Prof ile. To do
this, type the profile’s name in the Profile bar and click the Apply button to
save your changes under that profile.

Mode allows you to choose between Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc, depending on
your network type. The Ad-Hoc mode is used for a simple peer-to-peer net­work and allows the sharing of local resources only between PDAs using the
Network CF Card without needing an Access Point. The Infrastructure mode
allows a wireless network to be integrated into an existing wired network
through an Access Point. Infrastructure networks permit roaming between
Access Points while maintaining a connection to all network resources.

An acronym for Service Set Identifier, SSID is the unique name shared among
all points in a wireless network. The SSID setting must be identical for all
points in the network. It is case sensitive and must not exceed 32 characters.

The Transmit Rate field shows the current transfer rate for the Network CF
Card. To optimize performance and range, the Transmit Rate should be set to
Auto Rate, which will automatically adjust the transfer speed for best perform­ance and longest range.

Power Saving Enab ledallows y our PD A to enter "sleep" mode if y our netw ork
connection experiences more than 1 second of no network activity. This
depends on PDA power saving mode.

TheAd-Hoc Channel setting specifies the channel used in wireless communi-
cation and should be set to the same channel as the other points in the wireless
network. This setting can only be adjusted in Ad-Hoc mode.

To undo any changes, click the Undo button. To use the default settings and
eliminate those changes you’ ve already made, click the Defaultbutton. T o save
all of your changes, click the Apply button. To save all of your changes and
close the Configuration Utility, click the OK button at the top of the screen.

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Wireless Network CF Card

Configuration Utility

The Conf iguration Utility is provided to allow you further customization of
the Network CF Card in your wireless network.

Once the Configuration Utility has been installed,
an icon will be placed in two places on your PDA,
under Programs and settings under the System tab
in Settings. Tapping this icon will open the
Configuration Utility.

CONFIGURATION

The Configuration screen allows you to change your Network CF Card’s gen­eral settings.

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Using the Configuration Utility

1514

Encryption (WEP) can be Disabled, or set to 64-bit or 128-bit encryption as
a hexadecimal number for each key that you wish to encrypt. Make sure that
the values entered in these fields for WEP is identical to the encryption keys
used on the other wireless devices on the network.

Once enabled, you can create an encryption key by using a Passphrase, or by
entering the key manually. The Passphrase can be any text string with a max­imum of 31 alphanumeric characters.

If you select to Create Keys Manually, enter a hexadecimal number for each
key that you wish to encrypt. Make sure that the values entered in these fields
for WEP are identical to the encryption keys used on the other wireless devices
on the network.

Once you have chosen your key encryption method and entered either the
Passphrase or manual key, click the Apply button to save your changes or
Undo to delete them. T o save your changes and close the Configuration Utility,
click the OK button.

LINK

The Link screen provides information about the current link between the
Network CF Card and the wireless network.

The State field displays information on the Access Point with which the
Network CF Card is communicating.

The Curr ent Channelfield shows to what channel the Network CF Card is set.

The Current Tx Rate field shows the transfer rate in megabits per second.

Clicking the Rescan button refreshes the information displayed.

The Throughput fields show the rate at which data is transferred and received
in bytes per second.

The Link Quality field will display a bar indicating the percentage, between 0
and 100 percent, of the quality of the link. The higher the percentage, the bet­ter the link.

Wireless Network CF Card

Note: Creating and using the passphrase is recommended for easy WEP con-

figuration and security pur poses.

ENCRYPTION

The 64-bit or 128-bit WEP keys can be generated here from a user-defined
passphrase or entered manually.

An acronym for Wired Equivalent Privacy, WEP is an encryption scheme used
to protect your wireless data communications. WEP uses a combination of 64­bit or 128-bit keys to provide access control to your network and encryption
security for every data transmission. To decode a data transmission, each point
in a network must use an identical 64-bit or 128-bit key. Higher encr yption
levels mean higher levels of security, but, due to the complexity of the encryp­tion, they may mean decreased network performance.

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ABOUT

The About screen shows the release information for the Driver Version,
Configuration Utility Version, and Firmware Version.

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Wireless Network CF Card

The Signal Strengthfield will display a bar indicating the percentage, between
0 and 100 percent, of the strength of the signal. The higher the percentage, the

stronger the signal.

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What is Ad-Hoc?

An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN card
connected as an independent wireless LAN. Ad hoc wireless LAN is applica­ble at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.

What is Infrastructure?

An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure conf igura­tion. Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to cen­tral database, or wireless application for mobile workers.

What is Roaming?

Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user to communicate continu­ously while mo ving freel y throughout an area greater than that co vered b y a sin­gle Access Point. Before using the roaming function, the workstation must
make sure that it is the same channel number with the Access Point of dedicat­ed coverage area.

To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless LAN must incorporate a
number of different functions. Each node and Access Point, for example, must
always acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node must maintain contact
with the wireless network even when not actually transmitting data. Achieving
these functions simultaneously requires a dynamic RF networking technology
that links Access Points and nodes. In such a system, the user’s end node under­takes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates such
factors as signal strength and quality, as well as the message load currently
being carried by each Access Point and the distance of each Access Point to the
wired backbone. Based on that information, the node next selects the right
Access Point and registers its address. Communications between end node and
host computer can then be transmitted up and down the backbone.

As the user moves on, the end nodes RF transmitter regularly checks the sys­tem to determine whether it is in touch with the original Access Point or
whether it should seek a new one. When a node no longer receives acknowl­edgment from its original Access Point, it undertakes a new search. Upon find­ing a new Access P oint, it then rere gisters, and the communication process con­tinues.

What is BSS ID?

A specific Ad hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a
BSS must be configured with the same BSS ID.

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Wireless Network CF Card

Troubleshooting

This chapter provides solutions to problems usuall y occurring during the instal­lation and operation of the Network CF Card. Read the description below to
solve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys web­site at www.linksys.com.

1.My PDA does not recognize the Wireless CF Network Card.

• Make sure that the Network CF Card is properly inserted into the

CompactFlash port.

• Make sure the link led is solid.

2.The Wireless CF Network Card does not work properly.

• Reinsert the Network CF Card into the PDA's CompactFlash port.

• Uninstall the driver software from your PC and PDA device.

• Restart your PC and repeat the hardware and software installation as speci-

fied in this User Guide.

3.I cannot communicate with the Access Point via Ethernet in the

Infrastructure configuration.

• Make sure that the Access Point is powered on.

• Make sure that your Network CF Card is configured on the same channel,

SSID, and WEP as the Access Point.

What is IEEE 802.11b standard?

The IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulat­ing a standard for the industry. The objective is to enable wireless LAN hard­ware from different manufacturers to communicate.

What IEEE 802.11b features are supported?

The product supports the following IEEE 802.11b functions:

• CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol

• Multi-Channel Roaming

• Automatic Rate Selection

• RTS/CTS feature

• Fragmentation

• Power Management

Common Problems and Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

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Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?

WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security fea­ture of scrambling. On the software side, WLAN series offer the encryption
function (WEP) to enhance security and Access Control. Users can set it up
depending upon their needs.

Can Instant WirelessTMproducts support printer sharing?

Instant Wireless

TM

products perform the same function as LAN products.
Therefore, Instant Wireless™ products can work with NetWare, Windows
2000, or other LAN operating systems to support printer or f ile sharing.

What is WEP?

WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40 bit
shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11b standard.

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What is ESS ID?

An Infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for
mobile workers. More than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service
Set (ESS). Users within an ESS could Roam freely between BSSs while served
as a continuous connection to the network wireless stations and Access Points
within an ESS must be configured with the same ESS ID and the same radio
channel.

What is ISM band?

The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth
for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band.
Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available
worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient
high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.

What is Spread Spectrum?

Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique devel­oped by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communica­tions systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability,
integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the
case of narrowband transmission, but the trade off produces a signal that is, in
effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver knows the
parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not
tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background
noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
(DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?

Frequency-Hopping Spread-Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that
changes frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver.
Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel. To
an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise.
Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern
for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping
code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data can
be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during trans­mission, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original
data without -the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS
appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most nar­rowband receivers.

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22

DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum) - DSSS generates a redundant bit
pattern for each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chip­ping code). The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data
can be recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during
transmission, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the orig­inal data without -the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver , DSSS
appears as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most nar­rowband receivers.

Encryption - A security method that applies a specific algorithm to data in
order to alter the data's appearance and prevent other devices from reading the
information.

ESS - More than one BSS in a network.

Ethernet - IEEE standard network protocol that specif ies how data is placed

on and retrieved from a common transmission medium. Having a transfer rate
of 10 Mbps., this forms the underlying transport vehicle used by several upper­level protocols.

FHSS - Also known as "Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum". Frequency
hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) continuously changes the center frequency of
a conventional carrier several times per second according to a pseudo-random
set of channels, while chirp spread spectrum changes the carrier frequency.
Because a fixed frequency is not used, illegal monitoring of spread spectrum
signals is extremely difficult, if not downright impossible depending on the
particular method.

Firmware - Programming that is inser ted into programmable read-only mem­ory (programmable read-only memory), thus becoming a permanent part of a
computing device.

Fragmentation - Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over
a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.

Unlike e-mail programs in which graphics and program files have to be
"attached," FTP is designed to handle binary files directly and does not add the
overhead of encoding and decoding the data.

Wireless Network CF Card

Glossary

Ad-hoc Network- An ad-hoc netw ork is a wireless network or other small net­work in which some of the network devices are part of the network only for the
duration of a communications session while in some close proximity to the rest
of the network.

Backbone - The part of a network that connects most of the systems and net­works together and handles the most data.

Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of a given facility, in ter ms of how
much data the facility can transmit in a fixed amount of time; expressed in bits
per second (bps).

Bit - A binary digit. The value - 0 or 1-used in the binary numbering system.
Also, the smallest form of data.

BSS (Basic Service Set) - A group of Network CF Card users and an Access
Point.

CompactFlash - A flash memory format card that plugs into a CompactFlash
socket or into a standard Type II PC Card slot with an adapter.

CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) - The LAN
access method used in Ethernet. When a device wants to gain access to the net­work, it checks to see if the network is quiet (senses the car rier). If it is not, it
waits a random amount of time before retrying. If the network is quiet and two
devices access the line at exactly the same time, their signals collide. When the
collision is detected, the y both back of f and each wait a random amount of time
before retrying.

Database - A database is a collection of data that is organized so that its con­tents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

Driver- A software module that provides an interface between a network inter­face card and the upper-layer protocol software running in the computer.

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Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP
encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for
Linksys products.

PC Card - A credit-card sized removable module that contains memory, I/O,
or a hard disk.

PDA - (Personal Digital Assistant) Any small mobile hand-held device that pro­vides computing and information storage and retrieval capabilities for person­al or business use.

Plug-and-Play - The ability of a computer system to configure expansion
boards and other devices automatically without requiring the user to turn off
the system during installation.

Port - A pathway into and out of the computer or a network device. For exam­ple, the serial and parallel ports on a personal computer are external sockets for
plugging in communications lines, modems and printers.

Roaming - The ability to use a wireless device and be able to move from one
access point's range to another without losing the connection.

RTS (Request To Send) - An RS-232 signal sent from the transmitting station
to the receiving station requesting permission to transmit.

Software- Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs
a particular task is called a "program." The tw o major categories of softw are are
"system software" and "application software." System software is made up of
control programs such as the operating system and database management sys­tem (DBMS). Application software is any program that processes data for the
user.

A common misconception is that software is data. It is not. Software tells the
hardware how to process the data.

SOHO (Small Office/Home Off ice) - Market segment of professionals who
work at home or in small offices.

Spread Spectrum - Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequen­cy technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-crit­ical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency
for reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is con-

Wireless Network CF Card

Hardware - Hardware is the physical aspect of computers, telecommunica­tions, and other information technology devices. The term arose as a wa y to dis­tinguish the "box" and the electronic circuitry and components of a computer
from the program you put in it to make it do things. The program came to be
known as the software.

IEEE - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The IEEE
describes itself as "the world's largest technical professional society -- promot­ing the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences
for the benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well­being of our members."

The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and
international standards. The organization publishes a number of jour nals, has
many local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as the
IEEE Computer Society.

Infrastructure- An infrastructure network is a wireless network or other small
network in which the wireless network devices are made a part of the network
through the Access Point which connects them to the rest of the network.

ISM band - The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside
bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical)
band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made avail­able worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place con­venient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.

LAN - A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated
devices that share a common communications line and typically share
resources within a small geographic area (for example, within an office build­ing).

Mbps (MegaBits Per Second) - One million bits per second; unit of measure­ment for data transmission.

Network- A system that transmits any combination of v oice, video and/or data
between users.

Packet- A unit of data routed betw een an origin and a destination in a network.

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Specifications

Standards: IEEE 802.11b

Channels: 11 Channels (US, Canada)

13 Channels (Europe)*
14 Channels (Japan)*

Operating Range:

Indoors: up to 30M (100 ft.) @ 11 Mbps

up to 50M (165 ft.) @ 5.5 Mbps
up to 70M (230 ft.) @ 2 Mbps
up to 91M (300 ft.) @ 1 Mbps

Outdoors: up to 152M (500 ft.) @ 11 Mbps

up to 270M (885 ft.) @ 5.5 Mbps
up to 396M (1300 ft.) @ 2 Mbps
up to 457M (1500 ft.) @ 1 Mbps

Data Rate (Mbps): up to 11Mbps (with automatic scale back)

LEDs: Link

* will require different firmware and driver

Dimensions: 4.5” x 2” x .3” (115mm x 54mm x 8mm)

Unit W eight: 1.65 oz. (47g)

Power: 3.3V DC, 300 mA

Certifications: FCC Class B, CE Mark Commercial

Operating Temp.: 32ºF to 131ºF (0ºC to 55ºC)

Storage Temp.: -13ºF to 158ºF (-25ºC to 70ºC)

Operating Hum.: 10% to 90% Non-Condensing

Storage Hum.: 10% to 95% Non-Condensing

27

Environmental

Wireless Network CF Card

sumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade off produces
a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the
receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast.
If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks
like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

Storage - The semi-permanent or permanent holding place for digital data.

Throughput- The amount of data mo ved successfull y from one place to anoth-

er in a given time period.

Topology - A network's topology is a logical characterization of how the
devices on the network are connected and the distances between them. Most
large networks contain several levels of interconnection, the most important of
which include edge connections, backbone connections, and wide-area con­nections.

TX Rate - Transmission Rate.

Upgrade - To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - A data privacy mechanism based on a 64-

bit or 128-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

26

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Contact Information

For help with the installation or operation of this product, contact Linksys
Customer Support at one of the phone numbers or Internet addresses below.

Sales Information 800-546-5797 (LINKSYS)
Tech Support 866-242-8558
RMA Issues 949-261-1288
Fax [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Web http://www.linksys.com
FTP Site ftp.linksys.com

Wireless Network CF Card

28

Warranty Information

BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE
FROM THE PRODUCT'S PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN CALLING.
RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF
PURCHASE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID
FOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDEN­TAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE
OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS DOCU­MENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANY PROD­UCT.

LINKSYS OFFERS CROSS SHIPMENTS, A FASTER PROCESS FOR PRO­CESSING AND RECEIVING YOUR REPLACEMENT. LINKSYS PAYS
FOR UPS GROUND ONLY. ALL CUSTOMERS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA SHALL BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES. PLEASE
CALL LINKSYS FOR MORE DETAILS.

29

Instant WirelessTMSeries

© Copyright 2001 Linksys,All Rights Reserved.

http://www.linksys.com