Linksys WDT11 User Manual

Instant WirelessTMSeries

PCI Adapter

User Guide

Use this Guide to install the:

WDT11

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™ Network PC Card and PCI Adapter is
free from physical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one year
from the date of purchase. 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
These products have been tested and comply with the specifications for a Class B digi-

tal 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

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth

for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated
with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and your body.

UG-WDT11-041002 BW

Network PC Card and PCI Adapter

Troubleshooting 55

Common Problems and Solutions 55
Frequently Asked Questions 56

Appendix 60

Specifications for the PCI Adapter 60
Environmental Information for the PCI Adapter 60
Warranty Information 61
Contact Information 62

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Instant WirelessTMNetwork PC Card and PCI Adapter 1
Features 1
Package Contents for the PCI Adapter 2
System Requirements for the PCI Adapter 2

Planning Your Wireless Network 3

Network Topology 3
Roaming 3

Installing the PCI Adapter and Network PC Card in Your Desktop PC 4

Installing the PCI Adapter 4
Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows 98 5
Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows ME 8
Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows NT 10
Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows 2000 21
Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows XP 24

Configuring the Network PC Card 26

Configuring the Network PC Card for Windows 98, and ME 26
Configuring the Network PC Card for Windows NT 31
Configuring the Network PC Card for Windows 2000 38

Installing Network Protocols 40

Installing Network Protocols for Windows 98, and ME 40

Configuration Utility 42

Installing the Configuration Utility 42
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 45
Infrastructure Mode 46
Ad-Hoc Mode 48
Configuring the Network PC Card with the Configuration Utility 51

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Instant WirelessTMSeries

Introduction

Put the “mobile” back into mobile computing with the Linksys Instant
Wireless ™ Network PC Card and PCI Adapter! Whether you’re at your desk
or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card and PCI
Adapter allow you to share printers, files, and more anywhere within your wire­less LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you “in
touch.”

The Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card and PCI Adapter gives you the free­dom to work y

our way, from where you want, letting you take full advantage of
your notebook PC’s portability, while providing you with access to all your net­work resources. A high-powered built-in diversity antenna means that you’re
covered—at a distance of up to 457 meters. Compatible with Windows 98, ME,
NT 4.0 and 2000, the Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card and PCI Adapter
from Linksys are true necessities for all your wireless PC applications.

• 11 Mbps High-Speed Transfer Rate

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

• Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Setup

• Utilizes Intersil HFA3841/HFA3842 chip sets

• Advanced Power Management Features Conserve Valuable Notebook PC

Battery Life

• Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Compatible to Prevent Lost Connections

• Rugged Metal Design with Integrated Antenna

• Compatible with Windows 98, Millennium, NT 4.0 (SP 6.0 and higher),

2000, and XP

• Works with All Standard Internet Applications

• Capable of up to 128-Bit WEP Encryption

• Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

• Full 1-Year Warranty

Features

The Instant WirelessTMNetwork PC Card and PCI Adapter

Network PC Card and PCI Adapter

1

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

Pac

• One Instant Wireless

TM

PCI Adapter

• One Setup CD-ROM with User Guide

• One Quick Installation

• Pentium 90 or Faster

• Minimum 16MB of RAM

• PCI Local Bus 2.1 compliant

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Network PC Card and PCI Adapter

Planning Your Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless LAN is exactly like a regular LAN, except that each computer in the
LAN uses an Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card to connect to the network
using no wires. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the
same radio channel.

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

An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of an Instant
Wireless™ Network PC Card PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective
wireless transmission range for two Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card PCs.
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 BSS is essential. All computers that have Instant
Wireless™ Network PC Cards conf igured without roaming options in an inde­pendent BSS must be configured with a BSS ID (that is used in the BSS).

The Wireless LAN Infrastructure 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 Service Set (ESS). This con­tinuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All Instant
Wireless™ Network PC Card PCs within one ESS must be conf igured with the
same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.

Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, 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

Package Contents for the PCI Adapter

System Requirements for the PCI Adapter

PCI Adapter

1. Once you boot up your PC, Windows 98 will automatically identify the PCI
Adapter and prompt you to install the necessary driver. Insert the Setup
Utility CD (included) into your CD-ROM drive and click the Next button to
proceed.

2. Make sure Search for the best driver for your device is selected and click
the Next button.

5

Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows 98

Installing the PCI Adapter and
Network PC Card in Your Desktop PC

1. Turn off your desktop PC. (If you are just installing the WPC11 on your
notebook computer, please skip to the Installing the Network PC Card in
your Notebook PC section.)

2. With the PC Card facing up (the black arrow will be facing up), insert the

card completely into the PCI Adapter. These two devices must

be

installed together. While the card can be inserted either way, when it is

inserted properly, the “Instant Wireless” logo on the front of the card will not
be seen. If seen from the opposite side, only a small portion of the barcode
and no numbers

can be seen when the card is inserted completely. If in
doubt, try inserting the card both ways. The card will slide in further when
it is correct. Failure to insert the card properly will prevent the equipment

from functioning.

3. Open your PC case and locate an available PCI slot on the motherboard.
Check with your computer manufacturer for instructions.

4. Slide the PCI Adapter into the PCI slot. Make sure that all of its pins are

touching the slot's contacts. You may have to apply a bit of pressure to slide
the card all the way in. After the card is firmly in place, secure its fasten­ing tab to your PC's chassis with a mounting screw. Then, close your PC.

5. Power on your desktop PC.

The Hardware Installation is complete.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

Installing the PCI Adapter

WARNING:

For the PCI Adapter to be installed correctly, you must com­plete the installation with the Network PC Card in place.

This card is not hot-swappable. Whenever you are ready to use
the Network PC Card in the PCI Adapter, you must boot up
your PC with the Network PC Card in place.

PCI Adapter

5. During the installation, Windows may ask you for your Windows 98 CD­ROM. When prompted, place your Windows 98 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM
drive and click the Next button. If Windows does not f ind the file, enter
C:\windows\options\cabs in the drop down box that will appear.

6. Windows is now ready to install the driver. Click the Next button to contin­ue.

7. Windows will then display the following screen, indicating that the PCI
Adapter installation is now complete. Click the Finish button.

8. Windows will now ask you to restart your computer. Click the Ye s button to

restart. Once your computer has restarted, you can continue on to the
Configuration Utility section.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

3. Make sure that Specify a location is selected and type D:\WPC11­WDT11\Driver in the location box (where “D” is the letter of your CD-

ROM drive).

4. At this point, you will be returned to the Add New Hardware Wizard
screen. Verify that the correct folder is selected to install the driver and click

the

Next

button.

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PCI Adapter

3. At this point you will be returned to the Add New Hardware Wizard screen.
Make sure that the correct folder is selected to install the driver. Click the
Next button to continue.

4. This screen will appear when the installation is finished. Click the Finish
button.

5. Windows will now ask you to restart your computer. Click the Ye s button to

restart. Once your computer has restarted, you can continue on to the
Configuration Utility section.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

1. Windows Millennium will automatically identify the Network PC Card, once
it is connected to the PC, and prompt you to install the necessary driver.
Make sure the Setup Utility CD is in your CD-ROM drive, select “Specify
the location of the driver (Advanced)”, and click the Next button to pro­ceed.

2. Click the button for Search for the best driver for your device.

(Recommended). Select Specify a location: and enter D:\WPC11­WDT11\Driver in the location field (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM
drive.) Click the Next button.

8

Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows ME

PCI Adapter

3. Installation will begin and you will reach the screen shown below. You will
want to select the box that reads Wired to the network since you are adding
network hardware. Then, click the Next button to continue.

4. The next screen will not show any Network Adapters installed on your sys­tem, which signifies that no network hardware has been previously installed.
You will want to click the Select from list button to continue.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

Windows NT will setup the Network PC Card differently depending upon
whether you’ve previously installed network hardware or not. Please follow the
instructions appropriate for you.

If You Have Never Installed Network Hardware:

1. Windows NT is not a Plug-and-Play Operating System and will not auto­matically identify the PCI Adapter. To begin setup, insert Setup Utility CD
(included) into your CD-ROM drive and select Start, then Settings, and
bring up the Control Panel. Then, double-click on the Network icon.

2. Windows will notify you that Networking is not installed. Click the Ye s but-
ton to continue.

10

Installing the PCI Drivers for Windows NT

PCI Adapter

8. On the next screen, make sure there is a check mark in the box beside Instant
Wireless - Network PCI Card. Then, click the Next button to continue.

9. The next screen will show a list of network protocols. While the TCP/IP
Protocol is already selected by default, you should check with your net-

worked computers before installing any additional network protocols. Click
the Next button to continue.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

5. A list of adapters will appear on the next screen. You will not want to select
one of these, however, as your Setup Utility CD has all of the appropriate
drivers. Click the Have Disk button to continue.

6. On the Insert Disk screen, type “D:\WPC11-WDT11\Driver\WinNT”
(where D: is the letter of your CD-ROM drive) in the field provided. Then,
click the OK button to continue.

7. The Select OEM Option screen will show two options from which to
choose. You will want to highlight Instant Wireless - Network PCI Card
and click the OK button to continue.

12

NNoottee::

Linksys does not provide technical sup-

port for TCP/IP configuration or troubleshooting.

PCI Adapter

12.Windows NT may request
further files at this point.
Type “D:\WPC11-

WDT11\Driver\WinNT”

in the field provided and
click the Continue button.
If files are still requested,
insert your Windows NT
CD into your CD-ROM
drive and type “D:\i386”
(where “D” represents your
CD-ROM drive). Then,
click the Continue button.

13. You will now reach the
screen shown here. This is
called the Properties
screen. Please check with
your other wireless com­puters for the proper set­tings. For more informa­tion concerning these set­tings, refer to the section
called Configuring the

Network PC Card for
Windows NT. Adjust the

settings as are appropriate
and click the OK button.

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Instant WirelessTMSeries

10. On the screen showing Network Services, the selections are automatically
made. Simply, click the Next button to continue.

11. At this point, Windows NT will be ready to start installing Networking
Components. Review your selections and click the Next button to continue
if everything is correct. Or, click the Back button to make any necessary
corrections.

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