Linksys WMP51AB Revised Manual

Instant Wireless

®

Series

Dual-Band Wireless A+B

Network PCI Adapter

Use this guide to install: WMP51AB

User Guide

INDUSTRY CANADA (CANADA)
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
The use of this device in a system operating either partially or completely outdoors may require
the user to obtain a license for the system according to the Canadian regulations.
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE)
Linksys Group declares that the Instant Wireless Series products included in the Instant
Wireless Series conform to the specifications listed below, following the provisions of the
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC:

• ETS 300-826, 301 489-1 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.

• EN 609 50 Safety

• ETS 300-328-2 Technical requirements for Radio equipment.
Note: This equipment is intended to be used in all EU and EFTA countries. Outdoor use
may be restricted to certain frequencies and/or may require a license for operation. For
more details, contact Linksys Corporate Compliance.
Note: Combinations of power levels and antennas resulting in a radiated power level of
above 100 mW are considered as not compliant with the above mentioned directive and
are not allowed for use within the European community and countries that have adopted
the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC and/or the CEPT recommendation Rec 70.03.
For more details on legal combinations of power levels and antennas, contact Linksys
Corporate Compliance.

• Linksys Group vakuuttaa täten että Instant Wireless IEEE 802.11 PC Card tyyppinen
laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY, direktiivin 89/336/EEC ja direktiivin 73/23/EEC oleellis-ten
vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien näiden direktiivien muiden ehtojen mukainen.

• Linksys Group déclare que la carte PC Instant Wireless IEEE 802.11 est conforme
aux conditions essentielles et aux dispositions relatives à la directive 1999/5/EC, la
directive 89/336/EEC, et à la directive 73/23/EEC.

• Belgique B L’utilisation en extérieur est autorisé sur le canal 11 (2462 MHz), 12 (2467
MHz), et 13 (2472 MHz).
Dans le cas d’une utilisation privée, à l’extérieur d’un bâtiment, au-dessus d’un
espace public, aucun enregistrement n’est nécessaire pour une distance de moins
de 300m. Pour une distance supérieure à 300m un enregistrement auprès de l’IBPT
est requise. Pour une utilisation publique à l’extérieur de bâtiments, une licence de
l’IBPT est requise. Pour les enregistrements et licences, veuillez contacter l’IBPT.

• France F: Bande de fréquence restreinte: seuls les canaux 10, 11, 12, 13 (2457,
2462, 2467, et 2472 MHz respectivement) doivent être utilisés en France. Toute util-isation,
qu'elle soit intérieure ou extérieure, est soumise à autorisation. Vous pouvez
contacter l'Autorité de Régulation des Télécommuniations (http://www.art-telecom.fr)
pour la procédure à suivre.

• France F: Restricted frequency band: only channels 10, 11, 12, 13 (2457, 2462,
2467, and 2472 MHz respectively) may be used in France. License required for
every indoor and outdoor installations. Please contact ART for procedure to follow.

• Deutschland D: Anmeldung im Outdoor-Bereich notwending, aber nicht genehmi-gungspflichtig.
Bitte mit Händler die Vorgehensweise abstimmen.

• Germany D: License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for proce-dure
to follow.

• Italia I: E' necessaria la concessione ministeriale anche per l'uso interno. Verificare
con i rivenditori la procedura da seguire. L'uso per installazione in esterni non e' per-messa.

• Italy I: License required for indoor use. Use with outdoor installations not allowed.

• the Netherlands NL License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for
procedure to follow.

• Nederlands NL Licentie verplicht voor gebruik met buitenantennes. Neem contact op
met verkoper voor juiste procedure.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant Wireless, Linksys, and the Linksys logo
are registered trademarks of Linksys Group, Inc. 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 Dual-Band Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter will
be free from physical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one year from
the date of purchase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications chapter of this
User Guide. If these products prove defective during this warranty period, call Linksys
Technical 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 PUR-CHASE.
When returning a product, mark the Return Authorization Number clearly on the out-side
of the package and include a copy of your original proof of purchase. All customers locat-ed
outside of the United States of America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping
and handling charges.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’S 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 prod-ucts
or the contents or use of this documentation and all accompanying software, and specif-ically
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 Instant Wireless Dual-Band Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter has been tested and com-plies
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 res-idential
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 par-ticular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television recep-tion,
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 devices

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

• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications nor expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement
This device and its antenna(s) must operate with a separation distance of at least 20 cm from
all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter. End-users must be provided with specific operations for satisfying RF exposure
compliance.
UG-WPC51AB-102102NC JL

Table of Contents

Chapter 1:Introduction

Chapter 1:Introduction 1
The Dual-Band Wireless A+BNotebook Adapter 1
Features 1
Chapter 2:Planning Your Wireless Network 2
Network Topology 2
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 2
Chapter 3:Getting to Know the Dual-Band
Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter 4
The Adapter’s LEDs 4
Chapter 4:Software Installation and Configuration 5
Overview 5
Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98, Me, and 2000 6
Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows XP 10
Chapter 5:Hardware Installation 12
Chapter 6:Using the WLANMonitor for Windows
98, Me, and 2000 13
Overview 13
Accessing the WLANMonitor 13
Link Information 14
Site Survey 16
Profiles 18
Creating a New Profile 20
Chapter 7: Using the Wireless Zero Configuration
for Windows XP 28
Appendix A:Troubleshooting 30
Common Problems and Solutions 30
Frequently Asked Questions 31
Appendix B:Glossary 35
Appendix C: Specifications 40
Environmental 41
Appendix D: Warranty Information 42
Appendix E:Contact Information 43

The Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+BNotebook Adapter lets your notebook
communicate with today’s wireless network standard and prepares you for the
future. With one PCCard, you can connect with the 2.4GHz, 802.11b wireless
networks so prevalent in homes, businesses and public “hotspots” already, and
also a growing number of 5GHz, 802.11a networks that are spreading across
the country.
It’s simple to use. Just pop it into a PCCard slot, and run the included Setup
Wizard, which will walk you through the configuration. To keep your commu­nications
secure, the PCCard supports up to 152-bit data encryption.

802.11b wireless networks are commonly found in corporate environments and
are used in homes for household Internet connectivity without the need for run­ning
cables. They’re also popping up all over the country in coffee shops, air-ports,
hotels, convention centers, and other public spaces offering “on-the-go”
connectivity to mobile users. The 802.11a standard is almost five times faster
than 802.11b, and operates in the less crowded 5GHz radio band, but it’s not as
common —yet. It is quickly being deployed wherever higher-speed connectivi-ty
is desired.
Join the wireless revolution. With the Linksys Dual-Band Wireless Notebook
Adapter, you’ll be ready to connect to either type of wireless network, wherev-er
you go, now and in the future.

•Connects to Either 802.11b (2.4GHz) or 802.11a (5GHz) Networks without
Changing Adapters

•Up to 152-bit WEPEncryption

•Easy-to-use Setup Wizard

•Detailed Monitoring and Performance Utility

•802.11b and 802.11a Compliant

•Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, Toll-Free US
Calls

•1-Year Limited Warranty

The Dual-Band Wireless A+BNotebook Adapter
Features

Chapter 2: Planning Your
Wireless Network

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area net-work
(LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to
connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency
channel and SSID, which is an identification name for wireless devices.
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which
they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configura-tion
is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an
access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers com-municating
directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes
depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or periph-erals
with a wired network or not.
If the computers on the
wireless network need to
be accessed by a wired
network or need to share a
peripheral, such as a print-er,
with the wired network
computers, the wireless
network should be set up
in infrastructure mode.
(See Figure 2-1.) 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 cards, 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 (wired) hardware as well.

Network Topology
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode

Figure 2-1

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. (See Figure 2-2.) Ad-hoc mode allows computers equipped with wire-less
transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, elimi-nating
the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is 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 direct-ly
between them.

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the

Chapter 4: Software Installation
Dual-Band Wireless A+ B
Notebook Adapter

Flash alternately

Green. The LEDs flash in alternate sequence, one after another, when the
Adapter is searching for an access point or wireless router.

Flash in unison

Green. The LEDs flash in unison when the Adapter is connected to an access
point or wireless router.

The Adapter’s LEDs

Figure 3-1

and Configuration

The Dual-Band Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you

through the installation procedure. The Setup Wizard will install the WLAN

Monitor and Device Driver, as well as configure the Adapter.

Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The Setup

Wizard should run automatically, and Figure 4-1 should appear. If it does not,

click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears, enter

D:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).

If your PC is using Windows 98, Me, or 2000, proceed to the next section,

“Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98, Me, and 2000.” If your PC is using

Windows XP, proceed to this section, “Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows

XP.”

Important: You must run the Setup Wizard to install the software

before installing the hardware.

Figure 4-1

Overview

3. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a wireless mode. Click the

1. To install the Adapter, click the Next button on the Welcome screen.

2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button if you agree, or
click the Cancel button to end the installation.

Infrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers to

network with computers on your wired network using a wireless access

point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wireless

computers to network directly with each other. Do not use the Ad-Hoc mode

if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computers on

your wired network.

In the SSID field, enter the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID must

be identical for all devices in the network. The default setting is linksys (all

lowercase). Click the Next button.