Linksys WMP51AB Revised Manual

Dual-Band Wireless A+B

Network PCI Adapter

Use this guide to install: WMP51AB

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 © 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 Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+BNotebook Adapter lets your notebook
The Dual-Band Wireless A+BNotebook Adapter 1	communicate with today’s wireless network standard and prepares you for the
Features 1	future. With one PCCard, you can connect with the 2.4GHz, 802.11b wireless
Chapter 2:Planning Your Wireless Network 2	networks so prevalent in homes, businesses and public “hotspots” already, and
Network Topology 2	also a growing number of 5GHz, 802.11a networks that are spreading across
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 2	the country.
Chapter 3:Getting to Know the Dual-Band	It’s simple to use. Just pop it into a PCCard slot, and run the included Setup
Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter 4	Wizard, which will walk you through the configuration. To keep your commu-
The Adapter’s LEDs 4	nications
Chapter 4:Software Installation and Configuration 5	secure, the PCCard supports up to 152-bit data encryption.
Overview 5	802.11b wireless networks are commonly found in corporate environments and
Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98, Me, and 2000 6	are used in homes for household Internet connectivity without the need for run-
Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows XP 10	ning
Chapter 5:Hardware Installation 12	cables. They’re also popping up all over the country in coffee shops, air-ports,
Chapter 6:Using the WLANMonitor for Windows	hotels, convention centers, and other public spaces offering “on-the-go”
98, Me, and 2000 13	connectivity to mobile users. The 802.11a standard is almost five times faster
Overview 13	than 802.11b, and operates in the less crowded 5GHz radio band, but it’s not as
Accessing the WLANMonitor 13	common — yet. It is quickly being deployed wherever higher-speed connectivi-ty
Link Information 14	is desired.
Site Survey 16	Join the wireless revolution. With the Linksys Dual-Band Wireless Notebook
Profiles 18	Adapter, you’ll be ready to connect to either type of wireless network, wherev-er
Creating a New Profile 20	you go, now and in the future.
Chapter 7: Using the Wireless Zero Configuration	•Connects to Either 802.11b (2.4GHz) or 802.11a (5GHz) Networks without
for Windows XP 28	Changing Adapters
Appendix A:Troubleshooting 30	•Up to 152-bit WEPEncryption
Common Problems and Solutions 30	•Easy-to-use Setup Wizard
Frequently Asked Questions 31	•Detailed Monitoring and Performance Utility
Appendix B:Glossary 35	•802.11b and 802.11a Compliant
Appendix C: Specifications 40	•Free Technical Support — 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, Toll-Free US
Environmental 41	Calls
Appendix D: Warranty Information 42	•1-Year Limited Warranty
Appendix E:Contact Information 43

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.

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.

Figure 2-1

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the

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.

Figure 3-1

Chapter 4: Software Installation

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

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.

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

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.

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