Linksys WPC12 Users Manual

Instant Wireless

Series

Chapter 1: Introduction

Network PC Card

T he I ns ta nt W ir e le s s

Put the “mobile” back into mobile computing! W hether you’re at your desk or in the boardroom, the I nstant W ireless™ Network PC Card allows you to share printers, files, and other resources anywhere within your L A N infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you “in touch.”

The Instant W ireless™ Network PC C ard now has a new, higher-powered antenna that provides a greater range than ever. T he increased sensitivity helps filter out interference and “ noise” to keep your signal clear. Improved error correction in the chipset keeps you operating at higher transmission rates for longer distances. A nd, since you only need one Type I I or I II PC MCI A slot, you’ re free to use your other slots for additional accessories.

R eady to run in T ype I I or I II PC MCI A-equipped notebook PC s running Windows 95, 98, M illennium, NT , 2000, and X P , the Instant W ireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0 is truly a “must-have” for all notebook PC users.

F e a t ur e s

• 11 Mbps High-Speed Data T ransfer Rate

• Compatible with V irtually A ll M ajor Network Operating Systems

• Plug-and-Play Operation Provides E asy Setup

• Integrated E qualizer R ecovers W eak Signals and E nhances Sensitivity

• Sturdy Metal Design with Integrated Antenna

• W orks with All Standard I nternet Applications

• Interoperable with I E E E 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4G H z-Compliant E quipment

• Clear Channel Assessment Increases N etwork T hroughput

• Hardware B uffer Chaining Provides High Performance W hile R eading and Writing B uffers

• Capable of up to 128-B it WE P

• Free T echnical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a W eek for North A merica Only

• 1-Y ear L imited Warranty

T M

N et w or k P C C a r d v e r. 3 . 0

Figure 1-1

P a c k a ge C on t e nt s

• One I nstant W irelessTMNetwork PC Card ver. 3.0

• One Setup U tility CD-R OM (User Guide on CD)

• Quick I nstallation insert and R egistration Card (not shown)

S y s te m R e qu ir em e nts

• A 16-bit PC M CI A T ype II or T ype III slot

• PC MC I A revisions 2.10 compliant card and socket services

• W indows 95, 98, M illennium, NT , 2000, or X P

• 600 K bytes of free disk space for utility and driver installation

Network PC Card

Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless

Instant Wireless

Series

Chapter 3: Installing the Drivers

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 ver. 3.0 to connect to the network through a wireless connection. Computers in a wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel.

The Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0 provides LAN access for wireless workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A group of Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0 users and an Access Point compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each PC equipped with an Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0 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 ver. 3.0 PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wireless transmission range for two PCs equipped with an Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0. Since the Access Point is able to forward data within its BSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructure LAN is doubled.

Roaming

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 PCs, equipped with an Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0, within one ESS must be configured with the same ESS ID.

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.

and Configuration Utility for Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000

Before You Start

Your new Linksys Instant Wireless™ Network PC Card ver. 3.0 comes with an automated software installation procedure for Windows 95, 98, Millennium, and 2000. Windows NT or XP users should refer to the next section. This new procedure automatically installs the drivers and Configuration Utility before you insert the Card into your PC, so there’s no searching for the location of drivers. Again, this step is taken before inserting the Card into your PC.

Running the Auto Driver Installation

1. Before installing your card, insert the Setup Utility CD into your CD-ROM drive. Unless you have deactivated the auto-run feature of Windows, the screen shown in Figure 2-1 should appear automatically.

Figure 2-1

If this screen does not appear automatically, you can access the installation by clicking the Start button and choosing Run. In the drop-down box provided, type D:\setup.exe (where D: is the letter of your CD-ROM drive). Alternately, double-click My Computer and double-click the CD-ROM drive where the Setup Utility CD is located. Double-click the Setup.exeicon in the folder that appears.