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AirLive WMU-9000VPN
User Manual
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OvisLink AirLive WMU-9000VPN User Manual

The 802.11g Wireless LAN Card
User’s Manual
User Instruction Manual for Windows 98 SE / ME / 2000 / XP
Table of Contents
About This Manual ............................................................................................4
Product Overview....................... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... .......................... .. .. .. .. ... .5
802.11g Wireless LAN Card Features...............................................................6
System Requirements.......................................................................................6
Installation Overview...................... .. ... .. .. .. .. .......................... ... .. .. .. .. .. ... ............6
Wireless LAN Network Modes .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .......................... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ......8
Planning Your New Wireless Network.............................................................11
Wireless LAN Configuration for Windows 98 SE / ME / 2000.........................17
The WLAN Management Utility (Windows 98 SE / ME / 2000) .......................18
Wireless LAN Configuration for Windows XP..................................................36
Uninstall the WLAN Utility ...............................................................................51
Common Installation Problems........................................................................53
Frequently Asked Questions ................... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ...............54
Appendix A
Hardware Specifications......... .... .... ..... .... .... ..... .... .. ..... .... .... ..... .... .... ..... .... .... ..57
Appendix B
Glossary..........................................................................................................58
Appendix C
FCC Class B Radio Frequency Interference Statement………………………..60
Chapter 1 Introduction
Congratulations on your decision to use wireless networking. The 802.11g Wireless LAN Card is a high performance, IEEE Standard 802.11g compatible, wireless networking card that installs into your PC’s slot to support wireless LAN communications at speeds up to 54Mbps with other PC’s located hundreds of feet apart.
Figure 1 Typical Wireless LAN Network
The 802.11g Wireless LAN Card allows reliable, secure and untethered access to your data providing you with exciting new ways to adapt to your lifestyle and needs. Without the limitations of wires, true mobility and data access is seamless in your office or home office.
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Data access from work, streaming audio MP3’s from a notebook to a stereo, downloading Internet content wirelessly from a broadband connection, watching TV on a notebook, are all possibilities with the 802.11g Wireless LAN Card.
About This Manual
This manual provides you with all the information necessary to successfully install and use your new 802.11g Wireless LAN Card. The manual is divided into six chapters and two appendices as follows:
• Chapter 1- Introduction. This chapter provides a brie f overview of the 802.11g Wireless LAN Card and the installation process.
• Chapter 2-Wireless Networking Concepts. This chapter introduces the major terms and explains the various concepts associated with configuring wireless LANs.
• Chapter 3-Installation. Provides hardware installation and software setup procedures to prepare your PC for Wireless LAN Card operation. You will also need to perform the LAN configuration procedures described in Chapter 4.
• Chapter 4-Configuration & Operation. This chapter provides operating instructions for the Wireless LAN Card and provides procedures for configuring your wireless LAN after completion of installation and initial setup.
• Chapter 5-Uninstalltion. This chapter details how to uninstall the WLAN Management Utility.
• Chapter 6-Troubleshooting. This chapter provides some good tips to follow in case you are having difficulties with the Wireless LAN Card after completi ng the installation procedure.
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• Appendix A- Hardware Specifications. This appendix provides hardware specifications for the Wireless LAN Card.
• Appendix B-Glossary. Defines various terminology associated with Wireless LANs.
Product Overview
The 802.11g Wireless LAN Card gives you the freedom of secure high-speed communications with other PCs without the need for interconnecting wires. You can even connect in to other LAN infrastructures such as your company’s internal Ethernet LAN or your own home network. The antenna and design of the Wireless LAN Card gives you unmatched sensitivity which means your system will remain connected to other wireless PCs at high speeds for longer distances.
The Wireless LAN Card operates according to the IEEE 802.11g Wireless LAN specification, for wireless data communications at speeds up to 54Mbps (Megabits per second). IEEE 802.11g operates on frequencies in the 2.4GHz range using OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology.
Backed by international standards and the IEEE organization, IT departments and end-users alike benefit from the reliability and interoperability of products based on these standards. From an investment point of view, it makes good business sense investing in technology that will be support worldwide for many years to come (unlike technologies not backed by international communications standards). Whether you are running a company or a home office, the Wireless LAN Card reduces, or eliminates in some cases, the need to setup wired LAN networks in the office or home office, eliminating costs associated with wiring rooms and buildings.
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802.11g Wireless LAN Card Features
• Up to 54Mbps data transfer rates for high-speed access to data
• Compatible with 802.11g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED equipment (2.4GHz operating range)
• Plug-and-play with Microsoft Windows operating systems
• Secure data access, up to 128-bit WEP encryption protection
• Driver requires minimal memory footprint and CPU support
• Easy upgrades via software driver, no firmware to upgrade
• Provides seamless connectivity to Wireless and hardwired LANs
System Requirements
• PC with Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows XP Operating Systems
• One (1) available Slot
• CD-ROM drive (for the drivers and configuration software)
Installation Overview
The installation process is relatively fast and simple.
1. Place the CD-ROM supplied with your 802.11g Wireless LAN Card (containing the drivers and configuration software) in your CD-ROM drive and the configuration software auto starts. Simply go through a series of self-prompting screens and select from the options to configure your
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Wireless LAN Card for your particular operating system (these procedures are detailed in Chapter 3-Installation).
2. Plug the Wireless LAN Card into your PC’s Slot.
3. Set up your wireless LAN using the instructions in Chapter 4. Record your security codes (WEP keys), etc. for later reference. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each PC that will be connected to your wireless LAN. Your wireless LAN should now be fully functional.
4. If you are experiencing problems after completion of the installation procedures, refer to Chapter 6, Troubleshooting.
Chapter 2 Wireless Network
Concepts
For the past few decades, wired Local Area Networks (LAN) or more commonly know as Ethernet, have provided a seamless way of connecting and communicating with multiple PCs, desktops, laptop/notebooks, servers as well as a host of other peripherals, including printers, scanners, etc. LANs have served us well in environments where users were not mobile or had little need to access data other than in their office.
With the advent of notebook computers and an increasingly mobile computing society, the need for wireless networking finds more applications with each passing day. Wireless LANs have evolved to meet the needs of mobile computing and are becoming very popular as compatibility, reliability and familiarity increases and equipment costs decrease.
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Wireless LANs (WLAN) allow users to roam freely about a network taking their computers with them while still maintaining a networking connection. In essence, WLANs are an extension of wired LAN networks, where the critical need is data access and mobility. The tradeoffs are slower speeds (although quite satisfactory for Internet and email access) and limited roaming distance, as dictated by the environment.
A basic WLAN network requires client nodes and access points, similar to a LAN with its clients and infrastructure (switches, repeaters, etc.). The access point is the connection to the wired LAN network or a designated computer device performing the supervisory function, while client nodes are typically WLAN adapters installed in peripheral computing devices, such as notebooks, desktops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and others. Once a WLAN is setup, it acts like a wired LAN, using the same protocols designated for communicating via the IEEE Ethernet standard.
Wireless LAN Network Modes
WLANs basically have two modes of operation:
• Ad-Hoc mode
• Infrastructure mode
What is Ad-Hoc mode?
An Ad-Hoc WLAN is created when two or more PCs equipped with Wireless LAN Cards (WLAN clients) are configured to use the same radio channel and Networ k Name in the same area and can communicate freely with each other, without the
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need for an Access Point to a hard-wired LAN network. Only PCs that use the same radio channel and network name can communicate over the Ad-Hoc network. This type of a network is a peer-to-peer relationship where each computer talks directly to one another with no one PC being dominant.
Figure 2 Ad-Hoc Mode: Two or More PCs with 802.11g Wireless LAN Cards
Configured to Same Radio Channel and Network Name
Infrastructure Mode
When a WLAN access point is introduced into the WLAN, the access point and its clients (each PC) comprise a Basic Service Set (BSS), whereby the access point serves as the connection to the wired LAN for each client. Clients within the same BSS do not directly communicate between each other; rather they communicate to the AP that routes the data to the appropriate destination.
The access point bridges both wired and wireless networks, allowing wired and wireless client communication. This arrangement of WLAN access points and clients is commonly referred to as Infrastructure mode. An access point also
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extends the range of the WLAN, double over that of client only networks because the access point is able to forward data within its BSS.
Infrastructure mode enables the network clients to freely roam, once an ESS (Extended Service Set) is established.
With all clients using the same radio channel and ESS ID (sometimes referred to as SSID which is a given name to the network), users are fully mobile within the range of the access point signal. Access points should be situated in location to deliver the largest range of signals, with minimal interference. Best performance and signal quality is often affected by building structures, walls, etc., and may require some trial-and-error to identify the best location for access points.
Figure 3 Infrastructure Mode-Combination Wireless and Hardwired LANs
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Planning Your New Wireless Network
First, determine what components (WLAN cards, access points) and what kind of network will be created (Ad-Hoc, Infrastructure mode). Then select your network name (SSID), WEP key (security password) and channel number (1 through 11 in US, 1 through 13 in Europe and 1 through 14 in Japan). All members of the wireless LAN will have to configure their PCs to the same SSID, WEP and Channel number to talk to each other. SSID, WEP key and channel number are essential to understanding and creating a successful wireless network.
These concepts are explained in the following paragraphs.
What is SSID?
A wireless network requires a BSS or ESS to operate and a name associated with it. SSID literally stands for a network name for use with that Service Set of clients and access points if so set up. All computers must have the same SSID as the network in order to communicate over the new network. The SSID name can be any name such as “wireless_lan”, “Bob’s domain”, or “AbCdE123”, and can include numbers as well as be case-sensitive. If the exact SSID name is not used, then that wireless client cannot logon into that network.
What Channel Do I Use?
IEEE 802.11g wireless LAN networks communicate using one of several available channels (each with a different operating frequency) to reduce the interference from other potential sources or users of that channel. Depending on
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the country where the network is being set up, you may have a choice of up to 14 channels available. In the US, channels 1 through 11 are defined for use in the
2.4GHz spectrum used by 802.11g. In Europe, channels 12 and 13 are added, while Japan can have up to 14 channels. Channels 1, 6 and 11 are the most commonly used channels in the US.
For your network, choose a channel that offers little interference and configure all users of this network to the same channel.
What is a WEP key?
WEP provides for two levels of security encryption based on the length of bits in a key called a Shared Key. A 40-bit key (which is 5 characters) provides some security; this can be a key like “12345” or “MyLAN”. A 104-bit key is also available and provides more robust security. A 13-character key is required for 104-bit security. Keys can be in ASCII characters or Hexadecimal. ASCII characters are those used in computers and include all typewritten characters including the alphabet and numbers, as well as */”()[] characters. Hexadecimal characters are limited to the numbers 0-9 and the first 6 letters of the alphabet a-f.
Table 1 WEP Key Examples
WEP Key size Number of Digits Example
5 (ASCII) 12345, MyLAN, 78E*5
40-bit (also called 64-bit)
10 (Hexadecimal)
1A37FB458C
104-bit (also called 128-bit)
13 (ASCII) 1234567890123,This_is_MyLAN
26 (Hexadecimal) 1A37FB458C12E34F8523E9FF76
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Note: Every key has an added 24-bit provided by the card, which are set by the
manufacturer and not user modifiable. This manual uses the terms 40-bit and 104-bit to represent 64-bit and 128-bit keys respectively. This is the most commonly used terminology in the industry.
The WEP key for your wireless LAN network is another form of password. Like passwords, certain combinations of passwords are not recommended for use (such as 01234, abcde, or publicly known information like your office phone number, dog’s name, etc.). Protect your WEP key as you would a password.
Note: If you access other networks with already predefined keys, always enter them exactly as they appear taking note of lower and upper case letters.
Any computer accessing a wireless network with WEP enabled not only requires the same SSID but also the same WEP key in order to have access.
With the above factors decided, physical placement of the components will be critical. The maximum range of the wireless LAN will often be decided by the type of environment it is located in and, if in different rooms, by how many obstacles are in the way which reduces the range of the wireless adapters. Often, Ad-Hoc mode will require the wireless clients to be in closer range of each other than Infrastructure type networks. The Wireless LAN Card can operate at up to 100m indoors and up to 300m outdoors, although the physical environment (walls, floors, ceilings, etc.) will limit the range of wireless signals.
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Chapter 3 Installation
1. Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. The setup program will start automatically.
2. Click Next to begin the setup.
3. Select the destination folder. To install to the default folder as shown below, click Next to continue.
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4. The necessary Driver and Utility files will be copied to your system directory.
5. Select No and then click Finish to complete the installation (Windows 98 SE and ME users must select Yes).
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6. The shortcut will appear on your desktop. By click this icon, you can run the Utility program.
After installing a new network adapter, Windows automatically configures
Note:
the TCP/IP protocol to automatically obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. Depending on your setup, you may want to consider specifying a fixed IP address for your new wireless adapter.
Chapter 4 Configuration &
Operation
Once the driver is installed, the 802.11g Wireless LAN Card will be up and running. If you encounter any difficulties, consult Chapter 6, Troubleshooting. This chapter provides general operation and configuration information for use after initial installation is completed.
Configuration of the Wireless LAN Card is dependent on the operating system. Please follow the instructions carefully to make sure you are taking the appropriate steps for your operating system.
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Wireless LAN Configuration for Windows 98 SE / ME / 2000
If your PC uses Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, or Windows 2000, use the following configuration procedure.
NOTE: If your PC uses Windows XP, skip this procedure and refer to the
paragraph titled, “Wireless LAN Configuration for Windows XP” located further in this chapter.
Utility Startup Configuration Details
The Wireless LAN Card has its own management software. Users can control all functions provided by the application named WLAN Utility. You m ay run the ut ilit y by double clicking the WLAN Utility shortcut on your desktop.
Three colors are used to describe the status of the connection icon shown in t he System Tray. Green indicates excellent connection. Yellow indicates the connection has poor quality, and Red means no connection. Double click the icon and the WLAN utility will be opened.
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The WLAN Management Utility (Windows 98 SE / ME / 2000)
The WLAN Utility contains the following four major functions. Each function is described in detail below:
• Status: provide the information of the current wireless connection.
• Profile: allow users easily configure different settings for each profile.
• Survey: support site-survey tool to list the active access points that are within the range of your computer.
• About: provide valuable information about the firmware and software version,
MAC address, and so on.
Status Tab
The Status tab provides information on the current profile, if any, being used in the wireless connection. The information listed on the Status tab is indicated below. Figure 1 shows the screen layout of the Status tab:
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Profile Name
The name of profile currently in use.
Connection Status
SSID
The name of the SSID (Service Set Identification) associated with the profile.
State
This field is used to display the current state of the driver. The State field can be the following: Check this box to have networks automatically connection when available
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