Planet Technology WL-3552 User Manual

Wireless PCMCIA Card

WL-3552

User Manual

Networking& Communicatio

WL-3552 User’s Manual

Copyright  2002 by PLANET Technology Corp. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of PLANET.

PLANET makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Any software described in this manual is sold or licensed "as is". Should the programs prove defective following their purchase, the buyer (and not PLANET, its distributor, or its dealer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, and any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software. Further, PLANET reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the contents hereof without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes.

All brand and product names mentioned in this manual are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Disclaimer

PLANET Technology does not warrant that the hardware will work properly in all environments and applications, and makes no warranty and representation, either implied or expressed, with respect to the quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose.

PLANET has made every effort to ensure that this User’s Manual is accurate; PLANET disclaims liability for any inaccuracies or omissions that may have occurred.

Information in this User’s Manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of PLANET. PLANET assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this User’s Manual. PLANET makes no commitment to update or keep current the information in this User’s Manual, and reserves the right to make improvements to this User’s Manual and/or to the products described in this User’s Manual, at any time without notice.

If you find information in this manual that is incorrect, misleading, or incomplete, we would appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of 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 in accordance with 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 can be determined 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:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

WL-3552 User’s Manual

4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio technician for help.

FCC Caution

To assure continued compliance. (example-use only shielded interface cables when connecting to computer or peripheral devices). Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the 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 mu st accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure set forth for an uncontrolled environment. In order to avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio frequency exposure limits, human proximity to the antenna shall not be less than 20 cm(8 inches) during normal operation.

R&TTE Compliance Statement

This equipment complies with all the requirements of DIRECTIVE 1999/5/CE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunication terminal Equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (R&TTE)

The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC (Telecommunications Terminal Equipment and Satellite Earth Station Equipment) As of April 8,2000.

Safety

This equipment is designed with the utmost care for the safety of those who install and use it. However, spe cial attention must be paid to the dangers of elect ric shock an d static ele ctricity when working with electrical equipment. All guidelines of this and of the computer manufacture must therefore be allowed at all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment.

EU Countries Intended for Use

The ETSI version of this device is intended for home and office use in Austria Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France (with Frequency channel restrictions). Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg .The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

The ETSI version of this device is also authorized for use in EFTA member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Revision

User’s Manual for PLANET Wireless PCMCIA Adapter Model: WL-3552 Rev: 1.0 (Jul. 2002) Part No. EM-WL3552v1

WL-3552 User’s Manual

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction ..................................................................................1

1.1 Features.................................................................................................1

1.2 Applications............................................................................................1

1.2.1 Infrastructure....................................................................................1

1.2.2 Ad-Hoc.............................................................................................2

1.3 Specification...........................................................................................3

1.4 Package Contents..................................................................................4

1.5 Minimum System Requirements.............................................................4

1.6 Safety Precaution...................................................................................5

Chapter 2 Installation Procedure..................................................................6

2.1 Windows 98/ME/2000 Installation ..........................................................6

2.2 Windows XP Installation.......................................................................10

2.3 Windows NT 4.0 Installation.................................................................12

Chapter 3 Configuration Utility...................................................................14

3.1 “Status”.................................................................................................14

3.2 “Statistics”.............................................................................................16

3.3 “Site Survey”.........................................................................................16

3.4 “Encryption”..........................................................................................17

3.5 “Advanced”...........................................................................................17

3.6 “Version” ...............................................................................................18

Appendix ......................................................................................................19

WL-3552 User’s Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing WL-3552 PCMCIA Wireless LAN Adaptor. This device is an IEEE

802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Adapter. It can operate in either Ad-Hoc mode (Point to Point/Point to Multipoint without Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (Point to Point/Point to Multipoint with Access Point). It operates in 2.4GHz unlicensed ISM band in the home or office environment. WL-3552 provided with a built-in dipole antenna and is connected to PC PCMCIA slot. Thus, it is capable of being placed practically anywhere on or around your computer to get better signal quality and longer connection distance. The WL-3552 is compatible with Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000 and XP. It supports 64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) Encryption for securing wireless network connection. Its data rate support 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps. With its auto-fallback function, the data rate can be move to lower speed if signal quality is not good enough. The WL-3552 provides full mobility and seamless roaming feature for mobile users to keep network connection across access points. Its range of coverage is up to 350 feet indoor and 1100 feet outdoors.

1.1 Features

 2.4GHz ISM band, unlicensed operation  Wireless connection without the hassles and cost of cabling  Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11b compliant  Up to 11Mbps data rate with CSMA/CA  Utilize Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Technology to provide robust,

interference-resistant solution in a multi-user environment

 Working range up to 350 feet indoor and 1100 feet outdoor  Support Ad-Hoc / Infrastructure mode  Roaming capability to provide mobile computing for mobile worker to access network

resources anywhere in the field

 Seamless integration with IEEE 802.3 LAN through WAP-1960 or other IEEE 802.11b

compliant Access Point

 Supports most popular operating systems including Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP

1.2 Applications

1.2.1 Infrastructure

The WL-3552 provides access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A group of WL-3552 PC users and an Access Point compose a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each WL-3552 PC in a

WL-3552 User’s Manual

BSS can talk to any computer in the wired LAN infrastructure via the Access Point. An Infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a WL-3552 equipped PC to a wired LAN, and doubles the effective wireless transmission range for 2 WL-3552 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 WL-3552 equipped PCs configured without roaming options in an independent BSS must be configured with a BSS ID corresponding to the WL-3552 used in the BSS. Check your WL-3552 for its BSS ID or use the Site Survey function on Configuration Utility program to determine the BSS ID. The Infrastructure Wireless LAN configuration is appropriate for enterprise-scale 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). The continuous network allows users to roam freely within an ESS. All WL-3552 PCs or other IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapter within one ESS must be configured with the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel. Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability, choosing 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.

1.2.2 Ad-Hoc

An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one WL-3552 adapter or other wireless adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in a specific Ad-Hoc wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel. Ad-Hoc wireless LAN configurations are appropriate for branch level departments o r SOHO operations.

WL-3552 User’s Manual

WL-3552 offers a fast, reliable, cost-effective solution for wireless client access to the network in applications like these:

1. Remote access to corporate network information

E-mail, file transfer and terminal emulation.

2. Difficult-to-wire environments

Historical or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open area where wiring is difficult to employ.

3. Frequently changing environments

Retailers, manufacturers and banks who frequently rearrange the workplace and change location.

4. Temporary LANs for special projects or peak time

Trade shows, exhibitions and construction sites need temporary setup for a short time period. Retailers, airline and shipping companies need additional workstations for a peak period. Auditors require workgroups at customer sites.

5. Access to database for mobile workers

Doctors, nurses, retailers, white-collar workers need access to database while being mobile in the hospital, retail store or office campus.

6. SOHO (Small Office and Home Office) users

SOHO users need easy and quick installation of a small computer network.

7. High security connection

The wireless security network installs quickly and provides the flexibility to reconfigure easily.

1.3 Specification

Product Wire Free – Wireless LAN 11Mbps PCMCIA Adapter

Model Name WL-3552 Attach Interface PCMCIA Type-II LED Indicators Act

WL-3552 User’s Manual

Operating Frequency / Channel 2.412~2.462GHz (FCC, Canada) / 11 Channels

2.412~2.4835GHz (Japan, TELEC) / 14 Channels

2.412~2.472GHz (Euro ETSI) / 13 Channels

RF Modulation Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Technology

(CCK, DQPSK, DBPSK) RF Output Power 19dBm Sensitivity -83dBm (@ PER<8%) Data Rate 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps with auto-rate fall back Media Access Protocol CSMA/CA + ACK, IEEE802.11b Compliant Standard Antenna Built-in dipole antenna Range Up to 1100 feet outdoor and 350 feet indoor Working Mode Ad-Hoc, Infrastructure Power Consumption TX: 3.3V, 500mA

RX: 3.3V, 250mA

Stand by / sleep mode: 3.3V, 20mA Dimension (mm) 115*55*8 mm Humidity 0-90%, non-condensing (Operating and storage) Temperature 0 – 55 deg ree C (Operating), -20~70 degree C(Storage) Compatibility Windows 98, Me, 2000 and XP Management Utility or Windows XP built-in management interface STANDARDS COMPLIANCE Electromagnetic Compatibility FCC, CE, ETSI 300, 328

1.4 Package Contents

Before installation, please check the items of your package. The package should inclu de the following items: One WL-3552 One Quick Installation Guide One Drivers and User’s Manual CD

If any of the above items are missing, contact your supplier as soon as possible.

1.5 Minimum System Requirements

Before installation, please check the following requirements with your equipment.

+ 16 hidden pages