SMC Networks SMCWPCI-N User Manual

USER GUIDE

SMCWPCI-N

EZ Connect™ N
Draft 11n Wireless PCI Adapter

LIMITED WARRANTY
Limited Warranty Statement: SMC Networks, Inc. (“SMC”) warrants its products to be free from
defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for the applicable warranty
term. All SMC products carry a standard 90-day limited warranty from the date of purchase from
SMC or its Authorized Reseller. SMC may, at its own discretion, repair or replace any product not
operating as warranted with a similar or functionally equivalent product, during the applicable
warranty term. SMC will endeavor to repair or replace any product returned under warranty within
30 days of receipt of the product. The standard limited warranty can be upgraded to a Limited
Lifetime* warranty by registering new products within 30 days of purchase from SMC or its
Authorized Reseller. Registration can be accomplished via the enclosed product registration card
or online via the SMC website. Failure to register will not affect the standard limited warranty. The
Limited Lifetime warranty covers a product during the Life of that Product, which is defined as the
period of time during which the product is an “Active” SMC product. A product is considered to be
“Active” while it is listed on the current SMC price list. As new technologies emerge, older
technologies become obsolete and SMC will, at its discretion, replace an older product in its
product line with one that incorporates these newer technologies. At that point, the obsolete
product is discontinued and is no longer an “Active” SMC product. A list of discontinued products
with their respective dates of discontinuance can be found at:
http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=customer_service_warranty .
All products that are replaced become the property of SMC. Replacement products may be either
new or reconditioned. Any replaced or repaired product carries either a 30-day limited warranty or
the remainder of the initial warranty, whichever is longer. SMC is not responsible for any custom
software or firmware, configuration information, or memory data of Customer contained in, stored
on, or integrated with any products returned to SMC pursuant to any warranty. Products returned
to SMC should have any customer-installed accessory or add-on components, such as expansion
modules, removed prior to returning the product for replacement. SMC is not responsible for these
items if they are returned with the product. Customers must contact SMC for a Return Material
Authorization number prior to returning any product to SMC. Proof of purchase may be required.
Any product returned to SMC without a valid Return Material Authorization (RMA) number clearly
marked on the outside of the package will be returned to customer at customer’s expense. For
warranty claims within North America, please call our toll-free customer support number at (800)
762-4968. Customers are responsible for all shipping charges from their facility to SMC. SMC is
responsible for return shipping charges from SMC to customer.

WARRANTIES EX CLUSIV E: IF AN SMC PRODUCT DOES NOT OPERATE AS WARRANTED
ABOVE, CUSTOMER’S SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE
PRODUCT IN QUESTION, AT SMC’S OPTION. THE FOREGOING W ARRANTIES AND
REMEDIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR
CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EI THER I N FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW,
STA TU T ORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SMC NEITHER
ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO A SSUM E FOR IT ANY OTHER
LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF
ITS PRODUCTS. SMC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER THIS WARRANTY IF ITS TESTING
AND EXAMINATION DISCLOSE THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT DOES NOT EXIST
OR WAS CAUSED BY
CUSTOMER’S OR ANY TH IRD P ERSO N ’S MISU SE , NEGLECT, IMPROPER INSTALLATION
OR TESTING, UNAUTHORIZED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, OR AN Y OTHER CAUSE BEYOND
THE RANGE OF THE INTENDED USE, OR BY ACCIDENT, FIRE, LIGHTNING, OR OTHER
HAZARD.

i

LIMIT ATION OF LIABILITY: IN NO EVENT, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT OR T O RT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), SHALL SMC BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR FOR LOSS OF REVENUE,
LOSS OF BUSINESS, OR OTHER FINANCIAL LOSS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THE SALE, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, USE, PERFORMANCE, FAILURE, OR
INTERRUPTION OF ITS PRODUCTS, EVEN IF SMC OR ITS AUTHORIZED R ESE LLER H AS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW
THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR CO NSUMER PRODUCTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS
AND EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC
LEGAL
RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. NOTHING IN THIS WARRANTY SHALL
BE T AKEN TO AFFECT YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS.

* SMC will provide warranty service for one year following discontinuance from the active
SMC price list. Under the limited lifetime warranty , internal and external power supplies, fans,
and cables are covered by a standard one-year warranty from date of purchase.

SMC Networks, Inc.

38 Tesla

Irvine, CA 92618

ii

Compliances
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 the 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:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the distance between the equipment and receiver.

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

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV 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 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.

CE Mark Declaration of Conformance for EMI and Safety (EEC)

This device complies with the essential requirements of the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC.
The following references have been applied in order to prove presumption of compliance with the
R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC:

• EN 300 328

• EN 301 489-1

• EN 301 489-17

• EN 60950-1

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Getting Started with the SMCWPCI-N 6
Chapter 2 - Wireless LAN Networking 7

Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate) 7
Type of Wireless Networks 7
Wireless LAN Security 11

Chapter 3 - Hardware and Wireless Utility 13

About Your Draft 11n Wireless PCI Adapter 13
Package Content 13
System Requirement 13
LED Definition 13
Hardware and Wireless Utility Installation 14
Using the Utility to Configure Your Network 17

Chapter 4 – Maintenance 26

Uninstall the Driver 26
Uninstall the Client Utility 26
Upgrading the Wireless Utility 26

Glossary 27

5

Chapter 1 - Getting Started with the SMCWPCI-N

Congratulations on purchasing the SMCWPCI-N. This manual provides information for setting up
and configuring the SMCWPCI-N. This manual is intended for both home users and
professionals. It is not required to read some of the more technical information in this manual
(such as in “Wireless LAN Networking” and “Configuring Wireless Security”) to operate and
enjoy the SMCWPCI-N. It is included for your reference only.

The following conventions are used in this manual:

THE NOTE SYMBOL INDICATES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC AT

NOTE

HAND.

THE TIP SYMBOL INDICATES HELPFULL INFORMATION AND TIPS T O IMPROVE

YOUR NETWORK EXPERIENCE.

THE CAUTION SYMBOL ALERTS YOU T O SITUATIONS THAT MAY DEGRADE

YOUR NETWORKING EXPERIENCE OR COMPROMISE YOUR SECURITY.

LIKE NOTES AND TIPS, THE IMPORTANT SYMBOL INDICATES INFORMATION

THAT CAN IMPROVE NETWORKING.
LOOKED.

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE OVER-

6

Chapter 2 - Wireless LAN Networking

This section provides background information on wireless LAN networking technology.

T

HE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. CHANGING

NETWORK SETTINGS AND P ARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD ONLY
BE DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRAT OR.

Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate)

The SMCWPCI-N provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. In most
networking scenarios, the factory default Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting
allows your SMCWPCI-N to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the
communication quality drops below a certain level, the SMCWPCI-N automatically switches to a
lower transmission (data) rate. Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more reliable.
However, when the communication quality improves again, the SMCWPCI-N gradually increases
the transmission (data) rate again until it reaches the highest available transmission rate.

Types of Wireless Networks

Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In infra­structure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each access
point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set
(ESS) is two or more BSS in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as peer-to-peer
mode), wireless devices communicate with each other directly and do not use an access point.
This is an Independent BSS (IBSS).

To connect to a wi red network within a coverage area using access poi nts, set the SMCWPCI-N
operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without an
access point, use Ad-hoc (IBSS) mode.

A

D-HOC (IBSS) NETWORK

Ad-hoc mode does not require an access point or a wired network. Two or more wireless stations
communicate directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred to as an

7

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS).

To set up an ad-hoc network, configure all the stations in ad-hoc mode. Use the same SSID and
channel for each station.

8

When a number of wireless stations are connected using a single access point, you have a Basic
Service Set (BSS).

9