Socket Mobile P300, P500, E500, P500x, E300 User Manual

Socket® Wi-Fi® Products

For Windows Mobile

• Hardware: Go Wi-Fi!™

Versions E300, E500, P300, P300x, P500, and P500x

• Software: Wi-Fi Companion

User’s Guide

5/2007

Document # 6410-00170 N

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2007 Socket Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc. All rights reserved.

Socket, the Socket logo and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc. Wi-Fi Companion and Go Wi-Fi! are trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. dba Socket Mobile, Inc. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders.

Reproduction of the contents of this manual without the permission of Socket Mobile is expressly prohibited. Please be aware that the products described in this manual may change without notice.

Feel free to contact SOCKET MOBILE at:

Socket Mobile, Inc.

39700 Eureka Drive

Newark, CA 94560

USA

Other than the above, Socket Mobile can assume no responsibility for anything resulting from the application of information contained in this manual.

Socket Mobile requests that you refrain from any applications of Go Wi-Fi! or Wi-Fi Companion that are not described in this manual. Please refrain from disassembling the card. Disassembly of this device will void the product warranty.

You can track new product releases, software updates and technical bulletins by visiting the Socket website at: www.socketmobile.com.

2

Table of Contents

Copyright Notice	2
1 | Introduction	4
2 | Software Installation	7
3 | Open or WEP-Enabled Networks	9
STEP 1: Prepare Wi-Fi Hardware	10
STEP 2: Start Wi-Fi Companion	12
STEP 3: Find and Connect to a WLAN	13
STEP 4: Connect Automatically to Your Network	16
4 | WPA or 802.1x Networks	18
STEP 1: Prepare Network Information	19
STEP 2: Install Authentication Certificate(s)	20
STEP 3: Prepare Wi-Fi Hardware	22
STEP 4: Start Wi-Fi Companion	24
STEP 5: Find a WLAN and Create a Profile	25
5 | Wi-Fi Companion	31
Turn Wireless Radio On/Off	32
View IP Addresses	33
Find Networks	34
Enable Power Save	36
Install Personal Certificate for EAP-TLS	37
Manage Certificates	38
Ping	39
Trace Route	41
View Rates, Graphs, Tables	43
View Help Files	46
Appendix A Specifications	47
Appendix B Safety and Usage Tips	55
Appendix C Network Information	57
Appendix D Troubleshooting	59
Appendix E Technical Support	60
Limited Warranty	61
Limited Software Warranty	62
Disclaimer	63
Regulatory Compliance for Go Wi-Fi!	64

3

1 | Introduction

Socket Wi-Fi products for Windows Mobile are the perfect tools to connect to enterprise and public Wi-Fi systems, so you can access email, the Internet, and corporate servers from your favorite Pocket PC.

Socket Go Wi-Fi!

Available in both Secure Digital (SD) and CompactFlash (CF) form factors, Socket Go Wi-Fi! wireless LAN cards use Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology to provide a high-capacity network and are Wi-Fi Certified to interoperate with other Wi-Fi products. The E300 and E500 conform to IEEE 802.11b specifications with data rates up to 11 Mbps. The P300, P300x, P500 and P500x comply with IEEE 802.11b/g with data rates up to 54 Mbps.

The Battery Friendly® Go Wi-Fi! cards were designed to use minimal power, so you can use them longer without having to stop and recharge your Pocket PC.

The cards work with these types of WLAN security:

•Open systems

•40/64-bit or 128-bit WEP encryption

•802.1x with EAP-TLS or PEAP

•WPA and WPA-PSK (Windows Mobile 2003SE and 5.0 only)

Socket Go Wi-Fi! P300 and P500 also support AES and WPA-2 Enterprise. Odyssey Client from Juniper Networks is required. For more information, please visit: www.juniper.net/customers/support/products/oac.jsp

Socket Wi-Fi Companion

Socket Wi-Fi Companion is an intuitive and graphical utility for either the SoMo 650 handheld computer or a Windows Mobile-base device enhanced with a Go WiFi! card. The software enables you to find WLANs in range, view their properties in detail, and connect whenever your favorite networks are available. You can even manage power settings to maximize battery life. Plus, diagnostic tools and connection statistics are provided for advanced users.

4

System Requirements

Note: For information about support for MontaVista Linux and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), please contact the Socket OEM Group at www.socketmobile.com/contact

Minimum device requirements for Go Wi-Fi! E300, P300 or P300x (SD cards):

•Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE or 5.0

•Available SDIO slot

•For Windows Mobile 2003/2003SE, SDIO Now! software from BSQUARE is required in ROM

•Software installation requires a host computer with either Windows Vista or ActiveSync 4.0 or greater. Alternatively, advanced users can install a CAB file.

Minimum device requirements for Go Wi-Fi! E500, P500 or P500x (CF cards):

•Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE or 5.0

•Available CF or PC Card slot (PC Card adapter required for PC slot)

•Software installation requires a host computer with either Windows Vista or ActiveSync 4.0 or greater. Alternatively, advanced users can install a CAB file.

•The Go Wi-Fi! E500 only connects to access points or radios that use long preamble. Every 802.11b/g access point supports long preamble, and most are configured this way by default.

Product Registration

Socket recommends that all customers register their Socket products. Registered users receive the following benefits:

•Priority for technical support

•Special offers for future products and product upgrades

•The latest new product information

Register online at: www.socketmobile.com/support/support/new.

Software updates: www.socketmobile.com/support/downloads

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

5

Go Wi-Fi! Status Indicator LEDs

E300/P300 Link LED

LED	LED Behavior	Meaning
	Off	Radio disabled/cannot transmit.
Link
	Slow flash	Radio on, not connected.
	On	Connected

E500 LEDs

	LED		LED Behavior			Meaning
	Power		Off			Radio disabled/cannot transmit.
			Flashing			Radio on, using Power Save Mode
	Green
			On			Radio on, not using Power Save
						Mode
			Off			Radio disabled/cannot transmit.
	Activity
			Slow flash			Radio on, no data traffic.
	Amber
			Rapid flash			Connected. Faster flash denotes
						greater network activity.
P500 LEDs:
	LED	LED Behavior			Meaning
	Power	Off			Power off.
	Green	On			Power on.
	Activity	Off			Not connected.
		Flashing			Transmitting/receiving data.
	Blue
		On			Connected.

6

2 | Software Installation

Follow these instructions to install the software into your Windows Mobilebased device.

If you are using the SoMo 650, software installation is not required because Wi-Fi Companion is pre-loaded on the device.

ADVANCED USERS: For CAB file installation instructions, please refer to the README file in the installation CD.

1.If your device already has an older version of Socket WLAN software, you must completely remove it before you install the new software. Remove both the utility and the card drivers.

•Make sure the WLAN card is not in the Pocket PC.

•Tap Start | Settings | System tab | Remove Programs.

•Select the WLAN card drivers and tap Remove.

•Repeat to remove the WLAN utiity.

•Soft reset the Pocket PC by pressing the reset button.

2.Use a serial/USB connection cable or cradle to make an active connection between your device and a host PC.

•If your host computer is running Windows Vista, use the Windows Mobile Device Manager.

•If your host computer is running Windows 2000/XP, ActiveSync 4.0 or greater is required.

3.Insert the installation CD into your host PC. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.

Alternatively, if you downloaded the software from Socket’s website, extract and save the contents to your computer. Remember where you save the software.

CHAPTER 2: SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

7

4.If you plan to use Socket Go Wi-Fi!, you must install the card drivers first, then install Wi-Fi Companion. In the CD contents, click on the correct DriverSetup.exe file for your version of Socket Go Wi-Fi!

5.The InstallShield Wizard will begin. Follow the wizard to install the software.

6.If you plan to use Socket Go Wi-Fi!, after installing the card drivers, install Wi-Fi Companion. Return to the CD contents and click on WIFISoftwareSetup.exe. Follow the wizard to install the software.

7.After software installation, disconnect the Pocket PC from the host PC.

8.Soft reset the Pocket PC by pressing the reset button.

8

3 | Open or WEP-Enabled Networks

This section covers how to use Wi-Fi Companion to find, configure and connect your Pocket PC to a WLAN running an open system or WEP encryption. Before you begin the instructions in this chapter, make sure you have installed the software, as described in Chapter 2.

For help using the software, tap

Start | Help.

Connection Summary

STEP 1: Prepare Wi-Fi Hardware.

STEP 2: Start Wi-Fi Companion.

STEP 3: Find a WLAN and create a profile.

STEP 4: Connect automatically to your network.

CHAPTER 3: OPEN OR WEP-ENABLED NETWORKS

9

STEP 1: Prepare Wi-Fi Hardware

SoMo 650

Turn on the Wi-Fi radio built into the SoMo 650.

1.Press the button on the right side of the SoMo 650. By default, it is programmed to launch the Radio Manager. Alternatively, you can tap on the Wi-Fi icon in the Today screen.

2.In the Radio Manager, enable Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi button should have a red “x” to indicate that Wi-Fi is disabled. Tap on the Wi-Fi button.

3.The “x” will vanish to indicate that Wi-Fi has been enabled, and the WiFi LED will turn green.

10

Go Wi-Fi!

Insert the card into the card slot of your device. Make sure the card is positioned correctly in the slot. In most cases, it should be right-side up. Do not use excessive force, or damage may occur.

Note: To remove an SD card, press it into the slot. A spring will push the card out. Do not remove the card by simply pulling, or damage may occur.

CHAPTER 3: OPEN OR WEP-ENABLED NETWORKS

11

STEP 2: Start Wi-Fi Companion

1.After you insert the WLAN card or turn on the WLAN radio of your Pocket PC, Wi-Fi Companion will automatically launch, indicated by the Socket status icon at the top of the screen. Tap on the icon. The icon varies depending on your connection status.

Socket status icon, search mode.

Windows Mobile 5.0: You can also tap Notification at the bottom of the Today screen to access the main screen of Wi-Fi Companion.

Alternatively, you can manually start the program by tapping:

Start | Programs | Wi-Fi Companion.

2.The main screen of Wi-Fi Companion will appear.

12

STEP 3: Find and Connect to a WLAN

1.In the main screen of Wi-Fi Companion, tap on the large tower icon, or tap Tools | Wi-Fi Finder.

2.Wi-Fi Finder will list WLANs detected in range. Tap on any WLAN in the list to view additional properties.

If desired, tap on the Type or Sort by drop-down menus to change how the list is displayed. By default, All types are displayed, sorted by Name. If your WLAN is not listed, tap Refresh.

Tap to filter the list by type.

Current connection.

Tap on any listing to expand details.

Tap and hold stylus on any listing to manage profiles and/or connect.

Tap to sort the list.

Tap on the MAC address line to view AP Details.

	Signal strength of strongest		Channel number
	AP/ad hoc radio
	WEP encryption, WPA (PSK),		Profile saved
	WPA (TKIP) or 802.1x
	No encryption		802.11b, 802.11g

3.If Wi-Fi Finder cannot find your WLAN because its SSID is hidden, tap New at the bottom of the screen to create a new profile for your network.

4.If your WLAN has a profile (indicated by a folder icon), Wi-Fi Companion may have already connected to it, indicated by a tower icon with a green burst on top.

CHAPTER 3: OPEN OR WEP-ENABLED NETWORKS

To connect to a WLAN with a profile, tap and hold your stylus on the WLAN in the list. In the pop-up menu, tap Connect.

5.If your WLAN does not have a profile (no folder icon), tap and hold your stylus on the WLAN in the list, then tap Get connected to create a profile for the selected SSID.

Creating a WLAN Profile

After you tap New or Get connected in Wi-Fi Finder, you will be directed to Wireless Zero Config (WZC), the wireless connection editor built into Windows Mobile, to create a WLAN profile. For help with WZC, please refer to your Pocket PC manual. Consult with your network administrator to determine the settings needed to connect to your network.

1.In the Configure Wireless Network screen, enter the Network name (SSID) if it isn’t already provided. The SSID is case-sensitive.

Connects to:

Select either The Internet or Work.

Note: In most cases, you should select

The Internet. For a VPN/proxy server, refer to your Pocket PC manual for instructions.

2.Follow the appropriate instructions for your type of network to enter the necessary security settings.

Open Networks

Depending on your Pocket PC version, your device may show two or three tabs at the bottom of the screen. If your device shows three tabs, enter the following settings:

¾Network Key tab:

Authentication: Select Open. Data Encryption: Select Disabled.

¾802.1x tab:

Do not enter any settings. Tap ok.

14

If your device shows two tabs, enter the following settings:

¾Authentication tab:

Uncheck all boxes. Tap ok.

WEP-Enabled Networks

Make sure your WEP key has the correct length. For 40/64-bit WEP, the key length is 10 hexadecimal or 5 ASCII characters. For 128-bit WEP, the key length is 26 hexadecimal or 13 ASCII characters.

Depending on your Pocket PC version, your device may show two or three tabs at the bottom of the screen. If your device shows three tabs, enter the following settings:

¾Network Key tab

•Authentication: Select Open.

•Data Encryption: Select WEP.

T

•he Key is provided for me automatically: Uncheck. Enter the Network key and Key index. Use the correct key length.

¾802.1x tab

Uncheck Use IEEE 802.1x network access control and tap ok.

CHAPTER 3: OPEN OR WEP-ENABLED NETWORKS

15

If your device shows two tabs, enter the following settings:

¾Authentication tab

•Data encryption: Check.

•Network Authentication: Check if your network is set up for this. In most cases, you should uncheck.

•The key is provided to me automatically: Uncheck. Enter the Network key and Key index. Use the correct key length.

•Enable network access using IEEE 802.1X:

Uncheck. Tap ok.

STEP 4: Connect Automatically to Your Network

1.After you enter the settings and tap ok, your device will automatically try to connect. You may see the Socket status icon at the top of your screen change from “networks available” to “networks out of range but configured.”

2.When your Pocket PC has connected, the following will occur:

•The Socket status icon will change to 1-5 bars.

•The “x” will vanish from the connection icon.

•In Wi-Fi Finder, the WLAN will appear first in the list, showing a signal tower with a green burst on top.

Note: After you save a profile for a WLAN, Wi-Fi Companion will automatically try to connect to it whenever you insert the WLAN card or turn on the WLAN radio built into your Pocket PC.

3. Tap ok to return to the main screen.

Socket Status Icons

	Associated or Connected. Number of		Searching for networks.
	bars indicates signal strength.
	Networks available.		Networks out of range
			but configured.

16

Main Screen of Wi-Fi Companion

The screen content varies depending on your connection status.

				Socket status icon. Tap to access
				this screen from outside the utility.
Your device properties.
•	Device name
		}			Internet ready.
•	IP address
•	Packets sent and				Tap to access email,
	received				the Internet, ping or
The icon always					trace route. Icon
					appears only when
appears regardless					Internet access is
of connection status.					ready.
Tap to view more
IP addresses. For
P300/P500, also tap to
turn the radio on/off
					Data rate. Tap to
Encryption status.					view signal
					strength and data
Tap to access a					rate distribution.
certificate
management utility
for WPA or 802.1x if
needed.

Access point/remote device properties.

•SSID

•Connection duration

•Signal quality rating and percentage

•MAC address (also known as BSSID)

•Channel number (in black circle)

Tap for Wi-Fi Finder.

CHAPTER 3: OPEN OR WEP-ENABLED NETWORKS

17

4 | WPA or 802.1x Networks

This section covers how to use Socket Wi-Fi Companion to configure and connect your Pocket PC to a WLAN running WPA or 802.1x with PEAP or EAP-TLS authentication. Before you begin the instructions in this chapter, be sure to install the software, as described in Chapter 2.

WPA is supported by Windows Mobile 5.0 and 2003 Second Edition devices as well as some Windows Mobile 2003 (original version) devices with an updated ROM from the device manufacturer. If your device supports WPA, WPA and WPA-PSK options will appear in the “Configure Wireless Networks” screen.

For help using the software, tap Start | Help.

Connection Summary

STEP 1: Prepare network information.

STEP 2: Install authentication certificate(s).

STEP 3: Insert Go Wi-Fi! or turn on WLAN radio.

STEP 4: Find a WLAN and create a profile.

STEP 5: Connect automatically to your network.

18

STEP 1: Prepare Network Information

Verify Device and Network Compatibility

Some Pocket PCs can only connect to certain types of WPA and 802.1x networks. Check with your Pocket PC manufacturer. Your Pocket PC may only be able to connect to WPA and 802.1x networks that satisfy requirements such as:

•Windows Internet Information Service (IIS)

•Windows Internet Authentication Service (IAS)

•Windows Certification Authority (CA) with automatic approval and correct Pocket PC certificate format (via MS certificate template)

•Access point configured only for WPA or 802.1x (i.e., no multi-mode support or static 128-bit WEP keys)

Prepare Security Settings

If the network is compatible, ask the administrator for the necessary security settings:

Wireless network name, known as SSID (case sensitive)

Authentication type, user name, password, domain

Pre-Shared Key, key format (hex or ASCII)

Use of either DHCP or Static IP to assign IP addresses

Authentication permission restrictions (e.g., domain administrators only)

For a Network Information Form that you can send to your network administrator, go to any of the following:

•Appendix C of this User’s Guide

•Docs folder on the CD

If your network only allows domain administrators to authenticate, ask your network administrator to assign you this privilege.

Obtain Authentication Certificate(s)

Ask the network administrator for a copy of the root certificate from a Trusted Root Authority (no intermediary authority) if required. Installation instructions begin on the next page.

EAP-TLS only: You also need to set up a cabled connection to the network to install a personal certificate. Installation instructions begin on the next page.

CHAPTER 4: WPA OR 802.1X

19

STEP 2: Install Authentication Certificate(s)

If your network uses PEAP authentication, you need to install only a root certificate. If your network uses EAP-TLS authentication, you need to install both a root and a personal certificate.

Install a Root Certificate

1.If you have not done so already, get a root (server) certificate from your network administrator. The root certificate must come from a Trusted Root Authority (not an intermediary authority).

2.If Socket Go Wi-Fi! is inserted into your Pocket PC, remove it.

3.Use a serial/USB cable or cradle and make an active connection between your Pocket PC and host PC.

•If your host computer is running Windows Vista, use the Windows Mobile Device Center.

•If your host computer is running Windows 2000/XP, ActiveSync 4.0 or greater is required.

4.Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your Mobile Device and copy the root certificate into your Pocket PC. Remember where you save the certificate.

5.On your Pocket PC, use File Explorer to navigate to the file location. Tap on the certificate.

6.A message will ask if you want to install the certificate. Tap Yes.

•If your network uses PEAP, disconnect your Pocket PC from the host PC. Soft reset the Pocket PC by pressing the reset button. Now you are ready for Step 3, preparing the Wi-Fi hardware.

•If your network uses EAP-TLS, you also need to install a personal (client) certificate.

20

Install a Personal Certificate

1.To install a personal certificate, start Wi-Fi Companion. Tap Start | Programs | Wi-Fi Companion.

2.In the main screen of Wi-Fi Companion, tap on the keys icon if present. Alternatively, you can tap Tools | Certificates | Enroll.

3.Enter the User, Password, and Server provided by your network administrator. In the User field, enter your domain and user name in the format shown, using a backslash (“\”) between the domain and user name.

Note: In the Server field, enter either the name or the IP address (using standard dot notation) of the server running Certificate Services on your network.

4.Tap Retrieve. After your Pocket PC retrieves a personal certificate, tap ok.

5.Disconnect the Pocket PC from the host PC.

CHAPTER 4: WPA OR 802.1X

21