SocketMobile WL6004-322 User Manual

Low Power Wireless LAN Card

Type I CompactFlash card for adding Wireless LAN
connectivity to a Pocket PC 2002/2003 or
Windows 2000/XP notebook

User’s Guide

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 4

Overview 4
About the Software 4
About the Link Indicator 5
Package Contents 5

CHAPTER 2 INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE 6

STEP 1: Register the Card 6
STEP 2: Prepare Network Information 6
STEP 3: Install the Software 7
STEP 4: Install Certificates (EAP-TLS or PEAP only) 8
STEP 5: Insert the Card 10

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000 12

STEP 1: Register the Card 12
STEP 2: Prepare Network Information 12
STEP 3: Install the Software 13
STEP 4: Insert the Card 14
STEP 5: Complete the New Hardware Wizard 15

CHAPTER 4 INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP 17

STEP 1: Register the Card 18
STEP 2: Prepare Network Information 18
STEP 3: Install Certificates (EAP-TLS or PEAP only) 18
STEP 4: Install the Software 19
STEP 5: Insert the Card 20
STEP 6: Complete the New Hardware Wizard 21
OPTIONAL: Enable Socket WLAN Tools 23

CHAPTER 5 CREATE AND CONNECT TO WLAN
PROFILE 24

Create a WLAN Profile 25
Connect to Your WLAN Profile 31

Open System, 40-bit or 128-bit WEP Key Network 31

802.1x Network 33

2

CHAPTER 6 STATUS AND OPTIONS SCREENS 35

Accessing the Status and Options Screens 35
Signal Status Screen 36
Info Status Screen 37
IP Status Screen 37
Ping Status Screen 38
APs Status Screen 38
Peers Status Screen 40
Options Screen 41

CHAPTER 7 WLAN SEARCHES AND PROFILES 42

Initiate a WLAN Search 42
Create a WLAN Profile 43
Edit a WLAN Profile 43
Delete a WLAN Profile 44
Rearrange Profile List 44

CHAPTER 8 WIRELESS ZERO CONFIGURATION 45

APPENDIX A SPECIFICATIONS 47

APPENDIX B SAFETY AND USAGE TIPS 51

APPENDIX C NETWORK INFORMATION 53

APPENDIX D TROUBLESHOOTING WEP
ENCRYPTION 55

APPENDIX E PASSKEYS FOR WEP ENCRYPTION 57

APPENDIX F GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING 58

APPENDIX G SUPPORT RESOURCES 59

Technical Support 59
Users’ Forum 59

Limited Warranty 60
Limited Software Warranty 61
Copyright Notice 62
Regulatory Compliance 63

3

Chapter 1 Introduction

Overview

If you’re a mobile professional using a Pocket PC
2002/2003 or Windows 2000/XP notebook,
Socket’s Low Power Wireless LAN Card is the
perfect tool to connect to enterprise and public Wi­Fi (IEEE 802.11b) Wireless LAN systems to access
the Internet, email, and corporate servers. Plus, you
can use Ad Hoc Mode to communicate directly with
other Wi-Fi users.

The Socket Low Power Wireless LAN Card uses Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) technology operating at 2.4 -2.5 GHz. The card conforms
to IEEE 802.11b specifications and is Wi-Fi compatible for interoperability
with Wi-Fi Certified products. Spread-spectrum communication provides a
high-capacity network within large or small environments. The card works
with an open system or WEP encryption with 40/64-bit WEP keys or 128­bit WEP keys. The card is also compatible with 802.1x networks with EAP­TLS or PEAP, so you can connect securely and avoid eavesdropping.

The Low Power Wireless LAN Card can be used in two operating modes.
In Infrastructure mode (default), the adapter transmits and receives data
with an associated access point (AP) or an infrastructure of networked APs.
Ad Hoc mode lets you create one-to-one or one-to-many peer-to-peer
networks without APs by connecting directly with other 802.11b cards.

About the Software

The Socket Low Power WLAN software includes the
Socket WLAN Tools, which make it easy to search
for WLAN networks and enter network settings. The
WLAN Tools let you create a unique profile for each
network, so you can connect to different networks
without changing settings every time.

Socket Cert Manage for Pocket PC 2002 and Cert Enroll for
Pocket PC 2003 make it easy to install a user certificate for

802.1x networks with EAP-TLS. See User’s Guide for details.

While connected, you can use the WLAN Tools status screens to quickly
check signal status, IP addresses, and other types of network information.
The WLAN Tools support 802.1x for Pocket PC 2002s only. For software
updates, go to: www.socketcom.com/support/support_wlan.asp

4 | CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Pocket PC 2003 users

: Use your device’s Connection Manager, which
supports WLAN (including 802.1x). Socket’s software for Pocket PC 2003
includes card drivers and Cert Enroll, but no WLAN Tools at this time.

Windows XP users

: You have two software options.

• For a user interface similar to that of Socket’s WLAN Tools for

Windows CE, install Socket’s WLAN Tools for Windows 2000/XP.
However, Socket’s WLAN Tools for Windows 2000/XP do NOT support

802.1x. If you install Socket’s WLAN Tools on a Windows XP system,
you will disable Microsoft’s Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service
and will have to uninstall and reinstall software to use it again.

• Microsoft’s Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service is a utility built

into Windows XP that manages and automates WLAN connections. If
you want to use the WLAN card with WZC, install only Socket’s card
drivers. Windows XP with Service Pack 1 supports 802.1x.

To use the WLAN card with a Pocket PC 2000/HPC 2000, get version 124B
of Socket’s software: www.socketcom.com/support/support_wlan.asp

.

About the Link Indicator

The Low Power Wireless LAN Card Link Indicator is an LED that flashes a
green light to indicate connection with an access point.

Link Indicator

LED Status
Off The radio is disabled or incapable of transmission.

Function

Slow Flash The radio transmitter is on, and the card is trying to

connect to an access point.

Rapid Flash The card is connected to an access point. The LED

flashes faster to indicate greater network activity.

Package Contents

• A Socket Low Power Wireless LAN Card (CompactFlash card Type I)

• The Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD

• The Quick Start Guide for Low Power Wireless LAN Card

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION | 5

Chapter 2 Installation for

Windows CE

This chapter shows how to install the Low Power Wireless
LAN Card on a Pocket PC 2002. After installing the card,
refer to Chapter 4, “Socket WLAN Tools,” to learn how to
use Socket’s WLAN Tools software to create a profile and
connect to a WLAN.

Installation Steps Summary

STEP 1: Register the card.
STEP 2: Prepare network information.
STEP 3: Install the software.
STEP 4: Install certificates (EAP-TLS or PEAP only).
STEP 5: Insert the card.

STEP 1: Register the Card

Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register your Socket
Low Power Wireless LAN Card online at www.socketcom.com/prodreg

STEP 2: Prepare Network Information

Before you can connect to a WLAN, you need to find out what settings it
uses. Complete the Network Information Form in Appendix C. If you are
trying to connect to a WLAN at your office, ask your network
administrator for help.

For a text-only version of the form that you can email to your network
administrator, go to the Docs folder on the installation CD or visit:

ftp://ftp.socketcom.com/wlan/WLAN_NetworkForm.txt

IMPORTANT! If you are using an 802.1x network, you must also
obtain a root (server) certificate

from your network administrator!!!

6 | CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE

STEP 3: Install the Software

N

1. Make an active connection between your Pocket PC and a host PC.

Use ActiveSync and a serial/USB/Ethernet connection cable or cradle.

2. Insert the Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD into your host PC.

ote: The host PC
can be a desktop
or notebook PC.

3. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.

In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.

4. Follow the instructions on your screen to install the software.

5. When software installation is complete, do the following:

• If you are not using an 802.1x network, disconnect the Pocket PC
from the host PC. Soft reset the Pocket PC by pressing the reset
button. Proceed to Step 5 to insert the card.

Pocket PC 2003: Do not soft reset the device when a Socket card
is inserted, or errors may occur in application(s) using the card. If
errors occur, remove the card and soft reset the device. Wait for
the device reset to finish before you re-insert the card.

• If you are using an 802.1x network, you must install certificate(s)
onto the Pocket PC (see Step 4).

CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE | 7

STEP 4: Install Certificates (EAP-TLS or PEAP only)

Note: This step is only needed if you want to connect to a WLAN network
that uses 802.1x security with EAP-TLS or PEAP authentication. Refer to
your Network Information Form to determine if your network supports this.

1. If you have not done so already, get a root (server) certificate from
your network administrator.

2. Make sure that you have an active connection between the Pocket PC
and host PC. Use ActiveSync and a serial/USB/Ethernet cable or cradle.

3. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your Mobile Device
and copy the root certificate into the Business folder of the Pocket PC.

Important! Remember the name of the certificate! You will need it

later.

4. Tap Start | Programs | Cert Manage.

5. The Manage Certificates screen will appear. Tap Root (server).

6. In the next screen, tap Browse and browse to the Business folder and
select the root (server) certificate that you copied to your Pocket PC.

7. In the Install Root Certificate screen, make sure that the Issued By and
Issued To fields have the same entry. Tap Install Certificate.

8 | CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE

N

s

P

8. Tap ok. The Existing Certificates field should list the new certificate.

• If your network uses PEAP authentication, tap ok. Disconnect your

Pocket PC from the connection cable or cradle. Soft reset your
Pocket PC by pressing the reset button. Now you are ready to
proceed to Step 5 to insert the card.

• If your network uses EAP-TLS authentication, you also need to

install a user (client) certificate.

9. To install a user (client) certificate, in the Cert Manage screen, tap User
(client).

10. In the next screen, enter the User, Password, and Server information
from your completed Network Information Form. In the User field,
make sure you enter your domain and user name in the format shown.
Tap Retrieve.

ote: You must

till have an active
cabled connection
between your

ocket PC and a

host PC.

11. After your Pocket PC retrieves a user certificate, tap ok. The Existing
Certificates field should list your new certificate. Tap ok.

Note: The Enable server validation checkbox applies only to EAP-TLS.
This option should always be checked for maximum security. Only
network administrators should use this checkbox for troubleshooting.

12. After copying the certificate, disconnect the Pocket PC from the host
PC. Soft reset the Pocket PC by pressing the reset button. Now you are
ready to insert the card.

Pocket PC 2003

: Do not soft reset the device when a Socket card is
inserted, or errors may occur in application(s) using the card. If errors
occur, remove the card and soft reset the device. Wait for the device
reset to finish before you re-insert the card.

CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE | 9

STEP 5: Insert the Card

Important! Damage may occur!

Make sure the card is positioned correctly in the slot.

Do NOT insert the card upside down or shove the card in too hard.

Insert the card into your Pocket PC’s CompactFlash I/O or PC Card slot.
If using a PC Card slot, first plug the card into a PC Card adapter.

Make sure the card is right-side up, with the orange label on top.

OR

10 | CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE

Whenever the card is inserted into your Pocket PC, the following icons will

N

d

appear:

• Signal strength icon: Visible from the top of every screen, shows signal
strength. Tap on the icon to view the WLAN card status bubble. The
bubble will not auto-update as the status changes. Close the bubble by
tapping elsewhere on the screen and reopen it to verify a status update.

• Socket status icon: Visible from only the Today screen. The card icon
varies to indicate network status; the column indicates signal strength.

ot

connecte

Connected,
Excellent
signal
strength

strength
icon.

Socket
status

Signal

icon.

Signal Strength Colors:
Green: good signal
Yellow: trying to connect
Red: critically low
White: no activity

CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE | 11

Chapter 3 Installation for

Windows 2000

This chapter shows how to install the Low Power
Wireless LAN Card on a Windows 2000 notebook. After
installing the card, refer to Chapter 5, “Create and
Connect to WLAN Profile,” to learn how to use Socket’s
WLAN Tools software to create a profile and connect to
a WLAN.

Note: The WLAN Tools software for Windows 2000/XP
does not support 802.1x.

Installation Steps Summary

STEP 1: Register the card.
STEP 2: Prepare network information.
STEP 3: Install the software.
STEP 4: Insert the card.
STEP 5: Complete the new hardware wizard

STEP 1: Register the Card

Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register your Socket
Low Power Wireless LAN Card online at www.socketcom.com/prodreg

STEP 2: Prepare Network Information

Before you can connect to a WLAN, you need to find out what settings it
uses. Complete the Network Information Form in Appendix C. If you are
trying to connect to a WLAN at your office, ask your network
administrator for help.

For a text-only version of the form that you can email to your network
administrator, go to the Docs folder on the installation CD or visit:

ftp://ftp.socketcom.com/wlan/WLAN_NetworkForm.txt

12 | CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000

STEP 3: Install the Software

1. Insert the Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD.

2. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.
In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.

3. The Setup Center will start. Follow the instructions on your screen to
install the software for Windows 2000.

4. The Preinstaller will start. Follow the instructions on your screen.

5. After reading the new hardware wizard instructions in the last screen,
click OK. Leave the CD in your computer. Now you are ready to insert
the WLAN card.

CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000 | 13

STEP 4: Insert the Card

Important! Damage may occur!

Make sure the card is positioned correctly in the slot.

Do NOT insert the card upside down or shove the card in too hard.

Insert the card into a CompactFlash-to-PC Card adapter, then plug into your
computer’s PC Card slot.

Make sure the card is right-side up, with the orange label on top.

14 | CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000

STEP 5: Complete the New Hardware Wizard

1. The first time you insert the card into your notebook computer, the
Found New Hardware Wizard will automatically appear to help you
install the card driver. Make sure that the installation CD is still inside
your computer.

2. Follow the wizard to install the card driver. When the wizard asks you
what you want it to do, select Search for a suitable driver for my device
(recommended).

3. In the next screen, check CD-ROM drives.

4. A Digital Signature Not Found screen will appear. Click Yes.

5. The wizard will search for and install the driver. In the last screen, click
Finish.

6. Wait for the Socket status icon to appear in the task tray. It may

take approximately 30 seconds. Do not click on any other icons
or messages that may appear.

WARNING!

A series of icon(s) and/or messages may appear in the task tray while you
wait for the Socket icon to appear. For example, icons/messages may report
new network connections and/or request that you run a network setup
wizard. DO NOT CLICK ON ANY OF THE ICONS OR MESSAGES. DO
NOT RUN ANY MORE WIZARDS.

CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000 | 15

About the Socket Status Icon

R

N

d

After you install the card driver, whenever the card is inserted into your
computer, the Socket status icon will appear. The card icon varies to
indicate network status; the column indicates signal strength.

connecte

ot

Connected,
Excellent signal strength

Signal strength column —
Color designations:

Green: good signal
Yellow: trying to connect

ed: critically low

White: no activity

16 | CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000

Chapter 4 Installation for

Windows XP

This chapter shows how to install the Low Power
Wireless LAN Card on a Windows XP notebook.

Note: You have two software options.

• For a user interface similar to that of Socket’s

WLAN Tools for Windows CE, install Socket’s
WLAN Tools for Windows 2000/XP. However,
Socket’s WLAN Tools for Windows 2000/XP do
NOT support 802.1x. If you install Socket’s
WLAN Tools on a Windows XP system, you will disable Microsoft’s
Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service and will have to uninstall
and reinstall software to use it again.

After you install Socket WLAN Tools, refer to Chapter 5, “Create and
Connect to a WLAN Profile.”

• Microsoft’s Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service is a utility

built into Windows XP that manages and automates WLAN
connections. If you want to use the WLAN card with WZC, install only
Socket’s card drivers. Windows XP with Service Pack 1 supports

802.1x.

After you complete the Found New Hardware Wizard to install the card
driver, refer to Chapter 8, “Wireless Zero Configuration,” for
instructions on using WZC to enter network settings and connect to
your WLAN.

Installation Steps Summary

STEP 1: Register the card.
STEP 2: Prepare network information.
STEP 3: Install certificates (PEAP or EAP-TLS only).
STEP 4: Install the software.
STEP 5: Insert the card.
STEP 6: Complete the new hardware wizard

OPTIONAL: Enable Socket WLAN Tools

CHAPTER 4: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP | 17

STEP 1: Register the Card

Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register your Socket
Low Power Wireless LAN Card online at www.socketcom.com/prodreg

STEP 2: Prepare Network Information

Before you can connect to a WLAN, you need to find out what settings it
uses. Complete the Network Information Form in Appendix C. If you want
to connect to your office WLAN, ask your network administrator for help.

For a text-only version of the form that you can email to your network
administrator, go to the Docs folder on the installation CD or visit:

ftp://ftp.socketcom.com/wlan/WLAN_NetworkForm.txt

STEP 3: Install Certificates (EAP-TLS or PEAP only)

Networks that use 802.1x security require that you install certificate(s) on
your computer that authenticate your identity and permission for network
access. You may need to install either one or two certificates onto your
computer, depending on what kind of authentication your 802.1x network
uses:

• EAP-TLS: Install both a user (client) and root (server) certificate.
This requires two separate installation processes.

• PEAP: Install only a root (server) certificate.

There are many methods for installing 802.1x certificates onto a Windows
XP system. Consult with your network administrator to choose the best
option and to obtain any necessary information (e.g., certification authority
name, domain credentials, etc.).

For more information on obtaining 802.1x certificates, please visit:

www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/cableguy/cg1202.asp?frame=true

18 | CHAPTER 4: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP

STEP 4: Install the Software

1. Insert the Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD.

2. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.

In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.

6. The Setup Center will start. Follow the instructions on your screen to
install the software for Windows XP.

7. The Preinstaller will start. Follow the instructions on your screen.

3. After reading the new hardware wizard instructions in the last screen,
click OK. Leave the CD in your computer. Now you are ready to insert
the WLAN card.

CHAPTER 4: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP | 19

STEP 5: Insert the Card

Important! Damage may occur!

Make sure the card is positioned correctly in the slot.

Do NOT insert the card upside down or shove the card in too hard.

Insert the card into a CompactFlash-to-PC Card adapter, then plug into your
computer’s PC Card slot.

Make sure the card is right-side up, with the orange label on top.

20 | CHAPTER 4: INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP