Sony PCWA-A500 User Manual

Getting started

You can build a Wireless LAN environment that connects up to 49 computers (a maximum 16 is recommended) by connecting the Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A100 (called the Access Point below) a computer in which the Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C100 is inserted. While enabling the sharing of files between all computers connected over the same Wireless LAN, it is also possible for multiple of computers within the same LAN system to connect to the Internet, if the Access Point is connected to a telephone line, an ISDN router, cable modem or to an xDSL modem. Furthermore, you can build a Wireless LAN environment between computers that are installed with the Wireless LAN PC Card without having to use the Access Point. (This is called peer-to-peer connection.)

Note

For best results in viewing this help file, use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later. Some graphics may not display properly if you are using an earlier version.

Page 1

Overview

Wireless LAN Utilities The setup process Before making settings (Important precautions)

Page 2

Wireless LAN Utilities

There are four types of softw are in the Wireless LAN Utilities. They are described below .

Wirele ss Palette

This is the softw are that displays the status of communications betw een the computer mounted w ith the Wireless LAN PC Card and the Access Point. If there are multiple Access Points, you can use it to sw itch the Access Point connection. Normally, it displays the status of communications in the status area of the taskbar.

Bas ic Acce s s Point Se tup Utility

This is the softw are to set the Access Point to connect to the Internet. The basic settings for connection are completed w hen using this softw are.

Custom Acce s s Point Setup Utility

This is the softw are for making detailed settings for the Access Point. You can also make detailed settings for Internet connections.

Access Point Firm w are Upgrade Utility

This is the softw are for updateing Access Point firmw are. If the Access Point Setup Utility and Access Point firmw are versions is incompatible, update the Wireless LAN Utilities, or update the Access Point firmw are. Refer here for details on checking and updating versions.

Note

If you are using Window s 2000, there are restrictions to user rights. See Privileges of Window s 2000 Users for details.

Roles of the Wireless Palette and the Access Point Setup Utilities

(1) Use the Wireless Palette to make settings required for communications betw een the computer and the Access Point.

(2) Use the Basic Access Point Setup Utility or the Custom Access Point Setup Utility to make settings required for connection betw een the Access Point and the Internet Service Provider (ISP). The utility must be used on one of the computers on the w ireless LAN.

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The setup process

The setup process w ill vary depending on the w hether or not your Access Point and Wireless LAN PC Card have been used. Refer to the Wireless LAN PC Card Operating Instructions for details.

Note

Using an Access Point Setup Utility prior to version 2.0.1 to set to an Access Point w hose firmw are version is later than 3.7 and w ill result in abnormal operation. Before using your existing Access Point Setup Utility, confirm the Access Point Setup Utility version and the Access Point firmw are version to update them as necessary. Refer here for details on checking and updating the version.

Flow of settings

If the Access Point has not been used:

Connect the Acce s s Point to a pow er s ource.

Refer to the Wireless LAN Access Point Operating Instructions for details.

If the Wireless LAN PC Card has not been used:

Inse rt the Wirele s s LAN PC Card into your com puter.

Install the Wire le s s LAN PC Card drive r.

Note

If you are using a computer that has multiple Ethernet interfaces, you must stop using an Ethernet interface other than the Wireless LAN PC Card. Refer to When using a computer that has an Ethernet interface other than the Wireless LAN PC Card for details.

Setup the Window s -based environment.

Refer to the Wireless LAN PC Card Operating Instructions for details.

Install the acce s sory s oftw are .

Refer to the Wireless LAN Access Point Operating Instructions for details.

Register the Access Point to the Wireless Palette for each computer connected to the Wireless LAN. Refer to the Wireless LAN PC Card Operating Instructions for details.

Make the settings for the Access Point using the Basic Access Point Setup Utility. Refer to the Wireless LAN PC Card Operating Instructions for details.

Hint

You can make detailed settings for the Access Point if you use the Custom Access Point Setup Utility.

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Before making settings (Important precautions)

Check the version When using a computer that has an Ethernet interface other than the Wireless LAN PC Card Privileges of Window s 2000 users

Page 5

Check the version

Us ing an Access Point Setup Utility prior to version 2.0.1 to set to an Access Point w hose firm w are version is late r than 3.7 w ill re s ult in abnormal operation. Before using your existing Access Point Setup Utility, alw ays confirm the follow ing:

The version of the Access Point Setup Utility.



The firmw are version of the Access Point.



Checking the Access Point Setup Utility version

From the Start m e nu, select VAIO, Wirele s s LAN, the n Cus tom Acce s s Point Se tup Utility or Bas ic Acce s s Point Se tup Utility.

Either the Custom Access Point Setup Utility or the Basic Access Point Setup Utility starts.

Check the ve rsion that is dis playe d in the title bar.

Checking the Access Point firmware version

Right-click the Wire le s s Pale tte in the s tatus area of the tas k bar.

Sele ct the Version from the m e nu that is dis playe d.

If the combination of the Access Point Setup Utility and Access Point firmw are versions is incompatible, update the Wireless LAN Utilities, or update the Access Point firmw are. From the Start menu, select VAIO, Wireless LAN, Access Point Firmw are Upgrade, then Manual. Refer to the Upgrade Utility Help file for details.

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When using a computer that has an Ethernet interface other than the Wireless LAN PC Card

When using the Wireless LAN PC Card, you must stop the use of Ethernet interfaces other than the Wireless LAN PC Card.

When running the Window s 98 Second Edition



When running the Window s Me



When running the Window s 2000



When running the Windows 98 Second Edition:

From the Start m e nu, select Settings, then Control Panel.

Double-click System .

Sele ct the De vice M anager tab and the n double-click Ne tw ork adapters.

Double-click the ne tw ork adapter that you w ant to s top.

Sele ct the check box for "Disable in this Hardw are Profile" in the dialog box that is displayed, then click OK.

An "X" w ill appear for the device that has been stopped.

Click OK.

The System Properties dialog box closes.

When running the Windows Me:

From the Start m e nu, select Settings, then Control Panel.

Double-click System . (If all of the control pane l options are not displayed, click "view all Control Panel Options ", the n double-click System .)

Sele ct the De vice M anager tab and double -click Ne twork adapte rs.

Double-click the ne tw ork adapter that you w ant to s top.

Sele ct the check box for "Disable in this Hardw are Profile" in the dialog box that is displayed, then click OK.

An "X" w ill appear for the device that has been stopped.

Click OK.

The System Properties dialog box closes.

When running the Windows 2000:

From the Start m e nu, select Settings, then Control Panel.

Double-click System .

Sele ct the Hardw are tab and the n click the De vice M anager.

The Device Manager w indow is displayed.

Double-click Ne tw ork adapters.

Double-click the ne tw ork adapter that you w ant to s top.

Sele ct "Do not us e this device (disable)" from the De vice us age drop-dow n m enu, the n click OK.

An "X" w ill appear for the device that has been stopped.

Click .

The Device Manager w indow closes.

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Privileges of Windows 2000 users

With Window s 2000, functions that can be performed depend on the user's privilege level.

Privilege Le ve l Function

Administrators Installation of driver: Yes Installation of Wireless LAN Utilities: Yes Execution of Wireless LAN Utilities: Yes

Pow er Users (Standard users) Installation of driver: Yes Installation of Wireless LAN Utilities: Yes Execution of Wireless LAN Utilities: Yes w ith restrictions *1

Users (Restricted users) Installation of driver: No Installation of Wireless LAN Utilities: No Execution of Wireless LAN Utilities: Yes w ith restrictions *2

Registration of the Access Point is not possible with the Wireless Palette.



Even if the Encryption Key is changed with the Access Point Setup Utility, that setting is not reflected at the client.



You can only check the electric wave status with the Wireless Palette.



You cannot run the Basic Access Point Setup Utility or the Custom Access Point Setup Utility.



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Configuring the Access Point

Note

Before configuring the Access Point, do the follow ing:

Connect the Acce s s Point to a pow er s ource.

Refer to the Wireless LAN Access Point Operating Instructions for details.

Inse rt the Wirele s s LAN PC Card, and ins tall the drive r and other softw are s upplie d w ith the Wire le s s LAN PC Card to your computer.

Refer to the Wireless LAN PC Card Operating Instructions manual for details.

Establish a connection to the Acce ss Point us ing the Wire le s s Pale tte.

Refer to the Wireless LAN PC Card Operating Instructions manual for details.

Follow the task sequence below to configure the Access Point using the Custom Setup Utility.

Procee d to Loading the Acce s s Point configuration to load the current configuration from the Access Point.

Procee d to Se tting com mon param eters to specify com m on param e ters.

Procee d to Se tting m ode-depende nt param e ters to s pecify m ode-depe ndent parameters. [Keyw ord] Configuring the Wire le s s LAN Access Point Configuring the Acce s s Point

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Loading the Access Point configuration

Select the Access Point you w ant to configure to load its configuration. Make sure your computer can communicate w ith the Access Point using the Wireless Palette. You may also load the configuration file stored in the hard disk.

Click the Start button on the tas k bar.

The Start menu appears.

From the Start m e nu, select VAIO, Wirele s s LAN, the n Cus tom Acce s s Point Se tup Utility.

The Custom Access Point Setup Utility appears.

Verify that the ID displayed in the Access Point ID box is the s am e as the Acce s s Point ID that you w ant to se t, the n enter the pas s w ord for setting the access point in the Pas s w ord box and click SCAN.

The passw ord box contains the initial value "public". The Access Point ID is a six-digit number on the label attached on the bottom of the Access Point unit. If the Access Point ID displayed is different from the one on the label, enter the correct ID.

Note

If an error message appears, click OK. Verify the follow ing and repeat step 2.

The Wireless LAN PC Card is inserted in your computer.

The Wireless LAN PC Card driver is installed.

The Access Point is pow ered.

The Access Point ID is the same as the one displayed.

The passw ord is correct.

The Wireless LAN PC Card and the Access Point are placed close enough to communicate w ith each other (w ithin approximately 100 m (330 feet)).

The Wireless Palette displays the communication status to the Access Point.

Forgot your password?

You can check your passw ord using the follow ing steps if it w as changed after you uploaded the settings.

Us e the Explorer to open the folde r to w hich the Acce s s Point Se tup Utility w as installed (normally it is : C:\Program

Files \Sony\Wire le s s LAN) on the com puter to w hich the Acce s s Point Se tup Utility w as se t.

With a text e ditor s uch as Note pad, ope n the file of the filenam e calle d "Acce s s Point ID+conf" to w hich you tried to conne ct.

If the Access Point ID is "22a224", the filename w ill be "22a224conf". The Access Point ID and passw ord are listed in that file. Input the passw ord that you confirmed into the Access Point Setup Utility startup screen.

How ever, the Encryption Key is not saved. If "-------" is displayed in the Encryption Key item, it means that that Encryption Key has not been changed since the last time.

Also, you can return the passw ord setting to its original status (unset) by resetting the softw are. Read Reset mode and Softw are Reset mode for details on how to reset the softw are.

Hint

You may also click LOAD to load the configuration file from the hard disk. How ever, you must enter the Encryption Key again because it is not saved.

Communication betw een the Access Point and the Wireless LAN PC Card begins and the "Selection of connection mode and setup of common parameters" dialog box appears. Proceed to Setting common parameters and to Setting mode-dependent parameters.

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Setting common parameters

Specify the common parameters required for building a w ireless LAN (Local Area Netw ork). This dialog box includes the follow ing parameters. When you are done, go to Setting mode-dependent parameters. Channel Number

Select a channel number (1 through 11) from the drop-dow n menu.

Note

Assign a unique channel to each Access Point. If an error occurs due to the close proximity of another w ireless LAN or Access Point, try another channel.

Encryption Key

You may encrypt w ireless communications to protect against unauthorized reception. Enter any five alphanumeric characters to set the Encryption Key.

Notes

Write dow n the Encryption Key and keep it in a secure location.



The last five digits of the Access Point ID are set as the initial value for the Encryption Key. We strongly recommend that you change this to



prevent unw arranted use from an outside party.

Closed Wireless System

Check this option to shield the Access Point from computers on other w ireless LANs.

System Administrator Name

Enter the name of your system administrator. You may enter up to 63 alphanumeric characters including symbols.

Hint

System Administrator may be left blank.

System Placement Location

Enter a location for your system. You may enter up to 127 alphanumeric characters including symbols.

Hint

System Placement Location may be left blank.

Setup Passw ord You can use the passw ord for setting the Access Point for each Access Point. You can enter a maximum of 31 English characters and symbols (ASCII characters). "public" is input as the initial value.

Note

We strongly recommend that you change the passw ord to prevent settings changes by an outside party. Make a note of the passw ord to w hich you change so that you w ill not forget it.

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Setting mode-dependent parameters

Select a destination to specify the connection mode you w ant to use, then specify parameters specific to the connection mode of your choice.

Select a destination from Connection Mode and click NEXT. The w indow that appears depends on your selection. Phone

Select this option to connect the Access Point to the telephone line. For further steps, proceed to Setting up dial-up connection.

Cable Modem (Router Mode)

Select this option to connect the Access Point to the cable or xDSL modem. For further steps, proceed to Setting up cable connection.

LAN (Bridge Mode)

Select this option to connect the Access Point to the ISDN router. This mode is also recommended for connecting the Access Point to the existing LAN, such as the corporate LAN. Consult your netw ork administrator to identify the correct connection mode. For further information on the operation, proceed to Setting up ISDN connection.

Local Only

Select this option for standalone use of the Access Point, w hen you do not w ant to connect it to any external w ired netw ork such as the Internet. For further information, proceed to Setting up local connection.

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Setting up dial-up connection

Selecting Phone for Connection Mode in Setting mode-dependent parameters displays the Enter Phone Connection Parameters dialog box.

Notes

In the Phone mode, the Access Point serves as the DHCP server for both Ethernet and w ireless netw orks.



Never connect the Access Point in the Phone mode to any existing Ethernet netw ork w ith the DHCP server.



Consult w ith your netw ork administrator before connecting the Access Point to the existing Ethernet netw ork.



Click the Dialup Se tup tab.

This dialog box is for assigning functions to the Access Point for dialing up the ISP.

Account ID

Enter the account ID for connecting to the ISP.

Passw ord

Enter the passw ord for connecting to the ISP.

Passw ord (re-enter)

Enter the passw ord for connecting to the ISP once again.

Phone Number 1

Enter the telephone number of the ISP.

Phone Number 2 Enter the alternate telephone number to use w hen a call to Phone Number 1 is not completed. (This item does not necessarily need to be entered.)

DNS Server 1

Enter the primary DNS server address if the ISP provides it.

DNS Server 2

Enter the secondary DNS server address if the ISP provides it.

Dialing Mode

Specify the telephone line type. Select Tone or Pulse.

Hangup After Enter the length of time you w ant to allow for inactive communication before hanging up. You may specify up to 2550 seconds (42 minutes and 30 seconds) in units of 10 seconds. The factory default setting is 120 seconds (2 minutes).

Automatic Connection

Check this option to configure the Access Point to automatically make a dial-up attempt w hen connection to the Internet is needed.

Page 14

Notes

If Automatic Connection is checked, an intentional connection attempt may be made depending on the computer settings.

The dial-up connection takes some time to be established, which may cause a time-out message depending on your e-mail

or browser application. If a time-out message appears, try sending/receiving mail or reloading the Web page again.

Note that automatic disconnection may not work due to unexpected packets sent from the Internet. Click Disconnect to

disconnect the connection when you are through with the Internet access.

Dial Tone Detect

When you select "Yes", it waits for the dial tone of the telephone line to connect the dial-up.

Note

To hear the tone signal when you lift the telephone receiver, select "Yes", and select "No" not to hear the dial tone.

Click the IP Setup tab.

This dialog box is for assigning an IP address to the Access Point.

Hint

The Local IP Address and Local Subnet Mask are assigned by default. There is no need to change them.

Local IP Address

Enter the IP address of the Access Point.

Local Subnet Mask

Enter the subnet mask of the Access Point.

Click the DHCP Server Setup tab.

This dialog box is for specifying functions of the Access Point acting as the local DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server.

Size of IP Address Pool

Enter the number of IP addresses that the DHCP server holds. This number should be larger than the number of clients (computers) in your wireless LAN. In most cases, enter the recommended maximum number of clients (16). You may specify up to 49 clients. The access speed declines as more clients are added to the LAN.

Lease Time

Enter the valid time period of IP addresses assigned by the DHCP server. You may specify up to 720 minutes.

Hint

To save the parameters you have entered the Access Point configuration file on the hard disk, click SAVE CONFIG. The file may be loaded by clicking LOAD on the "Selection of connection mode and setup of common parameters" dialog box. See

Loading the Access Point configuration.

Click NEXT.

A screen appears asking you to confirm the mode you have selected.

Click UPLOAD.

The configuration you have made is registered in the Access Point.

Note

If an error message appears, re-enter the correct data.

When the Wireless Access Point Setup - Finish Screen appears, wait about 30 seconds.

Note

The link test is disabled for 30 seconds after the configuration is uploaded because the Access Point is automatically restarted. You may start the link test when the Power indicator on the Access Point turns green.

Click LINK TEST.

Page 15

The link test between the Access Point and the client is performed using your new configuration.

Click FINISH when the message "Link established with Access Point" is displayed.

The Custom Setup Utility closes.

Note

If an error message appears, open the Custom Access Point Setup Utility and check the configuration.

Page 16

Setting up cable connection

Selecting Cable Modem for Connection Mode in Setting mode-dependent parameters displays the Setup of Cable Modem Connection Mode dialog box.

Hints

The Access Point acts as a NAT router w hen Cable Modem is selected for Connection Mode.



Select this mode w hen connecting the Access Point to a DSL modem if your DSL provider does not use PPPoE for connection.



Click the IP Se tup tab.

This dialog box is for entering the information required for configuring a WAN (Wide Area Netw ork) and assigning local IP addresses.

Static IP Address (WAN-side)

Check this option if the IP address to be used on the computer is specified in your cable modem contract, then fill in the follow ing fields. If this option is left unchecked, the IP address is automatically assigned w hen connection to the ISP is established.

Hint

Ask your ISP (cable TV company) for more information.

WAN IP Address Enter the IP address of the WAN.

WAN Subnet Mask

Enter the subnet mask of the WAN.

Default Router

Enter the IP address of the default router.

DNS Server 1

Enter the primary DNS server address.

DNS Server 2

Enter the secondary DNS server address.

Local IP Address

Enter the IP address of the LAN.

Hint

The Local IP Address is assigned by default. There is no particular need to change them.

Local Subnet Mask

Enter the subnet mask of the LAN.

Hint

The Subnet Mask is assigned by default. There is no particular need to change them.

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DHCP Client ID (Required by some ISPs) With some cable operators, an identifier called a DHCP Client ID w ill be requested upon IP address acquisition by the client. In these cases, type the ID specified from the cable operator. You may enter up to 63 alphanumeric characters including symbols.

Hint

When you directly connect your computer to a cable modem, enter the DHCP Client ID in the Computer name text box of the Window s Netw ork dialog box.

Click the DHCP Se rver Setup tab.

This dialog box is for specifying functions of the Access Point acting as the DHCP server for the w ireless LAN.

Size of IP Address Pool

Enter the number of IP addresses that the DHCP server holds. This number should be larger than the number of clients (computers) in your w ireless LAN. Normally, enter the recommended maximum number of clients, 16. You may specify up to 49 clients. The more clients you specify, how ever, the more the access speed tends to decline.

Lease Time

Enter the valid time period of IP addresses assigned by the DHCP server. You may specify up to 720 minutes.

Hint

Point configuration.

Click NEXT.

A screen appears asking you to confirm the mode you have selected.

Click UPLOAD.

The configuration you have made is registered in the Access Point.

Note

If an error message appears, re-enter the correct data.

When the Wire le s s Acces s Point Se tup - Finis h Scre e n appe ars, w ait about 30 s e conds .

Note

The link test is disabled for 30 seconds after the configuration is uploaded because the Access Point is automatically restarted. You may start the link test w hen the Pow er indicator on the Access Point turns green.

Click LINK TEST.

The link test betw een the Access Point and the client is performed using your new configuration.

Click FINISH w hen the m essage "Link es tablished w ith Access Point" is displayed.

The Custom Access Point Setup Utility closes.

Note

If an error message is displayed, open the Custom Access Point Setup Utility and check the configuration.

Page 18

Setting up LAN connection

Selecting LAN for Connection Mode in Setting mode-dependent parameters displays the Setup of LAN Connection Mode dialog box.

Hints

The Access Point acts as a bridge w hen LAN is selected for Connection Mode.



Select this mode w hen connecting the Access Point to a DSL modem if your DSL provider does not use PPPoE for connection. Refer here for the



procedure.

Click the IP Se tup tab.

This dialog box is for assigning information such as the IP address of the Access Point.

Static IP Address

Check this option if your ISDN router is not DHCP-compliant or the DHCP is not used, then fill in the follow ing fields.

IP Address Enter the IP address of the Access Point.

Subnet Mask

Enter the subnet mask of the Access Point.

Default Router

Enter the IP address for the default router.

Hints

Refer to the manual that comes w ith your ISDN router for details.



To save the parameters you have entered the Access Point configuration file on the hard disk, click SAVE CONFIG.



The file may be loaded by clicking LOAD on the "Selection of connection mode and setup of common parameters" dialog box. See Loading

the Access Point configuration.

Click NEXT.

A screen appears asking you to confirm the mode you have selected.

Click UPLOAD.

The configuration you have made is registered in the Access Point.

Note

If an error message appears, re-enter the correct data.

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