SparkLAN Communications WPCR501 User Manual

Wireless Network Cardbus Adapter

User’s Guide

Version 2.3

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2

2. Wireless LAN Basics................................................................................................. 3

3. Installation for Windows platform .............................................................................. 4

3.1. Installation Overview.............................................................................................. 4

3.2. Install Procedure for Windows ............................................................................... 5

3.3 Uninstall Procedure................................................................................................. 9

4. Configuration Utility................................................................................................. 10

4.1 Link Information .................................................................................................... 11

4.2 AP List................................................................................................................... 12

4.3 Profile Setting........................................................................................................ 14

4.4 About..................................................................................................................... 18

5. Appendix................................................................................................................. 19

5.1 Use Wireless Zero configuration........................................................................... 19

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1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing your Wireless LAN Adapter. This User’s Guide will assist you with the
installation procedure.

The package you have received should contain the following items:

• Wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter

• User’s Guide

• Warranty Card

Note: if anything is missing, please contact your vendor

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2. Wireless LAN Basics

Wireless LAN (Local Area Networks) systems offer a great number of advantages over a traditional,
wired system. Wireless LANs (WLANs) are more flexible, easier to setup and manage and often more
cost effective than their wired equivalence.

Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the
need for wired connections. Therefore, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility, and,
through simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.

With wireless LANs, users can access shared information without looking for a place to plug in and
network managers can set up or augment networks without installing or moving wires. Wireless LANs
offer the following productivity, convenience and cost advantages over traditional wired networks:

• Mobility - Wireless LAN systems can provide LAN users with access to real-time information
anywhere in their organization. This mobility supports productivity and service opportunities not
possible with wired networks.

• Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can
eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.

• Installation Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go.

• Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware

might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle
costs will be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments
requiring frequent moves, adds, and changes.

• Scalability - Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs
of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer­to-peer to full infrastructure networks, also allow roaming over a broad area.

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3. Installation for Windows platform

The following section will assist you in installing wireless LAN Cardbus Adapter successfully. You will
first install software (Utility) and then insert / attach the Wireless Cardbus LAN Adapter to your system,
and finally set the network properties to accommodate resource sharing and select the type of wireless
network that you wish to install. The Wireless LAN card can easily be installed and used, without
bothering to connect cables for keeping your computer to use network resources.

3.1. Installation Overview

Here are some steps you will perform in establishing your wireless network connection:

z Install the Access Point at first. AP is needed in case of Infrastructure network mode.
z Install the software using the Install CD.
z Install the Wireless LAN Card.
z Install the network protocol(s) required to communicate on your network. Most likely you will need

the TCP/IP protocol.

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3.2. Install Procedure for Windows

Note: Do not insert the WLAN Adapter until you are asked to do so, failure of which may

result in unsuccessful installation of your WLAN device.

1. Insert the given Install CD in the CD-ROM, and wait for the Autorun prompt. If Autorun does not
work, please browse the CD content and double click the “ Autorun.exe ”.

2. Click WPCR-501.

3. Follow the instruction to finish the installation.

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After complete the procedure, insert your WLAN card into PCMCIA slot of your system, and then
system will detect new hardware. Select “Install the software automatically (Recommended) ”,
and then click Next to continue. After copy the file to your system, then the setup is finish.

4. Click the right button of mouse on My Computer Æ Manage Æ Device Manager.

Check whether it has WLAN adapter in one of the sockets or not. If you find Wireless 11n
CardBus Adapter in one of the sockets, it means the card is detected properly.
If you cannot find this adapter on device manager, please click the Action Æ Scan for hardware
changes to search again. If this adapter is shown with yellow exclamation mark, please remove it
and click the Action Æ Scan for hardware changes to search this hardware again for proper
hardware installation.

5. Click StartÆ SettingsÆ Network Connections or right click mouse on the My Network Places
(Network Neighborhood) for TCP/IP setting.

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