Symbol LA-4121, LA-4123, Spectrum24 LA-4121, Spectrum24 LA-4123 Reference Manual
Spectrum24
Wireless LAN Adapter
Models LA-4121 PC Card &
LA-4123 PCI Adapter
Product Reference Guide
70E-20706-03
Revision A
June 2000
www.symbol.com
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 by Symbol Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Symbol, the Symbol logo and Spectrum24 are registered trademarks of Symbol Technologies, Inc.
No part of this publication may be modified or adapted in any way, for any purposes without permission in writing from
Symbol. The material in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Symbol reserves the right to make changes to any product to improve reliability, function, or design.
No license is granted, either expressly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise under any Symbol Technologies, Inc.,
intellectual property rights. An implied license only exists for equipment, circuits, and subsystems contained in
Symbol products.
Other product names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies and are hereby acknowledged.
Novell and LAN Workplace are registered trademarks of Novell Inc.
Patents
This product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. and foreign Patents:
U.S. Patent No.
4,387,297; 4,460,120; 4,496,831; 4,593,186; 4,603,262; 4,607,156; 4,652,750; 4,673,805; 4,736,095;
4,758,717; 4,816,660; 4,845,350; 4,896,026; 4,897,532; 4,923,281; 4,933,538; 4,992,717; 5,015,833;
5,017,765; 5,021,641; 5,029,183; 5,047,617; 5,103,461; 5,113,445; 5,130,520; 5,140,144; 5,142,550;
5,149,950; 5,157,687; 5,168,148; 5,168,149; 5,180,904; 5,216,232; 5,229,591; 5,230,088; 5,235,167;
5,243,655; 5,247,162; 5,250,791; 5,250,792; 5,260,553; 5,262,627; 5,262,628; 5,266,787; 5,278,398;
5,280,162; 5,280,163; 5,280,164; 5,280,498; 5,304,786; 5,304,788; 5,306,900; 5,321,246; 5,324,924;
5,337,361; 5,367,151; 5,373,148; 5,378,882; 5,396,053; 5,396,055; 5,399,846; 5,408,081; 5,410,139;
5,410,140; 5,412,198; 5,418,812; 5,420,411; 5,436,440; 5,444,231; 5,449,891; 5,449,893; 5,468,949;
5,471,042; 5,478,998; 5,479,000; 5,479,002; 5,479,441; 5,504,322; 5,519,577; 5,528,621; 5,532,469;
5,543,610; 5,545,889; 5,552,592; 5,557,093; 5,578,810; 5,581,070; 5,589,679; 5,589,680; 5,608,202;
5,612,531; 5,619,028; 5,627,359; 5,637,852; 5,664,229; 5,668,803; 5,675,139; 5,693,929; 5,698,835;
5,705,800; 5,714,746; 5,723,851; 5,734,152; 5,734,153; 5,742,043; 5,745,794; 5,754,587; 5,762,516;
5,763,863; 5,767,500; 5,789,728; 5,789,731; 5,808,287; 5,811,785; 5,811,787; 5,815,811; 5,821,519;
5,821,520; 5,823,812; 5,828,050; 5,850,078; 5,861,615; 5,874,720; 5,875,415; 5,900,617; 5,902,989;
5,907,146; 5,912,450; 5,914,478; 5,917,173; 5,920,059; 5,923,025; 5,929,420; 5,945,658; 5,945,659;
5,946,194; 5,959,285; 6,002,918; D305,885; D341,584; D344,501; D359,483; D362,453; D363,700;
D363,918; D370,478; D383,124; D391,250; D405,077; D406,581; D414,171; D414,172; D419,548
Invention No. 55,358; 62,539; 69,060; 69,187 (Taiwan); No. 1,601,796; 1,907,875; 1,955,269 (Japan);
European Patent 367,299; 414,281; 367,300; 367,298; UK 2,072,832; France 81/03938; Italy 1,138,713
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
One Symbol Plaza
Holtsville, N.Y. 11742-1300
Telephone:(800)SCAN234/(516)738-2400
ii Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
About This Document
Reference Documents
This Reference Guide refers to the following documents:
Part Number Document Title
70E-20688-03 Spectrum24 AP-4121 Access Point Product
Reference Guide
70E-20708-03 Spectrum24 Site Survey System Administrators Guide
70E-20709-03 Spectrum24 Plus Pack User Guide
Conventions
Keystrokes are indicated as follows:
ENTER identifies a key.
FUNC, CTRL, C identifies a key sequence. Press and release each
key in turn.
A+B press the indicated keys simultaneously.
Press
Hold A+B press and hold the indicated keys while performing
or waiting for another function. Used in combination
with another keystroke.
Typeface conventions used include:
<angles> indicates mandatory parameters in a given syntax.
[brackets] for command line, indicates available parameters;
in configuration files brackets act as separators
for options.
GUI Screen text indicates the control name in a GUI-based
application.
Italics indicates the first use of a term, book title, or menu.
‘single quotes’ indicates the exact setting for a parameter.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide iii
Screen
indicates monitor screen dialog. Also indicates
user input.
A screen is the hardware device on which
data appears.
A display is data arranged on a screen.
Terminal
URL
indicates text shown on a terminal screen.
indicates Uniform Resource Locator. Click the URL
to launch browser.
This document uses the following icons for certain conditions or types
of information:
Indicates tips or special requirements.
Indicates conditions that can cause equipment damage
or data loss.
Indicates a potentially dangerous condition or
procedure that only Symbol-trained personnel should
attempt to correct or perform.
iv Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction.....................................................1
Chapter 2 About the Spectrum24 Wireless
LAN Adapter
2.1 MU Mode ......................................................4
2.2 11 Mbps Operation ........................................5
2.3 Mobile IP........................................................ 6
2.4 Power Management ........................................7
2.5 Card and Socket Services ................................8
2.6 Plug and Play .................................................8
2.7 Spectrum24 Adapter LED Descriptions .............. 8
Chapter 3 Hardware Installation....................................9
3.1 Preparation ....................................................9
3.2 Installing the PC Card ...................................10
3.3 Installing the PCI Adapter ..............................12
3.3.1 External Antenna Connection ...............14
Chapter 4 Installing and Configuring the
Windows 95/98 Driver
4.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in
Windows 95.......................................................15
4.2 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in
Windows 98.......................................................17
4.3 Spectrum24 Adapter Configuration for
Windows 95/98 .................................................19
...................................................3
................................15
Chapter 5 Installing and Configuring the
Windows NT Driver......................................21
5.1 New Spectrum24 Adapter Installation.............22
5.2 Spectrum24 Adapter Configuration for
Windows NT ......................................................24
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide v
Chapter 6 Installing and Configuring the Driver in
Windows 2000..............................................27
6.1 Configuring the Spectrum24 WLAN Adapter for
Windows 2000...................................................30
Chapter 7 Installing and Configuring the Driver in
Windows CE..................................................33
7.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Windows CE Driver .33
7.1.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Windows
CE Device Driver from a CDROM .................34
7.1.2 Downloading the Spectrum24
Windows CE Device Driver ...........................35
7.1.3 Uploading the Spectrum24 Driver to an
Handheld Computer Device .........................37
Chapter 8 Verifying the Firmware Version.................39
Appendix A Spectrum24 Network Control Panel
Applet (NCPA)
A.1 Installing NCPA .......................................... A-1
A.2 Using NCPA............................................... A-2
A.2.1 Mobile Unit Property Page .................. A-4
A.2.2 Power Property Page .......................... A-6
A.2.3 Mobile IP Property Page...................... A-7
A.2.4 Encryption Property Page.................... A-9
A.2.5 WLAN Adapter Property Page ........... A-13
............................................. A-1
Appendix B WLAN Adapter Specifications ................. B-1
Appendix C Troubleshooting .........................................C-1
C.1 Windows 95/98 Troubleshooting Tips ..........C-1
C.2 Windows NT 4.0 Troubleshooting ................ C-3
C.2.1 Useful Tool for Windows NT
Troubleshooting .........................................C-4
C.2.2 Windows NT Errors............................ C-5
vi Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
C.3 Windows 2000 Troubleshooting Tips............ C-7
C.4 Windows CE Troublshooting........................ C-8
C.4.1 The Handheld Computer Does Not
Recognize the Spectrum24 PC Card ............. C-8
C.4.2 An IP Address is Not Recognized
by the Handheld Computer ......................... C-9
Appendix D Customer Support......................................D-1
Appendix E Regulatory Compliance..............................E-1
Index............................................................................... Index-1
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide vii
viii Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Chapter 1 Introduction
The LA-4121 PC Card and the LA-4123 PCI adapter
are Spectrum24 direct-sequence (DS) products.
Spectrum24 DS is a spread spectrum network operating
between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. Spread spectrum
communication provides a high-capacity network within
large or small environments. Spectrum24 DS products
provide a high-capacity network using multiple access
points within large or small environments.
• Spectrum24 bridging architecture allows
communication between wired network devices
and mobile devices.
• Spectrum24 supports the IEEE 802.11 specification.
This open architecture allows Spectrum24 devices
to communicate with wireless devices from
other manufacturers.
• Spectrum24 allows mobile devices to roam
throughout large facilities while remaining
connected to the LAN.
• Spectrum24 allows protocol firmware upgrades
while devices remain operational.
• Spectrum24 antenna diversity feature alternates
between antennas with the best reception,
increasing overall performance.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 1
Introduction
2 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Chapter 2 About the Spectrum24
Wireless LAN Adapter
The Spectrum24 Wireless LAN (WLAN) adapter allows
PC Card or PCI adapter slot-equipped host systems
to configure, connect to and establish a Spectrum24
network. The PCI version of the WLAN adapter
implements the Plug and Play standard.
Features Include:
• Low-power operation for battery-powered
devices with PC Card slots
• Standard NDIS (Network Driver Interface
Specification)
• Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000 and
CE driver support
• Card and Socket Services support.
• Plug and Play support
• Power management [Continuously Aware
Mode (CAM) and Power Save Polling (PSP)].
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 3
About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
2.1 MU Mode
In the Mobile Unit (MU) mode, the WLAN adapter
connects to an access point (AP) or another WLAN
installed system. MU mode allows the device to
roam freely between AP cells in the network. MUs
appear as network nodes to other devices.
4 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
2.2 11 Mbps Operation
The Spectrum24 Wireless LAN adapter supports an
11 Mbps data rate. The adapter can default to a 5.5,
2 or 1 Mbps data rate when unable to establish an
11 Mbps association.
The following factors can dynamically alter the
data rate:
• signal strength between the AP and the MU
• the ratio of good transmitted packets to attempted
• transmitted packets fall below a threshold
• the MU finds a higher transmit rate with another AP
or it encounters an unspecified data rate.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 5
About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
Ethernet
Mobile N ode
M o bile N o d e
2.3 Mobile IP
The Spectrum24 Wireless LAN adapter supports
Mobile IP (roaming across routers) when properly
configured to support Mobile IP. The Mobile IP
feature allows Spectrum24 Wireless LAN devices
to roam across routers.
The MU retains its IP address when configured for
Mobile IP and can:
• move from one IP subnet to another
• move from an Ethernet segment to a wireless LAN
• move from one Ethernet segment to another.
Host Router
Ethernet
AP 4
AP 3
Internet
AP 1
HostRouter
AP 2
6 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
2.4 Power Management
The WLAN adapter supports the Continuously
Aware (CAM) and Power Save Polling (PSP) powermanagement modes. CAM requires the radio to
remain on. Symbol does not recommend CAM for
battery powered devices.
The PCI version of the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter
functions in CAM only.
PSP mode allows the MU to conserve power by
suspending communication while still associated with
an AP. The AP saves data for transmission to the MU
when it wakes at given intervals. When the adapter
wakes to check for data, it switches back into CAM
until it is ready suspend communications again.
The PSP performance index, which varies from 1 to 5,
allows users to specify how often the MU wakes up to
check for data. PSP performance index 1 provides the
quickest response time (shortest sleep interval), while
PSP performance index 5 provides efficient power
consumption (longest sleep interval).
Use the Symbol Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA)
or the Symbol Network Interface Card Task Tray (NICTT)
utility to manually set the PSP performance index.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 7
About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
2.5 Card and Socket Services
The Spectrum24 WLAN adapter supports Card and
Socket services. Card and Socket Service software
packages work with the host computer operating system
enabling the Wireless LAN adapter to interface with
host computer configuration and power management
functions. Card and Socket Service software packages
include SystemSoft and Phoenix.
2.6 Plug and Play
The PCI version of the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter
supports Plug and Play systems. This allows a computer
to recognize the PCI adapter, and configure the
hardware interrupt, memory and device recognition
addresses. This feature requires less user interaction
and minimizes hardware conflicts.
2.7 Spectrum24 Adapter LED Descriptions
The WLAN adapter LED illuminates during connection
or data transfer to indicate the functional status of
the adapter.
Status Function
Off WLAN adapter radio is disabled
or incapable of transmission
Slow Yellow Flash Adapter associated with an
access point
Rapid Yellow Flash Indicates data traffic between
adapter and access point. The
faster the flash, the more data
traffic on the network.
8 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Chapter 3 Hardware Installation
Physical installation for the PC Card and PCI adapter
differ for each system. Refer to the system manufacturer
documentation for specific information.
3.1 Preparation
Before beginning the installation, verify the hardware
package contains:
• Spectrum24 Wireless LAN adapter
• installation CD and utilities.
Verify the model indicated on the card and packaging
before use. Contact the Symbol Support Center if an
item is missing or not functioning.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 9
Hardware Installation
3.2 Installing the PC Card
The Spectrum24 PC Card installation requires:
• a computer with a Type II PC Card slot
• a CDROM drive
• an available interrupt (IRQ)
• an available I/O port address
• Spectrum24 driver installation CDROM.
Installation and removal methods vary for different host
devices. Refer to system documentation for information.
Avoid WLAN adapter contact with liquids or
abrasive materials.
To install the PC Card:
1. Insert the PC Card into the PC slot. Arrows on the
front of the PC Card indicate the insertion point to
the slot.
2. Slide in the PC Card until it firmly seats.
10 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Hardware Installation
r
Align the card properly when inserting. Insert the card
firmly without forcing. Forcing the card into the slot can
damage the device or the card.
Sp24Tri2InsertSymAnt.cd
FCC RF exposure requirements state the PC Card
antenna should be positioned so it is at least 5 cm
(2 inches) away from the user.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 11
Hardware Installation
3.3 Installing the PCI Adapter
Use proper grounding for the environment when
handling computer components.
The Spectrum24 PCI adapter installation requires:
• a CDROM drive
• an available interrupt (IRQ)
• an available I/O port address
• Spectrum24 driver installation CDROM.
®
Spectrum24
Using PC 98 compliant system hardware increases the
performance of the PCI adapter.
12 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Hardware Installation
To install the PCI adapter:
1. Power off the computer before installing
the adapter.
If the system has a PCMCIA adapter installed, the
PCI adapter can function as a second controller.
2. Remove the computer cover.
3. Locate an available PCI slot in the computer.
4. Remove the retaining screw and bracket for the slot.
5. Align the adapter with the slot and insert firmly.
Verify the adapter seats in the slot evenly.
6. Verify that the antenna connectors in the back of the
PC are exposed.
7. Secure the adapter to the chassis with a
retaining screw.
8. Replace the computer cover.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 13
Hardware Installation
3.3.1 External Antenna Connection
The PCI adapter includes a desktop
dual-dipole antenna.
Install the antenna parallel to the ground for
optimal performance.
Attach the antenna to the antenna connector as shown:
The Spectrum24 Wireless LAN adapter hardware
installation is complete.
FCC RF exposure requirements state the PCI adapter
external antenna should be positioned so it is at least
20 cm (8 inches) away from the user.
14 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Chapter 4 Installing and
Configuring the
Windows 95/98 Driver
4.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in Windows 95
The Spectrum24 Windows driver ships with the
Symbol Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA)
utility on a CDROM. Use NCPA to view and edit
Spectrum24 WLAN adapter settings.
Symbol recommends updating the Spectrum24 WLAN
adapter to the latest firmware. After the driver and Plus
Pack have been installed, use the NICUpdate utility to
update the firmware in Windows 95. Refer to the
documentation shipped with the Spectrum24 Plus Pack
utility suite for instructions on using NICUpdate.
To download the latest firmware, go to
(http://www.symbol.com/services/downloads/
download_spec24.html).
Before installing the Spectrum24 Windows driver:
• verify the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter is installed
• obtain the Spectrum24 driver installation CDROM.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 15
Installing and Configuring the Windows 95/98 Driver
Launch the ricohinf.exe file from the Win9x directory
before loading the driver to enable the operating
system to recognize the PCI adapter. Restart the
computer before loading the driver.
To install the Spectrum24 driver for the first time in
Windows 95:
1. Install the Symbol Spectrum24 WLAN adapter as
described in Chapter 3.
2. Power up the system.
3. Insert the Spectrum24 Windows driver
installation CD.
4. When Windows 95 recognizes the adapter, an
Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box appears
requesting a driver to install. Click Next.
5. Click Finish when Windows displays the
following message:
Windows found the following updated
driver for this device: Symbol Spectrum24
PC Card/PCI Adapter.
Complete the installation instructions displayed by
Windows 95.
6. Enter the network ESSID in the Symbol Easy Setup
window. Click OK.
7. Click Finish.
8. When prompted, restart the computer.
9. Proceed to 4.3 Spectrum24 Adapter Configuration
for Windows 95/98 on page 19.
16 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Installing and Configuring the Windows 95/98 Driver
4.2 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in Windows 98
The Spectrum24 Windows driver ships with the
Symbol Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA)
utility on a CDROM. Use NCPA to view and edit
Spectrum24 WLAN adapter settings.
Symbol recommends updating the Spectrum24 WLAN
adapter to the latest firmware. After the driver and Plus
Pack have been installed, use the NICUpdate utility to
update the firmware in Windows 98. Refer to the
documentation shipped with the Spectrum24 Plus Pack
utility suite for instructions on using NICUpdate.
To download the latest firmware, go to
(http://www.symbol.com/services/downloads/
download_spec24.html).
Before installing the Spectrum24 Windows driver:
• verify the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter is installed
• obtain the Spectrum24 Windows driver
installation CDROM.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 17
Installing and Configuring the Windows 95/98 Driver
To install the Spectrum24 driver for the first time in
Windows 98:
1. Install the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter as described
in Chapter 3.
2. Power up the system.
3. Insert the Spectrum24 Windows driver
installation CD.
4. When Windows 98 recognizes the adapter, the Add
New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears.
Click Next.
5. Select Search for best driver for your device.
Click Next.
6. Specify the location of the Symbol driver files.
Click Next.
7. Click Next when Windows locates and displays
the adapter.
The Symbol Easy Setup dialog box displays.
8. Enter the network ESSID in the Easy Setup window.
Click OK.
The Add New Hardware Wizard dialog box
displays stating the required software has
been installed.
9. Click Finish.
10. When prompted, restart the computer.
11. Proceed to 4.3 Spectrum24 Adapter Configuration
for Windows 95/98 on page 19.
18 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide
Installing and Configuring the Windows 95/98 Driver
4.3 Spectrum24 Adapter Configuration for Windows 95/98
To configure the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter in
Windows 95/98:
1. Click Start, select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Select the Network icon and click on the Symbol
PC Card/PCI Adapter.
3. Select the Properties button.
The Symbol Spectrum24 Easy Setup dialog
box displays.
4. Click the Advanced button and scroll through the
five NCPA property pages to view the default
adapter configuration.
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Product Reference Guide 19
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