Trendnet TEW-PCI User Manual

PCI Wireless Network

Adapter

User’s Manual

Rev 1.0

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

Regulatory compliance

FCC Warning

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

?? Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. ?? Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

?? Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected. ?? Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate the equipment.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum dis tance 20cm between the radiator & your body.

CE Mark Warning

This is a Class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

About this manual

This User’s Manual describes how to install and operate your PCI Wireless Network adapter. Please read this manual before you install the product.

This manual includes the following topics:

??Product description and features. ??Software installation procedure.

??Hardware installation procedure. ??FAQ

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

Table of Contents

Regulatory compliance About this manual

Chapter 1- Introduction 5

Features 5 What is Wireless LAN? 6 Wireless LAN Modes 6 Notes on Wireless LAN Configuration 7

Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation 8

Package Contents 8 System Requirements for the Adapter 8 Install the PCI Adapter 8 LEDs Indicators 9 Connecting External Antenna to the Adapter 10

Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows 11

Driver installation for Windows 98 11 Driver installation for Windows 2000 14 Driver installation for Windows ME 17 Driver installation for Windows NT4.0 19

Chapter 4 – Using the Wireless Utility 24

Installation in Windows 24 Configuring the PCI Wireless Network Adapter 28

Chapter 5 –Installing Network Protocols 33

Installing the Network Protocols for Windows 98 and Millennium 33

Appendix A – FAQ 36 Appendix B – Specifications 37

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the PCI Wireless Network Adapter. This high -speed PCI Wireless Network Adapter provides you with an innovative wireless net working solution. The Adapter is easy to set up and use. With this innovative wireless technology, you can share files and printers on the network—without inconvenient wires!

The Adapter is a network Adapter with a rate of 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps operating in the ISM band using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) transmission implementing the IEEE 802.11b standard. This Adapter provides Device Drivers for Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and Windows NT4.0. It also provides tools for the configuration of the Adapter. The tool, as well as the installation steps of the plug-and-play procedure for the Microsoft Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows NT4.0 operating systems, is described in this document.

Features

The PCI Wireless Network Adapter offers compliance with t he IEEE 802.11b specification. This feature allows them to communicate with other wireless devices that support the standard. Features of the Adapter are:

?? Uses 2.4GHz frequency band, which complies with worldwide

requirement

?? Wireless interface following the IEEE 802.11b standard ?? Using PCI interface ?? Enciphering/deciphering of wireless data by the implementation of the

WEP algorithm

?? Wire-free access to networked resources from anywhere beyond the

desktop

?? Allows users move between Access Points without resetting their

connection reconfiguration

?? Delivers data rate up to 11 Mbps ?? Supports 11, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps rates ?? Provide PCI Wireless Network Adapter Configuration utility

The Adapter uses external Antenna with LEDs indicating Power and Link

?? Supports most popular operating systems: Window 98/2000/ME/NT4.0

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

What is Wireless LAN?

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems offer a great number of advantages over traditional wired systems. WLAN is flexible and easy to setup

and manage. They are also more economical than wired LAN systems. Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLAN transmit and receive data through

the air. WLAN combine data connectivity with user mobility. For example, users can roam from a conference room to their office without being discon nected from the LAN.

Using WLAN, users can conveniently access -shared information, and network administrators can configure and augment networks without installing or moving network cables.

WLAN technology provides users with many convenient and cost saving features:

?? Mobility: WLAN provide LAN users with access to real-time information

anywhere in their organization, providing service opportunities that are impossible with wired ne tworks.

?? Ease of Installation: Installing is easy for novice and expert users alike,

eliminating the need to install network cables in walls and ceilings.

?? Scalability: WLAN can be configured in a variety of topologies to adapt to

specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousands of users roaming over a broad area.

Wireless LAN Modes

Wireless LANs can be configured in one of two ways:

Ad-hoc Networking

Infrastructure Networking

Also known as a peer-to-peer network, an ad-hoc network is one that allows all workstations and computers in the network to act as servers to all other users on the network. Users on the network can share files, print to a shared printer, and access the Internet with a shared modem. However, with ad-hoc networking, users can only communicate with other wireless LAN computers that are in the wireless LAN workgroup, and are within range.

Infrastructure networking differs from ad -hoc networking in that it includes an access point. Unlike the ad-hoc structure where users on the LAN contend the shared bandwidth, on an infrastructure network the access point can manage the bandwidth to maximize

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

bandwidth utilization. Additionally, the access point enables users on a

w ireless LAN to access an existing wired network, allowing wireless users to take advantage of the wired

networks resources, such as Internet, email, file transfer, and printer sharing.

Infrastructure networking has the following advantages over ad -hoc networking:

?? Extended range: each wireless LAN computer

within the range of the access point can communicate with other wireless LAN computers within range of the access point.

?? Roaming: the access point enables a wireless

LAN computer to move through a building and still be connected to the LAN.

?? Wired to wireless LAN connectivity: the access

point bridges the gap between wireless LANs and their wired counterparts.

Notes on Wireless LAN Configuration

When configuring a wireless LAN (WLAN), be sure to note the following points:

?? Optimize the performance of the WLAN by ensuring that the distance

between access points is not too far. In most buildings, WLAN Adapters operate within a range of 100 ~ 300 feet, depending on the thickness and structure of the walls.

Radio waves can pass through walls and glass but not metal. If there is

interference in transmitting through a wall, it may be that the wall has reinforcing metal in its structure. Install another access point to circumvent this problem.

?? Floors usually have metal girders and metal reinforcing struts that interfere

with WLAN transmission.

This concludes the first chapter. The next chapter deals with the hardware installation of the Adapter.

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation

This chapter covers connecting your PCI Wireless Network Adapter to PCI slot of desktop PC.

Package Contents

Please make sure that items below are included on package.

??One PCI Wireless Network Adapter ??One Driver / Utility CD-ROM (this use ’s manual included) ??One Quick Installation Guide ??Antenna

System Requirements for the Adapter

?? Operating System: Microsoft Windows 95/98/ ME/2000/NT4.0/XP ?? Desktop PC with CD-ROM drive

One free PCI slot

?? Pentium-Class 90MHz or higher

Install the PCI Adapter

NOTE: These instructions apply to mo st Personal Computers. For detailed

information on inserting PCI Adapter into your computer, please consult the C omputer’s User’s Manual.

SMA Connector

LEDs

The PCI wireless Network Adapter

PCI Interface golden fingers

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

1. Turn off the computer‚ unplug the power cord and remove the comput er’s cover.

2. Pick a free PCI expansion slot and remover the protective bracket.

3. Insert the Adapter into the slot until it is fully seated.

4. Secure the adapter bracket with the screw from step 2.

5. Replace the computer’s cover.

6. Reconnect the power cord and turn on the computer.

LED Indicators

SMA Connector

LINK

Side view of the PCI Adapter

The following table describes the meaning of LED indicators:

LED MEANING

POW ER Indicates that the Adapter is powered on (solid green).

LINK

Indicates link status. The LED lights up (solid green) while the wireless connection is made. If the LED is blinking green, the adapter is searching for possible wireless connection.

POWER

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

Connecting External Antenna to the Adapter

After installing the Adapter on computer, connect external Antenna to the Adapter from the SMA connector. Hold the antenna in the desired orientation and then turn the lock nut

clockwise until snug (do not over tighten the nut). To adjust the antenna direction, turn the nut counter clockwise one full turn, adjust the antenna and then tighten the nut.

Lock Nut

SMA Connector

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows

The following sections cover PCI Wireless Network Adapter driver installation in the Windows 2000/ME/98//NT operating sys tems.

Note: You have to install your hardware first before you begin to install the drivers.

Driver installation for Windows 95/98

Follow the steps below to install the PCI Wireless Network Adapter drivers for Windows 95/98.

1. Insert the PCI Wireless Network Adapter to PCI slot of desktop PC. ( Refer to Page8 – Hardware installation. )

2. After Windows 95/98 detects the PCI Wireless Network Adapter, the Add New

Hardware Wizard window appears. Click Next to continue the installation.

PCI Wireless Network Adapter User ’s Manual

3. A screen appears prompting you to select an installation method. Select Search for the best driver for your device. (Recommended) and click Next to continue.

4. Ensure that the CD-ROM drive is selected. Insert the driver CD -ROM into your CD-ROM drive and click Next to continue.

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