Xircom M3AWEB56GA User Manual
an Intel company
Wireless Ethernet + Modem
Mini PCI Adapter
User’s Guide
ii
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2001 Xircom, Inc. All rights reserved.
June 2001
Xircom reserves the right to make improvements and/or changes in the products and programs described in this
document at any time without notice.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance
with such license.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
for any purpose, without the expressed written permission of Xircom Inc. Information in this document is subject to
change without notice. Xircom Inc makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this
manual and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular
purpose. This document is to be made available only under non-disclosure.
Some of the product names herein have been used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their
respective companies.
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
iii
SECTION 1 Hardware Installation
Introduction..........................................................................................................................1
Laptop System Requirements .............................................................................................1
Hardware Installation...........................................................................................................2
Installing the Mini PCI Adapter ............................................................................................3
SECTION 2 Software Installation
Windows Installation............................................................................................................5
Windows Modem Troubleshooting ......................................................................................5
Modem Diagnostics Tool.....................................................................................................6
Windows NT 4.0 Modem Setup Installation ........................................................................6
SECTION 3 Configuration Utility
Introduction..........................................................................................................................7
Installing the Configuration Utility ........................................................................................8
System Tray Icon.................................................................................................................8
Icon Menu............................................................................................................................9
Starting the Configuration Utility........................................................................................10
Configuration Menu ...........................................................................................................10
Setting the Profile ..............................................................................................................11
Setting the Mode ...............................................................................................................11
802.11 AdHoc Mode..........................................................................................................12
Setting the SSID ................................................................................................................12
Setting the Transmit Rate..................................................................................................12
Enabling Power Save Mode..............................................................................................13
Selecting the Ad Hoc Channel ..........................................................................................14
Encryption Menu................................................................................................................14
Disabling Encryption..........................................................................................................15
Enabling Encryption ..........................................................................................................15
Creating Encryption Keys Using a Passphrase ................................................................15
Creating Encryption Keys Manually ..................................................................................16
Default Key ........................................................................................................................16
Link Menu ..........................................................................................................................17
About Menu .......................................................................................................................18
Appendix A Modem AT Commands
Introduction to Modem AT Commands .............................................................................19
Special Commands ...........................................................................................................19
AT Command Reference...................................................................................................20
Modem S-Registers...........................................................................................................35
Introduction to S-Registers................................................................................................35
S-Register Reference ........................................................................................................35
Modem Result Codes ........................................................................................................41
Modem Result Codes ........................................................................................................41
.................................................................................................1
.................................................................................................5
..................................................................................................7
Contents
..........................................................................................19
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
iv
Appendix B Specifications
Appendix C Technical Support and Warranty
Appendix D Regulatory and Safety Notices
.........................................................................................................43
.........................................................................45
............................................................................49
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
This section describes how to install the Wireless Ethernet and Modem Mini PCI adapter into a
PC notebook.
Introduction
•
Embedded Mini PCI adapter
•
The Mini PCI adapter is a non-user upgradeable system board device, and not an add-in card
•
Supports modem speeds up to 56Kbps using the V.90 standard
•
Supports both 10Mbps and 100Mbps Ethernet networks
•
V.90 modem is upgradeable to the V.92 specification
Section 1
Hardware Installation
1
SECTION 1
Hardware Installation
•
Plugs directly into to a connector directly on the PC motherboard
Laptop System Requirements
•
Up to 2 laptop internal antennas
•
AC97 Soft Modem (requires AC97 compliant Mini PCI socket)
•
Operating Systems: Windows 98SE/2000/Me/NT4.0
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Hardware Installation
2
Section 1
Hardware Installation
The Mini PCI adapter is installed in the PC by connecting the 124-pin card edge connector to the mating
connector on the PC system board.
Service should only be performed by a qualified technician.
!
To reduce the risk of damage to the adapter or the PC, the following precautions must be
observed when installing the adapter:
Installation should only be performed in an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) controlled
environment. All personnel must wear a properly grounded wrist strap and an anti- static
smock while handling the card.
The work area should be free of prime static generators such as Styrofoam, Styrofoam cups,
styrene containers, any unauthorized plastic tapes or labels, any plastic items (pens, file
folders, etc.) and any synthetic or vinyl material. Necessary paperwork should be kept in a
static dissipative bag away from the card and the PC.
Masking tape, scotch tape and other adhesive tapes shall not be applied directly to the card.
Adhesive labels specified by assembly drawing or instruction may be used as directed.
Any air stream used to clean or blow off ESD sensitive items shall be ionized and static
neutral and must be checked for static generation with an Electrostatic Test sensor.
When loading or unloading conductive totes and containers, all personnel must be properly
grounded.
Care should be taken to avoid damaging the insulation tape on the adapter. Do not cut, tear,
pierce or remove the insulation tape.
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
Installing the Mini PCI Adapter
For additional information on how to install and remove Mini PCI cards on your computer, see
the documentation provided with the computer. The following guidelines provide similar
instructions.
J1
J2
Danger:
AC adapter and remove the battery pack when opening the covers of the system or attached
devices.
Caution: After installing the Mini PCI card, do not turn the computer on until the
card cover has been closed and secured. Do not operate the computer with the card
cover open.
Grasp the card only by the sides that do not contain connectors. Avoid touching any
components or connectors on the card. Do not cut, tear, pierce or remove the
insulation tape on the card.
1. Do not remove protective coverings from the card.
2. Connect the two ribbon cables to the card.
3. Connect the two antenna cables to connectors J1 and J2 on the card (either cable can be
4. Position the card, with cables attached, at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees, with the contact edge
5. Push the card into the socket and lower the card into place.
6. Press down on both sides of the card until the two latches click into place in the half-circle
7. Close the Mini PCI card cover and tighten the screw
8. Replace the battery pack.
9. Turn the computer over, open the LCD panel and connect the AC adapter.
10. Power up the computer.
11. When you power up the computer, the Microsoft Windows Operating System will recognize
To avoid shock hazard when installing the Mini PCI card, disconnect all cables and the
insertion. Do not force the connections.
connected to J1 or J2).
Note
of the card aligned with the card slot (you may have to pull out the cables to achieve the
correct angle with the card).
positioned to prevent pinching or interference with card installation.
notches on each side of the card. The latches should be fully closed and the card firmly
secured.
unless the card cover is secured.
the new hardware. Insert the Xircom CD-ROM and follow the Windows instructions to
install the appropriate drivers for use with the Mini PCI adapter.
Section 1
The connectors are keyed for correct
Note:
Hardware Installation
: If there is only one antenna cable, connect it to J1.
Caution:
. Caution:
Be sure cables are
Do not turn on the computer
3
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Hardware Installation
4
12. Configure your network and communications software as required (see your network
administrator for details).
Note: If prompted during software installation to choose between an older
file currently on your computer or a newer file supplied for the Mini PCI
adapter, choose to keep the older file.
Section 1
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
This section describes how to install the software for the Mini PCI adapter.
Windows Installation
Use these instructions for a first-time installation of the Mini PCI adapter software drivers under
Windows 98SE, 2000, Me and NT4.0.
Turn on power to the computer and wait for Windows to start.
1
The adapter will be detected and the system will prompt for the location of driver files.
2
Insert the Xircom Installation CD and follow the Windows instructions to install the
3
appropriate drivers for use with the Mini PCI adapter. Verify the correct path to the disk, and
follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Windows will recognize the modem and driver files will be installed.
4
Section 2
Software Installation
5
SECTION 2
Software Installation
If prompted, remove the CD and reboot the system.
5
Proceed to
6
adapter.
Configuration Utility, Section
, for information about configuring the Mini PCI
2
Windows Modem Troubleshooting
Review this section if any of the following problems occur:
• Modem initialization errors occur when attempting to dial-out using a communications
application.
• The modem is not detected.
• Connection fails or other problems occur.
It may be necessary to define a modem type within your communications application. If the Xircom
modem is not listed, choose a “Generic Hayes compatible” device.
If your computer is equipped with an infrared communications port, you may need to disable this
port. These ports often use COM port resources required for other communications devices. Disable
the infrared port both in the computer’s CMOS or BIOS setup program and the Windows Device
Manager, as follows:
Some computers use a hardware setup utility to configure the infrared port in the BIOS. See
1
your computer documentation.
To disable the infrared communications port in Windows, go to Device Manager tab under
2
System in the Control Panel.
Double-click the Ports (COM & LPT) entry and the IR Serial Port entry. Remove the check
3
mark under Device Usage.
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Software Installation
6
Section 2
Modem Diagnostics Tool
Use the modem diagnostics to verify the computer-to-modem interface.
In the Modems option in Control Panel, click Diagnostics.
1
In Diagnostics properties, highlight the COM port associated with the Xircom modem and click
2
the More Info button. This causes Windows to send commands to and read responses from the
modem and display information about the modem and its COM port. The Port Information box
should display the following information:
•
The IRQ and I/O address of the modem’s COM port. These should match the physical
configuration of the port or modem adapter.
•
Modem responses to various AT commands. The Xircom modem may return ERROR for some
AT commands that are not supported. This does not indicate a failure.
Windows NT 4.0 Modem Setup Installation
Use these instructions for a first-time installation of the Mini PCI adapter software drivers under
Windows NT 4.0.
Before the modem can be installed, a COM port must be installed. Do not reboot the computer
between adding the COM port and adding the modem.
Turn on power to the computer and wait for Windows NT to start.
1.
In the Control Panel, double-click the Ports icon.
2.
Add a new COM port (e.g. COM2 serial port) and use the default settings.
3.
Before you reboot the system, in the Control Panel, double-click the Modems icon.
4.
Install the modem on the COM port selected in step 3.
5.
When prompted for modem drivers, insert the disk containing the driver files, verify that the
6.
correct path to the disk, and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
After you install the modem, you will see
7.
Modems dialog of the Control Panel.
Finally, complete the installation by rebooting the computer.
8.
Xircom Wireless Ethernet Mini-PCI Adapter
in
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
Section 3
Configuration Utility
Configuration Utility
This section described how to use the Configuration Utility for the Mini PCI adapter.
7
Section 3
Introduction
The WLAN Mini PCI adapter enables high-speed access to internet and intranet assets without wires.
This card uses the IEEE 802.11 protocol to enable communications between the host computer and
either another host computer or a network, using the 2.4GHz ISM Radio Band for the
communications medium. The host computer uses the adapter for communications in the same way
that it would use an Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC).
The Configuration Utility is a Windows application that allows the user of a computer equipped with
a adapter to configure the adapter and to display the current configuration for the adapter.
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Configuration Utility
8
Section 3
Installing the Configuration Utility
The Configuration Utility is installed simultaneously with the adapter driver by executing the
utility for the Windows.exe file. The following dialog shows the first dialog.
1. Click the
Finish button
to install the driver and the Configuration Utility on your computer
System Tray Icon
After the installation of the Configuration Utility, an icon appears in the System Tray in the
bottom right corner of your desktop.
The red, yellow and green colors of the icon indicate the link status.
Red indicates no or very poor link quality.
Yellow indicates a usable but weak link.
Green indicates a strong link.
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
The status of the link can also be viewed by placing the cursor over the Configuration Utility
icon, as shown in the following illustration. This illustration indicates that the adapter is able to
communicate, but that the signal to the radio is weak.
Icon Menu
Right-clicking on the System Tool Tray Icon displays a menu similar to the following illustration:
Section 3
Configuration Utility
9
The first two items in this menu let you turn the wireless radio on or off. Advanced
Configuration… launches the Configuration Utility application as discussed in the following
section. This lets you set configuration parameters that change the behavior of the adapter.
Remove Status Icon… removes the System Tray Icon. The driver continues to operate the card
in the last commanded configuration. The next time you power up your computer, the
configuration utility will return. You can also restart the Configuration Utility from the Start
Menu by selecting Programs and Configuration Utility.
Version Information…
launches the Configuration Utility with the About page selected,
giving the revision level of the driver, configuration utility and firmware.
Wireless Network Status…
launches the Configuration Utility with the Status page
selected. This shows the link status, including Signal Strength and Link Quality.
Profile:
lets you create, delete, and edit profiles. A profile is a named set of
configuration parameters that can be recalled.
Computer to Computer…
and Other Network… let you configure profiles for AdHoc
mode or Infrastructure Mode.
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Configuration Utility
10
Section 3
Starting the Configuration Utility
You can launch the Configuration Utility either by double-clicking (with the left mouse button)
on the Configuration Utility icon or by right clicking on the Configuration Utility icon and
selecting Advanced Configuration…
If the Configuration Utility icon is not displayed in the System Tray, you can restart the
Configuration Utility from the Start Menu by selecting Programs and Configuration Utility.
The Configuration Utility consists of four menus: Configuration, Encryption, Link, and About.
The following sections describe these menus in detail.
Configuration Menu
The Configuration menu lets you specify the operating parameters for your adapter. When you
first start the Configuration Utility, this menu is displayed. If another menu is displayed, you can
display the Configuration menu by clicking on its tab in the Configuration Utility panel
.
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
Setting the Profile
A profile is a named set of operating parameters for your adapter. The Profile field lets you set
values for all parameters by selecting a previously defined profile. Click the down arrow at the
right of the Profile field to display the available profiles for your adapter.
You will always have at least one profile, named Default. Initially, this profile contains the
parameters configured at installation. You can modify this profile at any time after the
installation. After changing parameters, you can save them in the profile named in this field by
clicking the Apply button in the Configuration Utility panel.
You can also create additional profiles by typing a name in the Profile field. When you change
the name in the Profile field and then click the Apply button, the Configuration Utility uses the
current parameters for your card to create a separate profile. You can then switch between
profiles by clicking the down arrow at the right of the Profile field, selecting a profile from the
drop-down list, and clicking the Apply button.
The following example describes a situation in which you would want to create multiple profiles.
Suppose that you use the wireless LAN at your work, but you also have a network in your home
(with a wireless Access Point) for sharing an internet connection and a printer between several
computers. Suppose also that you have another office within your business which also has
WLAN capability, but which is configured differently than your main office.
In this situation, you can create a different profile for each of these three environments. Each
profile specifies the parameters used on a single network. Moving from one location to another,
you only need to apply the appropriate profile to be able to participate in the local network.
Section 3
Configuration Utility
11
Setting the Mode
The adapter can operating in one of three modes, which are specified in the Mode field of the
Configuration menu. Clicking the down arrow at the right of the Mode field displays the
available modes
.
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Configuration Utility
12
802.11 AdHoc Mode
IEEE 802.11, the standard on which the WLAN protocol is based, defines two modes to handle
two separate needs. The first, called AdHoc (or IBSS) mode, is used when two or more
wirelessly-enabled PCs wish to exchange data directly, without an Access Point. In this case the
PCs can establish an AdHoc network in which they are the only members and over which they
can exchange data. To exchange data, each computer participating in the AdHoc network must
also specify the same SSID and AdHoc Channel in this menu
Infrastructure Mode
The second mode defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard is called infrastructure mode, and is the
primary application for WLAN operation. In this mode all data on the wireless network is
directed to an Access Point, which then routes the data to the appropriate wireless station. The
Access Point may also be configured to allow data to be bridged from the wireless network to
wired networks.
To participate in a wireless LAN in infrastructure mode, every station and Access Point must
specify the same SSID. In infrastructure mode, all available channels are scanned for traffic, so
there is no need to specify a channel.
Pseudo AdHoc
Section 3
.
A third mode has been defined by Intersil, and is used mainly for testing purposes. Pseudo
AdHoc mode allows computers to communicate even without exchanging compatibility data. For
instance, you can send broadcast frames in this mode over a given channel and expect no
interruption by beacons or other packets not involved in the test. This mode can be used for
Packet Error Rate Testing, for example, to evaluate performance.
As with AdHoc mode, each computer participating in the Pseudo AdHoc network must also
specify the same SSID and AdHoc Channel in this menu. However, note that this mode can only
be used to communicate with other adapter.
Setting the SSID
The SSID is the Service Set IDentifier used by Access Points and stations to identify a wireless
LAN. Your PRISM WLAN Interface card scans the available channels looking for an Access
Point (in infrastructure mode) or another station (in AdHoc mode) which has specified this same
SSID. It then attempts to associate with these Access Points or stations to form a wireless LAN.
To change the SSID, simply highlight it, type the new SSID, and click the Apply button.
In typical infrastructure applications a company will use a single SSID for all Access Points. If
the radio is scanning and cannot find a channel when an Access Point is known to be in range,
verify that the SSID is set correctly.
Setting the Transmit Rate
The Transmit Rate field specifies the rate at which the radio in your adapter’s transmits and
receives data. You can view the available rates by clicking the down arrow at the right of the
Transmit Rate field.
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
Section 3
Configuration Utility
13
The transmit rate can be set to:
•
Fully Automatic – your adapter chooses the highest available rate providing reliable
communications based on the capabilities of the Access Point or station with which it
communicates and on the received signal quality
•
Auto 1 or 2 Mb – allows only 1 and 2 Mb/s operation
•
5.5 Mb – allows only 5.5 Mb/s operation
•
11 Mb – allows only 11Mb/s operation
To change the Transmit Rate, click the down arrow at the right of the field, highlight the rate you
want to set, and click the Apply button.
Under most conditions, you should choose Fully Automatic as the transmit rate. In general, fixed
rates are used only in test environments.
Enabling Power Save Mode
The IEEE 802.11 standard provides a Power Save Mode. In this mode your adapter listens for a
beacon (a periodic frame which defines the network type and attributes) and determines the
beacon interval. Between beacons the card puts itself to sleep, enabling power savings. At the
time of the expected beacon the card wakes itself up and receives the beacon. The received
beacon contains information about whether the Access Point or station has buffered frames for
the card. If frames are available the card requests those frames until no more frames are
available. The card then goes back to sleep until the next beacon.
For Access Points that support power save mode and for stations equipped with WLAN cards,
enabling this mode can significantly reduce power consumption, which is particularly important
if the host computer is operating on battery power. However, be aware that power save mode
also results in lowered transmission and reception speed on the wireless LAN.
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Configuration Utility
14
Section 3
Selecting the Ad Hoc Channel
When communicating in AdHoc or Pseudo AdHoc mode, you must specify a channel on which
communications will take place. To specify a channel, click the up or down arrow at the right of
the AdHoc Channel field until the channel you want to set appears, and then click the Apply
button
.
This field is grayed in infrastructure mode because the channel is automatically selected by the Access
Point.
Encryption Menu
The Encryption menu lets you enable encryption and set the encryption keys. To see the available
encryption methods, click the down arrow at the right of the Encryption {WEP} field
There are two encryption methods available. The IEEE 802.11 specification defines Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) using a 64-bit key. This capability was extended by the industry to
allow a 128 bit key.
.
If you specify an encryption method, you will only be able to communicate with Access Points
and stations that use the same encryption method and keys.
Mini PCI User’s Guide Xircom Inc
Disabling Encryption
To disable encryption, click the down arrow at the right of the Encryption field, select Disabled,
and click the Apply button.
Enabling Encryption
To enable encryption, click the down arrow at the right of the Encryption field, select either 64 bit
or 128 bit, and click the Apply button. After enabling an encryption method, you must then
specify encryption keys, as described in the following sections.
Creating Encryption Keys Using a Passphrase
To create encryption keys using a passphrase, click the radio button next to Create Key with
Passphrase and type a character string in the Passphrase field. As you type, the Configuration
Utility uses an algorithm to generate four keys used for encryption
Section 3
.
Configuration Utility
15
When you finish typing your character string and click the Apply button, the Configuration
Utility uses asterisks to mask both your passphrase and the keys it generates
.
Using a passphrase to generate the four keys makes it easy to set the same keys for all members
of your wireless LAN
.
Xircom Inc. Mini PCI User’s Guide
Loading...