ZyXEL B-100 User Manual
PCMCIA Wireless
LAN Card
User’ s Manual
Rev 1.0
PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card User’ s Manual
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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:
Ÿ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Ÿ Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Ÿ Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Ÿ 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Federal Communications Commission (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 distance 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.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operation in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.
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About this manual
This User’ s Manual describes how to install and operate your PCMCIA Wireless
LAN Card. Please read this manual before you install the product.
This manual includes the following topics:
Ø Product description and features.
Ø Hardware installation procedure.
Ø Software installation procedure.
Ø FAQ
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Table of Contents
Regulatory compliance................................................................................2
About this manual........................................................................................3
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
Hardware description............................................................................8
Inserting the Wireless LAN Card...........................................................9
LED Indicators .......................................................................................9
Ejecting the Wireless LAN card ..........................................................10
Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows...................11
Driver installation for Windows 95 OSR2............................................11
Driver installation for Windows 98.......................................................14
Driver installation for Windows 2000 ..................................................17
Driver installation for Windows ME.....................................................20
Driver installation for Windows NT4.0.................................................22
Driver installation for Windows XP ......................................................26
Chapter 4 – Installing and Using the Wireless Utility .... 28
Installation in Windows........................................................................28
Firmware Upgrade........................................................................31
Using Wireless Utility In Windows XP.................................................32
Use Windows Wireless Network Configuration............................32
Use Wireless LAN Utility...............................................................35
Use Wireless LAN Utility In Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT 4.0 and ME .38
Configuring the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card.....................................39
Chapter 5 – Installing Network Protocols...................... 44
Installing the Network Protocols for Windows 98 and Millennium......44
Appendix A – FAQ........................................................ 47
Appendix B – Specifications.........................................48
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Chapter 1 - Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card. This high-speed
PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card provides you with an innovative wireless networking
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 Operating Systems. 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 Windows operating systems, is described in this document.
Features
The PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card offers compliance with the IEEE 802.11b
specification. This feature allows them to communicate with other wireless devices
that support the standard. Features of the Adapter are:
l Uses 2.4GHz frequency band, which complies with worldwide
requirement
l Wireless interface following the IEEE 802.11b standard
l Using PCMCIA interface
l Enciphering/deciphering of wireless data by the implementation of the
WEP algorithm
l Wire-free access to networked resources from anywhere beyond the
notebook
l Allows users move between Access Points without resetting their
connection reconfiguration
l Delivers data rate up to 11 Mbps
l Supports 11, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps rates
l Provide PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card Configuration utility
l The Adapter uses external Antenna with LEDs indicating Power and Link
l Supports most popular operating systems
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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 disconnected 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 networks.
• 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
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
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
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bandwidth utilization.
Additionally, the access point enables users on a
wireless 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.
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Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation
This chapter covers connecting your PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card to PCMCIA slot
of notebook.
Package Contents
Please make sure that items below are included on package.
ü One PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card
ü One CD containing drivers and documentation
ü One Quick Installation Guide
System Requirements for the Adapter
Ø Operating System: Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT4.0/XP
Ø Notebook with CD-ROM drive
Ø One free PCMCIA slot
Ø Pentium-Class 90MHz or higher
Hardware description
The Wireless LAN Card is encased in a stainless compact frame and has a 68-pin
connector for attaching to the PCMCIA port of notebook.
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Inserting the Wireless LAN Card
NOTE: These instructions apply to most notebook computers. For detailed
information on inserting PC cards into your notebook, consult the notebook
manual.
Follow the procedure below to install the Wireless LAN card.
1. With 68-pin connector of the card facing the PCMCIA slots on notebook,
slide the card all the way into an empty slot.
2. Connect to a network.
LED Indicators
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The following table describes the meaning of LED indicators:
LED MEANING
POWER
Indicates that the Adapter is powered on (solid green).
LINK
Indicates link status. The LED lights up (solid green) while
the wireless connection is linked. If the LED is blinking
green, the adapter is searching for possible wireless
connection.
Ejecting the Wireless LAN card
After disconnecting from the LAN, you can eject the Wireless LAN card from the PC
Card slot of notebook.
NOTE: In Windows XP/2000/ME/98/95 operating systems, you do not have to power
down the notebook to remove the card. The card is hot-swappable — you can remove the
card when the notebook is powered on. However, Microsoft recommends that you stop
the card. Refer to your Windows 2000/ME/98/95 online help for information on stopping
the Wireless LAN card.
Most notebooks have an eject lever or button for ejecting PC cards from the PC slots.
Consult your notebook manual for details.
Warning!
To prevent data loss, do not eject the Wireless LAN card
when a data transmission is taking place. Exit your
communications program normally, stop the card if
necessary, and then remove the card.
After hardware installation is completed, please go to Chapter 3 to install driver on
different Operating System.
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Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows
The following sections cover PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card driver installation in the
Windows Operating Systems.
Note: You have to install your hardware first before you begin to install the drivers.
Driver installation for Windows 95 OSR2
Follow the steps below to install the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card drivers for Windows
95 OSR2.
1. Insert the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card to PCMCIA slot of notebook first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows 95 OSR2 detects the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card, the Update
Device Driver Wizard window appears. Clicks Next to continue the installation.
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3. Windows searches for the driver and the following screen appears:
4. Click Other Locations to bring up the following window:
5. Type K:\Win95 where K is your CD-ROM drive letter. Then click OK. The following
screen appears:
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6. Click Finish to continue. Windows may prompt you the following window to ask
you insert the disc.
7. Click OK to continue.
8. Again type K:\WIN95: where K is your CD-ROM drive letter and click OK.
NOTE: If you did not install the Windows 95 OSR2 from your hard drive, Windows will
prompt you to input the path to the Windows 95 CD-ROM. Follow the instructions on
your screen, and then click OK to continue.
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Then system will start to install Wireless LAN Utility. Please refer to procedures at
Chapter 4.
Driver installation for Windows 98
Follow the steps below to install the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card drivers for Windows
98.
1. Insert the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card to PCMCIA slot of notebook first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows 98 detects the PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card, the Add New Hardware
Wizard window appears. Clicks Next to continue the installation.
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.
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4. Ensure that the CD-ROM drive is selected. Inserts the driver CD-ROM into your
CD-ROM drive and clicks Next to continue.
5. The following screen appears showing the driver search result. Click Next to
continue the installation.
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