ZyXEL Communications IEEE802.11b User Manual
IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI
Card
User’s Manual
Rev 1.0
WLAN PCI Card 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.
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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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
About this manual
This User’s Manual describes how to install and operate your IEEE802.11b WLAN
PCI Card. Please read this manual before you install the product.
This manual includes the following topics:
Product description and features.
Hardware installation procedure.
Software installation procedure.
FAQ
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
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 Card .......................................8
Install the PCI Adapter...........................................................8
LED Indicators .......................................................................9
Connecting the adjustable Antenna to the Card..................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 XP.......................................19
Chapter 4 – Installing and Using the Wireless Utility ..........21
Installation in Windows ........................................................21
Using Wireless Utility In Windows XP..................................24
Use Windows Wireless Network Configuration.......................... 24
Use Wireless LAN Utility............................................................ 27
Use Wireless LAN Utility In Windows 98, 2000 and ME.............30
Configuring the IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card...................30
Chapter 5 – Installing Network Protocols .............................35
Installing the Network Protocols for Windows 98 and
Millennium............................................................................35
Appendix A – FAQ...................................................................38
Appendix B – Specifications..................................................39
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card. This high-speed
IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card provides you with an innovative wireless networking
solution. The Card is easy to set up and use. With this innovative wireless technology,
you can share files and printers on the networ k—wi thout inconv enient w ires!
The Card 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
Card. 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 IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI 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 Card 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 IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card Configuration utility
The Card uses external Antenna with LEDs indicating Power and Link
Supports most popular operating systems
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
p
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
oint can manage the bandwidth to maximize
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
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 Card.
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation
This chapter covers connecting your IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card to PCI slot of
desktop PC.
Package Contents
Please make sure that items below are included on package.
One IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card
One Driver / Utility CD-ROM (this user’s manual included)
One Quick Installation Guide
One external antenna
System Requirements for the Card
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 most desktop computers. For detailed
information on inserting PCI Adapter into your desktop PC, consult the desktop
PC User’s Manual.
SMA Connector
LEDs
PCI Interface
golden fingers
The IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
1. Turn off the computer‚ unplug the power cord and remove the computer's
cover.
2. Pick a free PCI expansion slot and remover the protective bracket.
3. Insert the Card into the slot until it is fully seated.
4. Secure the Card 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 Card from bracket.
The following table describes the meaning of LED indicators:
LED MEANING
POWER Indicates that the Card is powered on (solid green).
POWER
LINK Indicates link status. The LED lights up (solid green) while
the wireless connection is linked. The LED is blinking green
while wireless data transmitting / receiving.
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
Connecting the adjustable Antenna to the Card
After installing the Card on computer, connect external Antenna to the Card 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 tig hten the nut.
SMA Connector
After hardware installation is completed, please go to Chapter 3 to install driver on
different Operating System.
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows
The following sections cover IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card driver installation in the
Windows Operating Systems.
Note: You have to install your hardware first before you begin to inst all the driv ers.
Driver installation for Windows 98
Follow the steps below to install the IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card drivers for
Windows 98.
1. Insert the IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI Card to PCI slot of desktop PC first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows 98 detects the IEEE802.11b WLAN PCI 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 y our dev ice. (Recommended) and click Next to continue.
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WLAN PCI Card User’s Manual
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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