AirConnect® Wireless PCI Card User Guide 3CRWE777A http://www.3com.com/ http://www.3com.com/productreg Part No.
3Com Corporation 95052-8145 ■ 5400 Bayfront Plaza ■ Santa Clara, California, U.S.A. Copyright © 2000 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corporation.
CONTENTS 1 OVERVIEW Introduction 1 Package Checklist 1 Hardware Description 2 Features 2 Applications 2 Status LED Indicator 3 System Requirements 4 2 INSTALLATION Introduction 5 Card Installation Procedure 5 Windows 95/98/2000/Me Driver Installation Procedure Windows NT 4.
5 TROUBLESHOOTING Introduction 23 Preliminary Troubleshooting 23 PCI Compatibility 23 Network Connection Problems 24 6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Specifications 27 A TECHNICAL SUPPORT Online Technical Services 29 World Wide Web Site 29 3Com FTP Site 29 Support from Your Network Supplier Support from 3Com 30 Returning Products for Repair 32 30 INDEX WARRANTY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
OVERVIEW 1 Introduction 3Com's Wireless PCI Card is an 11 Mbps wireless network adapter that seamlessly integrates with existing Ethernet networks to support applications such as mobile users or temporary conferences. This solution offers a high data rate and reliable wireless connectivity with considerable cost savings over wired LANs (which include long-term maintenance overhead for cabling). Just install PCI adapters into your notebook PCs, and start networking.
2 CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW Hardware Description 3Com's Wireless PCI Card supports 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps half-duplex connections to Ethernet networks. This card is fully compliant with 2.4GHz DSSS CSMA/CA wireless networking as defined in IEEE 802.11b. It is designed to complement PCI Local Bus computers. It supports Windows 95/98/NT/2000/Me. Features ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps data rate.
Hardware Description ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 3 Difficult-to-wire environments: Historic or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open areas where wiring is difficult to employ. Frequently changing environments: Retailers, manufacturers and banks who frequently rearrange the workplace and change location. Temporary LANs for special projects or peak times: Trade shows, exhibitions and construction sites that need a temporary setup for a short time period.
4 CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW Always On ■ ■ ■ Power is being supplied to the PCI card. A valid connection to the network exists. The PCI card is transmitting or receiving data. Blinking Off The PCI card is attempting to associate with an access point. No power is being supplied to the PCI card.
INSTALLATION 2 Introduction Before Installing the 3Com Wireless PCI Card, be sure you read and follow the precautions listed here: Network cards are sensitive to static electricity. ■ To protect the card, always touch the metal chassis of your computer before handling the card. ■ Be sure to turn off power to your computer before you plug in or remove a wireless PCI card. Card Installation Procedure 1 Turn off power to your desktop computer and unplug the power cord. 2 Remove the cover of your computer.
6 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION Figure 2 5 Secure the card with the screw that you removed earlier. 6 Replace the cover of your PC and plug in the power cord. 7 Turn on the power to your computer. 8 Depending on your operating system, proceed to either “Windows 95/98/2000/Me Driver Installation Procedure” or “Windows NT 4.0 Driver Installation Procedure”.
Windows 95/98/2000/Me Driver Installation Procedure 7 Windows 95/98/2000/Me Driver Installation Procedure Your End User Utilities CD contains all the software drivers available for the 3Com Wireless PCI Card. New or updated drivers can be downloaded from 3Com's web site at http://www.3Com.com. 1 Windows 95/98/2000/Me will automatically detect the new hardware and prompt you to install the driver. Click "Next" to find the driver. 2 Insert the CD and click "Next". 3 Specify the CD drive and click "Next".
8 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION 6 If you are setting up an ad hoc wireless LAN, set "Channel" to the same radio channel as that used by the other wireless clients in your group. However, if you are connecting to a network via an access point, then use the same channel as that used by the access point (access point default: 3). 7 Set "Mode" to ad hoc or infrastructure, depending on the type of network you want to connect to. Click OK (default: infrastructure).
Windows NT 4.0 Driver Installation Procedure 9 Windows NT 4.0 Driver Installation Procedure 1 From the Windows desktop, select "Control Panel," double-click "Network," click "Adapters," and then click the "Add" button on the Network dialog box. 2 Windows NT will present a list of all its supported adapters. Click "Have Disk" to continue. 3 Windows NT will ask for the drive/path containing the Windows NT drivers. Insert the CD into the drive, specify the drive letter of the CD, then click "OK.
10 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION Mode - Set to "ad hoc" or "infrastructure", depending on the type of network you want to connect to. ■ SSID - Set the "SSID" identifier to the same as that used by the ad hoc workgroup or access point you want to connect to. (access point default: 101). ■ Channel - If you are setting up an ad hoc wireless LAN, set the channel number to the same radio channel used by the other wireless clients in your group.
Windows NT 4.0 Driver Installation Procedure 9 Restart your computer when prompted. 10 To ensure that the 3Com Wireless PCI Card works correctly, go to the Windows Control Panel and double-click Devices. The 3Com Wireless PCI Card driver status should be “Started.
NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING 3 Introduction 3Com's Wireless Solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration, as well as an integrated configuration with 10 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
14 CHAPTER 3: NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING Infrastructure Wireless LAN The wireless PCI card can also provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wired and wireless LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN.
Setting the Communication Domain 15 Setting the Communication Domain Stationary Wireless PCs The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communication domain for each 3Com wireless access point (AP). For wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for the wireless card to the BSSID of the AP you want to connect to. Ask your administrator for the BSSID of the AP point he or she wants you to connect to.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY 4 Introduction 3Com's Wireless PCI Card provides free optional management software for quick network configuration and easy diagnostics. The CD that comes with your package contains a user-friendly utility for configuring the wireless PCI card. Installing the Wireless LAN Configuration Utility To install this utility: 1 Insert the CD in your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The AirConnect main menu appears. 2 Click Installation for Windows from the menu screen.
18 CHAPTER 4: CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY Link Information Screen When you start the wireless LAN utility, the hardware information window for the wireless PCI card is shown on the first folder of the utility windows. Click on the "Link Information" tab to monitor the network status of the wireless adapter, including the BSSID, current channel, transmission rate used, transmission/receiving throughput, link quality, and signal strength condition.
Using the Wireless LAN Configuration Utility 19 Configuration Screen The Configuration screen allows you to check and modify the configuration of the adapter.
20 CHAPTER 4: CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY The user-configurable parameters are: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mode - Set the station operation mode to AdHoc for network configurations that do not have any access points, or to Infrastructure for configurations with access points ("Ad hoc" is the default setting). SSID - Input an SSID number if the roaming feature is enabled ("101" is the default setting). Tx Rate - Indicates the communication rates.
Using the Wireless LAN Configuration Utility 21 Encryption Screen The WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) implemented in 3Com's wireless PCI card is based on an RC4 encryption algorithm and provides a 40-bit security key to ensure data confidentiality. This WEP security protects your wireless LAN against eavesdropping and unauthorized access by hackers or other intruders. If the WEP is in use, the WEP key is required for connecting to an access point or listening to messages that pass through the air.
TROUBLESHOOTING 5 Introduction This chapter describes troubleshooting procedures you can perform to solve basic problems. Preliminary Troubleshooting Check the following items before contacting 3Com Technical Support. PCI Compatibility Some PCI computers are not self-configuring and require you to perform some or all of the following functions by motherboard jumper changes and/or BIOS Setup program configuration: ■ Make sure your BIOS correctly supports the PCI Local Bus Specification v2.
24 CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING ■ ■ ■ Make sure the PCI slot is configured to support INTA. Be sure that INTA for the slot is assigned to a free interrupt (IRQ) number. If it still does not work, remove the wireless adapter. Delete the appropriate system file (see list below) from c:\windows\system: ■ Windows 9x: cw10.sys ■ Windows 2000: cw10nt.sys ■ Windows Me: cw10nt.sys Go to "Control Panel" and delete the wireless PCI card from your network configuration menu.
Preliminary Troubleshooting 25 If your wireless station cannot communicate with a computer in the Ethernet LAN when configured for Infrastructure mode, check the following: ■ Make sure the access point which the station associated with is powered on. ■ Make sure your wireless station is configured with the same operating radio channel as the access point. ■ If you still cannot connect, change the access point and all the stations within the BSS to another radio channel.
6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Specifications General Specifications Functional Criteria Data Rate: 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps Transmission Mode Half duplex Network Connection IEEE 802.11b - wireless Operating Range Up to 30m (100 ft) at 11Mbps Up to 100m (300 ft) at 5.5 Mbps or lower Interrupt INTA Radio Signal Signal Type Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) Operating Frequency USA & Canada: 2.400-2.4835 GHz Europe: 2.400-2.4835 GHz Japan: 2.400-2.497 GHz Sensitivity 1, 2, 5.
28 CHAPTER 6: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Certification CE Mark Emissions Software Drivers NDIS Drivers EN55022 Class B, EN 55024, IEC 61000-4-2/3/4/6/11 FCC Part 15(B), ETS 300-328, RCR STD-33 A Windows 95 Windows 98 Windows 2000 Windows NT 4.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT A Online Technical Services 3Com offers worldwide product support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through the following online systems: ■ ■ World Wide Web site 3Com FTP site World Wide Web Site Access the latest networking information on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site by entering the URL into your Internet browser: http://www.3com.
30 APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL SUPPORT Support from Your Network Supplier If additional assistance is required, contact your network supplier. Many suppliers are authorized 3Com service partners who are qualified to provide a variety of services, including network planning, installation, hardware maintenance, application training, and support services.
Support from 3Com Country Telephone Number Asia Pacific Rim Australia Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Malaysia New Zealand Pakistan Philippines 1 800 678 515 800 933 486 +61 2 9937 5085 001 800 61 009 03 5783 1270 1800 801 777 0800 446 398 +61 2 9937 5085 1235 61 266 2602 31 Country Telephone Number P.R. of China 10800 61 00137 or 021 6350 1590 800 6161 463 Singapore S. Korea From anywhere in S. Korea: From Seoul: Taiwan, R.O.C.
32 APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL SUPPORT Returning Products for Repair Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Products sent to 3Com without RMA numbers will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense.
INDEX Numbers D 3Com FTP site 29 3Com technical support telephone numbers 30 3Com URL 29 Data rate 27 Driver installation 7 Windows NT 4.
34 INDEX M T MIBs 29 Mode ad hoc 20 configuring 20 infrastructure 20 Technical specifications 27 Technical support 30 3Com URL 29 product repair 32 telephone numbers 30 Transmission mode 27 Transmission rate configuring 20 Troubleshooting network connection 24 PC compatibility 23 preliminary steps 23 N Network connection, troubleshooting 24 Network topologies ad hoc 13 infrastructure 14 O U Online technical services 29 Operating frequency 27 Operating range 27 URL 29 Utility, wireless LAN configur
WARRANTY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 3Com Corporation Limited Warranty This warranty applies to customers located in the United States, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, U.K.
YEAR 2000 WARRANTY In addition to the Hardware Warranty and Software Warranty stated above, 3Com warrants that each product sold or licensed to Customer on and after January 1, 1998 that is date sensitive will continue performing properly with regard to such date data on and after January 1, 2000, provided that all other products used by Customer in connection or combination with the 3Com product, including hardware, software, and firmware, accurately exchange date data with the 3Com product, with the excep
3COM SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER THIS WARRANTY IF ITS TESTING AND EXAMINATION DISCLOSE THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION IN THE PRODUCT DOES NOT EXIST OR WAS CAUSED BY CUSTOMER'S OR ANY THIRD PERSON'S MISUSE, NEGLECT, IMPROPER INSTALLATION OR TESTING, UNAUTHORIZED ATTEMPTS TO OPEN, REPAIR OR MODIFY THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE BEYOND THE RANGE OF THE INTENDED USE, OR BY ACCIDENT, FIRE, LIGHTNING, POWER CUTS OR OUTAGES, OTHER HAZARDS, OR ACTS OF GOD.
CSA STATEMENT (CANADA) This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of Industry Canada. Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radio-électriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B prescrites dens le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par l'Industrie.
3Com End User Software License Agreement IMPORTANT: Read Before Using This Product YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT. IT CONTAINS SOFTWARE, THE USE OF WHICH IS LICENSED BY 3COM CORPORATION (“3COM”) TO ITS CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR USE ONLY AS SET FORTH BELOW. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE. USING ANY PART OF THE SOFTWARE INDICATES THAT YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS.
TERM AND TERMINATION: This license will expire fifty (50) years from the date that you first use the Software, if it is not earlier terminated. You may terminate it at any time by destroying the Software and documentation together with all copies and merged portions in any form. It will also terminate immediately if you fail to comply with any term or condition of this License Agreement.
