Exhibit 8: User's Manual ® Wireless LAN PC Card, PCI Card and USB User Guide Model WL-305 Model WL-307 Model WL-308 Published May 2000
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 3Com Corporation ■ 5400 Bayfront Plaza ■ Santa Clara, California 95052-8145 ■ 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.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual CONTENTS BEFORE YOU BEGIN Introduction 5 Features 5 Installation Overview Disk Factory 6 6 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Introduction 9 Before Installing the Drivers 9 Installing the Drivers 9 Installing the Card Software 10 Installing the Documentation 10 Product Registration and Support 10 Uninstalling the Card 11 Removing Card Software 11 Removing the Card 11 Troubleshooting 12 SOFTWARE TOOLS AND UTILITIES Introduction 13 Easy Setup 13 Status 14 Settings 15 Connection 15 Adapter Info
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Removing the PCI Card 24 INSTALLING THE USB DEVICE Installing the USB Device USB Device LED 25 25 TECHNICAL SUPPORT Online Technical Services 27 World Wide Web Site 27 3Com FTP Site 27 3Com Bulletin Board Service 28 3Com Facts Automated Fax Service 28 Support from Your Network Supplier 28 Support from 3Com 29 Returning Products for Repair 30 WARRANTY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 3Com Corporation Limited Warranty 31 Regulatory Compliance Information 33 3Com End User Software Licen
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 1 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Introduction The Wireless LAN network offers performance comparable to Ethernet networks, but without the restraints of network cables. The Wireless LAN product family includes the model WL-305 PC Card, the WL-307 USB Device, and the WL-308 PCI Card described in this manual. Features Wireless LAN adapters use IEEE 802.11HR direct-sequence-based technology to extend the range and versatility of a network.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 6 CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN Roaming means the Wireless LAN NIC Card will maintain your network connection as you roam between Access Points in the same subnet. You can also roam across routers, depending on how your Extended Roaming configuration is set. When configured for Extended Roaming, the wireless client retains its network address as it moves between subnets, between Ethernet segments, or from an Ethernet segment to a wireless LAN.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Disk Factory 7 2 Put the End User Utilities CD in the CD-ROM drive. The SETUP program should start automatically. If it does not start, you can run it manually by selecting Run from the Start menu. 3 Select Create Diskettes. 4 In the Disk Factory window, click Next. 5 Select the software you want to transfer to diskette. If you select All, you will need four floppy diskettes. 6 Select the action, for example, Create and Verify Disks, and click Next.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 2 Introduction SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Use the procedures described in this chapter to install the Wireless LAN NIC Card software and drivers under Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows 95. Windows 95 users should note that the Wireless LAN NIC card runs under Windows 95 version B or higher. If you do not know which version of Windows 95 is installed on your computer, follow these steps: 1 In the Control Panel, double-click System to display the System Properties dialog box.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 10 CHAPTER 2: SOFTWARE INSTALLATION 4 When prompted to insert the Wireless LAN PC card, insert the card into the notebook or laptop PC slot as described in “Installing the PC Card” on page 19. The PCI card installation into a desktop PC is described in “Installing the PCI Card” on page 23. The driver installation procedure will guide you through the steps standard for your operating system.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Uninstalling the Card Uninstalling the Card 11 If the card installation is unsuccessful for any reason, your best course may be to completely uninstall the Wireless LAN PC Card and its software and repeat the installation procedure. Previous installations or interrupted installation attempts sometimes leave problems that affect card operation. Possible problems include: ■ The card functions not working. ■ Windows 98 not detecting the card.
12 CHAPTER 2: SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Exhibit 8: User's Manual Troubleshooting Symptom Solution Weak signal or intermittant connection. Try reorienting the antenna. The NIC Card antenna is attached to the end of the card. For best use of the antenna: ■ ■ ■ Keep the area around the antenna clear from materials that could block radio transmission, such as metal objects, electronic devices, and cordless telephones. If your signal is weak, change the direction of the antenna slightly.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 3 SOFTWARE TOOLS AND UTILITIES Introduction The Wireless LAN PC Card software includes three groups of utilities. The best way to familiarize yourself with the software, the information it provides, and the options you can change, is to open and browse through the applications themselves. If you hold the cursor over an icon or item, a popup window will identify it for you. Help is available throughout the applications.
14 CHAPTER 3: SOFTWARE TOOLS AND UTILITIES Exhibit 8: User's Manual Registration Timeout (5 to 3600 seconds) tells the Wireless Client how often it needs to reregister with the Home Agent. When a Wireless Client registers with the Home Agent through a Foreign Agent the registration has an expiration time associated with it. The Registration Timeout value The default value is 60 seconds.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Settings Status 15 The Settings application displays information about the current card settings. It also lets you change the configuration of the card without rebooting your system. The application lets you set parameters such as Wireless Service Area and Power Mode settings. ■ Wireless LAN Service Area displays the name of the access point with which the wireless PC Card is associated. You can enter a new name in this field or select a name from the drop-down list.
16 CHAPTER 3: SOFTWARE TOOLS AND UTILITIES Adapter Information Exhibit 8: User's Manual The Adapter Information application lets you perform a wide range of adapter configuration and monitoring tasks from a single user interface. The application lets you configure the adapter, monitor performance, diagnose problems, and set up system logging. Each screen has a category list that lets you select which information is to be displayed in the window.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Firmware Upgrade 17 Log File Path is the current path to store the log files. The field is disabled when logging is not turned on. Use Browse to select a Log File Path. View Log Files selects the log file to view in the default browser. Firmware Upgrade The Adapter Firmware Upgrade tool lets you download and install firmware updates that you have downloaded from the 3Com Customer Support Web site at http://support.3com.com.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Enabling Encryption on the Wireless Client This procedure describes how to enable encryption on the wireless client. Refer to the Access Point User Guide for instructions on how to enable encryption on the AP. 1 Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network. 2 Highlight the Wireless LAN Card, click on the Properties tab. 3 Click on the Wireless LAN tab, 4 Click on the Advanced button. 5 Select the Encryption tab.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 4 INSTALLING THE PC CARD Installing the PC Card 1 Insert the PC Card into the PC slot. Arrows on the front of the PC Card indicate the insertion point to the slot. 2 Slide in the PC Card until it seats snugly. CAUTION: Align the card properly before putting it in the slot. Insert the card firmly without forcing. Forcing a misaligned card into the slot can damage the computer or the card.
20 CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING THE PC CARD Wireless LAN Adapter LEDs Exhibit 8: User's Manual The WLAN adapter LEDs (see 1 and 2 in the figure below) perform identical functions when indicating the operational status of the card. ■ If there is no access point associated with the PC Card, the LEDs are off. ■ If the card is attempting to associate with an access point, the LEDs blink slowly. ■ If the card is exchanging data with an associated access point, the LEDs blink rapidly.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Removing the PC Card Removing the PC Card 21 When removing the card, use the release lever or button on your card slot to release the card. When pulling out the card, do not pull on the antenna. CAUTION: The antenna on the PC Card is not removable. If you try to remove the card by pulling on the antenna, you may break the antenna and permanently damage the card. CAUTION: Exit any networking applications and disable PC Card in the software before removing the card.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 5 INSTALLING THE PCI CARD Installing the PCI Card 1 Remove the top panel from your computer according to the instructions that accompany your system. 2 Locate the correct slot for the Wireless LAN PCI Card. 3 Remove the blank faceplate covering the rear of the slot, if one is present, by loosening the screw that secures the faceplate to the computer chassis. 4 Insert the PCI Card into the computer slot so that the metal faceplate faces the rear of your computer.
24 CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING THE PCI CARD Exhibit 8: User's Manual Connecting the Antenna Attach the cable from the antenna to the connector on the PCI card faceplate. Wireless LAN PCI Card LEDs The PCI card LEDs (see 1 and 2 in the figure below) perform identical functions when indicating the operational status of the card. Removing the PCI Card ■ If there is no access point associated with the PCI Card, the LEDs are off.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 6 INSTALLING THE USB DEVICE Installing the USB Device 1 Mount the USB device in desired location using the enclosed mounting hardware. 2 Connect the device to a USB port using an approved USB cable. USB Device LED The USB device features one LED to indicate the status of connection and traffic. ■ No light indicates no connection has been made. ■ A slowly blinking light indicates a data rate of 1 or 2 Mbps. ■ A medium blinking light indicates a data rate of 5.5 Mbps.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual A Online Technical Services World Wide Web Site TECHNICAL SUPPORT 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 ■ 3Com Bulletin Board Service (3Com BBS) ■ 3Com Facts automated fax service SM Access the latest networking information on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site by entering the URL into your Internet browser: http://www.3com.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 28 APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL SUPPORT 3Com Bulletin Board Service The 3Com BBS contains patches, software, and drivers for 3Com products. This service is available through analog modem or digital modem (ISDN) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To reach the service by modem, set your modem to 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Support from 3Com Support from 3Com 29 If you are unable to obtain assistance from the 3Com online technical resources or from your network supplier, 3Com offers technical telephone support services. To find out more about your support options, please call the 3Com technical telephone support phone number at the location nearest you.
30 APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL SUPPORT Returning Products for Repair Exhibit 8: User's Manual 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.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 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.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Dead- or Defective-on-Arrival.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual Regulatory Compliance Information CAUTION: FCC RADIO-FREQUENCY EXPOSURE NOTICE This device generates and radiates radio-frequency energy. In order to comply with FCC radio-frequency radiation exposure guidelines for an uncontrolled environment, this equipment has to be installed and operated while maintaining a minimum body to antenna distance of 2.5 cm. This product does not contain any user serviceable components.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual MANUFACTURER’S DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, CA 85054 408-326-5000 Declares that the product: Date: Brand Name: Model Number: Equipment Type: 1 November 2000 3Com Corporation WL-305 3Com Wireless Bluetooth PC Card Complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual INDUSTRY CANADA NOTICE (APPLICABLE TO USE WITHIN CANADA) This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing.
Exhibit 8: User's Manual 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.
