User's Manual

9
Installing the
Action
tec 802.11a Wireless PC
Card
8
Installing the
Action
tec 802.11a Wireless PC
Card
Setting AdHoc Mode.
This section defines the process of configuring the Actiontec 802.11a Wireless PC
Card in AdHoc or IBSS mode. See section VI “Actiontec 802.11a Wireless PC Card
Operating Modes” for descriptions of AdHoc operation.
1. Under the “General” tab, make sure the “Locally Administered Address”
checkbox is unchecked. Use the following information as a guideline to choose
the values of each field in the configuration window:
Configuration Name: This field identifies the configuration. This name must
be unique. Configuration names are case insensitive.
Network name (SSID): A Network Name is mandatory for AdHoc mode.
The SSID for all stations in a single AdHoc name must be the same.
Network Connection: AdHoc.
Power Saving: Power saving mode is not currently supported in an AdHoc
network.
Turbo Mode: All stations participating in the AdHoc network must have the
same rate setting.
Locally Administered Address: This field defines the locally administered
MAC (media access controller) address (LAA). To enter a value in the address
field, the check box needs to be selected.
2. You can optionally set up other properties, but because the duration of the
AdHoc networks tends to be limited, Power Saving and Security features are
not typically a requirement. For AdHoc network activity, the Power Savings
and Security features can be disabled. Currently, shared key security is sup-
ported in AdHoc mode. Future Actiontec software implementations will pro-
vide unique key support.
3. Click OK when the properties are set correctly. The system needs to reboot
in order for the changes to take effect.
Note:In AdHoc mode, a station scans the air for an existing BSS. If no BSS
is found, the station establishes a BSS for other stations to join. When other
stations scan the air and find an established BSS in place, they join that BSS
to form an AdHoc network. If a specific set of stations requires AdHoc net-
work connectivity, it is recommended to have one station establish a BSS first
before configuring the remaining stations. This prevents the scenario of sev-
eral stations trying to form a BSS at the same time, which can result in mul-
tiple singular BSSs being established, rather than a single BSS with multiple
stations.