54 Mbps Wireless PC Card Model #: 802CTG User Manual Solutions for the Digital Life™
Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1 Package Contents Minimum System Requirements Features Getting to Know the PC Card Technical Support 2 Setting Up the PC Card 3 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Opening the Utility Window Using the Wireless Configuration Utility 4 Troubleshooting and FAQs Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions A Specifications 1 1 2 2 3 5 11 11 12 23 23 24 27 General Wireless Operating Range LED Indicators Environmental Glossary Notices 27 27 28 28 29 33 Regulatory
1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card. The PC Card provides a single PC card solution for connecting to version “b” (11 Mbps 802.11b) and version “g” (54 Mbps 802.11g) wireless networks. This easy-to-use product is perfect for the home office or small business. If you want to take your computing to the next level, the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card is sure to be one of the keys to your success.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Features s IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standards conformity s 11 and 54 Mbps wireless network compatibility s 64-, 128-, and 256-bit WEP wireless security support (256-bit WEP supported only with 256-bit WEP compatible access points and wireless gateways/ routers) s WEP, WPA, WPA_PSK, and 802.
Chapter 1 Introduction Technical Support Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making durable, high-quality, high-performance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department is available all day every day to provide professional support. Actiontec Electronics, Inc. 760 N. Mary Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Technical Support Phone: (USA) 1-888-436-0657 (UK) 0845-65-80411 E-mail: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php Internet: www.actiontec.
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2 Setting Up the PC Card The instructions that follow in this chapter parallel the steps contained in the Actiontec Connection 1-2-3® setup utility, which provides a visual, step-by-step guide to setting up the PC Card. It is recommended the user run Connection 1-2-3 first, before attempting any other procedures. To set up the PC Card, the drivers must be loaded, the PC Card inserted into the PCMCIA slot of the computer, and then the PC Card configured.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual 2. Get the PC Card from the Quick Start Kit, then click Next. 3. Find the PCMCIA (PC Card) slot on the computer. This slot is usually located on the left or right side of the computer. Click Next.
Chapter 2 Setting Up the PC Card 4. Insert the PC Card in the PCMCIA slot. Make sure the Card’s label is facing up, and the gold-plated end is inserted first. Click Next. 5. Connection 1-2-3 detects the PC Card.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual 6. The PC Card is detected. Click Next. 7. The PC Card connects to the closest available wireless network. Read the onscreen instructions, then click Next. ☞ Note: If more than one access point is nearby, the PC Card may connect to an access point other than the one the user expects. See Chapter 3, “Using the Wireless Configuration Utility,” on page 11 to learn how to connect to particular access point.
Chapter 2 Setting Up the PC Card 8. Click Finish, then reboot the computer. The PC Card is installed, configured, connected to a wireless network, and ready for use.
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Using the Wireless Configuration Utility 3 To monitor the wireless network to which the PC Card is connected, as well as check or adjust wireless network settings, use the Wireless Configuration Utility. This utility offers the ability to check wireless network signal strength, connect to a wireless network using an encryption scheme, and many other options. Opening the Utility Window To open the Utility, go to the right-hand corner of the desktop.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Using the Wireless Configuration Utility After double-clicking on the Wireless Configuration icon, the “Actiontec 54Mbps Wireless PC Card Utility” window appears. There are three tabs at the top of the window: Main, Security, and About. To select a particular tab, click on it. To close the window, click the “x” in the upper right corner of the window, or click Cancel.
Chapter 3 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Not connected to network - If this entry appears in the Status text box, the PC Card is not connected to the selected wireless network. Connecting to network - If this entry appears in the Status text box, the PC Card is in the process of connecting to a wireless network. Connected to network - If this entry appears in the Status text box, the PC Card is connected to a wireless network.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Signal - The quality or strength of the wireless signal; this can be Best, Good, Normal, Poor, or Bad, in descending order of quality. BSS ID - The unique ID of the access point or base station. Connect Clicking this button causes the PC Card to attempt to connect to the wireless network selected in the Available Networks list box.
Chapter 3 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility New Connection - In this tab, the connection’s basic settings can be modified. The tab’s options are as follows: s In the Preferred SSID text box, enter the name of the network (up to 32 characters in length). s There are two choices in the BSS Type list box (revealed by clicking on the down arrow next to the text box): “Infrastructure” and “Ad Hoc.” Select Infrastructure to connect to an access point or wireless gateway/router.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Advanced - In this tab, the connection’s advanced settings can be modified. The tab’s options are as follows: s There are two options in the Threshold section: “Fragment Threshold,” which sets the maximum fragment length (in bytes) to any even number between 256 and 4096; and “RTS Threshold,” which sets the maximum packet length for sending an RTS frame (in bytes) to a value greater than zero. It is recommended to leave the default values intact.
Chapter 3 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Current Configuration This section of the Main tab contains information about the current wireless connection, including SSID, BSS Type (Infrastructure or Ad Hoc), BSSID, Channel, and Tx Rate (the preferred transfer rate, which may be different from the actual transfer rate). These values will change when switching to a different wireless network.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Security Selecting Security in the Wireless Utility window displays the “Security” tab. In this tab, the PC Card’s mode of security can be configured. Privacy Mode Select the security mode from this list box. Selecting None provides no security; WEP provides Wired Equivalent Privacy security; and WPA provides Wi-Fi Protected Access security. Authentication Mode Select the authentication mode from this list box.
Chapter 3 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Enable Mixed Mode When Privacy Mode is set to None or WEP (and, if WEP is selected, the Authentication Mode is set to None), the “Enable Mixed Mode” check box can be accessed. Click in the appropriate check box to activate and allow the PC Card to connect to both protected and non-protected access points or base stations.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual 2. Type the appropriate WEP key in the text box. 3. Select an authentication type from the “Authentication” list box (Open System, Shared Key, or Auto Switch). 4. In the “Key Format” section, select the key’s character type (64-bit, 128-bit, or 256-bit). 5. Select the key to use by clicking in the appropriate circle (1, 2, 3, or 4). This encryption key matches the key used in the device being connected to, such as an access point or wireless gateway/router. 6.
Chapter 3 Using the Wireless Configuration Utility Personal Certificate - If “EAP-TLS” was selected in the Protocol section, the “Personal Certificate” section is active. Select a personal certificate for authenticating the PC Card from here. Server Certificate - If “EAP-TLS” or “MSCHAP V2 over PEAP” was selected in the Protocol section, the “Server Certificate” section is active. Clicking in the “Validate” check box requires the server certificate be validated.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual About Selecting About in the Wireless LAN Utility window displays the “About” tab. This tab displays the version numbers for the PC Card’s operating system, utility, driver, firmware, and EEPROM.
Troubleshooting and FAQs 4 This chapter describes some common problems that may be encountered when using the PC Card, and ways to resolve the problems. Also included is a list of frequently asked questions. Troubleshooting My computer doesn’t recognize the PC Card. First, make sure the PC Card is properly inserted into a Type II 32-bit CardBus slot. If the PC Card is still not recognized, the computer may have a driver installed for another PC Card.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual ☞ Note: To share files between the two computers, they must have the same Workgroup name, and file/folder sharing must be enabled. The PC Card is not connecting to the Internet in Infrastructure mode. First, make sure the PC Card is connected to an access point or wireless gateway/ router. If WEP security is enabled, the PC Card must have the same WEP keys entered as the access point or wireless gateway/router.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting My PC Card seems to be installed correctly and it says that it is getting a link, but I can’t access the internet. What should I do? First, disable any network adapters installed on your computer. If these adapters were installed prior to the PC Card, they may be preventing an Internet connection. If using Windows XP, right-click on My Network Places, then click Properties in the next window to ensure no network bridges are installed on the computer.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual How do I make a HEX-based WEP key? 64-bit WEP - Composed of 10 alphanumeric characters (0-9, A-F). Example: 843A29A562 128-bit WEP - Composed of 26 alphanumeric characters (0-9, A-F). Example: 3C29F2536BEF3276D32E364A2C 256-bit WEP - Composed of 58 alphanumeric characters (0-9, A-F). Example: 3C29565489452869256FB585976135675236DD4A55E9C6546374851613 After installing the PC Card I can’t use XP’s Wireless Zero Configuration to connect to any access points.
A Specifications General Model Number 802CTG (54 Mbps Wireless PC Card) Standards IEEE 802.11b/g (Wireless) Certification FCC CE (available for products purchased in Europe) Frequency Band 2.4 - 2.4835 GHz Interface Type II 32-bit CardBus Data Rate 802.11b: up to 11 Mbps 802.11g: up to 54 Mbps Data Encryption 64-, 128-, and 256-bit WEP compatible WPA WPA_PSK 802.1x Wireless Operating Range Indoors Up to 91 M (300 ft.) Outdoors Up to 533 M (1750 ft.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual LED Indicators Power, Activity Environmental Operating Temperature 0º C to 55º C (32º F to 131º F) Storage Temperature -20º C to 70º C (-4º F to 158º F) Operating Humidity 0% to 70% (non-condensing) Storage Humidity 5% to 95% (non-condensing) ☞ Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Glossary Access Point A device that allows wireless clients to connect to one another. An access point can also act as a bridge between wireless clients and a “wired” network, such as an Ethernet network. Wireless clients can be moved anywhere within the coverage area of the access point and remain connected to the network.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Ethernet Network A standard wired networking configuration using cables and hubs. Firewall A method preventing users outside the network from accessing and/or damaging files or computers on the network. Gateway A central device that manages the data traffic of the network, as well as data traffic to and from the Internet. IP (Internet Protocol) Address A series of four numbers separated by periods identifying a unique Internet computer host.
Glossary PPPoE (Point-To-Point Protocol over Ethernet)/ PPPoA (Point-To-Point Protocol over ATM) Methods of secure data transmission. Router A central device that manages the data traffic of the network. Subnet Mask A set of four numbers configured like an IP address used to create IP address numbers used only within a particular network. SSID See “ESSID.” TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) The standard protocol for data transmission over the Internet.
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Notices Regulatory Compliance Notices Class B Equipment 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.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause unwanted operation. To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance require☞ Note: ments, the antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
Limited Warranty Hardware: Actiontec Electronics, Inc., warrants to the end user (“Customer”) that this hardware product will be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for twelve (12) months from the date of purchase from Actiontec Electronics or its authorized reseller.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual THIS ACTIONTEC ELECTRONICS PRODUCT MAY INCLUDE OR BE BUNDLED WITH THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE, THE USE OF WHICH IS GOVERNED BY A SEPARATE END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT. THIS ACTIONTEC ELECTRONICS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO SUCH THIRDPARTY SOFTWARE. FOR THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY, PLEASE REFER TO THE END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT GOVERNING THE USE OF SUCH SOFTWARE.
Limited Warranty NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY OTHER LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS.
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card User Manual Governing Law: This Limited Warranty shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., excluding its conflicts of laws and principles, and excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
