1Mbps Wireless LAN Card User’s Manual
2002 All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of the seller. Disclaimer Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The material contained herein is supplied without representation or warranty of any kind.
Contents About This Manual....................................................................................................................................................... III Chapter 1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 1 Wireless LAN Basics...............................................................................................................................................
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Chapter 7 Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................... 35 Appendix A Limited Warranty................................................................................................................................. 37 Wireless LAN Hardware................................................................................................................................
Contents About This Manual This manual was written for the following type of wireless adapter: • 32-bit CardBus Adapter For brevity, throughout this manual Wireless LAN Card is used to indicate all the types. Also, the following terms/abbreviations are used interchangeably: • • • • Access Point – AP Peer-to-Peer – Ad Hoc Wireless LAN – WLAN Ethernet network – LAN – network This User’s Manual contains information on how to install and configure your Wireless LAN Card.
Chapter 1 Introduction This Wireless LAN Card is an IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN PCMCIA/USB adapter. It allows your computer to connect to a wireless network and to share resources, such as files or printers without being bound to the network wires. Operating in 2.4GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) radio transmission, the Wireless LAN Card transfers data at speeds up to 11Mbps. Both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure mode are supported.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Wireless LAN Basics This section contains some Wireless LAN basics to help you better understand how the product work together to create a wireless network. Local Area Network (LAN) Simply put, a LAN is a network that exists in a relatively limited area. A network is two or more computers connected together sharing files and peripheral devices such as printers.
Chapter 1 Introduction Infrastructure Mode The Infrastructure network uses an AP or several APs as a gateway, linking the wireless network to a wired LAN. As a result, portable workstations or desktops on your wireless network have access to all of the features of your wired LAN including e-mail, Internet access, network printers and file server.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Roaming Multiple Access Points can be installed to extend the wireless service coverage area for seamless wireless access. Within an extended service area, all Access Points and wireless clients must have the same Service Set Identity (SSID). Roaming among different Access Points is controlled automatically to maintain the wireless connectivity at all times.
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card This chapter describes the installation process of the driver and software for the Wireless LAN Card. Proper driver installation is to allow the device to operate on your host computer while the utility software, Wireless LAN Utility, is to help you configure and monitor your Wireless LAN Card. In case you need to install the driver and software for any reason, follow the instructions described in this chapter.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual System Requirements To use the Wireless LAN Card, your computer must meet the following minimum requirements: z z z z z z 6 Pentium-class PC, 300MHz or better recommended 64 MB of RAM, additional memory recommended Hard disk space at least 30 Mbytes Windows 98(SE)/Me/2000/XP UL listed I.T.E.
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card Installing Wireless LAN Driver and Software Part 1: Installing Driver Follow these steps to install the Wireless LAN Card driver and software. 1. Close all Windows programs that are running and insert the provided Software Utility CD into your CD-ROM drive 2. Insert your wireless adapter into the PCMCIA slot of your computer. The Windows Plug-and-Play feature will detect the new device. 3.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 8 4. With Include this location … selected, click Browse to locate the driver from D:\Utility&Driver of the Software Utility CD where D is the drive letter. 5. If Windows logo compatibility message appears, click Continue Anyway to proceed with the installation. 6. Click Finish.
Chapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Card Part 2: Installing Software 1. Run Setup.exe from D:\Utility&Driver folder of the Software Utility CD where D is the drive letter. When the welcome screen pops up, click Next.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 2. When the License Agreement screen appears, click Yes. 3. Click Finish when the following screen appears. Note: If you need to set up the TCP/IP address or the subnet mask, refer to “Appendix B Setting Up TCP/IP” for details.
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Utility Once your wireless adapter driver and software is properly installed, the provided Wireless LAN Utility is ready for use. You should be able to find the wireless icon on your system tray. See the ensuing subsections for instructions on using the vendor-provided wireless utility.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Accessing Vendor’s Wireless LAN Utility To access vendor-provided Wireless LAN Utility: 12 1. Double-click the wireless icon on the system tray. 2. Click the Advanced button. 3. The vendor-provided utility is launched. You may click the menu on the left to execute corresponding tasks.
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Utility 13
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Notice When Assessing Wireless LAN Utility under Windows XP Aside from using the vendor’s WLAN utility for configuration, Windows XP includes a Wireless Zero Configuration Utility for you to configure your wireless adapter. By default, your wireless adapter is managed by Windows XP-included wireless utility.
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Utility Configuration The Config screen comprises two sections: Available Wireless Networks and Available Profiles. Available Wireless Networks The utility automatically searches and displays available “open” wireless networks in this list. Highlighting a network will pop up the related parameters used by the network.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual If you select a network and click Configure, you can configure the WEP and 802.1x settings.
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Utility Available Profiles This section allows you to add, edit and remove a profile. To add a new profile, click Add and then set up these parameters: Screen Item Description SSID Specifies the name of the WLAN group you want to participate in. For Ad Hoc mode: A network name is mandatory. The SSID for all stations in a single Ad Hoc network must be same.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual • Shared Key: If your targeted wireless network uses Shared Key, your wireless adapter must be set to use correct WEP to pass the authentication. If selected, your wireless adapter must use identical WEP keys as the targeted wireless network. 3. In the Network key and Confirm network key fields, enter 40bits or 104bits WEP keys in hexadecimal format. Note that the WEP keys must be the same as your target wireless network.
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Utility Advanced Configuration The following table lists the parameters on this screen: Screen Item Description Ad Hoc default channel This setting determines which channel is to be used if your wireless adapter is the first to start an Ad Hoc network. When selecting a channel, make sure to select a legal channel according to your frequency domain. Encryption Specifies the encryption as WEP, TKIP or AES. Preamble Mode The preamble is part of the IEEE 802.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Status This screen displays the detailed informatoin on your current wireless connecton. Statistics This screen displays the statistics data on your current wireless connecton. You can optionally click the Reset button to set the couter to zero.
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Utility 21
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual About The About screen displays information about the utility version.
Chapter 5 Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility Windows XP provides built-in Wireless Zero Configuration utility for wireless configuration and monitoring. You can choose to configure your wireless network via either the wireless LAN utility as described in preceding section, or to use the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration utility. This section only provides the essential instructions on using Windows XP wireless utility to get your wireless network established.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 3. 24 If the target Access Point/Wireless LAN Card has been set with WEP key, you must enter the same WEP key in the Network key field. Otherwise, leave it blank.
Chapter 5 4. Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility Click Connect, then you will join the target network and this dialog window will disappear. When your wireless connection is established, the connection icon appears as below: Note: If the wireless connection can’t be established, double-click the connection icon and then click Properties. Go to Authentication tab first to make sure that you use the correct authentication type for the Wireless LAN Card.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Configuring Your Wireless Properties To configure your wireless properties, open the Wireless Network Connection Status window as described above, and then click the Properties button. This will open the Wireless Network Connection Properties window which allows you to configure more detailed items of the Wireless LAN Card. The following describes each tab of the properties window to help you do more settings of the Wireless LAN Card.
Chapter 5 Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility Figure 5-4 Windows XP Connection Properties-Wireless Networks Under Preferred networks section, you can add any wireless networks that you wish to connect to. To do this, just click Add to add more Access Points or Wireless LAN Cards to the list. After you click the Add button, the Wireless Network Properties window pops up. Type your network name (SSID) and, if needed, the wireless network WEP settings.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual To Access Certain Wireless Network Only If you just want to access certain wireless network type, click the Advanced button on the Wireless Networks tab to open the Advanced window. You can choose to connect to the following networks: • Any available network (access point preferred) • Access point (infrastructure) • Computer-to-computer (Peer-to-Peer Group) The default network type is Any available network (access point preferred).
Chapter 5 Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility Make sure to disable Enable network access control using IEEE 802.1X.
Chapter 6 Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card Should you need to uninstall the Wireless LAN Card and application software for any reason,, you should uninstall the associated software and then remove the hardware from your computer. Please proceed as follows. Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card Software Note: Before uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card software, please disable the utility by right-clicking the utility tray icon and select Close from the context menu.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 32 3. Select Rtl8180 from the list and click Change/Remove. 4. Select Remove and click Next.
Chapter 6 Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card 5. Click OK to proceed. 6. Click Finish to complete the removal.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Removing the Wireless LAN Card (For CardBus Adapter) To permanently remove the CardBus adapter from your computer, make sure that you have removed the software before you proceed to remove the hardware. The Wireless LAN Card complies with the PCMCIA standard that allows devices to be inserted into and removed from the computer’s PCMCIA slot when the computer is powered on.
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Cannot Install under Windows 2000 When I installing the software under Windows 2000, I received the error message: “1608: Unable to create InstallDriver instance” and the program stopped installing. This error occurs when the Microsoft Network Client is not installed under Windows 2000. To install this network component: 1. Go to Control Panel and double-click the Network and Dial-up Connections icon. Right-click on the Local Area Connection, then select Properties. 2.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Cannot Connect to Another Wireless LAN Card If you cannot make a connection to another Wireless LAN Card from your computer, it could be due to one of the following reasons: • Incorrect SSID. Make sure the SSID is the same for all computers that have a Wireless LAN Card. • Changes are not being recognized by your computer. Restart your computer.
Appendix A Limited Warranty Wireless LAN Hardware The seller 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 1 year from the date of purchase from the seller or its authorized reseller.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Wireless LAN Software The seller warrants to Customer that each software program licensed from it , except as noted below, will perform in substantial conformance to its program specifications, for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase from the seller or its authorized reseller. The seller warrants the media containing software against failure during the warranty period. No updates are provided.
Appendix B Setting Up TCP/IP This section contains instructions for configuring the TCP/IP protocol of the Wireless LAN Card. The IP address policy depends on your wireless network. You should configure your TCP/IP protocol as instructed by your network administrator. For Windows 98/ME 1. Double-click the Network icon on the Control Panel. 2. Click the Configuration tab of the Network dialog box.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 3. In the network components list, select the TCP/IP protocol of your Wireless LAN Card, e.g., TCP/IP ->Realtek RTL8180 Wireless … and then click Properties. 4. On the IP Address tab, choose one of the methods as required: Option A: Click Specify an IP address. In the IP Address box, enter a valid four-component IP address, either a public or private one as required. In the Subnet Mask box, enter a valid four-component IP address.
Appendix B Setting Up TCP/IP For Windows 2000/XP 1. Double-click Network Dial-up Connections (Windows 2000) or Network Connections (Windows XP) on Control Panel, then Network Connections. 2. Right-click the Realtek RTL8180 Wireless … icon and click Properties.
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 3. On the General tab, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click Properties. Option A: Use fixed IP address. Enable the Use the following IP Address option. Enter the IP address, Subnet Mask and Default gateway. Then click OK. Option B: Use dynamic IP address Select Obtain an IP address automatically. 4. 42 Close the Local Area Connection Properties window. For Windows 2000, if prompted, click Yes to restart your computer.
Glossary 10BaseT Access Point Ad-Hoc BSS Channel ESS An IEEE standard (802.3) for operating 10 Mbps Ethernet networks (LANs) with twisted pair cabling and a wiring hub. An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Access Points combined with a distributed system support the creation of multiple radio cells that enable roaming throughout a facility. A network composed solely of stations within mutual communication range of each other (no Access Point connected).
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual IP IP Address An IP address is a 32-bit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information sent across the Internet. An IP address has two parts: the identifier of a particular network on the Internet and an identifier of the particular device (which can be a server or a workstation) within that network. LAN Local Area Network. A communications network that serves users within a defined geographical area.
Glossary WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy. The optional cryptographic confidentiality algorithm specified by 802.11. The algorithm is being used to provide data confidentiality that is subjectively equivalent to the confidentiality of a wired LAN medium that does not employ cryptographic techniques to enhance privacy..
11Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement 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.
Glossary paragraph (d)(2). This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
