USB WLAN Card .........................................................................................
Table of Contents Section 1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Package Contents.....................................................................................1-1 System Requirements...............................................................................1-1 AT76C503A Features ...............................................................................1-1 Firmware Features ..........................
Section 1 Introduction The Fast-VNET USB (A) adapter based on Wireless Media Access Controller is a network card with a rate of 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps operating in the ISM band using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) transmission implementing the IEEE 802.11b standard. For this card currently provides Device Drivers for MS Windows® 98/2000, and Windows® Me. also provides tools for the configuration and firmware upgrade of the cards.
Introduction – 16-bit PCMCIA bus interface – Glueless SRAM interface for all MAC operations, supporting up to 16 MB of external memory – Integrated 6Kx32 bit internal SRAM, used for fast program code execution and temporary storage of data – Glueless Flash memory interface, supporting up to 16 MB on non volatile memory for permanent storage of program code – Enciphering/deciphering of wireless data by the implementation of the WEP algorithm – Supports 11, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps rates 1.4 1.
Section 2 Installation Overview This is a quick step by step guide on how to install your Fast-VNET USB (A) adapter. Please follow the steps described below and refer to the appropriate sections for further details: • Power on the computer (laptop). • Please make sure that you don’t insert your USB (A) adapter yet. • Install the drivers and application: Insert the given Installation CD into your CD-Rom drive. Select the Utilities & Drivers folder. Locate the executable file “setup.exe” and double click it.
Installation Overview Upgrading your Wireless LAN Software when a new setup is released: For Windows 98/Me • Power on the computer (laptop). • Uninstall the application by running the uninstall program. • When prompted for reboot select “YES”. • After rebooting run the new setup.exe. • When the setup of the application (see instructions above) is completed, you can then plug your USB (A) card.
Section 3 Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 Use the procedures described in this chapter to install and configure the Fast-VNET USB (A) card under MS Windows 98/Me/2000. 3.1 What You Need to Know About Windows 98/Me/2000 Although similar in appearance, Windows 98/Me/2000 have different philosophies when installing a new hardware.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 3. During the setup process, the window of Figure 3-1 will appear prompting you to select the adapter type you are going to install. If you plan to install an USB (A) card only, then you must choose the “Application & USB Drivers” option. However, if you plan to install an PCMCIA card in the futureI, select the “Application, PCMCIA & USB Drivers” option. Figure 3-1.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 4. After you have assigned the Destination Location option where the application will be installed (by Default this option is set to C:\Program Files\802.11 Wireless LAN), you can then choose the mode of operation: 3a. Ad-Hoc (Figure 3-2, Figure 3-3) 3b. Infrastucture (Figure 3-4, Figure 3-5). Ad-Hoc Mode In Ad-Hoc Mode the wireless stations can directly communicate with each other. Figure 3-2.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 Figure 3-3. ESSID and Channel Dialog As soon as you have set your selections, press the “Next” button and a window appears with a review of your installation settings. Please make sure that these values are the desired ones. In case you have made a mistake you can always select the “Back” button to make a correction.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 Infrastructure Mode In Infrastructure Mode the use of an Access Point is necessary in order for the wireless clients to communicate with each other. Figure 3-4. Operating Mode Dialog When selecting the Infrastructure mode you need to specify the ESSID (Figure 3-5). • ESSID: Select the ESSID of the access point to which the wireless station will be associated with in infrastructure mode.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 Figure 3-5. ESSID Dialog A soon as you have set your selections, press the “Next” button and a window appears with a review of your installation settings. Please make sure that these values are the desired ones. In case you have made a mistake, you can always select the “Back” button to make a correction. Press the “Next” button to continue with the installation, and finally press the “Finish” button for the installation to be completed.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 3.5 Uninstall The procedure in order to remove the Monitor & Configuration Utility is the same with the Procedure Under one described for Windows 98/Me. In order to uninstall the Fast-VNET card from Windows 2000 you must select it in the Windows 2000 Device Manager of Windows 2000 and press “Uninstall”. The “Uninstall” procedure can be performed only if the Fast-VNET card is plugged in.
Installation and Configuration Procedures Under Windows 98/Me/2000 3-8
Section 4 Configuration & Monitor Utility The Configuration & Monitor Utility is a powerful application that helps you to configure the Fast-VNET card and monitor the statistics of the communication. Unlike the standard method of configuring the card via the operating system utilities (e.g. Control Panel), this application permits the dynamic modification of the configuration parameters while the card is operating.
Configuration & Monitor Utility • Advanced • Version Note: Please Note that at the very top of the Monitor and Configuration Utility of the application (Figure 4-2), you can either select PCMCIA FastVNET (3.3V) or USB (A) FastVNET card. Monitor A typical screen of the application in Infrastructure mode is shown in Figure 4-2. The configuration parameters are shown at the top of the screen (Operation Mode, Channel, SSID, TxRate, Power Management Mode and MAC Address of the USB card).
Configuration & Monitor Utility Statistics This option enables you to view the available statistic information (Data packets, Management Packets and Rejected packets). In order to renew or update this list of statistics, press the “Clear” button. In order to exit press the “Exit” button at the bottom of the screen. Figure 4-3.
Configuration & Monitor Utility Site Survey By choosing the Site Survey option in any of the two modes, you can scan all the channels in order to find all the access points within the range of your card. In Figure 4-4, the card can see four access points. The list includes information about the BSSID and SSID of the access point(s), the signal strength, the channel where the access point(s) operates, and whether or not WEP encryption is used. In order to update this list, press the “Rescan” button.
Configuration & Monitor Utility Encryption By choosing this option in any of the two modes, you can set four different WEP keys and specify which one of them to use. First, either enable or disable encryprion from the appropriate “Encryption” field (see Figure 4-5 below). If you decide to use encryption, you can choose any of the available WEP keys (1 to 4). You also have the option to select the WEP mode (Mandatory/Optional).
Configuration & Monitor Utility Advanced By Choosing the Advanced option in any of the two modes, you can change advanced configuration settings, such as the Preamble Type, Fragmentation Threshold, and RTS/CTS Threshold (Figure 4-6). Figure 4-5 shows the recommended configuration for the advanced settings. Before selecting Short Preamble, make sure that the other stations and APs are also supporting this feature.
Configuration & Monitor Utility Version By choosing this option, you can view basic information about the Utility like the Driver, Firmware and Application Version. Use the “Exit” button in order to exit the application. Figure 4-7. Version information 4.3 4-7 How to Uninstall the Configuration & Monitor Utility In order to uninstall the Configuration & Monitor Utility, you must select the “Unistall Configuration & Monitor Utility” option (Start -> Programs -> 802.
Configuration & Monitor Utility 4-8
Section 5 Firmware Upgrade Utility For the Fast-VNET USB (A) cards, offers a firmware utility which is a Windows application (Firmware Upgrade utility) that allows you to upgrade the firmware of your card while your card is running. 5.1 Firmware Upgrade Utility Note: Please DO NOT use this utility unless you have got new binary files from . If you use this utility and you do not supply the correct binary file, you may damage your card.
Firmware Upgrade Utility Figure 5-1. The PCMCIA Firmware Upgrade Utility Press the “Upgrade” button in order for a file selection window to appear. Browse for the xxxx.rom file that contains the new firmware. After you have located and selected the file, the firmware upgrade process will begin (Figure 5-2). Figure 5-2.
Firmware Upgrade Utility When the firmware has been upgraded, you will see a notification from the Firmware Upgrade Utility (Figure 5-3). Press “OK” to complete the upgrade. Figure 5-3.
Firmware Upgrade Utility 5-4
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INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS 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.
