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Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Wireless LAN Basics ................................................................................................................................................... 2 Local Area Network (LAN).......................................................................................................................................
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual To Modify a Configuration Profile.............................................................................................................................. 25 To Remove a Configuration Profile ........................................................................................................................... 25 To Switch to a Different Profile........................................................................................................
Chapter 1 Introduction This Wireless LAN Card is an IEEE 802.11a/b dual band combo radio solution. The dual band design provides backward compatibility with 802.11b standard compliant devices and forward compatibility to new wave of 802.11a devices. Now users have the flexibility to connect to either the legacy 802.11b or higher-speed 802.11a network effortlessly. The Wireless LAN Card design is based on Atheros WLAN chipset. It supports 802.11a and 802.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Wireless LAN Basics This section conations 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 Wireless Network Topologies The 802.11 standard defines two modes: Infrastructure mode and Ad Hoc mode. Ad Hoc Network An Ad Hoc network offers peer to peer connections between wireless stations that are in range of each other. The stations communicate directly with each other without using an Access Point or any connection to a wired network.
02.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Infrastructure Network The infrastructure network uses an access point (or several access points) 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 files server.
Chapter 1 Introduction Roaming Between Multiple APs For large environments, multiple APs can be implemented to extend the wireless service coverage area for seamless wireless access. It allows wireless clients to roam from one AP to another while maintaining the wireless connectivity at all times. In a roaming network, all APs and wireless clients must have the same Service Set Identity (SSID) and security setting (if enabled).
Chapter 2 Installing the Driver and Utility Software This chapter describes the first-time installation for 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, a Windows program, is to help you configure and monitor your Wireless LAN Card. Note: As this Wireless LAN Card is an embedded solution, your computer is probably shipped with its driver and software properly installed.
Chapter 2 System Requirements To use the Wireless LAN Card, your computer must meet the following minimum requirements: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP 32 MB memory or greater 300 MHz processor or higher Installing Wireless LAN Driver and Software If your operation system has not been installed with the Wireless LAN Card driver, the Windows Plug-and-Play capability will automatically detect the new device (e.g., Ethernet Controller) and display the wizard requesting for drivers.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 8 3. Select the language for this installation. 4. Click Next to continue.
Chapter 2 5. Click Yes to accept the license agreement. 6. Select the path to add the shortcut to and then click Next.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 7. Click Finish to complete the installation. Depending on your operating system, following situation may occur during the installation: • For Windows 2000: If you are prompted with one or a couple of Digital Signature not Found alarm messages, just click Yes to continue with the installation. • For Windows XP: When Found New Hardware Wizard appears, have Install the software automatically selected and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.
Chapter 3 Station Configuration The configuration of the Wireless LAN Card is done through the Atheros Client Utility (ACU). The utility also includes a number of tools to display current statistics and status information. The Atheros Client Utility screen pops up with six available tabs: Link Status, Station Configuration, Driver Information, WLAN Status, Statistics and Tools. This chapter will focus on the Station Configuration tab to guide you through the configuration items.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Note: If the tray icon is not launched, you can manually start the utility tray icon by selecting Start > Programs > IEEE 802.11 a/b > ACU or double-clicking the ACU icon on the desktop (if any). • Right-click the tray icon and select Launch Station Utility… from the context menu. After launching the Atheros Client Utility, click the Station Configuration tab to start your configuration.
Chapter 3 Note to Windows XP Users Windows XP provides built-in support for wireless networks. By default, your wireless adapter is controlled by Windows XP Wireless Configuration Manager. But you can still manage your wireless adapter through the Atheros Client Utility. Configuration in either utility takes effect in another. If you want to disable the Windows XP Wireless Configuration Manager and have your device controlled only by the Atheros Client Utility, proceed as follows: 1.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual If you need to revert back to using Windows XP Wireless Configuration Manager, just go to the Wireless Networks tab and check the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings box and click OK. Note: If your device is controlled by the Windows XP Wireless Configuration Manager, the utility will display related message on the bottom of the General tab of Network Configuration Settings dialog box.
Chapter 3 If WEP encryption is enabled in the Ad Hoc network you are going to connected, proceed to configure the Security tab as described in “Edit the Security Tab”. If you have finished the required setting, click OK and you will return to the Station Configuration tab. Select the profile you have just created and click Activate to have the setting take effect. Immediate connection status will be displayed in the Details group and indicated by graphic indication on the left.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual compatible and “open” AP with the best signal strength within the connection range. It allows your Wireless LAN Card to wander across networks with different SSID. Network Type: Select Access Point. Power Save Mode: This feature reduces power consumption by the Wireless LAN Card to extend the battery life of your computer. The options include Off, Normal and Maximum.
Chapter 3 If you have finished the required setting, click OK and you will return to the Station Configuration tab. Select the profile you have just created and click Activate to have the setting take effect. Immediate connection status will be displayed in the Details group and indicated by graphic indication on the left.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Edit the Security Tab The Atheros Client Utility provides three encryption types: Dynamic Security, Static Keys and Disable encryption. You should contact your network administrator about the encryption type. Use Dynamic Security (LEAP, 802.1X,etc.) The Atheros Client Utility supports LEAP (Cisco-EAP Wireless) and 802.1X authentication type where login and mutual authentication between a wireless client and a RADIUS server is required.
Chapter 3 encrypted with AES are more difficult to decipher without knowing the key. To use AES, you must specify a unique key (refer to description below). Note: AES is not supported in Ad Hoc mode, because Ad Hoc mode does not support unique keys. Encryption type is set on both the AP and the station. The station and AP negotiate and attempt to use AES before exchanging data packets. By default, the station is set to auto and attempts to use AES.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Unique Key: To enable security using AES, you must define an unique encryption key. Otherwise you may leave it blank. Shared Keys (First to Fourth): Defines a set of shared encryption keys for network configuration security. At least one Shared Key field must be populated to enable security using a shared key. Note: All encryption key fields are displayed only when initially entered.
Chapter 3 Figure 3-2 Static Keys Security Settings Edit the Advanced Tab Scan Mode: Specifies the scan type as Passive or Auto. The scan mode is set by the country code, with most regions using an active scan mode. To override an active setting, click Passive here. 802.11b Preamble: The preamble is part of the IEEE 802.11b physical layer specification. All 802.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual support the short preamble. This Wireless LAN Card supports the short preamble. The default Short & Long option allows to communicate with other 802.11b devices which support short preamble to boost the throughput. If your device is having trouble to communicate with other 802.11b devices, then you may try to select the Long Only option. QoS: Specifies whether to enable the Wireless LAN Card to cooperate in a network using Quality of Service.
Chapter 3 To roam between 802.11a and 802.11b network… To have your wireless station automatically roam between 802.11a and 802.11b networks, select 2.4 GHz 11Mbps and one or both 5 GHz modes as required. To roam in a single 802.11a or 802.11b network… If you want your wireless station to roam only in 802.11a or 802.11b network, only select the corresponding band as the wireless mode. Wireless Mode When Starting Ad Hoc Network: Only effective when connection to an Ad Hoc network.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Figure 3-3 Advanced Network Configuration Settings To Connect to an Existing Network The Athros Client Utility provides a station listing of all available APs and Ad Hoc networks on the WLAN Status tab. If a configuration profile exists for an available network, you can double-click on the network name (SSID) to connect an available network.
Chapter 3 If no configuration profile exists for an available network, double-clicking the network name (SSID) will bring out the Network Configuration Settings dialog box for you to create a configuration profile for that network. To Modify a Configuration Profile To modify a configuration profile, select the configuration from the list of profiles and click the Modify button. To Remove a Configuration Profile To remove a configuration profile: 1.
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Chapter 4 Checking Status or Statistics The Atheros Client Utility includes a number of tools to display current statistics and status information. These tools can be accessed via the corresponding tabs of the Atheros Client Utility. This chapter will describe these tabs except the Station Configuration tab. Link Status The Link Status tab of the Atheros Client Utility contains general information about the program and its operations. The following table describes the items found on the Link Status screen.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Screen Item Description 2.4 GHz 11 Mbps (802.11b) Configuration Name The name of the current configuration. Link Status Shows whether the station is connected to a wireless network. Transmit Rate The current packet transmit rate (Mbps). Receive Rate The current packet receive rate (Mbps). Network Type Displays if the adapter is connected to an Access Point or Ad Hoc network.
Chapter 3 Figure 3-4 Link Status 29
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Advanced Link Status You can view advanced information about the program and its operations by clicking the Advanced button on the Link Status tab. The following table describes the items found on the Advanced Link Status screen. 30 Screen Item Description Country The regulatory domain of the network. You can configure the country by selecting Tools > Country Select. Transmit Power Level The transmit power level.
Chapter 3 Figure 3-5 Advanced Link Status 31
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Driver Information The Driver Information tab of the Atheros Client Utility contains general information about the network interface card (NIC) and the network driver interface specification (NDIS) driver. The following table describes the items found on the Driver Information screen. 32 Screen Item Description Card Name The name of the NIC. MAC Address The station's MAC address. It is configured at the factory.
Chapter 3 Figure 3-6 Driver Information WLAN Status The WLAN Status tab of the Atheros Client Utility displays the information about the network you have joined. It also contains information about the available access point and Ad Hoc networks. The Available Access Points (APs) and Ad Hoc Networks list describes the available APs and Ad Hoc networks.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual If no configuration profile exists for an available network, you can double-click on the network name to create a configuration profile for that network. If a configuration profile exists for an available network, you can double-click on the network name to connect an available network. The following table describes the items found on the WLAN Status screen.
Chapter 3 Figure 3-7 WLAN Status Statistics The Statistics tab of the Atheros Client Utility contains transmit and receive statistics.
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Chapter 3 Figure 3-8 Statistics Tools The Tools tab provides the following functions: Screen Item Description Radio Enable/Disable Enable or disable the RF Signal.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Country Select Open the Country Code Selector to select the country where the Wireless LAN Card is using. Enable/Disable Tray Icon Enable or disable the tray icon.
Chapter 5 Tools Changing Display Settings To change the display settings, choose Options > Settings from the Atheros Client Utility menu. The display settings dialog box contains tools to set these parameters: Signal Strength Display Units: Sets the units used when displaying signal strength: percentage or decibels relative to one milliwatt (dBm). Refresh Interval: Sets the display refresh interval in milliseconds (ms). Data Display: Sets the display to cumulative or relative.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual Figure 3-10 Display Settings Select the Country Code The Country Code Selector is a tool provided to allow users to switch to different country codes. The Wireless LAN Card has EEPROM locations allocated to store country code information. The selections available include the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and so on. When the country code is changed, the NDIS driver scans only the legal frequency channels allowed in those countries.
Chapter 3 1. Open the Country Code Selector tool by selecting the Country Select button on the Tools tab or selecting Action menu and clicking Country Select. 2. From the Country drop-down menu, choose the country to switch to. 3. Click Yes to continue. 4. The country selection takes effect immediately. Use the Atheros Client Utility to verify the selected country by looking at the Advanced information on the Link Status tab.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual When the RF signal of the Wireless LAN Card is disabled, the icon would appear as follows: displays the signal strength by indication of bar graph. The tray icon shows the signal strength using colors and the received signal strength indication (RSSI). The number (2.4 or 5) indicates the current wireless base band.
Chapter 3 Hold the mouse cursor over the tray icon to display transmit and receive speed and the current configuration profile name. Right-click on the tray icon to: Screen Item Description Launch Station Utility Launch the Atheros Client Utility. Use the Atheros Client Utility to configure the profile or view status and statistics information. Atheros Client Utility Help Launch the Atheros Client Utility Help. Enable/Disable Radio Enable or disable the RF Signal.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 44 Screen Item Description Configuration Profile Display a list of available configurations. Double-click a configuration to switch to edit it, or add a new configuration profile. Exit Exit the Atheros Client Utility application.
Chapter 4 Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card Should you need to uninstall the Wireless LAN Card and its application software for any reason, please proceed as follows. The uninstallation procedures are the same under Windows 2000 and XP. The graphics here assume a Windows XP environment. 1. Close all programs that are currently running. 2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs (or Add or Remove Programs for Windows XP) icon under Control Panel.
802.11a/b Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card User's Manual 46 3. Highlight IEEE 802.11a/b from the list and then click Change/Remove. 4. Select Remove and click Next.
Chapter 4 Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card 5. When confirm message appears, click OK. 6. Click Finish and wait for the system to reboot to complete software uninstallation.
802.11a/b Mini PCI WLAN 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: FCC Radiation Exposure Statement: This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions This device fulfill the RF safety regulation of FCC. The end users ( or installer) is not allowed to install another transmitter together with for satisfying RF exposure compliance. this device in the same host equipment. For operation within 5.15 ~ 5.
