AirConnect® 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card User Guide Version 2.0 http://www.3com.com/ http://www.3com.com/productreg Part No.
3Com Corporation ■ 5400 Bayfront Plaza ■ Santa Clara, California ■ 95052-8145 ■ U.S.A. Copyright © 2000 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corporation.
CONTENTS 1 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Introduction 1 Features 1 Installation Overview Disk Factory 3 2 2 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Introduction 4 Installation Notes 4 Windows 98 4 Windows 95 4 Windows NT 4.
5 SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION, TOOLS, AND UTILITIES Introduction 13 Easy Setup 13 Status 14 Settings 15 Connection 15 Adapter Information 16 Firmware Upgrade 17 Encryption 17 Encryption Configuration Requirements 17 Enabling Encryption on the Wireless Client 17 Encryption Upgrade Access Codes 18 Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me 18 Windows 2000 18 Windows NT 4.0 18 Ad Hoc Operation 19 802.
INDEX WARRANTY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 3Com Corporation Limited Warranty 32 Regulatory Compliance Information 33 3Com End User Software License Agreement 34
1 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Introduction The AirConnect® wireless network offers performance comparable to Ethernet networks, but without the restraints of network cables. The AirConnect product family includes the 3CRWE73796B wireless PC Card described in this manual. Features AirConnect adapters use IEEE 802.11 B direct-sequence-based technology to extend the range and versatility of a network. They provide a high-capacity link across multiple access points within large or small indoor environments.
Installation Overview 2 AirConnect Wireless LAN cards support a maximum data rate of 11 Mbps. (The data rate drops back to 5.5, 2, or 1 Mbps when the adapter cannot establish or maintain an 11 Mbps association.
3 CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN Disk Factory If you are installing the software on a computer that does not have a CD-ROM drive, or if you choose to install the drivers manually, you will have to make diskettes from the Installation CD. The setup application includes Disk Factory, a utility for creating disks from CD. To use disk factory, you need access to a computer with a CD-ROM drive and a floppy drive. 1 For a transfer of the driver software to a diskette, prepare a diskette labeled Drivers.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION 2 Introduction Use the procedures described in this chapter to install the AirConnect wireless PC Card software and drivers under Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me). Installation Notes The following paragraphs described special considerations for particular operating systems. Windows 98 ■ Installation under Windows 98 may result in a fatal error caused by the UHCD.SYS file in the Windows 98 operating system.
5 CHAPTER 2: SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Before Installing the Drivers Before installing the Windows 98 driver, you will need a copy of the Windows 98 installation media supplied with your computer or operating system. On many Windows 98 systems, instead of a CD, the installation files are archived on the hard disk in C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS. On Windows 2000 systems, you may be prompted to load operating system files from the Windows 2000 installation disk.
Installing the Card Software 6 Installing the Card Software 1 When the system reboots, restart the setup program and install any other components required. 3Com recommends that you install the wireless LAN applications so you can access the WLAN utilities described in Chapter 5. 2 Restart your computer for changes to take effect.
7 CHAPTER 2: SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Removing Card Software Open Control Panel/System/Device Manager. Select the AirConnect WLAN NIC card components and click Remove. Using the Device Manager to remove the card will uninstall the driver files. Removing the Card CAUTION: Exit any networking applications before removing the card. When removing the PC Card, use the release lever or button on your card slot to release the card. When pulling out the card, do not pull on the antenna.
3 Before Installing the Driver INSTALLING WINDOWS NT DRIVERS Before installing the driver, you will need a copy of the Windows NT 4.0 installation media supplied with your computer or operating system. You will also need the AirConnect Installation CD supplied with your AirConnect wireless PC Card. Along with other utilities, the Installation CD installs the AirConnect Network Configuration Properties Application in the Control Panel on your system.
9 CHAPTER 3: INSTALLING WINDOWS NT DRIVERS Setup With Networking Installed If networking is already installed on your system: 1 Power up and log into the system. 2 Open the Control Panel. 3 Double-click Network and select the Adapters tab. 4 Select the AirConnect PC Card and click Update. 5 Put the Installation CD in the CD-ROM drive. 6 Click OK to select the default path to the driver files. When prompted, remove the installation disk. Click OK to continue. 7 Click Close to exit the Network applet.
Troubleshooting 10 4 Click Advanced. 5 Select the WLAN Adapter tab from the AirConnect WLAN Advanced Properties dialog box. 6 Configure the hardware and radio link parameters for the AirConnect WLAN adapter. 7 Save the configuration settings by clicking OK before you exit. Troubleshooting Symptom Solution Weak signal or intermittent connection. Try reorienting the antenna. The PC Card antenna is attached to the end of the card.
4 Introduction INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE To install AirConnect on your mobile device (handheld PC), you will need the AirConnect Installation CD supplied with your AirConnect PC Card. Along with other utilities, the Installation CD installs the AirConnect Network Configuration Properties Application in the Control Panel on your system. Use this application to view and edit AirConnect WLAN adapter settings. You will also need a desktop or notebook PC to transfer AirConnect files to your mobile device.
Installation Procedure Configuring AirConnect on Your Mobile Device 12 After the AirConnect files have finished transferring, the 3Com AirConnect WLAN Easy Setup screen appears on the display of your mobile device. 1 Click OK when a message box appears on the screen. 2 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot on your handheld PC. 3 Enter the IP address when prompted. 4 Perform a soft reset of your mobile device according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5 SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION, TOOLS, AND UTILITIES Introduction The AirConnect wireless PC Card software includes three groups of utilities. The best way to familiarize yourself with the software, the information it provides, and the options you can change, is to open and browse through the applications themselves. If you hold the cursor over an icon or item, a popup window will identify it for you. Help is available throughout the applications.
Status 14 Mobile Home MD5 Key is a password that protects your registration packets from being tampered with by others while they are being forwarded to your home access point. It should match the MD5 key on the Access Point of your home subnet. Registration Timeout (5 to 3600 seconds) tells the wireless client how often it needs to reregister with the Home Agent.
15 CHAPTER 5: SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION, TOOLS, AND UTILITIES Settings The Settings application displays information about the current card settings. It also lets you change the configuration of the card without rebooting your system. The application lets you set parameters such as wireless LAN service area and power mode settings. ■ Wireless LAN Service Area displays the name of the access point with which the wireless PC Card is associated.
Status Adapter Information 16 The Adapter Information application lets you perform a wide range of adapter configuration and monitoring tasks from a single user interface. The application lets you configure the adapter, monitor performance, diagnose problems, and set up system logging. Each screen has a category list that lets you select which information is to be displayed in the window.
17 CHAPTER 5: SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION, TOOLS, AND UTILITIES ■ Options lets you save adapter performance information in a file. Enable Logging starts or stops logging to a group of HTML files on the system. Log File Path is the current path to store the log files. The field is disabled when logging is not turned on. Use Browse to select a Log File Path. View Log Files selects the log file to view in the default browser.
Encryption 18 4 Click on the Advanced button. 5 Select the Encryption tab. 6 Change the current Encryption setting from the default "No encryption" to 40-bit or 128-bit or 40-bit. 7 Select Shared Keys. 8 Click OK in the Advanced Properties window to save changes. 9 Click OK to exit the 3Com AirConnect WLAN Easy Setup window. 10 Click OK to exit the Network window. 11 Reboot the system.
19 CHAPTER 5: SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION, TOOLS, AND UTILITIES 7 A pop-up screen appears, prompting you to enter an access code. 8 Enter the access code, then click OK. 9 Reboot the system. Ad Hoc Operation 802.11 Ad Hoc Two or more wireless clients can be configured for direct wireless communication without using an access point. Two types of ad hoc operation can be configured: 802.11 ad hoc and proprietary ad hoc. To configure your wireless client for 802.11 ad hoc operation: 1 Start the 3Com Launcher.
6 INSTALLING THE PC CARD Installing the PC Card 1 Insert the PC Card into the PC slot as shown. 2 Slide in the PC Card until it seats snugly. Align the card properly before putting it in the slot. Insert the card firmly without forcing until it seats snugly. CAUTION: Forcing a misaligned card into the slot can damage the computer or the card. Wireless PC Card LED The PC Card LED (see the figure below) indicates the operational status of the card.
21 CHAPTER 6: INSTALLING THE PC CARD Removing the PC Card Use the release lever or button on your card slot to release the card and pull the card out by its sides. Do not pull on the antenna.
7 Introduction UPGRADE PROCEDURES This section describes the procedures for upgrading the wireless client from the AirConnect version 1.0 or 1.5 product to version 2.0. Four upgrade procedures are given, one procedure for each of four categories of operating system: Windows 95B (OSR 2) Wireless Client Upgrade Procedure ■ Windows 95B (OSR 2) ■ Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) and Windows 98/98SE ■ Windows NT 4.0 Workstation/Server ■ Windows 2000 Professional Remove the old driver.
23 CHAPTER 7: UPGRADE PROCEDURES 4 Select Install WLAN Applications. 5 Follow the instructions on the screen. Upgrade the firmware. 1 With the Installation CD or diskette still inserted into the PC, select Start > Programs > 3Com AirConnect > AirConnect Firmware Upgrade Utility. 2 Make sure that the AirConnect wireless PC Card is inserted in the PC. 3 Click the button to the right of the field labeled Firmware Filename, then go to the Firmware > MU directory on the Installation CD or diskette.
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation/Server Wireless Client Upgrade Procedure 24 Upgrade the firmware. 1 With the Installation CD or diskette still inserted into the PC, select Start > Programs > 3Com AirConnect > AirConnect Firmware Upgrade Utility. 2 Make sure that the AirConnect PC Card is inserted in the PC. 3 Click the button to the right of the field labeled Firmware Filename, then go to the Firmware > MU directory on the Installation CD or diskette.
25 CHAPTER 7: UPGRADE PROCEDURES 6 When prompted to restart the system select No. 7 Reboot the system using the Start > Shut Down sequence. Upgrade the firmware. 1 With the Installation CD or diskette still inserted into the PC, select Start > Programs > 3Com AirConnect > AirConnect Firmware Upgrade Utility. 2 Make sure that the AirConnect PC Card is inserted in the PC.
Windows 2000 Professional Wireless Client Upgrade Procedure 26 4 Select Install WLAN Applications. 5 Follow the instructions on the screen. 6 After setup is finished, reboot the system when prompted. Upgrade the firmware. 1 With the Installation CD or diskette still inserted into the PC, select Start > Programs > 3Com AirConnect > AirConnect Firmware Upgrade Utility. 2 Make sure that the AirConnect PC Card is inserted in the PC.
A Online Technical Services World Wide Web Site TECHNICAL SUPPORT 3Com offers worldwide product support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through the following online systems: ■ World Wide Web site ■ 3Com FTP site Access the latest networking information on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site by entering the URL into your Internet browser: http://www.3com.
Support from 3Com 28 If you are unable to contact your network supplier, see the following section on how to contact 3Com. Support from 3Com If you are unable to obtain assistance from the 3Com online technical resources or from your network supplier, 3Com offers technical telephone support services. To find out more about your support options, please call the 3Com technical telephone support phone number at the location nearest you.
29 APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL SUPPORT Returning Products for Repair Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Products sent to 3Com without RMA numbers will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense.
INDEX Numbers F R 3Com URL 27 features operating 1 firmware upgrade 17 removing the PC card 7, 21 returning products for repair 29 roaming extended 1, 2, 13 A access codes 18 ad hoc proprietary 19 testing 19 ad hoc operation 802.11 19 adapter configuration 9 adapter information 16 advanced properties dialog box 10 AirConnect configuring on a mobile device 12 B I IEEE 802.
31 INDEX W Windows CE ActiveSync required 11 installation 11 wireless client enabling encryption 17 upgrade 22 World Wide Web (WWW) 27
WARRANTY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 3Com Corporation Limited Warranty This warranty applies to customers located in the United States, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, U.K.
Dead- or Defective-on-Arrival.
CE MARKING AND EUROPEAN UNION COMPLIANCE Products intended for sale within the European Union are marked with the CEMark which indicates compliance to applicable Directives and European Normes (EN), as follows. Amendments to these Directives or ENs are included: Normes (EN), as follows.
GOVERNING LAW: This License Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within California between California residents and by the laws of the United States. You agree that the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (1980) is hereby excluded in its entirety from application to this License Agreement.
