EZ Connect ™ Wireless PC Card 11 Mbps data rate – provides alternative to wired LANs that can dramatically cut costs Working range up to 160 m (528 ft) at 11 Mbps, 350 m (1155 ft) at 1 Mbps Seamless connectivity to wired Ethernet LANs augments existing networks quickly and easily DSSS technology provides robust, interference-resistant, and secure wireless connections Supports a wide range of operating systems (Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP) Easy installation Built-in dual diversity antenna Us
EZ Connect Wireless PC Card User Guide The easy way to make all your network connections 38 Tesla Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 679-8000 April 2002 Revision Number: F1.0 Part No.
Copyright Information furnished by SMC Networks, Inc. (SMC) is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by SMC for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of SMC. SMC reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice. Copyright © 2002 by SMC Networks, Inc.
LIMITED WARRANTY Limited Warranty Statement: SMC Networks, Inc. (“SMC”) warrants its products to be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for the applicable warranty term. All SMC products carry a standard 90-day limited warranty from the date of purchase from SMC or its Authorized Reseller. SMC may, at its own discretion, repair or replace any product not operating as warranted with a similar or functionally equivalent product, during the applicable warranty term.
LIMITED WARRANTY WARRANTIES EXCLUSIVE: IF AN SMC PRODUCT DOES NOT OPERATE AS WARRANTED ABOVE, CUSTOMER’S SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PRODUCT IN QUESTION, AT SMC’S OPTION. THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
COMPLIANCES FCC - Class B 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 instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
COMPLIANCES Industry Canada - Class B This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled “Digital Apparatus,” ICES-003 of Industry Canada. Cet appareil numérique respecte les limites de bruits radioélectriques applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans la norme sur le matérial brouilleur: “Appareils Numériques,” NMB-003 édictée par l’Industrie.
COMPLIANCES • Power frequency magnetic field immunity test according to EN 61000-4-8:1993 (1 A/m at frequency 50 Hz) • Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity test according to EN 61000-4-11:1994 (>95% Reduction @10 ms, 30% Reduction @500 ms, >95% Reduction @5000 ms) LVD: • EN 60950 (A1/1992; A2/1993; A3/1993; A4/1995; A11/1997) Safety Compliance Wichtige Sicherheitshinweise (Germany) 1. Bitte lesen Sie diese Hinweise sorgfältig durch. 2.
COMPLIANCES 14.Wenn folgende Situationen auftreten ist das Gerät vom Stromnetz zu trennen und von einer qualifizierten Servicestelle zu überprüfen: a.Netzkabel oder Netzstecker sind beschädigt. b.Flüssigkeit ist in das Gerät eingedrungen. c.Das Gerät war Feuchtigkeit ausgesetzt. d.Wenn das Gerät nicht der Bedienungsanleitung entsprechend funktioniert oder Sie mit Hilfe dieser Anleitung keine Verbesserung erzielen. e.Das Gerät ist gefallen und/oder das Gehäuse ist beschädigt. f.
TABLE CONTENTS OF EZ Connect™ Wireless PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Features . . . . . . . . . Applications . . . . . . System Requirements Package Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 4 Hardware Description . . . . . . . . .
TABLE OF CONTENTS Setting the Communication Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Stationary Wireless PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Roaming Wireless PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Adapter Installation Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Network Connection Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SMC Networks 802.
EZ CONNECT™ WIRELESS PC CARD SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless PC Card is an 11 Mbps wireless network adapter that seamlessly integrates with existing Ethernet networks to support applications such as mobile users or temporary conferences. This solution offers a high data rate and reliable wireless connectivity with considerable cost savings over wired LANs (which include long-term maintenance overhead for cabling).
EZ CONNECT™ WIRELESS PC CARD • Easy installation • Working range up to 160 m (528 ft) at 11 Mbps, up to 350 m (1155 ft) at 1 Mbps (indoor communication) • Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) technology provides robust, interference-resistant and secure wireless connection • Supports a wide range of systems (Windows 95/98/Me/NT/ 2000/XP) • Plug-and-Play • Provides a user-friendly interface for configuration • Enhances your network security with WEP data encryption • Built-in antenna Applic
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS companies who need additional workstations for peak periods. Auditors who require workgroups at customer sites • Access to databases for mobile workers Doctors, nurses, retailers, white-collar workers who need access to databases while being mobile in a hospital, retail store, office, campus etc. • SOHO users SOHO (Small Office Home Office) users who need quick and easy installation of a small computer network.
EZ CONNECT™ WIRELESS PC CARD Package Checklist The EZ Connect Wireless PC Card package includes: • 1 Wireless PC Card (SMC2632W) • 1 SMC2632W Driver, Utility, & Documentation CD • This User Guide Please register this product and upgrade the product warranty at www.smc.com. Please inform your dealer if there are any incorrect, missing, or damaged parts. If possible, retain the carton, including the original packing materials.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION The EZ Connect Wireless PC Card supports 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps half-duplex connections to Ethernet networks. This card is fully compliant with 2.4 GHz DSSS CSMA/CA wireless networking as defined in IEEE 802.11b. It can be installed in any notebook with a Type II PCMCIA slot. Support is currently provided for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION LED Indicator The EZ Connect Wireless PC Card includes two status LED indicators, as described in the following figure and table. Power Activity Link 6 Link Status Status Description 802.11 AdHoc Flashing Green Indicates that the Wireless PC card is operating in the 802.11 AdHoc mode. Infrastructure Flashing Green Indicates that the Wireless PC card is browsing active access points. On Green Indicates a valid connection with an access point.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION HARDWARE INSTALLATION Warning: Network cards are sensitive to static electricity. To protect the card, always touch the metal chassis of your computer before handling the card. 1. Turn on your computer and boot your operating system. 2. Find an available Type II or Type III PCMCIA slot in your computer. 3. With the PC Card’s 68-pin connector facing the PCMCIA slot and the “EZ Connect Wireless PC Card” label facing up, slide the card completely into the PCMCIA slot as shown below.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION 4. For Windows 95 (OSR2.1 or above)/98/Me/2000, PCMCIA card and socket services compliant with revision 2.10 of the PCMCIA specification are required. Please check the documents of your PCMCIA driver before installing the software driver for the EZ Connect Wireless PC Card. 5. Install the appropriate network driver for your operating system. Drivers can be found on the SMC2632W Driver, Utility, & Documentation CD. See “Driver Installation” on the next page for more information. 6.
DRIVER INSTALLATION The installation CD labeled “SMC2632W Driver, Utility, & Documentation CD,” that comes with the package contains all the software drivers available for the EZ Connect Wireless PC Card. Any new or updated drivers can be downloaded from SMC’s Web site at: http://www.smc.com Note: Check the SMC website for more support options. You can access the online support options at: http://www.smc.com/index.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 2. Windows 95/98/Me/2000 will automatically detect the new hardware and prompt you to install the driver needed. Click “Next” to find the driver. 3. Insert the driver installation CD into the CD-ROM, specify the location, E:\driver\win982k (assuming E: is the location of your CD-ROM drive), and click “Next.
WINDOWS 95/98/ME/2000 DRIVER INSTALLATION 4. Click “Next” to copy files from the CD. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 6. After driver installation, Click “Yes” to restart the computer.
DRIVER INSTALLATION Windows NT 4.0 Driver Installation 1. Insert the PC Card into a standard Type II or III PCMCIA slot in your notebook. 2. From the desktop, select “Control Panel,” double-click “Network,” click “Adapters,” and then click the “Add” button in the Network dialog box. 3. Windows NT will present a list of all its supported adapters. Click “Have Disk” to continue.
WINDOWS NT 4.0 DRIVER INSTALLATION 4. Windows NT will ask for the drive/path containing the SMC2632W Windows NT drivers. Insert the provided CD into the CD-ROM drive, type E:\driver\win982k (assuming E: is the location of your CD-ROM drive), and then click “OK.” 5. Windows NT will attempt to locate the SYS and INF files in the specified path. If you have entered the path name correctly, Windows NT should copy the appropriate drivers to the Windows NT system.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 6. The Adapter Setup dialog box will appear. Configure the card as described below, and click “OK.” IRQ Level - Default: 5 (Check for available resources under Windows NT Diagnostics.) I/O Port Address - Default: 240 (Check for available resources under Windows NT Diagnostics.) 7. Click “Close” to finish the installation.
WINDOWS XP DRIVER INSTALLATION 8. After driver installation, the system will prompt you to restart the computer. Click “NO” if you want to continue installation for your network protocols and options. 9. Select the Services tab and Click “Add...” to install the network protocols you want to use, such as IPX/SPX, NetBEUI or TCP/ IP. If you install TCP/IP, be sure to set the appropriate Gateway, DNS Server, and Domain for your network. 10.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 2. Insert the “SMC2632W Driver, Utility, & Documentation CD” into your CD-ROM drive. 3. Check “Install the software automatically (Recommended)” and click “Next.” 4. Windows XP will find the “SMC EZ Connect Wireless PC Card(SMC2632W-V2).” Click “Next.
WINDOWS XP DRIVER INSTALLATION 5. Though the software is fully compatible with Windows XP, it has not yet been Logo tested by Microsoft. On the Hardware Installation screen click “Continue Anyway.” After the software has been installed, click “Finish” to complete the driver installation.
UTILITY INSTALLATION UTILITY INSTALLATION To communicate with SMC 11 Mbps Wireless devices, you may need to install and configure the Wireless PC Card. To install the utility software: Note: You may find that the instructions here do not exactly match your version of Windows. This is because these steps and screenshots were created from Windows 2000. Windows 95, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 98 are very similar, but not identical, to Windows 2000. 1.
UTILITY CONFIGURATION UTILITY CONFIGURATION Using the Wireless Utility in Windows 98, Me, NT, and 2000 Once the installation is complete, the configuration utility can be accessed from the “Start” menu, as shown below. Quick-Launch Icon When the utility program is running, there will be a quick launch icon in the lower right-hand corner of the task bar. If the icon is on GREEN, you have a good connection.
The configuration utility includes the following tools: Status – Allows you to monitor network status and configure wireless adapter parameters. Statistics – Shows wireless adapter statistics. Site Survey – Scans/Shows all the access points in range. Encryption – Provides WEP security control. Advanced – Allows you to configure the advanced settings. Version – Shows the version information.
QUICK-LAUNCH ICON Click “Change” to configure the “Operating Mode,” “Channel,” “SSID” and “Tx Rate.” After making a configuration change, the Submit button will become enabled. Click “Submit” to save the changes. Operating Mode – Set the station operation mode to “802.11 Ad Hoc” for network configurations that do not have an access point, or to “Infrastructure” for configurations with an access point (“Infrastructure” is the default setting.
UTILITY CONFIGURATION Statistics The Statistics screen displays “Data Frames” and “Management Frames.
QUICK-LAUNCH ICON Site Survey The Site Survey scans and displays all access points in the wireless LAN. You can choose one of them to connect to by double-clicking on an entry.
UTILITY CONFIGURATION Encryption Encryption – Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is implemented in the adapter to prevent unauthorized access. For more secure data transmissions, set encryption to “128-bit” or “64-bit”. The 128-bit setting gives a higher level of security. The setting must be the same for all clients in your wireless network (Default: Disabled). The WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) implemented in SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless PC Card is based on the RC4 encryption algorithm.
QUICK-LAUNCH ICON Manual Entry – “Manual Entry” allows you to manually enter key elements (two hexadecimal digits in each block.) Default Key ID – Choose the Key ID that has the encryption string you prefer. If you are using a key generated from the passphrase, you must use the same passphrase and key on each station. To use the WEP function, take the following steps: 1. Select “128-bit” or “64-bit” in the “Encryption” field. 2.
UTILITY CONFIGURATION one of the key fields. The bit key must be in hexadecimal numerals (0~9, A~F, e.g., D7 0A 9C 7F E5.) 2. Click “Apply.” Advanced Screen You can use this screen to set values for “Fragmentation Threshold” (Default: 2346 means Disabled), and “RTS/CTS Threshold” (Default: 2347 means Disabled).
QUICK-LAUNCH ICON Version The following screen shows the version information.
UTILITY CONFIGURATION Using the Windows XP Configuration Tool Basic Settings 1. Right-click the network connection icon on the toolbar. 2. On the popup menu, click “Status.” The Wireless Network Connection Status box will open.
USING THE WINDOWS XP CONFIGURATION TOOL 3. Click “Properties.” The Wireless Network Connection Properties box will open. Click the “Wireless Networks” tab. 4. In the lower section of the screen, click “Learn about setting up wireless network configuration” and complete the wireless configuration according to the Help and Support Center instructions.
UTILITY CONFIGURATION Advanced Settings Click the “General” tab (see the previous screen). In the “Connect using” field, make sure that the adapter shown is the SMC2632W V.2 Wireless PC Card. 1. Click “Configure.” Click the “Advanced” tab. 2. Set the “Fragmentation Threshold.” (The default 2,346 means “Disabled.”) See “Terminology” on page 42 for a description of “Fragmentation Threshold.” 3. “Preamble Type” offers a dropdown list with three options: Auto, Long, or Short.
USING THE WINDOWS XP CONFIGURATION TOOL 4. “Rate (Mbps)” is the data transmission/reception rate setting. It can be set to Auto, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps. Usually this should be set to Auto. In a radio frequency hostile environment, a lower rate can provide more stable transmission quality. 5. Set the “RTS Threshold” to the same as that used by other devices in your network (The default 2,347 means “Disabled.”) See “Terminology” on page 42 for a description of “RTS Threshold.
NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless Solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration, as well as an integrated configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES Infrastructure Wireless LAN The SMC2655W access point can also provide wireless workstations with access to a wired LAN. An integrated wired and wireless LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN.
NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING Setting the Communication Domain Stationary Wireless PCs The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communication domain for each access point. For wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for the wireless card to the SSID of the access point you want to connect to. Check with your administrator for the SSID of the access point you should connect to.
SETTING THE COMMUNICATION DOMAIN Before setting up an ESS for roaming, you need to choose a clear radio channel and ideal location for the access points to maximize performance. (Refer to “Troubleshooting” on page 36 for detailed information on installation and usage.
TROUBLESHOOTING TROUBLESHOOTING Check the following troubleshooting items before contacting SMC Technical Support. Adapter Installation Problems If your computer cannot find the EZ Connect Wireless PC Card or the network driver does not install correctly, check the following: 36 • Make sure the adapter is securely seated in the PCMCIA slot. When you insert the wireless adapter into the notebook’s slot, a beep should be heard if the adapter is properly inserted.
NETWORK CONNECTION PROBLEMS • Check for a defective computer or PCMCIA connection by trying the adapter in another computer that is known to operate correctly. • If it still does not work, take out the wireless adapter. Delete CW10.sys from c:\windows\system. Then go to “Control Panel” and delete the adapter from your network configuration menu. Restart your PC and reinstall the card.
TROUBLESHOOTING If your wireless station cannot communicate with a computer in the Ethernet LAN when configured for Infrastructure mode, check the following: 38 • Make sure the access point which the station is associated with is powered on. • If you still can’t connect, change the access point and all the stations within the BSS to another radio channel.
NETWORK CONNECTION PROBLEMS SMC Networks 802.11b Wireless Product Maximum Distance Table Important Notice Maximum distances posted below are actual tested distance thresholds. However, there are many variables such as barrier composition and construction, as well as local environmental interference that may impact your actual distances and cause you to experience distance thresholds far lower than those posted below.
SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS General Specifications Functional Criteria Data Rate Transmission Mode Network Connection Operating Range Radio Signal Signal Type Operating Frequency Sensitivity Modulation Output Power 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps Half duplex IEEE 802.11b - Wireless LAN, Up to 350 m (1155 ft) at 1 Mbps, Up to 160 m (528 ft) at 11 Mbps Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) USA, Canada and Europe (ETSI): 2.400-2.4835 GHz, Japan: 2.400-2.
SOFTWARE DRIVERS Standards Conformance Wireless Standard IEEE 802.11b Environmental Temperature Humidity Vibration/Shock/Drop Certification CE Mark Emissions Safety Operating: 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F) Storage: 0 to 70 °C (32 to 158 °F) 5 to 80% (noncondensing) IEC 68-2-34, IEC 68-2-27, IEC68-2-32 EN50081-1, EN55022 Class B EN50082-1, IEC 61000-4-2/3/4/6/11 FCC Part 15(B), ETS 300-328, VCCI EN60950 UL1950/CSA22.2 No.
TERMINOLOGY TERMINOLOGY The following is a list of terminology that is used in this document. Access Point – An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Ad Hoc – An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with LAN adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Backbone – The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that transports information from one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local system.
TERMINOLOGY Ethernet – A popular local area data communications network, which accepts transmission from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates on a 10 Mbps baseband transmission rate, using shielded coaxial cable or shielded twisted-pair telephone cable. Infrastructure – An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. Roaming – A wireless LAN mobile user moves around an ESS and maintains a continuous connection to the Infrastructure network.
TERMINOLOGY 44
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT, CALL: From U.S.A. and Canada (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) (800) SMC-4-YOU; (949) 679-8000; Fax: (949) 679-1481 From Europe (8:00 AM - 5:30 PM UK Time) 44 (0) 118 974 8700; Fax: 44 (0) 118 974 8701 INTERNET E-mail addresses: techsupport@smc.com european.techsupport@smc-europe.com Driver updates: http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=tech_support_drivers_downloads World Wide Web: http://www.smc.com/ http://www.smc-europe.com/ FOR LITERATURE OR ADVERTISING RESPONSE, CALL: U.S.A.
