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WLAN User Guide
Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
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Regulatory Information: Dell™
TrueMobile™ WLAN Card User's Guide
Information for the user
Regulatory information
Information for the user
Wireless interoperability
The Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card products are designed to be interoperable with any wireless LAN product that is
based on direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radio
technology and to comply with the following standards:
● IEEE Std. 802.11b-1999. Standard on 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN.
● IEEE Std. 802.11a-1999. Standard on 5 GHz Wireless LAN
The Dell TrueMobile WLAN Cards and your health
The Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Cards, like other radio devices, emit radio frequency electromagnetic energy. The level
of energy emitted by these devices, however, is less than the electromagnetic energy emitted by other wireless devices
such as mobile phones. The Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card devices operate within the guidelines found in radio frequency
safety standards and recommendations. These standards and recommendations reflect the consensus of the scientific
community and result from deliberations of panels and committees of scientists who continually review and interpret the
extensive research literature. In some situations or environments, the use of a Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card wireless
device may be restricted by the proprietor of the building or responsible representatives of the applicable organization.
Examples of such situations include the following:
● Using the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card equipment onboard airplanes, or
● Using the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card equipment in any other environment where the risk of interference with
other devices or services is perceived or identified as being harmful.
If you are uncertain of the policy that applies to the use of wireless devices in a specific organization or environment (an
airport, for example), you are encouraged to ask for authorization to use the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card device before
you turn it on.
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Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Regulatory information
The Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card devices must be installed and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions as described in the user documentation that comes with the product. For country-specific approvals, see
Radio approvals. Dell Computer Corporation is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by
unauthorized modification of the devices included with this Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card kit, or the substitution or
attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than that specified by Dell Computer Corporation. The correction of
interference caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution, or attachment is the responsibility of the user. Dell
Computer Corporation and its authorized resellers or distributors are not liable for any damage or violation of government
regulations that may arise from the user's failing to comply with these guidelines.
Canada—Industry Canada (IC)
These devices comply with RSS210 of Industry Canada.
Europe—EU Declaration of Conformity
This equipment complies with the essential requirements of the European Union directive 1999/5/EC.
Cet équipement est conforme aux principales caractéristiques définies dans la Directive européenne RTTE 1999/5/CE.
Die Geräte erfüllen die grundlegenden Anforderungen der RTTE-Richtlinie 1999/5/EG.
Questa apparecchiatura è conforme ai requisiti essenziali della Direttiva Europea R&TTE 1999/5/CE.
Este equipo cumple los requisitos principales de la Directiva 1999/5/CE de la UE, "Equipos de Terminales de Radio y
Telecomunicaciones".
Este equipamento cumpre os requisitos essenciais da Directiva 1999/5/CE do Parlamento Europeu e do Conselho
(Directiva RTT).
O exoplismos autos plhroi tis basikes apaits ths koinotikhs odhgias EU R&TTE
1999/5/E.
Deze apparatuur voldoet aan de noodzakelijke vereisten van EU-richtlijn betreffende radioapparatuur en
telecommunicatie-eindapparatuur 1999/5/EG.
Dette udstyr opfylder de Væsentlige krav i EU's direktiv 1999/5/EC om Radio- og teleterminaludstyr.
Dette utstyret er i overensstemmelse med hovedkravene i R&TTE-direktivet (1999/5/EC) fra EU.
Utrustningen uppfyller kraven för EU-direktivet 1999/5/EC om ansluten teleutrustning och ömsesidigt erkännande av
utrustningens överensstämmelse (R&TTE).
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Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Tämä laite vastaa EU:n radio- ja telepäätelaitedirektiivin (EU R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC) vaatimuksia.
This product is intended to be used in all countries of the European Economic Area when operating in IEEE 802.11b
mode at 2.4 GHz (see France below). When operating in the IEEE 802.11a mode at 5 GHz, however, the product is
restricted further. Refer to Dell's Web site (www.dell.com) for full information.
France
Some areas of France have a restricted frequency band for operation in the IEEE 802.11b mode at 2.4 GHz. The
following information describes this restriction (please check ART's Web site (http://www.art-telecom.fr) for more up-to-
date information).
Autorité de régulation des télecommunications (ART) has made decisions that will allow users to install WLAN ( wireless
LAN) systems to provide high-speed Internet services primarily in high-traffic areas (called hot spots). ART recently
released guidelines that establish the conditions for experimenting with the installation of public WLANs, such as for high-
speed Internet access in locations that are currently being poorly served by existing networks. Such public WLANs would
operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. This series of measures answers many of the concerns expressed during ART's
public consultation on this topic.
Decisions allowing the installation of wireless terminals in hot spots (train stations, airports, business centers, and the
like): In agreement with the Ministry of Defence, ART has made two decisions setting the conditions for using wireless
LANs in the 2.4 GHz band. One of these decisions has been submitted to the Minister of Telecommunications for
approval. These decisions will allow the installation of WLAN access points to provide public services in high-traffic public
places. This will allow service providers and licensed operators to install access points using 2.4 GHz band technologies
without authorisation, under the following technical conditions:
1. In 38 départements (see Metropolitan départements for listing):
● The 2400–2454 MHz band can be used both indoors and outdoors using systems (access points and devices)
with less than 300 milliwatts (mW) of power.
● The 2454–2483.5 MHz band can be used indoors using devices with less than 100 mW of power and can be
used outdoors using devices with less than 10 mW of power. When the devices are being used outdoors on
private property, the power may be increased to 100 mW after approval from the Ministry of Defence.
2. For the time being, in all other metropolitan départements, the conditions remain unchanged. The list of the first
38 départements will be progressively added to after 1 January 2003.
3. For the overseas départements (DOM), as well as Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Mayotte, the entire
2400–2483.5 MHz band may be used indoors and outdoors using devices with less than 100 mW of power,
except for the Reunion Islands and Guyana, where the 2420–2483.5 MHz band may be used only outdoors
using devices with less than 100 mW of power. ART reminds operators that these frequencies are used with no
guarantee of nondisruption, and that the installations must respect all measures applying to radio installations
(such as urban planning regulations). These decisions also allow the development of private uses. In particular,
private networks (such as indoor corporate networks) can be established using these technologies.
These conditions are tablulated below in Table of authorised EIRP.
Guidelines for public WLAN experimentation
● Networks using WLAN technology will be granted a free authorisation for up to 18 months under article L.33-1 of
the Post and Telecommunications Code. These networks may use systems with 100 mW of power (effective
isotropic radiated power (EIRP)) on the entire band, indoors and outdoors. Moreover, in the 2.4 GHz band (and
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Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
providing this power limit is respected), fixed point-to-point links can be established for these networks needs, or
frequencies can be requested in other ad hoc bands.
● Private and public persons may submit applications to ART, provided that legislation and regulations allow them
to do so.
● Applications will be processed in a simplified way, in the spirit of the new "Authorisation" Directive.
● ART will send completed applications to the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry will then check that the projects
are not located near any sensitive area and that they are not likely to cause disruptions to military equipment. For
each application, ART will then submit its report and the draft authorisation to the Minister of
Telecommunications.
● Applications can be sent from 12 November 2002 so that the first experiments may be launched as soon as early
2003. Full reviews are to be sent to ART at the end of the temporary authorisations to determine whether the
technology guarantees quality and security to users.
Metropolitan departments
The 38 metropolitan départements in which WLAN systems using less than 100 mW of power (EIRP) indoors across the
entire 2400–2483.5 MHz band and outdoors on the 2400–2454 MHz band is permitted:
01 Ain Orientales 36 Indre 66 Pyrénées
02 Aisne 37 Indre et Loire 67 Bas Rhin
03 Allier 41 Loir et Cher 68 Haut Rhin
05 Hautes Alpes 42 Loire 70 Haute Saône
08 Ardennes 45 Loiret 71 Saône et Loire
09 Ariège 50 Manche 75 Paris
11 Aude 55 Meuse 82 Tarn et Garonne
12 Aveyron 58 Nièvre 84 Vaucluse
16 Charente 59 Nord 88 Vosges
24 Dordogne 60 Oise 89 Yonne
25 Doubs 61 Orne 90 Territoire de Belfort
26 Drôme 63 Puy du Dôme 94 Val de Marne
32 Gers 64 Pyrénées Atlantique
Conditions of use for WLANs in hot spots in these 38 départements:
● The 2400–2454 MHz band may be used both indoors and outdoors using devices with power (EIRP) of less than
100 milliwatts (mW).
● The 2454–2483.5 MHz band may be used indoors using devices with power (EIRP) of less than 100 mW and
outdoors using devices with power of less than 10 mW. On private property outdoors, the power may be 100 mW
with the approval of the Minister of Defence.
Conditions of use for WLANs in hot spots in other metropolitan départements: The conditions of use currently remain
unchanged, that is,
● The 2400–2446.5 MHz band may be used indoors using devices with power (EIRP) of less than 10 mW.
● The 2446.5–2483.5 MHz band may be used indoors using devices with power (EIRP) of less than 100 mW. On
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private property outdoors, the power may be 100 mW with the approval of the Minister of Defence.
Table of authorised EIRP
In the 38 départements
Frequency (MHz)
Authorized EIRP (mW)
Indoors Outdoors: decisions
(Concernent les réseaux
indépendants et les hot spots)
Outdoors: guidelines
(Concernent les éxperimentations de réseaux
ouverts au public)
2400
100
100 100
2454
2483.5 10 and 100 on private property with
Ministry of Defence approval 100 with Ministry of Defence approval
In other metropolitan départements
Frequency (MHz)
Authorized EIRP (mW)
Indoors Outdoors: decisions
(Concernent les réseaux
indépendants et les hot spots)
Outdoors: guidelines
(Concernent les éxperimentations de réseaux
ouverts au public)
2400 10 Not permitted
100 with Ministry of Defence approval
2446.5
2483.5 100 100 on private property with Ministry
of Defence approval
In Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Pierre, and Miquelon and Mayotte
Frequency (MHz) Authorized EIRP (mW)
Indoors Outdoors: decisions and guidelines
2400 100 100
2483.5
In Reunion Islands and Guyana
Frequency (MHz)
Authorized EIRP (mW)
Indoors
Outdoors: decisions
(Concernent les réseaux
indépendants et les hot spots)
Outdoors: guidelines
(Concernent les éxperimentations de réseaux
ouverts au public)
2400
100 Not permitted 100 with Ministry of Defence approval
2420
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2483.5 100 100
NOTE—Your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card transmits less than 100 mW of power, but more than 10 mW.
USA—Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
These devices comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation of the devices is subject to the following two conditions:
● The devices may not cause harmful interference.
● The devices must accept any interference that may cause undesired operation.
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. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If the equipment is not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, the equipment may cause harmful interference to radio communications. There
is no guarantee, however, that such interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception (which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on), the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by taking one or more of the following measures:
● Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
● Increase the distance between the equipment and the receiver.
● Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
● Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
NOTE—This Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card device must be installed and used in strict accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions as described in the user documentation that comes with the product. Any other installation or
use will violate FCC Part 15 regulations. Modifications not expressly approved by Dell could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Radio approvals
To determine whether you are allowed to use your wireless network device in a specific country, please check to see if the
radio type number that is printed on the identification label of your device is listed on the radio approval list posted on the
general Dell support site at support.dell.com.
Back to the top
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Contents: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card User's Guide
Introduction
Completing the Setup
Using the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility
Specifications
Regulatory Information
Troubleshooting
Glossary
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2000–2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
The copying or reproducing of any material in this document in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of
Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
The trademarks Dell, Latitude, Inspiron, the DELL logo, and TrueMobile are trademarks of Dell Computer
Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and
names or their products. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Initial Release: November 2002
DLWLANCard-UG100-D2
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Introduction: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Back to Contents
Introduction: Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card User's Guide
Before you begin
Things you should know
TrueMobile network
Before you begin
Obtain the following information from your network administrator (if you are a home user, obtain this information from the person that
installed your wireless access point):
● Network names (SSID) of the specific wireless networks that you want to connect to.
● WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key information (if any) for the networks you want to connect to.
● For Microsoft® Windows® networking, your customer name and workgroup name.
● For your network account, your user name and password.
● Your IP address (if not using a DHCP server)
Things you should know
When you start your computer, your Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card detects certain wireless networks that are within range. Before you
can connect to these and other wireless networks, you must configure a profile for each network using the information you obtained from
your network administrator. Instructions for configuring a network profile are provided in Completing the setup.
WEP is a security protocol for wireless local area networks (defined in the IEEE 802.11b standard) that encrypts data sent over radio
waves. The use of the WEP key is optional and can be enabled or disabled. If the network you are connecting to has enabled WEP, you
must also enable WEP in the network profile and set the WEP key to match the WEP key used by the network. Otherwise, you cannot
connect to the network.
Dell TrueMobile network
The Dell TrueMobile solution allows you to make a wireless connection to a network, as illustrated below.
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Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Back to Contents
Completing the Setup: Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card User's
Guide
NOTE—Before you begin, be sure you have the required network information from your network administrator (see Before
you begin in the Introduction section).
Configuring a network profile (Windows® 2000 environment)
Configuring a network profile (Windows® XP environment)
Configuring a network profile (Windows® 2000 environment)
Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network profile for that network on your computer
using the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility. If you purchased your portable computer with the Dell TrueMobile WLAN
Card already installed and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below. If this
is not the case, first verify that the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card has been properly installed in your computer according
to the installation instructions. Then proceed with the following instructions for configuring your network profiles. The
instructions explain how to open the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility and how to use it to configure a network profile.
Opening the utility
1. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon .
3. If the Wireless Networks tab in the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility box is not on top, click the Wireless
Networks tab.
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You can configure a network profile for networks that are listed in the Available networks list as well as networks that are
not listed. When you have completed configuring a network profile, the network name and icon appear at the top of the
Preferred networks list. Your computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the Preferred networks list.
Follow the applicable instruction set below, based on whether or not the network is listed and whether or not the network
requires a WEP key (check with your network administrator to see if a WEP key is required). NOTE—Both the network
name and the network key are case-sensitive.
● Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key
● Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key
● Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key
● Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and requires a WEP key
Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key
(Windows 2000 environment)
1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure.
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2. Click OK in the Wireless Network Properties box.
3. Click Apply in the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility box. The network name and icon appear at the top of the
Preferred networks list.
4. Click Refresh to activate the network connection (wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made).
Your computer is connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that
network. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows 2000
environment)
1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure.
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2. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box.
3. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.
4. Type the network key in the Network key box.
NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These
settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as you type the network key.
5. Click OK.
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6. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Click Refresh to activate the
network connection (wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made). Your computer is connected
to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the bubble does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP
key (Windows 2000 environment)
1. After opening the utility, click Add.
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2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
3. Click OK.
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4. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Click Refresh to activate the
network connection (wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made).Your computer is connected
to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and requires a WEP key
(Windows 2000 environment)
1. After opening the utility, click Add.
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2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
3. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box.
4. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.
5. Type the network key in the Network key box.
NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These
settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as you type the network key.
6. Click OK.
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7. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Click Refresh to activate the
network connection (wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made).Your computer is connected
to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a network profile (Windows® XP environment)
Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network profile for that network on your computer
using the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility. If you purchased your portable computer with the Dell TrueMobile WLAN
Card already installed and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below. If this
is not the case, first verify that the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card has been properly installed in your computer according
to the installation instructions. Then proceed with the following instructions for configuring your network profiles. The
instructions explain how to open the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility and how to use it to configure a network profile.
NOTE—For more information on how to configure a network profile and 802.1x authentication, click Learn about setting
up wireless network configuration at the bottom of the Wireless Networks tab of the Wireless Network Connection 2
Properties box in the utility.
Opening the utility
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1. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View. If you are looking at the
Classic View of Control Panel, go to the next step.
3. Double-click the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon .
4. On the Wireless Networks tab, click Open Network Properties.
5. If the Wireless Networks tab of the Properties box is not on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
6. Verify that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings box is selected. If it is not, select it.
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You can configure a network profile for networks that are listed in the Available networks list as well as those that are not
listed. When you have completed configuring a network profile, the network name and icon appear at the top of the
Preferred networks list. Your computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the Preferred networks list.
Follow the applicable instruction set below, based on whether or not the network is listed and whether or not the network
requires a WEP key (check with your network administrator to see if a WEP key is required). NOTE—Both the network
name and the network key are case-sensitive.
● Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key
● Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key
● Configuring a profile for an network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key
● Configuring a profile for an network that is not listed and requires a WEP key
Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key
(Windows XP environment)
1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure.
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2. Click OK in the Wireless network properties box.
3. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list.
4. Click OK in the connection Properties box to activate the network connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen the Properties box at the Wireless Networks tab. Your computer is
connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the
bubble does not appear,click Refresh. If it still does not apprear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are
connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP
environment)
1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure.
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2. On the Association tab of the Wireless network properties box, select the Data encryption (WEP enabled)
box.
3. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.
4. Type the network key in the Network key box and again in the Confirm network key box.
5. Click OK.
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6. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list.
7. Click OK on the Wireless Networks tab in the connection Properties box to activate the network connection. To
verify that the network connection has been made, reopen the connection Properties box. Your computer is
connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the
bubble does not appear, click Refresh. If it still does not apprear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are
connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP
key (Windows XP environment)
1. After opening the utility, click Add.
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2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
3. Click OK.
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4. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list.
5. Click OK in the connection Properties box to activate the network connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen the connection Properties box. Your computer is connected to the selected
network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the bubble does not appear,click
Refresh. If it still does not apprear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet.
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Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and requires a WEP key
(Windows XP environment)
1. After opening the utility, click Add.
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2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
3. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box.
4. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.
5. Type the network key in the Network key box.
NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These
settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as you type the network key.
6. Click OK.
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7. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list.
8. Click OK in the connection 2 Properties box to activate the network connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen theWireless Network Connection 2 Properties box. Your computer is
connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the
bubble does not appear,click Refresh. If it still does not apprear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are
connected to the Internet.
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Using the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility: Dell TrueMobile WAN Card User's Guide
Back to Contents
Using the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility: Dell TrueMobile
WLAN Card User's Guide
Opening the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility
Adding a new network to the list of preferred networks
Viewing the link status of your wireless connection
Viewing or modifying the wireless network properties
Setting up an ad hoc (peer-to-peer) group network for connecting to the Internet
Adding an ad hoc network
Disabling the radio
Diagnostics
Opening the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility
The Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility starts automatically every time you start your computer. When the system
startup process is complete, the utility icon appears in the system tray of the Windows® task bar at the bottom right of
your screen. The appearance of the utility icon varies, depending on the strength of the signal being received from the
associated network. If the utility icon is not in the system tray, you can have it appear by selecting Show wireless
configuration icon in systray from the Wireless Networks tab in the Utility box that appears when the utility is open.
To open the utility in the Windows® 2000 environment
1. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Utility icon .
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To open the utility in the Windows XP environment
1. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View. If you are looking at the
Classic View of Control Panel, go to the next step.
3. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon.
4. On the Wireless Networks tab, click Open Network Properties.
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5. If the Wireless Networks tab of the Properties box is not on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
6. Verify that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings box is selected. If it is not, select it.
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Adding a new network to the list of preferred networks
Your computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the Preferred networks list. You must configure a
network profile for each network that you want to add to the Preferred networks list.
To add a new network to the list of preferred networks in the Windows 2000 environment, first check to see if the new
network is listed in the Available networks list of the Wireless Networks tab of the utility. If it is, follow the applicable
instructions below according to which operating system your computer is running and whether or not the network requires
a WEP key.
● See Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) in
Completing the setup.
● See Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) in
Completing the setup.
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● See Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key (Windows XP environment) in
Completing the setup
● See Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment) in the
Completing the setup.
If the network you want to add to the Preferred networks list is not listed in the Available networks list, follow the
applicable instructions below according to which operating system your computer is running and whether or not the
network requires a WEP key.
● See Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key (Windows 2000
environment) in Completing the setup.
● See Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) in
Completing the setup.
● See Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key (Windows XP
environment) in Completing the setup
● See Configuring a profile for a network that is not on listed and requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment)
in the Completing the setup.
Viewing the link status of your wireless connection
To view the link status (Windows 2000 environment)
1. Open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon.
2. Click the Link Status tab in the Wireless Configuration box.
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To view the link status (Windows XP environment)
1. Open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel.
b. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View. If you are
looking at the Classic View of Control Panel, go to the next step.
c. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon.
2. Click the Link Status tab in the Utility box.
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The quality of the connection (signal strength and noise) of the particular network you are connected to is indicated by the
horizontal green bars and the decibel level values that are displayed at the bottom of the Link Status tab. The connection
quality is also indicated by the appearance of the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon in the desk top system tray.
The verbal description of the signal strength appears when you hover the cursor over the icon.
The table below shows the quality level and suggested action for improving the signal quality for each icon image that
may be displayed. If the signal strength indications are anything other than very good or excellent, you should take the
appropriate suggested action.
Four vertical green bars indicate that the signal strength is very good or excellent.
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Three vertical green bars indicate that the signal is good.
Three vertical yellow bars indicate that the signal strength is low.
Suggested action: Move closer to the access point.
Two red vertical red bars indicates that the signal strength is very low.
Suggested action: Move closer to the access point.
Uncolored vertical bars indicate that there is no signal being received.
Probable causes:
● The computer is trying to establish an initial connection but has not yet succeeded.
● You may have moved out of range of the access point.
Suggested action:
● Wait
● Move closer to the access point.
Uncolored vertical bars with a superimposed red letter x indicate that there is no radio
connection.
Probable cause: The radio is disabled.
Suggested action: Enable the radio. To enable the radio, right-click the Dell TrueMobile
WLAN Card Utility icon and click Enable Radio.
Viewing or modifying the wireless network properties
To view or modify the wireless network properties (Windows 2000 environment)
1. Open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon .
2. If it is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
3. Select the network from the Preferred networks list and click Properties.
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4. From the Wireless Network Properties box, you can enable or disable WEP data encryption and change the
network name and network key (see the Completing the setup section for instructions).
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To view or modify the wireless network properties (Windows XP environment)
1. Open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category
View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon.
2. On the Wireless Networks tab, click Open Network Properties.
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3. If the Wireless Networks tab of the Properties box is not on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
4. Verify that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings box is selected. If it is not, select it.
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5. Select the network from the Preferred networks list and click Properties.
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6. From the Properties box, you can enable or disable WEP data encryption and change the network name and
the network key (see the Completing the setup section for instructions).
Setting up an ad hoc (peer-to-peer) group network for connecting to
the Internet
To connect the computers in an ad hoc group network to the Internet, you must install the Windows Internet connection
sharing (ICS) component. ICS installation is not required, however, for communication among a group of computers that
have a Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card installed in each computer. You must also add an ad hoc network to the Preferred
networks list on the Wireless Networks tab of the Network Properties box (see Opening the Dell TrueMobile WLAN
Card Utility).
Select one of your desktop computers to serve as the host computer (all other computers are called clients). The host
computer must be running either the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system. The host computer is the only
computer that connects directly to the Internet. Dell recommends that the host computer be the desktop computer having
the fastest microprocessor and the most memory.
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NOTE—Internet connection sharing requires that the host computer have either a modem or another network adapter in
addition to a wireless network adapter. The modem or the additional network adapter is used to access the Internet. Your
Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card is used to share the Internet connections with other clients.
Setting up Internet connection sharing (ICS) on the host computer
To set up ICS in the Windows XP environment
1. Connect the host computer to the Internet.
2. From the host computer, click the Start button.
3. Click Help and Support.
4. Perform a search on Internet Connection Sharing.
5. From the Pick a task list, click Enable Internet Connection Sharing on a Network Connection.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete setting up ICS.
To set up ICS in the Windows 2000 environment
1. Connect the host computer to the Internet.
2. From the host computer, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
3. Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.
4. If the host computer is connected to the Internet using a dial-up connection, double-click Dial-up Connection,
click Properties, click Sharing, and then ensure that both Enabled Internet Connection Sharing for this
connection and Enabled on-demand dialing are selected.
5. If the host computer is connected to the Internet using a cable or DSL modem, double-click Local Area
Connection.
6. In the Local Area Connection Status box, click Properties.
7. Click the Sharing tab and select Enable Internet Connection Sharing for this connection.
8. Click OK
Adding an ad hoc network
You can add an ad hoc network (for peer-to-peer communicating) that either requires a WEP key or does not. Instructions
for adding and configuring an ad hoc network for both types of ad hoc networks are provided below:
● Adding an ad hoc network that does not require a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment)
● Adding an ad hoc network that requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment)
● Adding an ad hoc network that does not require a WEP key (Windows XP environment)
● Adding an ad hoc network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment)
Adding an ad hoc network that does not require a WEP key (Windows 2000
environment)
1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon .
2. If the Wireless Networks tab is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
3. Click Add.
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4. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
5. Select the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network: wireless access points are not used box.
6. Click OK.
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7. Click OK on the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility box to activate the ad hoc network (wait up to 1 minute for
the network connection to be made). To verify that your computer is connected to the added network, reopen the
Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility and click the Wireless Networks tab. If you see a bubble on top of the icon
for the added network, your computer is connected to that network.
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Adding an ad hoc network that requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment)
1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
b. Double-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon .
2. If the Wireless Networks tab is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
3. Click Add.
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4. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
5. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box.
6. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.
7. Type the network key in the Network key box.
NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These
settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as you type the network key.
8. Select the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network: wireless access points are not used box.
9. Click OK.
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10. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network
when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
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Adding an ad hoc network that does not require a WEP key (Windows XP
environment)
1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category
View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon.
c. On the Wireless Networks tab, click Open Network Properties.
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2. If the Wireless Networks tab is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
3. Verify that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings box is selected. If it is not, select it.
4. Click Add.
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5. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
6. Select the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used box.
Clear the Data encryption (WEP enabled) and the The Key is provided for me automatically boxes if they
are selected.
7. Click OK.
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8. On the Wireless Networks tab of the connection Properties box, click Advanced, select Computer-to-
computer (ad hoc) networks only, and click Close.
9. Click OK. The ad hoc network you added appears at the top of the Preferred networks list.
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10. Reopen the Network Properties box and click the Wireless Networks tab. Your computer is connected to the
added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for your ad hoc network.
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Adding an ad hoc network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment)
1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category
View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon.
c. On the Wireless Networks tab, click Open Network Properties.
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2. If the Wireless Networks tab is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
3. Verify that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings box is selected. If it is not, select it.
4. Click Add.
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5. On the Association tab of the Wireless network properties box, select the Data encryption (WEP enabled)
box.
6. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box.
7. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box.
8. Type the network key in the Network key box and again in the Confirm network key box.
9. Select the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used box.
10. Click OK.
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11. On the Wireless Networks tab of the connection Properties box, click Advanced, select Computer-to-
computer (ad hoc) networks only, and click Close.
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12. Click OK. The ad hoc network you added appears at the top of the Preferred networks list.
13. Reopen the Network Properties box and click the Wireless Networks tab. Your computer is connected to the
added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for your ad hoc network.
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Disabling the radio
To disable the radio on your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card, right-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon
in the system tray and click Disable Radio. To enable the radio, right-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon
and click Enable Radio.
Diagnostics
You can run a number of diagnostics on your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card to verify its operational and functional status.
NOTE—Your network connection is lost when you run the diagnostics. When the test run is over, your network connection
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is automatically reestablished.
Diagnostics (Windows 2000 environment)
1. To begin running the diagnostics, open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon .
2. Click the Diagnostics tab.
3. To see a description of the test, click each test and look in the Status area.
4. All tests are selected by default. To run an individual test or some but not all of the tests, clear the check box for
those tests that you do not want to run.
5. Click Run.
6. If your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card fails any of the diagnostics tests, see the Troubleshooting section.
Diagnostics (Windows XP environment)
1. To begin running the diagnostics, open the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility.
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a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category
View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
b. Double-click the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon .
2. Click the Diagnostics tab.
3. To see a description of the test, click each test and look in the Status area.
4. All tests are selected by default. To run an individual test or some but not all of the tests, clear the check box for
those tests that you do not want to run.
5. Click Run Tests.
6. If your Dell TrueMobile 1400 Internal Dual-band WLAN Card fails any of the diagnostics tests, see the
Troubleshooting section.
Back to top
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Specifications: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Back to Contents
Specifications: Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card User's Guide
Physical characteristics
Temperature and humidity limitations
Power characteristics
Networking characteristics
Dell 1180 WLAN Card radio characteristics
Dell 1400 WLAN Card radio characteristics
Physical characteristics
Characteristic Dell TrueMoblie 1180 WLAN Card Dell TrueMobile 1400 WLAN Card
Form factor Mini PCI specification, May 2002. Type IIIA form
factor
Dimensions (length, width) 59.75 × 50.95 mm
Temperature and humidity limitations
Condition Dell TrueMobile 1180 WLAN Card Dell TrueMobile 1400 WLAN Card
Operating 0 to 85°C 95% maximum (no condensation
allowed) 0 to 85°C 95% maximum (no condensation
allowed)
Storage –20 to 85°C 95% maximum (no condensation
allowed) –20 to 85°C 95% maximum (no condensation
allowed)
Power characteristics
Characteristic Dell TrueMobile 1180 WLAN Card Dell TrueMobile 1400 WLAN Card
Doze mode 100 mA
Receive mode 220 mA
Transmit mode 330 mA
Power supply 3.3 V
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Networking characteristics
Characteristic Dell TrueMobile 1180 WLAN Card Dell TrueMobile 1400 WLAN
Card
Compatibility IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless LANs (DSSS)
Network operating system Microsoft® Windows® Networking Microsoft® Windows®
Networking
Host operating system Microsoft® Windows® XP, 2000
● NDIS5 miniport driver
Microsoft® Windows® XP,
2000
Media access protocol CSMA/CA (collision avoidance) with acknowledgment
(ACK)
CSMA/CA (collision
avoidance) with
acknowledgment (ACK)
Data rate High High 11 Mbps
Medium Medium 5.5 Mbps
Standard Standard 2 Mbps
Low Low 1 Mbps
NOTE—The Dell TrueMobile WLAN Cards use an automatic transmit rate select mechanism
Dell TrueMobile 1180 WLAN Card radio characteristics
Table 1. RF (radio frequency) band: 2.4 GHz (2400–2500 MHz)
Modulation technique Direct sequence spread spectrum
● CCK for high and medium transmit rate
● DQPSK for standard transmit rate
● DBPSK for low transmit rate
Spreading 11-Chip Barker sequence
Bit error rate (BER) Better than 10–5
Nominal output power 15 dBm
Table 2. Range at various transmission rates
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Transmission rate High speed
(11 Mbps) Medium speed
(5.5 Mbps) Standard speed
(2 Mbps) Low speed
(1 Mbps)
Open office environment range 207 m
(683 ft) 297 m
(980 ft) 400 m
(1300 ft) 550 m
(1750 ft)
Semi-open office environment range 59 m
(194 ft) 74 m
(244 ft) 90 m
(300 ft) 115 m
(375 ft)
Closed office environment range 29 m
(96 ft) 36 m
(119 ft) 40 m
(130 ft) 50 m
(165 ft)
Receiver sensitivity –85 dBm –88 dBm –91 dBm –94 dBm
Delay spread (at FER of <1%) ›250 ns ›300 ns 400 ns 500 ns
NOTES
1—The range of your wireless devices can be affected when the antennas are placed near metal surfaces and solid high-
density materials.
2—Range is also affected by obstacles in the signal path (of the radio) that may either absorb or reflect the radio signal.
3—In open office environments, the absence of physical obstructions between antennas improves the range because
there is a clear line-of-sight.
4—A semi-open office environment is one in which the work area is divided by short walls that are above the level of the
desk top; antennas are at desk top level.
5—A closed office environment is one in which the work areas are separated by floor-to-ceiling walls.
Dell TrueMobile 1400 WLAN Card radio characteristics
Table 1. RF (radio frequency) band: x.x GHz (x–x MHz)
Modulation technique Direct sequence spread spectrum
● CCK for high and medium transmit rate
● DQPSK for standard transmit rate
● DBPSK for low transmit rate
Spreading 11-Chip Barker sequence
Bit error rate (BER) Better than 10–5
Nominal output power 15 dBm
Table 2. Range at various transmission rates
Transmission rate High speed
(11 Mbps) Medium speed
(5.5 Mbps) Standard speed
(2 Mbps) Low speed
(1 Mbps)
Open office environment range 207 m
(683 ft) 297 m
(980 ft) 400 m
(1300 ft) 550 m
(1750 ft)
Semi-open office environment range 59 m
(194 ft) 74 m
(244 ft) 90 m
(300 ft) 115 m
(375 ft)
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Specifications: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Closed office environment range 29 m
(96 ft) 36 m
(119 ft) 40 m
(130 ft) 50 m
(165 ft)
Receiver sensitivity –85 dBm –88 dBm –91 dBm –94 dBm
Delay spread (at FER of <1%) ›250 ns ›300 ns 400 ns 500 ns
NOTES
1—The range of your wireless devices can be affected when the antennas are placed near metal surfaces and solid high-
density materials.
2—Range is also affected by obstacles in the signal path (of the radio) that may either absorb or reflect the radio signal.
3—In open office environments, the absence of physical obstructions between antennas improves the range because
there is a clear line-of-sight.
4—A semi-open office environment is one in which the work area is divided by short walls that are above the level of the
desk top; antennas are at desk top level.
5—A closed office environment is one in which the work areas are separated by floor-to-ceiling walls
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Troubleshooting: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
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Troubleshooting: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Cannot connect to the network
Performance and connectivity problems
Getting help
Cannot connect to the network
If your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card appears to be functioning properly but you cannot connect to the network, the
problem may be that there is a mismatch between the Network name (SSID) and Wireless network key (WEP) settings
in your Wireless Network Properties and the name and WEP key of the network you are trying to connect to. As explained
in Completing the setup, the network name and WEP key are case sensitive. Verify that the spelling and case of these
parameters are correct and that the settings are exactly the same on all computers on the network.
If you have verified that the spelling and case of these parameters are correct and that the settings are exactly the same
on all computers on the network and you are still unable to connect to the network, see Performance and connectivity
problems.
Performance and connectivity problems
Problem or symptom Possible solution
The computers seem to be
communicating, but they do
not appear in the My
Computer window or in the
My Network Places
window.
Windows 2000 environment Windows XP environment
Verify that File and Printer Sharing is
enabled on all the computers on your
network.
1. From the desktop, click the Start
button, point to Settings, and click
Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click the
Network and Dial-up
Connections icon.
3. In the Network and Dial-up
Connections window, double-
click the Local Area Connection
icon.
4. In the Local Area Connection
Status box, click Properties.
5. In the Local Area Connection
Properties box, verify that the
File and Printer Sharing for
Verify that File and Printer Sharing is
enabled on all the computers on your
network.
1. From the desktop, click the Start
button and click Control Panel (if
you are looking at Category View,
slick Switch to Classic View).
2. In Control Panel, double-click the
Network Connections icon.
3. In the LAN or High-Speed
Internet area, right-click Wireless
Network Connection and click
Properties.
4. In the Wireless Network
Connection Properties box, if the
General tab is not on top, click the
General tab.
5. In the This connection uses the
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Troubleshooting: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
Microsoft Networks check box is
selected. If the check box is
cleared, select it. If the check box
is not present, click Install. In the
Select Network Component
Type box, select Service and
click Add. In the Select Network
Service box, select File and
Printer Sharing for Microsoft
Networks and click OK. Close the
Local Area Connection
Properties box.
6. Close the Local Area
Connection Status box.
7. Close the Network and Dial-up
Connections window.
following items list, verify that the
File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks check box is
selected. If the check box is
cleared, select it. If this item is not
present, click Install. In the Select
Network Component Type box,
select Service and click Add. In
the Select Network Service box,
select File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks and click
OK. Close the Wireless Network
Connection Properties box.
6. Close the Network Connections
window.
Data transfer is sometimes
very slow. Microwave ovens and some cordless phones operate at the same radio frequency as the
Dell TrueMobile WLAN Cards. When the microwave oven or cordless phone is in use, it
interferes with the wireless network. Therefore, keep computers having the Dell
TrueMobile WLAN Cards at least 20 feet away from your microwave oven and any
cordless telephone that operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
Data transfer is always very
slow. Some homes and most offices are steel-framed structures. The steel in such buildings
may interfere with your network's radio signals, thus causing a slowdown in the data
transmission rate. Try moving your computers to different locations in the building to see
if performance improves.
Computers are not
communicating with the
network.
If your network has an AP1100 access point, check all cables and make sure the power
LED on the front of the AP1100 is green. Verify that all of the wireless network properties
settings are correct (see Viewing or modifying the wireless network properties). Also,
make sure that your computer is receiving a good signal from the access point. See
Viewing the link status of your wireless connection.
In Microsoft® Windows®
2000, I get the following
error message: Medium
cable disconnected. Also,
there is a red X on my
network icon in the system
tray.
This indicates that the radio is not enabled. To enable the radio, right-click the Dell
Truemobile WLAN Card Utility icon and click Enable Radio.
Network performance is
really slow when the system
is docked to a docking
station that has an active
Ethernet port. NOTE—For
Windows 2000 only.
This condition occurs if you dock your system into a docking station that has an active
Ethernet port while your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card is still active and connected to an
access point. This happens because Windows 2000 must now handle two active network
connections. You need to either disconnect the Ethernet cable from your docking
station, or disable the radio on your Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card. To disable the radio,
right-click the Dell Truemobile WLAN Card Utility icon and click Enable Radio.
NOTE—The radio is not automatically enabled when you computer next starts. To
enable the radio, right-click the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility icon and click
Enable Radio.
Getting help
Technical support is available online from Dell at http://support.dell.com
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Glossary: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
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Glossary: Dell™ TrueMobile™ WLAN Card User's Guide
access point A stand-alone wireless hub that allows any computer that has a wireless network
adapter to communicate with another computer and to connect to the Internet.
available network One of the networks listed in the Available networks list on the Wireless
Networks tab of the Wireless Configuration box that appears when the
TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility is open. Any wireless network that is broadcasting
and is within receiving range of the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card appears on the
list.
BER Bit error rate. The ratio of errors to the total number of bits being sent in a data
transmission from one location to another.
client computer The computer that gets its Internet connection by sharing either the host
computer's connection or the access point's connection.
dBm A unit of expression of power level in decibels with reference to a power of 1
milliwatt.
DBPSK differential-binary-phase-shift keying.
DQPSK differential-quadrature-phase-shift keying. A compression technique that transmits
only the differences between the values of the phase of the sine wave rather than
the full absolute value.
DSSS direct sequence spread spectrum. A type of radio technology.
Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) A mechanism for allocating IP addresses dynamically so that addresses can be
reused when hosts no longer need them.
file and printer sharing A capability that allows a number of people to view, modify, and print the same
file(s) from different computers.
GHz gigahertz. A unit of frequency equal to 1 000 000 000 cycles per second.
host computer The computer that is directly connected to the Internet via a modem or network
adapter.
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Internet Protocol (IP) address The address of a computer that is attached to a network. Part of the address
designates which network the computer is on, and the other part represents the
host identification.
LAN local area network
m meter
MHz megahertz. A unit of frequency equal to 1 000 000 cycles per second.
Mbps megabits per second. Transmission speed of 1 000 000 bits per second.
ns nanosecond. 1 billionth (1/1 000 000 000) of a second.
peer-to-peer network A communication configuration in which every computer has the same capabilities
and any computer can initiate a communication session.
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Glossary: Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card User's Guide
preferred network One of the networks that you have configured. Such networks appear in the
Preferred networks list on the Wireless Networks tab of the Wireless
Configuration box when the TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility is open.
Service Set Identifier (SSID) A value that controls access to a wireless network. The SSID for your wireless
network card must match the SSID for any access point that you want to connect
with. If the value does not match, you are not granted access to the network. You
can have up to three SSIDs. Each SSID can be up to 32 characters long and is
case-sensitive.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) A form of data encryption. You must set the WEP key information in the client to
match the WEP key used by the access point. The WEP key can be enabled or
disabled. The WEP key is case-sensitive.
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