Cisco Linksys WPC54G Wireless 802.11g Notebook Adapter User Manual Manual Part 1

Cisco-Linksys, LLC Wireless 802.11g Notebook Adapter Manual Part 1

Contents

Manual Part 1

Instant Wireless®Series User GuideWireless-GNotebook AdapterUse this Guide to install the following:WPC54G
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS Specifications are subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2003 Linksys, All RightsReserved. Instant Wireless, Linksys, and the Linksys logo are registered trademarks ofLinksys Group, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trade-marks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the proper-ty of their respective proprietors. LIMITED WARRANTY Linksys guarantees that every Instant Wireless®Wireless-G Notebook Adapter will befree from physical defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of pur-chase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications section of this UserGuide. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, call Linksys TechnicalSupport in order to obtain a Return Authorization number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOURPROOF OF PURCHASE ON HAND WHEN CALLING. When returning a product, markthe Return Authorization number clearly on the outside of the package and include acopy of your original proof of purchase. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSEDWITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. All customers located outside of the United Statesof America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS'S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PROD-UCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM-AGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFT-WARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS OFFERS NO REFUNDS FOR ITS PROD-UCTS. Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory,with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and all accom-panying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, orfitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves the right to revise or update its prod-ucts, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any individual or entity.Please direct all inquiries to:Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623. SAFETY AND REGULATORY NOTICESFCC STATEMENTThe Instant Wireless®Wireless-G Notebook Adapter has been tested and found to com-ply with the specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCCRules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that maycause undesired operation.These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interferencein a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre-quency energy and, if not installed and used according to the instructions, may causeharmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that inter-ference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmfulinterference to radio or television reception, which is found by turning the equipment offand on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of thefollowing measures:• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver's• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistanceFCC Caution: Any change or modification to the product not expressly approved byLinksys could void the user's authority to operate the device.FCC RF Radiation Exposure StatementTo comply with the FCC and ANSI C95.1 RF exposure limits, the antenna(s) for thisdevice must comply with the following:• Access points with 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz integrated antenna must operate with a sepa-ration distance of at least 20 cm from all persons using the cable provided and mustnot be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.End-users must be provided with specific operations for satisfying RF exposure compli-ance.Note: Dual antennas used for diversity operation are not considered co-located.Canadian Department of Communications Industry Canada (IC) NoticeThis Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210.Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 et CNR-210du Canada."To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be oper-ated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or itstransmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing."" Pour empêcher que cet appareil cause du brouillage au service faisant l'objet d'unelicence, il doit être utilisé à l'intérieur et devrait être placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournirun écran de blindage maximal. Si le matériel (ou son antenne d'émission) est installé àl'extérieur, il doit faire l'objet d'une licence. "EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE)Linksys Group declares that the Instant Wireless®Series products included in the InstantWireless®Series conform to the specifications listed below, following the provisions of theEuropean R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC, EMC directive 89/336/EEC, and Low Voltagedirective 73/23/EEC: For 11Mpbs, 2.4 GHz devices with 100 mW radios, the following standards were applied: • ETS 300-826, 301 489-1 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.• EN 609 50 Safety• ETS 300-328-2 Technical requirements for Radio equipment.Caution: This equipment is intended to be used in all EU and EFTA countries. Outdooruse may be restricted to certain frequencies and/or may require a license for operation.Contact local Authority for procedure to follow.
Note: Combinations of power levels and antennas resulting in a radiated power level ofabove 100 mW equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) are considered as not com-pliant with the above mentioned directive and are not allowed for use within the Europeancommunity and countries that have adopted the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/ECand/or the CEPT recommendation Rec 70.03. For more details on legal combinations of power levels and antennas, contact LinksysCorporate Compliance.• Linksys Group vakuuttaa täten että Instant Wireless®Wireless-G Notebook Adaptertyyppinen laite on direktiivin 1999/5/EY, direktiivin 89/336/EEC ja direktiivin73/23/EEC oleellisten vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien näiden direktiivien muiden ehto-jen mukainen.• Linksys Group déclare que la Instant Wireless®Wireless-G Notebook Adapter estconforme aux conditions essentielles et aux dispositions relatives à la directive1999/5/EC, la directive 89/336/EEC, et à la directive 73/23/EEC.• Belgique B L'utilisation en extérieur est autorisé sur le canal 11 (2462 MHz), 12 (2467MHz), et 13 (2472 MHz). Dans le cas d'une utilisation privée, à l'extérieur d'un bâti-ment, au-dessus d'un espace public, aucun enregistrement n'est nécessaire pourune distance de moins de 300m. Pour une distance supérieure à 300m un enreg-istrement auprès de l'IBPT est requise. Pour une utilisation publique à l'extérieur debâtiments, une licence de l'IBPT est requise. Pour les enregistrements et licences,veuillez contacter l'IBPT.• France F: 2.4 GHz Bande : les canaux 10, 11, 12, 13 (2457, 2462, 2467, et 2472 MHz respec-tivement) sont complétement libres d'utilisation en France (en utilisation intérieur).Pour ce qui est des autres canaux, ils peuvent être soumis à autorisation selon ledépartment. L'utilisation en extérieur est soumis à autorisation préalable et trèsrestreint. 2.4 GHz Band: only channels 10, 11, 12, 13 (2457, 2462, 2467, and 2472 MHzrespectively) may be used freely in France for indoor use. License required for out-door installations.• Deutschland D: Anmeldung im Outdoor-Bereich notwending, aber nicht genehmi-gungspflichtig. Bitte mit Händler die Vorgehensweise abstimmen.• Germany D: License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for proce-dure to follow.• Italia I: E' necessaria la concessione ministeriale anche per l'uso interno. Verificarecon i rivenditori la procedura da seguire. L'uso per installazione in esterni non e' per-messa.• Italy I: License required for indoor use. Use with outdoor installations not allowed.• The Netherlands NL License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller forprocedure to follow.• Nederlands NL Licentie verplicht voor gebruik met buitenantennes. Neem contact opmet verkoper voor juiste procedure.UG-WPC54G-112702NC BWTable of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction 1The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter 1Features 1Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 2Network Topology 2Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 2Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G NotebookAdapter 4The Adapter’s LEDs 4Chapter 4: Software Installation and Configurationfor Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 5Overview 5Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 6Chapter 5: Hardware Installation 10Chapter 6: Driver Installation and Configuration forWindows XP 11Overview 11Driver Installation for Windows XP 11Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 13Chapter 7: Using the WLAN Monitor for Windows98SE, Me, and 2000 15Overview 15Accessing the WLAN Monitor 15Link Information 16Site Survey 18Profiles 20Creating a New Profile 22
Wireless-G Notebook AdapterChapter 1:IntroductionWireless-G is the upcoming 54Mbps wireless networking standard that'salmost five times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) prod-ucts found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the coun-try — but since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, Wireless-G devicescan also work with existing 11Mbps Wireless-B equipment. The new Wireless-G Notebook Adapter from Linksys has both standards built in, so you can con-nect your notebook to existing 802.11b infrastructure, and also the new scream-ing fast Wireless-G networks. The included Setup Wizard will walk youthrough configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step. Thenjust slide it into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy network access withyour notebook computer, while retaining true mobility.Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access theInternet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network stor-age with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. At home, youcan surf the web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting outon the patio.You'll also be able to connect with any of the growing number ofpublic wireless hotspots springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotelsand convention centers. And as those hotspots upgrade to the new high-speedWireless-G standard, you'll be ready to take advantage of the increasedspeeds.Get connected to current-standard 802.11b networks today, and be pre-pared for the future with the Wireless-G Notebook Adapter from Linksys.• High-speed Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) networking for your notebook com-puter• Data rates up to 54Mbps -- 5 times faster than Wireless-B (802.11b)• Also interoperates with Wireless-B networks (at 11Mbps)• Wireless security -- up to 128-bit WEP encryption• Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, Toll-Free USCalls• 1-Year Limited WarrantyThe Wireless-G Notebook AdapterFeatures1Instant Wireless®SeriesAppendix A: Troubleshooting 28Common Problems and Solutions 28Frequently Asked Questions 29Appendix B: Glossary 33Appendix C: Specifications 38Environmental 39Appendix D: Warranty Information 40Appendix E: Contact Information 41
Wireless-G Notebook AdapterInstant Wireless®SeriesIf the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources onlywith the other computers on the wireless network, then the ad-hoc mode canbe used. (See Figure 2-2.) Ad-hoc mode allows computers equipped with wire-less transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, elimi-nating the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is that, in Ad-Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate withcomputers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between thewireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference direct-ly between them.32Figure 2-2Chapter 2:Planning YourWireless NetworkA wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area net-work (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device toconnect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequencychannel and SSID, which is an identification name for wireless devices.Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in whichthey may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configura-tion is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through anaccess point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers com-municating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modesdepends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or periph-erals with a wired network or not.If the computers on thewireless network need tobe accessed by a wirednetwork or need to share aperipheral, such as a print-er, with the wired networkcomputers, the wirelessnetwork should be set upin infrastructure mode.(See Figure 2-1.) Thebasis of infrastructuremode centers around anaccess point, which servesas the main point of communications in a wireless network. Access pointstransmit data to PCs equipped with wireless network cards, which can roamwithin a certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access points can bearranged to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set upto communicate with your Ethernet (wired) hardware as well. Network TopologyAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure ModeFigure 2-1
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter5Instant Wireless®Series4Chapter 4:Software Installationand Configuration for Windows98SE, Me, and 2000The Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Setup Wizard will guide you through theinstallation procedure for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000. The Setup Wizardwill install the WLAN Monitor and driver, as well as configure the Adapter. Insert the Setup Wizard CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The SetupWizard should run automatically, and Figure 4-1 should appear. If it does not,click the Start button and choose Run. In the field that appears, enterD:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive). Figure 4-1Overview Chapter 3:Getting to Know theWireless-GNotebook AdapterPower Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is pow-ered on.Link Green. The Link LED lights up and stays solid when theAdapter is inserted correctly and a link is established withthe Notebook. The LED flashes when there is no signal.The Adapter’s LEDsFigure 3-1Important for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 users: You must runthe Setup Wizard to install the software before installing the hardware.Important for Windows XP users: Do NOT run the Setup Wizard.Proceed directly to “Chapter 5: Hardware Installation.”
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter7Instant Wireless®Series61. To install the Adapter, click the Install button on the Welcome screen,Figure 4-1. Click User Guide to view the User Guide or click Exit to exitthe Setup Wizard.2. After reading the License Agreement, click the Next button to continue theinstallation, or click the Cancel button to end the installation.Setup Wizard Instructions for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 Figure 4-23. The Setup Wizard will ask you to choose a wireless mode. Click theInfrastructure Mode radio button if you want your wireless computers tonetwork with computers on your wired network using a wireless accesspoint. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio button if you want multiple wirelesscomputers to network directly with each other. Do not use the Ad-Hocmode if you want your wireless computers to communicate with computerson your wired network. In the SSID field, enter the SSID of your wireless network. The SSID mustbe identical for all devices in the network. The default setting is linksys (alllowercase). Click the Next button, or click the Back button to return to theprevious page.Figure 4-3
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter9Instant Wireless®Series85. The Setup Wizard will ask you to review your settings before it starts tocopy files. Click the Next button to save these settings, or click the Backbutton to change any settings.6. After the files have been successfully copied, the screen in Figure 4-6 willappear. Click the Exit button.Proceed to “Chapter 5: Hardware Installation.”Figure 4-64. If you chose Infrastructure Mode, go to Step 5 now. If you chose Ad-HocMode, select the correct operating channel for your network from theChannel drop-down menu. Then, select the Network Mode from the drop-down menu. Click the Next button, and go to Step 4. Click the Back but-ton to change any settings.Channel - The channel you choose should match the channel set on theother devices in your wireless network. If you are unsure about which chan-nel to use, select the default channel (Channel 6).Network Mode - Select Mixed Mode, and both Wireless-G and Wireless-B computers will be allowed on the network, but the speed will be reduced.Select G-Only Mode for maximum speed, but no Wireless-B users will beallowed on the network. Figure 4-4Figure 4-5
Wireless-G Notebook AdapterChapter 6:Driver Installation andConfiguration for Windows XPAfter inserting the Adapter into your notebook, you will install the driver andconfigure the Adapter.1. Windows XP will automatically detect the Adapter. Insert the Setup CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. Click the radio button next to Install thesoftware automatically (Recommended). Then click the Next button.11Figure 6-1OverviewDriver Installation for Windows XPInstant Wireless®Series10Chapter 5:Hardware Installation1. Turn off your notebook PC. 2. Locate an available CardBus slot on your notebook PC. 3. With the Adapter’slabel facing up, asshown in Figure 5-1,slide the Adaptercompletely into theCardBus slot.4. Restart your note-book PC. 5. Windows will begin copying the driver files to your computer. If Windowsasks you for the original Windows CD-ROM, insert the CD-ROM, anddirect Windows to its proper location (e.g., D:\).If your PC is using Windows 98SE, Me, or 2000, proceed to the next sec-tion, “Chapter 7: Using the WLAN Monitor for Windows 98SE, Me, and2000.” If your PC is using Windows XP, proceed to “Chapter 6: DriverInstallation and Configuration for Windows XP.”Figure 5-1Important for Windows 98SE, Me, and 2000 users: You must runthe Setup Wizard to install the software before installing the hardware.Important for Windows XP users: You must install the Adapter’shardware before installing the software.
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter13Instant Wireless®Series2. When Windows has finished installing the driver, click the Finish button.You have now completed the driver installation forthe Adapter. To configure the Adapter, proceed to the next section,“Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration.”12Figure 6-21. After installing the Adapter, theWindows XP Wireless ZeroConfiguration icon will appear inyour computer’s system tray (seeFigure 6-3). Double-click the icon. 2. The screen that appears willshow any available wirelessnetwork. Select the networkyou want. If this network has WEPencryption enabled, go tostep 3. If this network doesnot have WEP encryptionenabled, then the screen inFigure 6-4 will appear.Check the box next to Allowme to connect to the selectedwireless network, eventhough it is not secure. Thenclick the Connect button andgo to step 4.For Windows XP users: Windows XP has a built-in configuration tool.Use Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration (in the system tray atthe bottom of your screen) to configure the Adapter.Figure 6-3Figure 6-4Note: In Steps 2 and 3, these are the instructions and screenshots forWindows XP with Service Pack 1 installed. If you have not installedService Pack 1, select the network you want, and click the Connectbutton. If the network has WEP encryption enabled, enter the WEPkey in the Network key field, and then click the Connect button.Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter15Instant Wireless®Series14Chapter 7:Using the WLANMonitor for Windows 98SE, Me,and 2000Use the WLAN Monitor to check the link information, search for availablewireless networks, or create profiles that hold different configuration settings.After installing the Adapter, the Wireless-G Notebook AdapterWLAN Monitor icon will appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon (see Figure 7-1).The Link Information screen will appear. From this screen, you can find outhow strong the current wireless signal is and how good the connection’s quali-ty is. You can also click the More Information button to view additional statusinformation about the current wireless connection. To search for available wire-less networks, click the Site Survey tab. To perform configuration changes,click the Profiles tab.Figure 7-1Figure 7-2Accessing the WLAN MonitorOverview3. The screen in Figure 6-5 will appear. Enter the WEP key of your wirelessnetwork in the Network key field, and re-enter it in the Confirm network keyfield. Click the Connect button.4. The screen in Figure 6-6 willappear if your connection isactive.For more information about WEP, refer to your access point’s documentation,or visit www.linksys.com.For more information about wireless networking on a Windows XP computer,enter the keyword wireless in the Windows XP search engine.Congratulations!Your notebook is now connected to your wireless network.Figure 6-5Note: Wireless Zero Configuration does not support the use of apassphrase. Enter the exact WEP key used by your access point.Figure 6-6

Navigation menu