GemTek Technology WL211F PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card User Manual gtt13Wl211F UserManual

Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd. PCMCIA Wireless LAN Card gtt13Wl211F UserManual

WL 211F User Manual

Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 1User ManualWL-211PC Card Version 1.0 – February 1999
Wireless LANPage 2 WL-211 PC Card User manualThe information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as acommitment by GemTek Technology Co., Ltd. GemTek Technology assumes no responsibility for anyerror that may appear in this document.GemTek is a registered trademark of GemTek Technology Co., Ltd.The following are trademarked company and their names and products are used in this guild forinformation purpose only.PC Card is a trademark of PCMCIAWindows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.All the other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.INFORMATION TO USERFCC REQUIREMENTSThis device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.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 may causeundesired operation.NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digitaldevice, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonableprotection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, usesand can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with theinstructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guaranteethat interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmfulinterference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off andon, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to whichthe receiver is connected. consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TVtechnician for help.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 3Warning Changes or modifications not expressly approved by GemTek Technology Co., Ltd. could void theuser’s authority to operate the equipment.RF EXPOSURE WARNING: For compliance with the RF exposure requirements regulated by the FCC(Federal Communications Commission), the transmitter’s antenna is containedwithin the equipment enclosure and an additional separation distance of 20 cmshall be maintained between the transmitter enclosure, and any part of the user’sbody.
Wireless LANPage 4 WL-211 PC Card User manual1. IntroductionThank you for purchasing your Wireless LAN, WL-211 PC Card. This manual will assist you with theinstallation procedure.The package you have received should contain the following items:• WL-211 PC Card• User manual• Diskette containing Link Link ConfigConfig utility and driversNote: if anything is missing, please contact your vendorThe diskette contains the drivers and the program Link Config™ that is used for managing the WL-211 Card and establishing the wireless connection with your Local Area Network.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 52. Wireless LAN BasicsWireless LAN (Local Area Networks) systems offer a great number of advantages over a traditional,wired system. Wireless LANs (WLANs) are more flexible, easier to setup and manage and often morecost effective than their wired equivalence.Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing theneed for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility, and, throughsimplified configuration, enable movable LANs.With wireless LANs, users can access shared information without looking for a place to plug in andnetwork managers can set up or augment networks without installing or moving wires. Wireless LANsoffer the following productivity, convenience and cost advantages over traditional wired networks:• Mobility - Wireless LAN systems can provide LAN users with access to real-time informationanywhere in their organization. This mobility supports productivity and service opportunities notpossible with wired networks. • Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and caneliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. • Installation Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go. • Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardwaremight be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cyclecosts will be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environmentsrequiring frequent moves, adds, and changes. • Scalability - Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needsof specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousandsof users that allows roaming over a broad area.
Wireless LANPage 6 WL-211 PC Card User manualAP-1100WINNT SERVERWIN 2000NT WorkstationWIN98 NotebookFor PC CardHub AP-550WinCEWX-1150Access Point
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 73. Installation for Windows 95 (OSR2)/98The following section will assist you to in installing wireless LAN Adapter successfully. You will firstinstall software (driver) and then will insert the WL-211 wireless LAN card, and finally set the networkproperties to accommodate resource sharing and select the type of wireless network that you wish toinstall. The WL-211 can easily be installed and used, without bothering to connect cables for keepingyour computer to use network resources, as in case of wired LAN.
Wireless LANPage 8 WL-211 PC Card User manual3.1. Installation OverviewHere are some steps you will perform in establishing your wireless network connection:l Install the Acess Point at first. AP is needed in case of Infrastructure network mode.l Install the software using the Installation Diskette.l Now you should install the Wireless LAN Card (WL-211).l Install the network protocol(s) required to communicate on your network. Most likely you will needthe TCP/IP protocol.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 93.2. Installation Procedure of WL-211 PC CardPlease follow the following steps one by one in order to install the PCMCIA card successfully.1. Power on your computer and allow Windows 95 (OSR2)/98 to load fully.2. Be sure that there is no PCMCIA adapter inserted yet.3. Insert the given Installation Diskette and then click on the Install.4. Accept the license agreement.5. Give the path of the destination folder. To set the path of your choice click on Browse and then clickNext.6. Select the type of card. As you are preparing to install the PCMCIA card. Select the PC CARD typeand click on Next.7. Select the ESSID. Default ESSID is ANY. You can change this later also using the configurationutility or network configuration. Click on Next.8. Select network type and click on Next. Default is Infrastructure.9. Confirm the current setting of ESSID, Network Mode, and Utility directory and click on Next.10. It takes a few seconds for copying the utility files and then click on Finish to complete the installation.11. Insert the PCMCIA card. Illuminating LED and Sound confirms the detection of your PC card. Also you will see the PCMCIA Card icon on the right bottom of your screen.12. Check for the GEMTEK 11Mbps Wireless PCMCIA LAN Card by right clicking on My Computerusing the mouse. Select the Device manager and then Network Adapters. If you find the Yellow (?)sign on the adapter, it shows the installation is not successful. Select the adapter and click onRemove. Restart your computer after uninstalling the driver to make the changes effective. And referto manual.13. Right click on the Network Neighborhood using the mouse.14. Select Properties from the pop up menu. The network box appears and you see three main tables:Configuration, Identification, and Access Control.15. Click on the Configuration tab and then click on the Add button. Select Network Component Typebox appears. Click on the Protocol the click the Add button.16. Select Network Protocols box appears. From the list of manufactures, click on Microsoft. From thelist of network protocols list, select NetBEUI, then click OK.17. The NetBEUI protocol is now installed. After clicking on OK return back to Network ComponentType box.Note: Do not insert the PCMCIA card until you are asked to do so, failure of which may result in unsuccessful installationof your PCMCIA WLAN card
Wireless LANPage 10 WL-211 PC Card User manual18. Repeat the step 15 and 16 to add IPX/SPX protocol.19. Repeat the step 15 and 16 to add TCP/IP protocol.20. Click on the TCP/IP option for setting the IP address for your computer. You can select either Staticor DHCP setting. If you use the static IP setup then enter the IP value, Subnet masking , DNS,Domain/ Workgroup name, and Gateway Address values. After setting these parameterappropriately, click OK to return to Network Component Type and you can select the File andPrinter Sharing options as well as the Access to your computer bu other users connected to thatnetwork by setting the computer sharing options. Click on OK.21. Screen message do want to restart your Computer will pop up. Select Yes. It will shut down yourcomputer and will restart.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 113.3. UnInstallation MethodIf you want to uninstall the PCMCIA card under Win 95 (OSR2)/98, click on the Start at the left bottomof your screen. Select the Programs, Click on the WL-211 Utility and click on Uninstall. Confirmmessage about removing the “WL-211-uninstall” and all of its components appear. Click on Yes.UninstallShield removes the software “WL-211 uninstall” successfully. Click on OK to finish theuninstall procedure.Proceed to chapter 5 for the explanation of the Configuration Utility.Important: Restart your computer to make the changes effective before you reinstall thedriver.
Wireless LANPage 12 WL-211 PC Card User manual4. Configuration UtilityDuring the installation of your Wireless LAN Card, configuration utility is also installed. You can seethe icon at the right bottom of your screen. Double clicking on that icon will show you the screen asshown below. Figure 1 Management window with “Status” tab openHere we explain the use and meanings of the various screen messages. The first three fields show your wireless network card state. Link status – indicates link accesibility. There are several values, that can be shown in this part of thewindow: Connect to AP – normal flow of operation in Infrastructure mode. The PC is connected to access point. Networking is available. No status… - the manager is retrieving information from the driver. If this text box value stays more than several seconds, it means that there are no access points or other workstations (if communicating in AdHoc mode), or that the GemTek NIC card is plugged out of PC. Scanning for AP – driver scans wireless network searching for available access point in Infrastructure mode. Not joined or AdHoc mode – normal flow of operation in AdHoc mode. Networking is available. If the Infrastructure mode is defined, it means that driver has failed to find access point in the accessible range. Error – means critical driver error. This error is usually caused by hardware misconfiguration (for example the card with similar chipset inserted in PC card bay, but not fully compatible with GemTek NIC).
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 13 Input bytes/sec – shows the incoming (received) data speed, the progress bar below, means receiverload.Output bytes/sec – shows the outgoing (sent) data speed, the progress bar below, shows transmitterload.Signal strength : bar shows signal strength level. The higher blue bar is, the more powerful is radiosignal received by Gemtek PC card. This indicator helps to find the most comfortableantenna/workstation position for quality network operation.Link quality: The measured signal level gives the overall Link Quality and Connection Status.
Wireless LANPage 14 WL-211 PC Card User manual “CONFIGURATION” tabYou can change the configuration by clicking on the Change Configuration. When you click on theChange Configuration, you see the screen given below. Figure 2 Management window with "CONFIGURATION" tab open Five changeable fields in this field show desired GemTek NIC configuration.The fields are following: Station ESS ID Extended Service Set Identifier (Wireless Network Identifier) is the group name thatwill be shared by every member of your wireless network. You will only be able to connect with anAccess Point, which has the same ESS ID. Network mode shows one of these network modes:• AdHoc -this is the 802.11 peer-to-peer mode of operation. In Ad Hoc only one wireless "cell" issupported for each different ESS ID. All communication is done from Client to Client withoutthe use of an Access Point.• Infrastructure This mode of operation requires the presence of an 802.11 Access Point. Allcommunication is done via the Access Point, which relays packets to other wireless Clients inthe BSS (Basic Service Set) as well as to nodes on a wired network such as Ethernet.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 15 Encapsulation shows one of two different network packet forming modes• Encapsulated This setting takes the entire Ethernet frame, including the Ethernet Header, andputs it into an 802.11 frame. This setting is here for compatibility with some older 802.11implementations and should not normally be used.• RFC1042 where the DIX Ethernet frames are converted using SNAP header based onRFC1042. This mode will also convert any RFC1042 SNAP header frames to DIX Ethernetframes before transmission to the Ethernet interface.• 802.1h where the DIX Ethernet frames are tunneled using a full selective translation table. Thismode does not convert RFC1042 SNAP header frames to DIX Ethernet before transmission tothe Ethernet interfaceIt is required to select encapsulation mode corresponding to the one your access point or otherworkstations use. If the encapsulation mode is incorrect, the PC will join to access point or willbe seen by other workstations, but network operation will not work.Channel – shows radio channel number used for networking. Only Access Points and Ad Hoc nodescan create a BSS therefore this parameters is not active if Mode is Infrastructure. Infrastructure Clientnodes will always go the same channel as their AP. Please see the table for the requirements ofdifferent countries and the channel frequency.TX Rate: The transmission rate at which the data packets are transmitted by the client or AP. You canset this to Auto select I or 2Mbps, Fixed 1 Mbps, Fixed 2 Mbps, Fixed 5.5 Mbps, Fixed 11 or Full Auto(I to 11 Mbps).Important: You must know the TX Rate that your AP can support. Failure to which maycause the undesired results.
Wireless LANPage 16 WL-211 PC Card User manual“ABOUT” tabFigure 1 Management window with "ABOUT" tab openAbout tab shows a software version. Users must use this version number when reporting theirproblems to tech support.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 175. WEP Security:To provide the secure communication over the wireless medium, we have provided the WEP (WiredEquivalent Privacy) key. There are two ways of generating this key. This key is an important inprotecting the illegal access to the wireless networks.You have to set the key at the Access Point also. And all the users who want to contact/share theresources must type the same key. The WEP key works in the infrastructure mode only. There aretwo options in case of the WEP. You can select either of Disabled, and mandatory. If you selectDisabled, the communications between clients and clients and AP is not secure. If you selectmandatory, you need to setup the AP also and enter the same Key for communicating other clientsassociated with the AP or with AP itself.WEP Key Generation:There are two ways of generating the WEP key. The first is by entering any text in the Passphrase.And click on Generate. It will generate four WEP keys as Key 1, Key 2, Key 3, and Key 4. You canselect any key for the security. If you do not select any key, Key 1 is selected, as it is default key.Then click on Write and it will update the registry and driver.Another WEP key generation method is by inserting the Key values directly from the keyboard. Andclick on the Write to update driver and registry. Select the Key number and use that Key for accessingthe Access Point. If the Key is not entered correctly, a client cannot access the resources. This Keyvalue protects the illegal access to the wireless network resources. As the wireless channel is moreprone to the illegal access, WEP provides the users safe access.
Wireless LANPage 18 WL-211 PC Card User manual6. TroubleshootingTo make the installation of Wireless LAN Card more users friendly, we have suggested following theinstallation steps one by one as listed in the section 3 and section 4. Still you encounter someproblems while installing the WLAN Card or you want to confirm whether your card is installed properlyor not, we have listed the procedure for checking the various components after you have installed thecard. In first part of Troubleshooting, we have suggested the users to check the various properties ofthe card to check the proper installation. In second section, we have listed the various problems thatyou may encounter during the installation and have also listed the possible solution. Check the firstpart to guess the probable reason of unsuccessful installation.6.1 Procedure to Check the Various Properties of Card after Installation under Windows 95(OSR2)/98:Please check the followings if you encounter some problem while installing the PCMCIA card or yourPCMCIA card is non-functional.1. Click on the Control Panel and then on PC Card. Check whether it has PCMCIA card in oneof the sockets or not. If you find WL-211 Mbps Wireless PCMCIA LAN Card in one of thesockets, it means the card is detected properly. If you see the Yellow sign of Question-mark(?), the resources are conflicting.2. Right click on My Computer and the select Properties. Select the Device Manager and clickon the Network Adapter. You will find WL-211 mbps Wireless PCMCIA LAN Card if it isinstalled successfully. If you see the Yellow sign the resources are conflicting. Click onPCMCIA Card and then on PCMCIA Card Service, you can see the status of PCMCIA card. Ifthere are yellow sip either on adapter or PCMCIA card, please check the followings.i) Check if your Notebook supports 3.3V Card.ii) Check if your Notebook has a free IRQ. If not, make an IRQ free by assigning the same IRQ to some devices, for example COM 1, COM 2 can be assigned same IRQ values.iii) Check that you have inserted the right card and have installed the proper driver.
Wireless LAN User manual WL-211 PC Card Page 197. Technical specifications of WL-211Hardware compatibility− IBM-compatible computer with a PC Card Type IIDriver supportNDIS 3.1− Windows 95− Windows 98− Windows NT 4 and higher− Linux− WinCE(x86,SH4,MIPS)Standards supported− IEEE 802.11 standard for Wireless LAN− All major networking standards (including TCP/IP, IPX)EnvironmentalOperating temperature (ambient):− -10°C to 50°C (Operating),-20 to 70°C (Storing)− Max . Humidity:95% Non-condensingPower specificationsOperating voltage:− +5 V ,+3.3V DC ±5%− Nominal Temp Range: 17 dBm− Extended Temp Range: 14 dBm min.− Transmit Power, 2.7v to 3v: 14 dBm min.Radio specificationsRange:− per cell indoors approx. 35-100 meters or more− per cell outdoors up to 100-300 metersFrequency range:− 2.4-2.4835 GHz, direct sequence spread spectrumNumber of Channels:− Europe: 13 (3 non-overlapping)− US: 11 (3 non-overlapping)− France: 4 (1 non-overlapping)
Wireless LANPage 20 WL-211 PC Card User manualAntenna system:− Internal patch antenna supporting diversity.Mobility:− Seamless roaming across cell boundaries with handoverSpecific featuresSupported bit rates:− 11 Mbps− 5.5 Mbps− 1 Mbps− 2 MbpsData encryption:− 40 bit WEP Encryption, 128-bit key length optionalUtility Software:− Link Config™ User setup & diagnostics toolKey Management:− Automatic Dynamic Key Allocation (ADKA) through public keyPhysical Dimensions− Extended type-II PC Card 110 x 54 x 6 mm− Weight 38

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