LINKSYS WPC54GV12 Wireless-G Notebook Adapter User Manual

LINKSYS LLC Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

Contents

user manual

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
User’s Manual
Rev Draft.
User’s Manual
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Federal Communication Commission 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 and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that 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 one 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 which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This 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 cause
undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment, voefs!58!DGS!3/21:4!qbsbhsbqi!)e*)3*/!
!
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.
˟˼́˾̆̌̆ʳ˷˸˶˿˴̅˸ʳ̇˻˴̇ʳ˪ˣ˖ˈˇ˚˩˄ˁ˅ʳ(Wireless-G Notebook Adapter) is limited in
CH1~CH11 by specified firmware controlled in USA.
.
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About this manual
This User’ s Manual describes how to install and operate your CardBus Wireless
LAN Card. Please read this manual before you install the product.
This manual includes the following topics:
Product description and features.
Hardware installation procedure.
Software installation procedure.
FAQ
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Table of Contents
About this manual..........................................................................................3
Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................5
Features ..................................................................................................5
What is Wireless LAN?...........................................................................6
Wireless LAN Modes ..............................................................................6
Notes on Wireless LAN Configuration ...................................................7
Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation...................................8
Package Contents...................................................................................8
System Requirements for the Adapter...................................................8
Hardware description..............................................................................8
Inserting the Wireless LAN Card............................................................8
LED Indicators.........................................................................................9
Ejecting the Wireless LAN card..............................................................9
Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows .................. 11
Driver installation for Windows 98........................................................11
Driver installation for Windows 2000................................................... 14
Driver installation for Windows ME ..................................................... 17
Driver installation for Windows XP...................................................... 19
Chapter 4 – Installing and Using the Wireless Utility .....21
Installation in Windows ........................................................................ 21
Using Wireless Utility In Windows XP................................................. 24
Use Windows Wireless Network Configuration ..........................................24
Use Wireless LAN Utility ................................................................................27
Use Wireless LAN Utility In Windows 98, 2000 and ME.................... 30
Configuring the CardBus Wireless LAN Card..................................... 30
Chapter 5 – Installing Network Protocols......................34
Installing the Network Protocols for Windows 98 and Millennium ..... 34
Appendix A – FAQ.......................................................37
Appendix B – Specifications ........................................38
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Chapter 1 - Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the CardBus Wireless LAN Card. This high-speed
CardBus Wireless LAN Card provides you with an innovative wireless networking
solution. The Adapter is easy to set up and use. With this innovative wireless
technology, you can share files and printers on the network—without inconvenient
wires!
The Adapter is a network Adapter with a rate of 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps operating
in the ISM band using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) transmission
implementing the IEEE 802.11b standard. This Adapter provides Device Drivers
for Windows Operating Systems. It also provides tools for the configuration of the
Adapter. The tool, as well as the installation steps of the plug-and-play procedure
for the Windows operating systems, is described in this document.
Features
The CardBus Wireless LAN Card offers compliance with the IEEE 802.11b
specification. This feature allows them to communicate with other wireless
devices that support the standard. Features of the Adapter are:
Uses 2.4GHz frequency band, which complies with worldwide
requirement
Wireless interface following the IEEE 802.11b standard
Using CardBus interface
Enciphering/deciphering of wireless data by the implementation of the
WEP algorithm
Wire-free access to networked resources from anywhere beyond the
notebook
Allows users move between Access Points without resetting their
connection reconfiguration
Delivers data rate up to 11 Mbps
Supports 11, 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps rates
Provide CardBus Wireless LAN Card Configuration utility
The Adapter uses external Antenna with LEDs indicating Power and Link
Supports most popular operating systems
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What is Wireless LAN?
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems offer a great number of
advantages over traditional wired systems. WLAN is flexible and easy to setup
and manage. They are also more economical than wired LAN systems.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLAN transmit and receive data through
the air. WLAN combine data connectivity with user mobility. For example, users
can roam from a conference room to their office without being disconnected from
the LAN.
Using WLAN, users can conveniently access-shared information, and network
administrators can configure and augment networks without installing or moving
network cables.
WLAN technology provides users with many convenient and cost saving features:
• Mobility: WLAN provide LAN users with access to real-time information
anywhere in their organization, providing service opportunities that are
impossible with wired networks.
• Ease of Installation: Installing is easy for novice and expert users alike,
eliminating the need to install network cables in walls and ceilings.
• Scalability: WLAN can be configured in a variety of topologies to adapt to
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 thousands of users roaming over a broad
area.
Wireless LAN Modes
Wireless LANs can be configured in one of two ways:
Ad-hoc
Networking
Also known as a peer-to-peer network, an ad-hoc
network is one that allows all workstations and
computers in the network to act as servers to all other
users on the network. Users on the network can share
files, print to a shared printer, and access the Internet
with a shared modem. However, with ad-hoc
networking, users can only communicate with other
wireless LAN computers that are in the wireless LAN
workgroup, and are within range.
Infrastructure
Networking
Infrastructure networking differs from ad-hoc
networking in that it includes an access point. Unlike
the ad-hoc structure where users on the LAN contend
the shared bandwidth, on an infrastructure network the
access point can manage the bandwidth to maximize
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bandwidth utilization.
Additionally, the access point enables users on a
wireless LAN to access an existing wired network,
allowing wireless users to take advantage of the wired
networks resources, such as Internet, email, file
transfer, and printer sharing.
Infrastructure networking has the following advantages
over ad-hoc networking:
• Extended range: each wireless LAN computer
within the range of the access point can
communicate with other wireless LAN computers
within range of the access point.
• Roaming: the access point enables a wireless
LAN computer to move through a building and still
be connected to the LAN.
• Wired to wireless LAN connectivity: the access
point bridges the gap between wireless LANs and
their wired counterparts.
Notes on Wireless LAN Configuration
When configuring a wireless LAN (WLAN), be sure to note the following points:
• Optimize the performance of the WLAN by ensuring that the distance
between access points is not too far. In most buildings, WLAN Adapters
operate within a range of 100 ~ 300 feet, depending on the thickness and
structure of the walls.
• Radio waves can pass through walls and glass but not metal. If there is
interference in transmitting through a wall, it may be that the wall has
reinforcing metal in its structure. Install another access point to circumvent
this problem.
• Floors usually have metal girders and metal reinforcing struts that interfere
with WLAN transmission.
This concludes the first chapter. The next chapter deals with the hardware
installation of the Adapter.
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Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation
This chapter covers connecting your CardBus Wireless LAN Card to CardBus slot
of notebook.
Package Contents
Please make sure that items below are included on package.
One CardBus Wireless LAN Card
One CD containing drivers and documentation
One Quick Installation Guide
System Requirements for the Adapter
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
Notebook with CD-ROM drive
One free CardBus slot
Pentium-Class 90MHz or higher
Hardware description
The Wireless LAN Card is encased in a stainless compact frame and has a 68-pin
connector for attaching to the CardBus port of notebook.
Inserting the Wireless LAN Card
Note! These instructions apply to most notebook computers. For detailed
information on inserting PC cards into your notebook, consult the
notebook manual.
Follow the procedure below to install the Wireless LAN card.
1. With 68-pin connector of the card facing the CardBus slots on notebook,
slide the card all the way into an empty slot.
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2. Connect to a network.
LED Indicators
The following table describes the meaning of LED indicators:
LED MEANING
POWER Indicates that the Adapter is powered on (solid green).
LINK
Indicates link status. It is normally blinking. When blinking,
indicates that the card is scanning the channels, and the link
is not active. When lit, indicates that the card is locked to a
channel, and the link is active.
Ejecting the Wireless LAN card
After disconnecting from the LAN, you can eject the Wireless LAN card from the PC
Card slot of notebook.
Note! In Windows XP/2000/ME/98 o
p
eratin
g
s
y
stems
,
y
ou do not have to
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power down the notebook to remove the card. The card is
hot-swappable — you can remove the card when the notebook is
powered on. However, Microsoft recommends that you stop the card.
Refer to your Windows 2000/ME/98 online help for information on
stopping the Wireless LAN card.
Most notebooks have an eject lever or button for ejecting PC cards from the PC slots.
Consult your notebook manual for details.
Warning! To prevent data loss, do not eject the Wireless LAN card
when a data transmission is taking place. Exit your
communications program normally, stop the card if
necessary, and then remove the card.
After hardware installation is completed, please go to Chapter 3 to install driver on
different Operating System.
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Chapter 3 – Driver Installation for Windows
The following sections cover CardBus Wireless LAN Card driver installation in the
Windows Operating Systems.
Note! You have to install your hardware first before you begin to install
the drivers.
Driver installation for Windows 98
Follow the steps below to install the CardBus Wireless LAN Card drivers for Windows
98.
1. Insert the CardBus Wireless LAN Card to CardBus slot of notebook first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows 98 detects the CardBus Wireless LAN Card, the Add New
Hardware Wizard window appears. Clicks Next to continue the installation.
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3. A screen appears prompting you to select an installation method. Select Search for
the best driver for your device. (Recommended) and click Next to continue.
4. Ensure that the CD-ROM drive is selected. Inserts the driver CD-ROM into your
CD-ROM drive and clicks Next to continue.
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5. The following screen appears showing the driver search result. Click Next to
continue the installation.
6. Windows 98 copies files to your hard disk. The following screen will appear to
inform you when the software installation has finished. Click Finish to finish the
installation.
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7. The following screen will ask you to restart your computer to finish the installation.
Click Yes to reboot the system. After system reboot, the Wireless LAN Utility will be
installed automatically. Please go to Chapter 4 to install the utility.
Note! In most cases, Windows will automatically copy all of the files needed
for networking. If Windows asks you for the files and prompts you to
input the path to the files. Follow the instructions on your screen, and
then click OK to continue.
Driver installation for Windows 2000
Follow the steps below to install the CardBus Wireless LAN Card drivers for Windows
2000.
1. Insert the CardBus Wireless LAN Card to CardBus slot of notebook first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows 2000 detects the CardBus Wireless LAN Card, the Found New
Hardware Wizard window appears. Click Next to start the installation.
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3. A screen appears prompting you to select an installation method. Select Search
for a suitable driver for my device (recommended) and click Next to continue.
4. Ensure that the CD-ROM driver is selected and insert the driver CD-ROM into
your CD-ROM drive and click Next to continue.
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5. The following screen appears showing the driver search result. Click Next to
continue the installation.
6. The following screen appears. Click Yes to continue
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7. The Windows has finished installing software for the device. Click Finish to finish
the installation.
Then system will start to install Wireless LAN Utility. Please refer to procedures at
Chapter 4.
Driver installation for Windows ME
Follow the steps below to install the CardBus Wireless LAN Card drivers for Windows
ME.
1. Insert the CardBus Wireless LAN Card to CardBus slot of notebook first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows ME detects the CardBus Wireless LAN Card, the Add New
Hardware Wizard window appears. Select Automatic search for a better driver
(Recommended) and insert the driver CD-ROM into CD-ROM drive and click Next
to continue.
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3. The system will find the setup files and follow the instruction to copy files to your
hard disk. The following screen will appear when the software installation has
finished. Click Finish to finish the installation.
4. The following screen will ask you to restart your computer to finish the hardware
setting up. Click Yes to reboot the system. After system reboot, the Wireless LAN
Utility will be installed automatically. Please go to Chapter 4 to install the utility.
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Note! In most cases, Windows will automatically copy all of the files needed
for networking. If Windows asks you for the files and prompts you to
input the path to the files. Follow the instructions on your screen, and
then click OK to continue.
Driver installation for Windows XP
Follow the steps below to install the CardBus Wireless LAN Card drivers for Windows
XP.
1. Insert the CardBus Wireless LAN Card to CardBus slot of notebook first. (Refer to
Chapter 2 – Hardware installation.)
2. After Windows XP detects the CardBus Wireless LAN Card, the Found New
Hardware Wizard window appears. Select Install the software automatically
[Recommended] and insert the driver CD-ROM into CD-ROM drive and click
Next to continue.
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3. Click Continue Anyway to continue the installation.
4. The Windows has finished installing software for the device. Click Finish to finish
the installation
Then system will start to install Wireless utility automatically. Please refer to
procedures at Chapter 4.
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Chapter 4 – Installing and Using the
Wireless Utility
The following sections cover the CardBus Wireless LAN Card utility installation and
configuration.
Installation in Windows
After you have installed driver, system will start to install Wireless LAN Utility. Please
follow the steps below to install the utility.
1. Once you see the following screen, click Next to continue.
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2. The screen will show you the default destination chosen by the utility. Click Next to
continue or click the Browse button to select an alternate destination.
3. The fo llowing screen will add program icons to the Program Folder. You may type
a new folder name or select one from the existing folders list. Click Next to
continue or click Back to review or change any settings.
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4. The following screen shows the current settings, click Next to continue or click
Back to change the Destination Folder in step 3.
5. The Windows has finished installing Wireless LAN Utility. The following screen will
ask you to restart your computer to finish the installation. Click Finish to reboot the
system.
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After you have installed the utility, you will see the Wireless LAN Utility icon in the
Windows taskbar:
Using Wireless Utility In Windows XP
Wireless LAN Utility
There are two ways to configure CardBus Wireless LAN Card. One is Wireless LAN
Utility; the other one is Windows Wireless Network Configuration.
Use Windows Wireless Network Configuration
1. Click the right key of the mouse and Exit Wireless LAN Utility.
2. Click Windows Wireless Network Configuration icon.
Windows Wireless Network Configuration
3. Click Advanced… button.
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4. Make sure “ Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” is checked
and click OK.
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5. Click the Windows Wireless Network Configuration icon again to open the
Windows Wireless Network Configuration.
Windows Wireless Network Configuration
6. Select an available network and click Connect button.
6. The Windows Wireless Network Configuration will be enabled. Click the Windows
Wireless Configure icon.
Windows Wireless Network Configuration is enabled
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8. Click Properties to start Windows Wireless Network Configuration.
Use Wireless LAN Utility
1. Exit the Wireless LAN Utility.
2. Click Windows Wireless Network Configuration icon.
Windows Wireless Network Configuration
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3. Click Advanced… button.
4. Make sure “ Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” is unchecked
and click OK button.
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5. Click Start -> All Programs -> IEEE802.11b WLAN CardBus Card then click
IEEE802.11b WLAN CardBus Card Utility to restart IEEE802.11b WLAN Card.
6. The Wireless LAN Utility will appear, Double-click the icon to open the
configuration utility.
Wireless LAN Utility
7. Click Re-Scan button to start Wireless LAN Utility. (Refer to Configuring the
CardBus Wireless LAN Card.)
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Use Wireless LAN Utility In Windows 98, 2000 and ME
Wireless LAN Utility icon
Icon Meaning
Green: indicates a connection is linked
to a wireless network.
Red: indicates that the wireless LAN
card is looking for an available access
point.
Double-click the icon to open the Wireless LAN Utility. (Refer to Configuring the
CardBus Wireless LAN Card.)
Configuring the CardBus Wireless LAN Card
1. This screen shows you the status of your current connection. Click Re-Scan to
search for wireless connection (the adapter will search for the connection
automatically when it is activated).
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2. Select the “Configuration” tab. The profile setting allows you to save
configurations in different profiles for different working environments. The default
profile will contain the initial configuration setting when you install the Card. Under
the Operating Mode drop-box, you may choose either Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc.
The Infrastructure mode allows a wireless adapter to communicate with a wired
network employing an Access Point, while the Ad-Hoc mode allows
wireless-to-wireless, peer-to-peer communication. If you choose Infrastructure, the
SSID should have the same name as the Access Point. If you choose Ad-Hoc, all
clients should share the same SSID name. You may also select which Transfer
Rate you wish to use: 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps or Auto Rate. Under Power Saving
Mode, you can select Enabled to allow your adapter to go to sleep mode while the
adapter doesn’t precede the data transmission. Or select Disabled to make the
adapter never go to sleep mode. Click Apply to save the settings.
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3. Select the “Site Survey” tab. The list on the adjacent screen shows you available
Access Points and their features. Click on the desired Access Point, and then click
Connect to connect or Search to search for more Access Points. Click OK when
you are finished.
4. Click on the “Encryption” tab. Under the drop-box, you can choose to have WEP
encryption Disabled, 64-Bit, or 128-Bit. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is an
encryption scheme used to protect wireless data communication. The Disabled
setting prevents the sharing of data with other computers on the WEP network. For
data sharing to be enabled, select the level of encryption desired, either 64 or
128-bit.
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5. Select the “Advanced” tab. You can choose the fragmentation threshold to
define the maximum data frame size your adapter will transmit. When the packet
error rate is high, you may set the threshold value to transmit shorter frames. You
may select RTS/CTS threshold to define when will your adapter send out
RTS/CTS frames to reserve bandwidth for transmission. By using the RTS/CTS
function, you may request bandwidth from AP to allow you have better chance to
send out your data. For the Security, it’ s only applicable while WEP is enabled.
For the Authentication Type, the current supported algorithms are Open System,
Shared Key, and Auto. The algorithm will be invoked when associated to Access
Point. To associate to the desired Access Point you must set the same algorithm
as the one of the desired Access Point. When select Auto mode, the driver can
auto detect the Authentication Type of the Access Point you are going to associate.
You can also select Preamble Type, which is for framing synchronization. The
possible setting are Long and Short. The setting must be the same as the setting
of the Access Point you are going to associate.
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6. The “About” tab shows you copyright and version information about the driver, the
configuration utility, and the firmware. Click OK to complete the configuration.
Chapter 5 – Installing Network Protocols
Protocols are necessary for computers to be recognized on your network. Windows
2000 users need to check their Windows User Guides for protocol installation.
Installing the Network Protocols for Windows 98 and
Millennium
1. From the Start Menu, select Settings and bring up the Control Panel. From the
Control Panel, double-click on the Network icon.
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Note! Before adding any network protocols, verify that the protocol is not
already installed. Never install duplicate protocols.
2. Select IEEE802.11b WLAN CardBus Card v3.0 from the list and click the Add
button.
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3. Highlight Protocol and click the Add button.
4. Select Microsoft from the list of “ Manufacturers” and TCP/IP from the list of
“ Network” Protocols” and click the OK button to finish the installation.
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Appendix A – FAQ
1. What is IEEE 802.11 standard?
The IEEE 802.11 is a wireless LAN industry standard, and the objective
of IEEE 802.11 is to make sure that different manufactures’ wireless
LAN devices can communicate to each other.
2. What is WEP?
As described in the IEEE 802.11 standard, WEP (Wired Equivalent
Privacy) is a data privacy mechanism based on a 40 bit shared key
algorithm.
3. Windows cannot recognize the CardBus Wireless LAN Card.
Please make sure that the LAN Card is inserted into the CardBus slot of
your notebook properly (check this when the notebook is powered off).
Please check if PC Card support is installed. Double -click the PC Card
icon on Control Panel. If PC Card support is not activated, you should
activate it now.
4. In Infrastructure mode, my notebook cannot communicate with the
others notebooks on the network.
First, make sure that the SSID is same as the others notebook.
Check if the WEP is enabled on the Access Point, if it is, set your
Adapter’ s WEP the same as the Access Point.
Also check the Access Point’ s Authentication Type and Preamble Type
and match those settings.
5. In ad-hoc mode, my notebook cannot communicate with the others
notebooks on the network.
Make sure the SSID and the Channel number are the same as other
wireless stations.
Check if WEP settings are the same in all wireless stations.
Check the Network Properties, make sure proper protocol is installed
and File and Printer Sharing is enabled.
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Appendix B – Specifications
Standards: IEEE 802.11b,IEEE 802.11g draft
Channels: 11 Channels (US, Canada)
13 Channels (Europe)
14 Channels (Japan)
Antenna: Built-in Chip Antenna
Frequency: 2.4 to 2.497GHz (Industrial Scientific Medical Band)
Speed : 18dBm
Data Rate: up to 11Mbps
Operating Ranges: Indoor (varies depends on the environment):
Up to 50M @ 11Mbps
Up to 80M @ 5.5Mbps
Outdoor (varies depends on the environment):
Up to 150M @ 11Mbps
Up to 300M @ 5.5Mbps
Temperature: Operating: 0° ~ 55° C
Storage: -25° ~ 70° C
Humidity: 10% to 90% (non-condensing)

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