Pro Nets Technology WM81RL WIRELESS MINI PCI User Manual WM81RL user s manual
Pro-Nets Technology Corporation WIRELESS MINI PCI WM81RL user s manual
Users Manual
IEEE802.11n draft 2.0
Mini-PCI Adapter
User’s Manual
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FCC Warning
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 communication. 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 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 which
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. the receiver is
connected.
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. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of
about eight inches (20cm) between the radiator and your body.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.
Modular Approval Statement:
This device is intended to be used only for OEM integrator under the following conditions:
1) The antenna must be installed such that 20 cm is maintained between the antenna and
users, and
2) The transmitter module may not be co-located with any other transmitter or antenna.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
In the event that these conditions cannot be met (for example certain laptop configurations or
co-location with another transmitter), then the FCC authorization is no longer considered valid
and the FCC ID cannot be used on the final product. In these circumstances, the OEM
integrator will be responsible for re-evaluating the end product (including the transmitter) and
obtaining a separate FCC authorization.
End Product Labeling:
This transmitter module is authorized only for use in device where the antenna may be
installed such that 20 cm may be maintained between the antenna and users (for example
access points, routers, wireless ADSL modems, and similar equipment). The final end product
must be labeled in visible area with the following:
“ Contains RF Module FCC ID: RXZ-WM81RL ”
End Product Manual Information:
The user manual for end users must include the following information in a
prominent location “IMPORTANT NOTE: To comply with FCC RF exposure
compliance requirements, the antenna used for this transmitter must be
installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons
and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna
or transmitters”.
CE Mark Warning
This is a Class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Copyright
2006 All Rights Reserved. No part of this document can be copied or reproduced in any form
without written consent from the company.
Revision History
Revision History
V1.0 First release
All brand and product names mentioned in this manual are trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
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Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................... 4
1.1 Features ................................................................. 4
1.2 LED Indicator ......................................................... 4
1.3 Package Contents................................................... 5
1.4 Before you start...................................................... 5
2. Installation Procedure .................................................... 5
2.1 Install the Driver & Utility........................................ 5
3. Wireless Network Configuration Utility .......................... 10
3.1 Profile................................................................... 12
3.2 Link Status ........................................................... 13
3.3 Site Survey........................................................... 14
3.3.1 Configure the Profile..........................................................15
3.3.2 Authentication and Security..............................................17
3.3.3 802.1x Setting-Certification...............................................19
3.3.4 802.1x Setting-CA Server...................................................21
3.4 Statistics .............................................................. 22
3.5 Advanced.............................................................. 23
3.6 QoS....................................................................... 25
3.6.1 Configure to enable Wi-Fi Multi-Media .............................25
3.6.2 Enable WMM – Power Save Enable ..................................26
3.6.3 Enable DLS (Direct Link Setup).........................................27
3.7 WPS...................................................................... 32
3.7.1 To Add to AP using PIN Method .......................................33
3.7.2 To Add to AP using PBC Method......................................37
3.8 About.................................................................... 40
4. Troubleshooting............................................................ 41
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1. Introduction
This is a mini-PCI interfaced WLAN card that fully complies with IEEE802.11n draft 2.0
and IEEE802.11 b/g standards and operate in 2.4GHz bands. Its maximum data transfer rate
up to 300 Mbps. It delivers unrivaled wireless performance for your Notebook or Wireless
gateway (Wireless ADSL router, Wireless broadband router or Access point) and also provides
peer-to-peer communication among any compatible wireless users and no Access Point
required. With this card, you can easily upgrade your desktop computer wireless connectivity.
Once connected, access your network high-speed Internet connection while sharing photos,
files, music, video, printers, and storage. Get a better Internet experience with a faster wireless
connection so you can enjoy smooth digital phone calls, gaming, downloading, and video
streaming.
It provides up to a 64/128-bit level of WEP and also support WPA, WPA2 security to
your wireless data transfers. The wireless MINI-PCI adapter comes with software drivers for
the most popular Microsoft Windows operating systems and can be integrated into a larger
network, running Windows Vista/XP/2000/ME/98SE in either Ad-Hoc mode (without an access
point or router) or Infrastructure mode (with an access point or router), the configuration of
your working environment, or the capabilities or limitations of your computer systems.
1.1 Features
‧ IEEE802.11n draft 2.0 compatible and backward compatible with IEEE802.11 b/g
‧ Up to 300Mbps data transfer rates
‧ Reverse Direction Data Flow and Frame Aggregation
‧ Supports 64/128-bit WEP data encryption function for high level of security
‧ Supports WPA and WPA2 advanced WLAN security
‧ QoS, WMM, WMM-PS
‧ Wake on Wireless LAN
‧ Multiple BSSID support
‧ International Regulation - 802.1d + h
‧ Low power with Advanced power management
‧ Bluetooth Co-existence
‧ Driver support Win 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista/Linux
1.2 LED Indicator
LED Light Status Description
Flashing Wireless LAN has Activity (ACT) data being sent. ACT / LINK
On Wireless LAN has been activated.
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1.3 Package Contents
‧ One Wireless Cardbus adapter
‧ One CD includes driver and user’s manual
1.4 Before you start
You must have the requirements as follow,
‧ A laptop computer with an available 32-bit Cardbus slot
‧ At least a 300MHz processor and 32MB memory
‧ Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/XP-64bit/Vista 32bit/Vista 64bit support
‧ A CD-ROM drive
‧ Cardbus controller properly installed
‧ An IEEE802.11g or IEEE802.11b Access Point (for Infrastructure mode) or another
IEEE802.11g or IEEE802.11b wireless adapter (for Ad-Hoc Networking Mode)
2. Installation Procedure
Note: If you have installed the Wireless Adapter LAN driver & utility before, please
uninstall the old version first.
2.1 Install the Driver & Utility
Note: The following installation was operated under Windows XP. (Procedures will be
same for Windows 2000 / Windows ME / Windows 98SE)
STEP1: Found New Hardware Wizard is displayed after the adapter is installed and the
computer is restarted. Please click Cancel to continue.
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STEP2: Insert Installation CD into CD-ROM drive then windows below will appear. Click
Install Driver to begin device driver installation.
STEP3: Please read the following license agreement. Use the scroll bar to view the rest of this
agreement. Click Yes to accept the agreement.
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STEP4: In Windows XP, there is a Windows Zero Configuration Tool for you to setup
wireless adapter. You can choose to configure the adapter through the Microsoft Zero
Configuration Tool or the Ralink Configuration Tool. It is recommended to choose the
Ralink Configuration Tool for the adapter. Click Next to continue.
STEP5: If you need the adapter to operate with better performance, place choose Optimize
for performance mode to enable the Tx Burst mode. Or you can choose Optimize for WiFi
mode to run in standard wireless network.
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STEP6: Please wait for a while during the adapter is configuring your new software
installation.
STEP7: When the adapter is installed properly, the configuration utility will be displayed
automatically.
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STEP8: Click Finish button to exit the setup wizard.
To check if the adapter is properly installed, you can right-click My Computer Æ choose
Properties Æ click Device Manager.
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The Configuration Utility appears as an icon on the system tray of Windows while the
adapter is running. You can open the utility by double-click on the icon.
Right-click the icon, there are some items for you to operate the configuration utility,
z Launch Config Utilities Æ Select this option to open the Configuration Utility tool.
z Use Zero Configuration as Configuration utilityÆ Select this option to use Windows
XP built-in wireless configuration utility (Windows Zero Configuration) to configure to
card.
z Switch to AP Mode
z Exit Æ Select Exit to close the Configuration Utility tool.
3. Wireless Network Configuration Utility
The Configuration Utility is a powerful application that helps you to configure the
Wireless LAN adapter and monitor the link status and statistics during the communication
process.
When the adapter is installed, the configuration utility will be displayed automatically.
This adapter will auto connect to wireless device which has better signal strength and no
wireless security setting.
Note: In Windows XP, there is a “Windows Zero Configuration Tool” for you to setup
wireless clients. If you want to switch the configuration utilities, please follow one of the ways
as below:
[First Way]
Right-click the icon in the system tray and select Use Zero Configuration as
Configuration utility
[Second Way]
STEP1: Right-click the icon and select “View Available Wireless Networks”
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STEP2: Click “Advanced” as below,
STEP3: Uncheck “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” to enable the
utility for the adapter and then click OK to continue.
Note: If “Wireless Zero Configuration” is enabled, you can only configure the advance
setting or check the link status and statistics from the configuration utility of the adapter.
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3.1 Profile
In the “Profile”, you can view and manage the current using Available Point(s). You can
Add, Delete, Edit, or Activate the current Available Point(s). Also you can duplicate the AP or
set current AP as Default.
Profiles Name: The Profiles List displays all the profiles and the relative settings of the profiles
including Profile Name, SSID, and Channel…etc; preset to PROF* (* indicate 1,2,3,…)
SSID: AP to Ad-hoc name.
Channel: Channel in use for Ad-Hoc mode.
Authentication: Authentication mode.
Encryption: Security algorithm in use.
Network Type: Network’s type, including Infrastructure and Ad-hoc.
Indicate connection is successful on currently activated profile.
Indicate connection is failed on currently activate profile.
Add/Delete/Edit Button: Click these buttons to add/delete/edit the selected profiles.
Activate Button: Click ”Activate” to connect the selected profile. When a profile is activated,
the adapter will be initially connected to the profile.
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3.2 Link Status
In this section, you can immediately monitor the current connected link status, such as
Link Speed, Throughput, Link Quality, Signal Strength, Noise Level …etc.
Status: Current connection status. If no connection, it will show Disconnected. Otherwise, the
SSID and BSSID will show here.
Extra Info: Display the link status in use.
Channel: Display the number of the radio channel and the frequency used for the networking.
Link Speed (Mbps): Display the transmission and reception rate of the network. The
maximum transmission rate is 54Mbps.
Throughput (Kbits/sec): Display transmits and receives throughout in unit of K bits/sec.
Link Quality: Display connection quality based on signal strength and TX/RX packet error
rate.
dBm: If you want to know the signal strength in the unit of dBm, select the check box.
Signal Strength1: Receive signal strength 1, user can choose to display as percentage or
dBm format.
Signal Strength2: Receive signal strength 2, user can choose to display as percentage or
dBm format.
Noise Level: Display the noise signal strength.
HT: Display current HT status in use, containing BW, GI, MCS, SNR0, and SNR1 value. (show
the information only for 802.11n wireless card.)
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3.3 Site Survey
When you open the Configuration Utility, the system will scan all the channels to find all
the access points/stations within the accessible range of your adapter and automatically
connect to the wireless device with the highest signal strength. From the “Site Survey”, all the
network nearby will be listed. You can change the connection to another network or add one of
the networks to your own profile list.
SSID: Name of BBS of IBSS network.
BSSID: MAC address of AP or randomly generated of IBSS.
Signal: Receive signal strength of specified network.
Channel: Channel in use.
Encryption: Encryption algorithm used within than BBS or IBSS. Valid value includes WEP,
TKIP, AES, and not use.
Authentication: Authentication mode used within then network, including Unknown,
WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA and WPA2.
Network Type: Network type in use, Infrastructure for BSS, Ad-Hoc for IBSS network.
Rescan: Issue an rescan command to wireless NIC to update information on surrounding
wireless network.
Connect: Command to connect to the selected network.
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Add to Profile: Add the selected AP to Profile setting. It will bring up profile page and save
user’s setting to a new profile.
[Connected Network]
(1) When Raconfig first ran, it will select the best AP to connect automatically.
(2) If user wants to connect to other AP, he can double-click mouse on the intended AP to
make connection.
(3) If the intended network has encryption other than “Not Use”, Raconfig will bring up the
security page and let use input the appropriate information to make the connection.
This icon indicates the changes is successful.
3.3.1 Configure the Profile
If you want to add one Access Point to the profile, click “Add to Profile” button. And
then the Add Profile windows will display as follow. You can configure your Wireless Network
Security for the card.
Profile Name: Define a recognizable profile name for you to identify the different network.
SSID: User can key in the intended SSID name or use pull down menu to select from available
APs.
PSM (Power Saving Mode): The power saving function is only available when the network
type is in Infrastructure mode.
CAM (Constantly Awake Mode) – The adapter will always set in active mode.
PSM (Power Saving Mode) – Enable the adapter in the power saving mode when it is
idle.
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Network Type:
Infrastructure – This operation mode requires the presence of a wireless Access Point.
All communication is done via the Access Point or Router.
Ad-Hoc – Select this mode if you want to connect to another wireless station in the
Wireless LAN network without through an Access Point or Router.
Tx Power: If you want to lower the transmit power of the adapter for saving the power of the
system, you can select the lower percentages from the list. The lower power will cause the
lower signal strength and the coverage range.
Preamble: The preamble defines the length of the CRC block for communication among
wireless devices. This option is only active in the Ad Hoc network. There are 3 modes
including Auto, Long and Short Preamble. If “Auto” mode is selected, the adapter will auto
switch the preamble mode depending on the wireless devices is connecting to.
RTS Threshold: Minimum packet size required for an RTS (Request To Send). For packets
smaller than this threshold, an RTS is not sent and the packet is transmitted directly to the
wireless network. Select a setting within a range of 0 to 2347 bytes. Minor change is
recommended.
Fragment Threshold: The value defines the maximum size of packets; any packet size larger
than value will be fragmented. If you have decreased this value and experience high packet
error rates, you can increase it again, but it will likely decrease overall network performance.
Select a setting within a range of 256 to 2346 bytes. Minor change is recommended.
Channel: This setting is only available for Ad Hoc mode. Select the number of the radio
channel used for the networking. The channel setting should be the same with the network you
are connecting to.
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3.3.2 Authentication and Security
Authentication Type: This setting has to be consistent with the wireless networks that the
adapter intends to connect.
Open: No authentication is needed among the wireless devices.
Shared: Only Wireless device using a shared key (WEP Key identified) is allowed to
connecting each other. Setup the same key as the wireless device that the adapter
intends to connect.
LEAP: LEAP is a pre-EAP, Cisco-proprietary protocol, with many of the features of EAP
protocols. Cisco controls the ability of other vendors to implement this protocol, so it
should be selected for server products are not a concern. When you have set up LEAP
authentication, you have to enter the use name and password of your computer.
WPA: WPA provides a scheme of mutual authentication using either IEEE
802.1x/Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) authentication or pre-shared key (PSK)
technology. It provides a high level of assurance to enterprise, small business and home
users that data will remain protected and that only authorized users may access their
networks. For enterprises that have already deployed IEEE 802.1x authentication, WPA
offers the advantage of leveraging existing authentication databases and infrastructure.
WPA-PSK – It is a special mode designed for home and small business users who do
not have access to network authentication servers. In this mode, known as Pre-Shared
Key, the user manually enters the starting password in their access point or gateway, as
well as in each wireless station in the network. WPA-PSK takes over automatically from
that point, keeping unauthorized users that don’t have the matching password from
joining the network, while encrypting the data traveling between authorized devices.
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WPA2 – Like WPA, WPA2 supports IEEE 802.1x/EAP authentication or PSK technology.
It also includes a new advanced encryption mechanism using the Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES). AES is required to the corporate user or government users. The
different between WPA and WPA2 is that WPA2 provides data encryption via the AES. In
contrast, WPA uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP).
WPA2-PSK – WPA2-PSK is also for home and small business. The difference between
WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK is that WPA2-PSK provides data encryption via the AES. In
contrast, WPA-PSK uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP).
WPA 802.1X – 802.1x authentication is required in WPA. In the 802.11 standard, 802.1x
authentication was optional.
WPA2 802.1X – WPA2 is the next-generation Wi-Fi security standard, combining the
most powerful authentication and encryption techniques to protect wireless networks
from unauthorized use. Based upon the recently ratified IEEE 802.11i standard, WPA2
adds the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to the original WPA specification to
provide the greatest levels of network security available. The National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) advocate the use of AES security to protect sensitive
digital information on government networks.
802.1x Setting: When you have set the Authentication Type to Open, Shared, WPA or WPA2,
you can also enable IEEE 802.1x setting to use the authentication server or certification server
to authenticate client users.
Encryption Mode:
None – Disable the Encryption mode.
WEP – Enabled the WEP Data Encryption. When the item is selected, you have to
continue setting the WEP Key Length & the key Index.
TKIP – TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) changes the temporal key every 10000
packets (a packet is a kind of message transmitted over a network). This insures much
greater security than the standard WEP security.
AES – AES has been developed to ensure the highest degree of security and
authenticity for digital information and it is the most advanced solution defined by IEEE
802.11i for the security in the wireless network.
Note: All devices in the network should use the same encryption method to ensure the
communication.
WPA Pre-Shared Key: The WPA-PSK key can be from 8 to 64 characters and can be letters
or numbers. This same key must be used on all of the wireless stations in the network.
WEP Key (Key1~Key4): The WEP keys are used to encrypt data transmitted in the wireless
network. There are two types of key length: 64-bit & 128-bit. Select the default encryption key
form key1 to key4 by selected the radio button.
Fill the text box by following the rule below:
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64-bit – Input 10-digit Hex values (in the “A-F”, “a-f, and “0-9” range) or 5-digit ASCII
characters (including “a-z” and “0-9”) as the encryption keys. For example: “0123456aef”
or “test1”
128-bit – Input 26-digit Hex values (in the “A-F”, “a-f, and “0-9” range) or 13-digit ASCII
characters (including “a-z” and “0-9”) as the encryption keys. For example:
“01234567890123456789abcdef” or “administrator”
3.3.3 802.1x Setting-Certification
The IEEE 802.1X specification describes a protocol that can be used for authenticating
both clients and servers on a network. The authentication algorithms and methods are those
provided by the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), a method of authentication that has
been in use for a number of years on networks that provide Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
support as many Internet service providers and enterprises do.
When an AP acting as an authenticator detects a wireless station on the LAN, it sends an
EAP-Request for the user’s identity to the device. (EAP, or the Extensible Authentication
Protocol, is an authentication protocol that runs before network layer protocols transmit data
over the link) In turn, the device responds with its identity, and the AP relays this identity to an
authentication server, which is typically an external RADIUS server.
[An example for MD5 Authentication]
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Authentication Type: The EAP authentication protocols this adapter has supported are
included as follows. This setting has to be consistent with the wireless APs or Routers that the
adapter intends to connect.
PEAP and TTLS: PEAP and TTLS are similar and easier than TLS in that they specify a
stand-alone authentication protocol be used within an encrypted tunnel. TTLS supports
any protocol within its tunnel, including CHAP, MS-CHAP, MS-CHAPv2, PAP and
EAP-MD5. PEAP specifies that an EAP-compliant authentication protocol must be used;
this adapter supports EAP-MSCHAP v2, EAP-TLS/Smart card and Generic Token Card.
This client certificate is optional required for the authentication.
TLS/Smart Card: TLS is the most secure of the EAP protocols but not easy to use. It
requires that digital certificates be exchanged in the authentication phase. The server
presents a certificate to the client. After validating the server’s certificate, the client
presents a client certificate to the server for validation.
MD5-Challenge: MD5-Challenge is the easiest EAP type. It requires the wireless station
to enter a set of user name and password as the identity to RADIUS Server.
Session Resumption: There are “Disabled”, “Reauthentication”, “Roaming”,
“SameSsid”, and “Always” selections for you to choose whether to recovery the session in
different status.
Identity: Enter the name as the identity for the server.
Password: Enter the password as the identity for the server.
Use Client Certificate: A client certificate is required for TLS, and is optional for TTLS and
PEAP. This forces a client certificate to be selected from the appropriate Windows Certificate
Store and made available to the RADIUS server for certification.
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Tunneled Authentication:
-- Protocol: When the authentication type is PEAP or TTLS, select a protocol to be
used to build the encrypted tunnel.
-- Identity: This is the protected user EAP Identity used for authentication. The identity
specified may contain up to 63 ASCII characters, is case sensitive and takes the form of
a Network Access Identifier, consisting of <name of the user>@<user’s home realm>.
The user’s home realm is optional and indicates the routing domain.
-- Password: The password used for authentication. It may contain up to 63 ASCII
characters and is case sensitive.
3.3.4 802.1x Setting-CA Server
Use Certificate Chain: When the EAP authentication types such as TLS, TTLS or PEAP is
selected and required a certification to tell the client what server credentials to accept from the
authentication server in order to verify the server, you have to enable this function.
Certificate Issuer: Choose the server from the list to issue the certificate. If “Any Trusted
CA” is selected, any CA included in the list (provided by the Microsoft Certificate Store) is
permitted.
Allow Intermediate Certificates: A server designates an issuer as a trusted root authority by
placing the issuer’s self-signed certificate, which contains the issuer’s public key, into the
trusted root certification authority certificate store of the host computer. Intermediate or
subordinate certification authorities are trusted only if they have a valid certification path from a
trusted root certification authority.
Server Name: Enter the authentication server name.
Server name must match exactly: When selected, the server name must match exactly the
server name found on the certificate.
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Domain name must end in specified name: When selected, the server name field identifies
a domain. The certificate must use a server name belonging to this domain or to one of its
sub-domains (e.g. zeelans.com, where the server is blueberry.zeelans.com) but it may be any
name used in the certificate name field.
3.4 Statistics
Statistics page displays the detail counter information based on 802.11 MIB counters. This
page translates the MIB counters into a format easier for user to understand. You may reset
the counters to Zero by clicking “Reset Counter”.
[Transmit Statistics]
Frames Transmitted Successfully: Frames successfully sent
Frames Fail to Receive ACK After Retries: Frames failed transmit after hitting retry limit.
RTS Frames Successfully Receive CTS: Successfully receive CTS after sending RTS
frame.
RTS Frames Fail TP Receive CTS: Failed to receive CTS after sending RTS.
Frames Retransmitted Successfully: Successfully retransmitted frames numbers.
[Receive Statistics]
Frames Received Successfully: Frames received successfully.
Frames Received with CRC Error: Frames received with CRC error.
Frames Dropped Due to Out-of-Resource: Frames dropped due to resource issue.
Duplicate Frames Received: Duplicate received frames.
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3.5 Advanced
In the “Advanced”, you can configure more advanced settings, for example: wireless
Mode, B/G Protection, Tx Rate, Country Region Code…etc.
Wireless Mode: Select wireless mode. 802.11 B only, 802.11 B/G mix, 802.11 B/G/N mix,
802.11 B/G mix, and 802.11 B/G/N mix modes are supported
Select Your Country Region Code: The available channel differs from different countries.
For example: USA (FCC) is channel 1-11, Europe (ETSI) is channel 1-13. The operating
frequency channel will be restricted to the country user located before importing. If you are in
different country, you have to adjust the channel setting to comply the regulation of the
country.
Wireless Protection: If you have a mix of 802.11b & 802.11g wireless stations in the network,
it is recommended to enable the protection mechanism. This mechanism can decrease the
rate of data collision between 802.11b and 802.11g wireless stations. When the protection
mode is enabled, the throughput of the adapter will be a little lower due to many of frame traffic
should be transmitted.
Auto – Based on the status of network and automatically disable/enable protection
mode.
On – Always enable the protection mode.
Off – Always disable the protection mode.
Tx Rate: Manually force the Transmit using selected rate. Default is Auto. (802.11n wireless
card don’t support TX Rate now)
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Tx BURST: The Burst enables the adapter to deliver the better throughput in the same period
and environment.
Enable TCP Window Size: The TCP Window is the amount of data a sender can send on a
particular connection before it gets an acknowledgment back from the receiver that it has
gotten some of it. When the Router or AP card is connecting to have set up the TCP Window,
you can enable the parameter to meet the data size for the Router or AP connection. The
larger TCP Window the better performance.
Fast Roaming at: You can enable the parameter when you want to fast roaming to the
network nearby without intercepting the wireless connection, especially the adapter is applied
to the multimedia application or a voice call. The adapter will fast roaming to the near network
when the receive sensitivity (signal strength) is lower to the value you have set up.
Show Authentication Status Dialog: When you connect AP with authentication, choose
whether show “Authentication Status Dialog” or not, Authentication Status Dialog display the
process about 802.1x authenticatin.
Turn Off/on RF Button: If you want to turn off the radio of the adapter temporarily, click this
button. To turn on the radio, click this button again.
Enable CCX: CCX (Cisco Compatible Extensions) is developed by Cisco for the radio
monitoring and fast roaming.
(1) LEAP turn on CCKM.
(2) Enable Radio Measurement: can channel measurement every 0-2000 milliseconds.
Turn on CCKM: During normal operation, LEAP-enabled client devices mutually authenticate
with a new access point by performing a complete LEAP authentication, including
communication with the main RADIUS server.
When you configure your wireless LAN for fast re-association, however, LEAP-enabled
client devices roam from one access point to another without involving the main server. Using
Cisco Centralized Key Management (CCKM), and access point configured to provide Wireless
Domain Services (WDS) takes the place of the RADIUS server and authenticates the client so
quickly that there is no perceptible delay in voice or other time-sensitive applications.
Enable Radio Measurement: When this parameter is enabled, the Cisco AP can run the radio
monitoring through the associated CCX-compliant clients to continuously monitor the WLAN
radio environment and discover and new APs that are transmitting beacons.
Non-Serving Channel Measurements: The Cisco AP can perform monitoring measurements
through the CCX-compliant clients on the non-serving channels when this parameter is
enabled.
Limit xxx milliseconds (0-2000): It limits the channel measurement time. The default value is
250 milliseconds.
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3.6 QoS
The QoS Page of RaConfig. It involves “WMM Enable”, “WMM – Power Save Enable” and
DLS setup.
3.6.1 Configure to enable Wi-Fi Multi-Media
If you want to use “WMM – Power Save” or “Direct Link”, you must enable WMM. The
setting method of enabling WMM indicates as follows:
Step1: Click “WMM Enable”
Step2: Click “Apply”.
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Step3: Change to “Site Survey Page”. And add an AP that supports WMM features
to a Profile. The result will look like the below figure in Profile page.
3.6.2 Enable WMM – Power Save Enable
Step1: Click “WMM – Power Save Enable”. And Click “Setting…” button.
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Step2: After clicking “Setting…” button, show “Power Save Setting” dialog. Please
select which ACs you want to enable. Then click “Apply” button. The setting of enabling
WMM – Power Save is successfully.
3.6.3 Enable DLS (Direct Link Setup)
Step1: Click “Direct Link Setup Enable”. And Click “Apply” button
Step2: Change to “Site Survey Page”. And add an AP that supports DLS features to a
Profile. The result will look like the below figure in Profile page.
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The Setting of DLS indicates as follow:
1. Fill in the blanks of Direct Link with MAC Address of STA. The STA must conform to two
conditions as follow:
Step1: Connect with the same AP that support DLS features.
Step2: Have to enable DLS.
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2. Timeout Value represents that it disconnect automatically after some seconds. The value
is integer. The integer must be between 0~65535. It represents that it always connects if
the value is zero. Default value of Timeout Value is 60 seconds
3. Click “Apply” button. The result will look like the below figure.
Describe “DLS Status” as follow:
1. As the up figure, after configuring DLS successfully, show MAC address of the opposite
side and Timeout Value of setting in “DLS Status”. In “DLS Status” of the opposite side,
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it shows MAC address of myself and Timeout Value of setting.
2. Display the values of “DLS Status” to “Direct Link Setup” as follow:
Step1: In “DLS Status”, select a direct link STA what you want to show it’s values in “Direct
Link Setup”.
Step2: Double click. And the result will look like the below figure.
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3. Disconnect Direct Link Setup as follow:
Step1: Select a direct link STA.
Step2: Click “Tear Down” button. The result will look like the below figure.
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3.7 WPS
The primary goal of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (Wi-Fi Simple Configuration) is to simply the
security setup and management of Wi-Fi Networks.
WPS Site Survey: Display the information of surrounding APs with WPS IE from last scan
result. List information’s include SSID, BSSID, Channel, ID (Device Password ID),
Authentication Type and Encryption Type.
Rescan: Issue a rescan command to wireless NIC to update information on surrounding
wireless network.
PIN Code: 8-digit numbers for external Registrar or internal Registrar using PIN method. Each
NIC Wireless has only one Pin Code.
Table of Credentials: Display all of credentials got from the Registrar. List information’s
include SSID, MAC, Address, Authentication, and Encryption Type. Credentials are created as
soon as each WPS success and deleted as soon as PIN or PBC start.
Detail button: Information about security and key in the credential.
Connect button: Command to connect to the selected network inside credentials. The active
selected credential is as like as the active selected Profile.
Rotate button: Command to rotate to connect to the next network inside credentials.
Disconnect button: Step WPS action and disconnect this active link. And then select the last
profile at the Profile Page of Raconfig if exit. If there is an empty profile page, the driver will
select any non-security AP
Delete button: Delete an exit credential. And the select the next credential if exit. If there is an
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empty credential, the driver will select and non-security AP.
PIN: Start to add to AP using PIN configuration Method.
PBC: Start to add to AP using PBC configuration Method.
PS: When you click PIN or PBC, please don’t do any rescan within 2-minute connection.
If you want to abort this setup within the interval, restart PIN/PBC or press Disconnect
to stop WPS action.
WPS associate IE: Send the association request with WPS IE during WPS setup. It is option
for STA.
3.7.1 To Add to AP using PIN Method
The user obtains a device password (PIN code) from the STA and enters the password into
the Registrar. Both the Enrollee and the Registrar use PIN Config method for the configuration
setup. The detail indicates as follows:
* Recommend you to do Disconnect and Delete first before each configuration setup.
Step1: Click “Rescan” to update available WPS APs.
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Step2: Select an AP(SSID/BSSID) that STA will join to.
Step3: Click “PIN” to start PIN connection.
Step4: Enter PIN Code of STA into the Registrar when prompted by the Registrar.
*Allow of an exchange between Step3 and Step4.
*If you use Microsoft Window Connection Now as an External Registrar, you must start PIN
connection at STA first. After that, search out your WPS Device Name and MAC address at
Microsoft Registrar. Add a new device and enter PIN code of STA at Microsoft Registrar when
prompted.
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Step5: The result will look like the below figure.
Step6: Configured and got one or multiple credential(s).
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Step7: The connection is successfully. The result will look like the below figure.
Step8: Click “Detail” button
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Step9: The Detail screen will look like the below figure.
*If Credential#1 is reliable and present, system will connect with Credential#1. On the contrary,
system will auto rotate to the next exist credential.
*Also you can click “Rotate” button. Command to rotate to the next credential you want to use.
3.7.2 To Add to AP using PBC Method
The PBC method requires the user to press a PBC button on both the Enrollee and the
Registrar within a 2-minute interval called the WALK TIME. If ONLY ONE Registrar in PBC
mode, which PBC mode is obtained from ID 0x0004, is found after a complete scan, the
Enrollee can immediately begin running the Registration Protocol.
If the Enrollee discovers more than one Registrar in PBC mode, it MUST abort its
connection attempt at this scan and continue searching until 2-minute timeout.
z Before you press PBC on STA and candidate AP, make sure all of APs aren’t PBC mode
or APs using PBC mode have left their Walk Time.
z Recommend you to do Disconnect and Delete first before each configuration setup.
Step1: Click PBC to start PBC connection.
Step2: Push PBC on AP.
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Step3: Then it can be shown “Scanning AP” as the below figure.
Step4: When finding only one AP, join it.
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Step5: Click WPS information on available WPS APs.
Step6: Configured and got one or multiple credential(s).
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Step7: Then connect successfully. The result will look like the below figure.
3.8 About
In the “About”, you can click the hyperlink to connect the website for the information of
the wireless chipset vendor and review basic information about the Utility such as the
RaConfig Version, Driver Version, EEPROM Version, IP Address, Sub Mask, and Default
Gateway.
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4. Troubleshooting
This chapter provides solutions to problems usually encountered during the installation and
operation of the adapter.
1. Symptom:
The LED is Off.
Possible Remedy:
Make sure the Wireless adapter is inserted properly. Otherwise, please contact your
vendor.
2. Symptom:
The LED is always on not blinking.
Possible Remedy:
Make sure that you have installed the driver from the attached CD.
3. Symptom:
The LED is blinking but the Wireless adapter icon does not appear in your icon tray.
Possible Remedy:
Make sure that you have installed the Utility from the attached CD.
4. Symptom:
The Wireless adapter is linking, but can’t share files with others.
Possible Remedy:
Make sure the File and printer-sharing function is enabled.
5. Symptom:
Slow or unstable performance.
Possible Remedy:
Try to change the channel of the communicating group or move your device closer to the
communicating device.
6. Symptom:
Can’t find the utility icon in the taskbar when plug in the Wireless adapter.
Possible Remedy:
You could enable the function by click the icon of Start Æ All Programs Æ Ralink Utility.
7. Symptom:
No wireless signal.
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Possible Remedy:
Move the antennas of the access point or wireless router into an L shape (one vertically,
and one horizontally). Click on the Refresh button on the Site Survey screen. If the
computer still does not see the Access Point, and then try to move your Access Point
closer to the computer. Then click on the Refresh button again. If the computer still does
not see the Access Point, move all things that may cause interference with the wireless
signal.
8. Symptom:
If you still cannot get a wireless connection of the network.
Possible Remedy:
Step 1- Turn the computer off
Step 2- Turn the Access Point off
Step 3- Turn the Access Point on
Step 4- Wait 30 seconds
Step 5- Turn the computer back on
Step 6- Using the Utility reconnect to the Access Point:
Step 7- Double click on the bar graph icon in the system tray
Step 8- Select the Site Survey Link
Step 9- Highlight the SSID of your wireless network and click connect
Step 10- Click OK if all the settings are correct
9. What is the IEEE 802.11g standard?
802.11g is the new IEEE standard for high-speed wireless LAN communications that
provides for up to 54 Mbps data rate in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11g is quickly becoming the
next mainstream wireless LAN technology for the home, office and public networks.
802.11g defines the use of the same OFDM modulation technique specified in IEEE
802.11a for the 5 GHz frequency band and applies it in the same 2.4 GHz frequency band
as IEEE 802.11b. The 802.11g standard requires backward compatibility with 802.11b.
The standard specifically calls for:
A. A new physically layer for the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) in the 2.4 GHz
frequency band, know as the extended rate PHY(ERP(. The ERP adds OFDM as a
mandatory new coding scheme for 6, 12, and 24 Mbps (mandatory speeds), and 18, 36, 48,
54 Mbps (optional speeds). The ERP includes the modulation schemes found in 802.11b
including CCK for 11 and 5.5 Mbps and Barker code modulation for 2 and 1 Mbps.
B. A protection mechanism called RTS.CTS that governs how 802.11g devices and
802.11b devices interoperate.
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10. What does IEEE 802.11 feature support?
The product supports the following IEEE 802.11 functions:
-- CSMA/CA Plus Acknowledge Protocol
-- Multi-Channel Roaming
-- Automatic Rate Selection
-- RTS/CTS Feature
-- Fragmentation
-- Power Management
11. What is Ad-Hoc?
An Ad-Hoc integrated wireless LAN is a group of computers, each has a Wireless LAN
adapter, Connected as an independent wireless LAN. Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is applicable at
a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO ope
ration.
12. What is Infrastructure?
An integrated wireless and wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration.
Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to central database, or
wireless application for mobile workers.
13. What is BSS ID?
A specific Ad hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must be
configured with the same BSS ID.
14. What is WEP?
WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40 bit shared key
algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
15. What is TKIP?
TKIP is a quick-fix method to quickly overcome the inherent weaknesses in WEP security,
especially the reuse of encryption keys. TKIP is involved in the IEEE 802.11i WLAN
security standard, and the specification might be officially released by early 2003.
16. What is AES?
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), a chip-based security, has been developed to
ensure the highest degree of security and authenticity for digital information, wherever and
however communicated or stored, while making more efficient use if hardware and/or
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software than previous encryption standards. It is also included in IEEE 802.11i standard.
Compare with AES, TKIP is a temporary protocol for replacing WEP security until
manufacturers implement AES at the hardware level.
17. Would the information be intercepted while transmitting on air?
WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with Direct
Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling.
On the software side, WLAN series offer the encryption function (WEP) to enhance security
and Access Control. Users can set it up depending upon their needs.
If you have any troubles to configure or setup this WLAN adapter, please feel free to
contact us.
Before contacting us, make sure collect following information. Submit complete detailed
information of your problem will help us to provide you accurate answers.
Model Name:
Serial Number:
PC Settings:
Other: