Sercomm CB801R 54Mbps Wireless PCMCIA Card User Manual

Sercomm Corporation 54Mbps Wireless PCMCIA Card Users Manual

Revised Manual

802.11g PC Card/USB Wireless Adapter User Guide
Regulatory Approvals FCC 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 communica-tions. 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. To assure continued compliance, any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment. (Example - use only shielded interface cables when connecting to computer or peripheral devices). Channel The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used for communication. •Access Points use a fixed Channel. You can select the Channel used. This allows you to choose a Channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA and Canada, 11 channel are available. If using multiple Access Points, it is better if adjacent Access Points use different Channels to reduce interference. • In "Infrastructure" mode, Wireless Stations normally scan all Channels, looking for an Access Point. If more than one Access Point can be used, the one with the strongest signal is used. (This can only happen within an ESS.) • If using "Ad-hoc" mode (no Access Point), all Wireless stations should be set to use the same Channel. However, most Wireless stations will still scan all Channels to see if there is an existing "Ad-hoc" group they can join.
i Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1 Package Contents.............................................................................................................................1 LEDs....................................................................................................................................................1 Operation............................................................................................................................................2 CHAPTER 2 INITIAL INSTALLATION...............................................................................................3 Requirements ....................................................................................................................................3 Procedure...........................................................................................................................................3 CHAPTER 3 USING THE WINDOWS UTILITY.................................................................................5 Overview.............................................................................................................................................5 System Tray Icon..............................................................................................................................5 Site Survey Screen...........................................................................................................................6 Add Profile Screen...........................................................................................................................7 Profiles Screen...............................................................................................................................10 Link Status Screen........................................................................................................................11 Statistics Screen.............................................................................................................................11 Advanced Screen.............................................................................................................................12 About Screen...................................................................................................................................12 APPENDIX A SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................13 PC Card Adapter.............................................................................................................................13 USB Adapter....................................................................................................................................14 Wireless Interface..........................................................................................................................15 APPENDIX B ABOUT WIRELESS LANS .........................................................................................17 Modes ................................................................................................................................................17 BSS/ESS...........................................................................................................................................17 Channels...........................................................................................................................................18 WEP...................................................................................................................................................18 Wireless LAN Configuration.......................................................................................................18 P/N: Copyright  2004. All Rights Reserved. Document Version: 1.1 (August, 2004) All trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.
1 Chapter 1 Introduction This Chapter provides an overview of the Wireless Adapter's features and ca-pabilities. Congratulations on the purchase of your new Wireless Adapter. The Wireless Adapter pro-vides a wireless network interface for your Notebook or PC. Package Contents The following items should be included: • The Wireless Adapter Unit (PC Card or USB Adapter • Power Adapter • Quick Start Guide • CD-ROM containing the on-line manual. If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your dealer immediately. LEDs PC Card Wireless Adapter The PC Card Wireless Adapter has 2 LEDs - Ready and Link/Activity. Ready LED • On - Associated with an Access Point, or connected to an Ad-hoc wireless network. • Off - No wireless network available. Link/Act LED • On - Wireless ethernet connection established. • Off - No Wireless ethernet connection. • Flashing - Data being transferred. USB Wireless Adapter The PC Card Wireless Adapter has a single Link/Activity LED. Link/Act LED • On - Wireless ethernet connection established. • Off - No Wireless ethernet connection. • Flashing - Data being transferred. 1
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 2 Operation You should install the supplied software on the CD-ROM before inserting the PC Card or USB adapter.
3 Chapter 2 Initial Installation This Chapter covers the software installation of the Wireless Adapter. Requirements • Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP. • Available PC Card slot (for PC Card Wireless Adapter) or available USB port (for USB Wireless Adapter). • CD-ROM drive. • IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11g wireless LAN. Procedure You should install the supplied software BEFORE inserting the PC Card or USB Adapter. 1. Insert the CD-ROM into the drive on your PC. 2. The installation program should start automatically. If it does not, run the SETUP.EXE program. Figure 1: Start Installation 3. On the screen above, click "Next" to start the installation. 4. Step though the procedure until you see the screen below. 2
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 4 Figure 2: Installation completed 5. Click "Finish" to close the installation program. 6. Insert the PC Card or USB Adapter into your PC. 7. The Windows "New Hardware" wizard will then start. • Allow it to complete the installation of the Windows driver. • If using Windows XP, you may see a warning screen like the example below. If you do see this screen, just click "Continue Anyway" Figure 3: Windows XP Warning 8. When the Windows wizard is complete, you will now have a new icon in your system tray, as shown below. 9. You will now have a new icon in your system tray, as shown below. Figure 4: System Tray Icon 10. You can double- click this icon to configure the Wireless interface. See the following chapter for details..
5 Chapter 3 Using the Windows Utility This Chapter provides Setup details for the AP mode of the Wireless Adapter. Overview If using Windows XP, you have the option of using Windows itself to configure the Wireless interface, or using the supplied utility. To Use Windows XP for Configuration • Right-click the System Tray icon • From the pop-up menu, select "Use Zero Configuration as Configuration utility". To Use the supplied Windows utility for Configuration • Right-click the System Tray icon • From the pop-up menu, select "Use ScConfig as Configuration utility". The Chapter assumes you are using the supplied ScConfig utility. System Tray Icon If the ScConfig program is running, it will display an Icon in the System Tray. You can double-click the If the program is not running, you can start it using the option in the Start menu created by the installation. For the PC Card, this will be Start - Programs - Sphairon - CB801R - ScConfig2500. For the USB Adapter, this will be Start - Programs - Sphairon - USB801R - ScConfig2500. Status Information The System Tray icon indicates the status of the Wireless adapter, as shown below. Figure 5: Wireless Adapter not Installed Figure 6: Not Connected 3
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 6 Figure 7: Connected Connecting to a Wireless Network Double-click the Icon to open the Site Survey screen, when you can select the Wireless net-work you wish to join. Site Survey Screen This screen is displayed when you double-click the system tray icon. Figure 8: Site Survey Screen Information - Site Survey Screen SSID Available wireless networks are listed. BSSID This is the MAC address of the Access Point (or Wireless station, if the network is an Ad-hoc network). 8ignal Strength This is displayed as percentage ( 0 ~ 100%). Channel No. The channel used by the Wireless network. Encryption This indicates the encryption method used on the Wireless LAN. Authentication This indicates the authentication method used on the Wireless LAN. Network Type This will indicate "Infrastructure" (displayed device is an Access Point) or "Ad-hoc" (displayed device is a Wireless station.) Status The area to the left of the "Rescan" button show the current status. In the example above, it shows "Disconnected".
Setup 7 Rescan Click this button to rescan for all Wireless networks. Add to Profile Click this to complete configuration of the selected Wireless Network. See below for details. To Connect to a Wireless Network 1. Double-click on the desired network. 2. You will then see the Add Profile screen. See below for details on using this screen. Note that once you are connected to a Wireless network, the Site Survey screen will identify the current wireless network with a green "handshake" icon, as shown below. Figure 9: Site Survey Screen - Connected Add Profile Screen This screen is accessed by clicking the Wireless Security button on the AP Setup screen. It has 2 tabs - Configuration and Authentication and Security. Configuration Tab Figure 10 Settings Tab Profile Name Enter a suitable name for this profile. Each profile must have a unique name.
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 8 SSID If the desired wireless network is currently available, you can select its SSID. Otherwise, type in the SSID of the desired wireless network. PSM Select the desired power saving options. Network Type Select the desired option: • Infrastructure - Select this to connect to an Access point. • Ad Hoc - Select this to if there is no Access point, PCs con-nect directly to each other. RTS Threshold This setting is provided for technical support staff. Fragment Threshold This setting is provided for technical support staff. Authentication and Security Tab Figure 11: Authentication and Security Tab Data - Authentication and Security Tab Authentication Type You MUST select the option to match the Wireless LAN you wish to join. The available options are: • Open - Broadcast signals are not encrypted. This method can be used only with no encryption or with WEP. • Shared - Broadcast signals are encrypted using WEP. This method can only be used with WEP. • WPA - This method uses a key which is automatically generated. • WPA-PSK - PSK means "Pre-shared Key". You must enter this key value; it is used for both authentication and en-cryption. Encryption The available options depend on the Authentication method
Setup 9 selected above. The possible options are: • WEP - If selected, you must enter the WEP data shown below. This WEP data must match the Access Point or other Wireless stations. • AES, TKIP - These options are available with WPA and WPA-PSK. Select the correct option. WPA Preshared Key This is for WPA-PSK only. If using WPA-PSK Enter the PSK (Pre-shared Key), sometimes called the network key. All Wireless stations must use the same key. WEP Key This section is grayed out unless using WEP. • Key # - You can enter up to 4 keys. Use the radio button to select the Default key (used for transmissions.) You must enter the default key; the other keys are optional. • Hex/ASCII - Select the method of entering the key value. (Note: Hex chars are 0~9 and A~F.) • Enter the key value or values you wish to use. These must match the Access Point or other wireless stations. The De-fault Key is required, the others are optional.
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 10 Profiles Screen Once you have created a profile, as described above, the Profiles tab will be available on the main screen. Figure 12: Profiles Screen Data - Profiles Screen Profile Name The name of the Profile. Each profile must have a unique name. SSID The SSID for this profile. Channel No. The channel used by the Wireless network associated with this profile. Authentication This indicates the authentication method used on the Wireless network associated with this profile. Encryption This indicates the encryption method network used on the Wireless network associated with this profile. Network Type This will indicate "Infrastructure" or "Ad-hoc". Buttons Add Add a new profile Delete Delete the selected Profile. Edit Change the selected Profile. Activate Connect to the Wireless network specified by the selected profile.
Setup 11 Link Status Screen This screen displays the quality of the current wireless link. Figure 13: Link Status Screen You may have to wait a few seconds for the screen to be populated. Statistics Screen This screen displays details of the traffic sent or received on the current Wireless network. Figure 14: Statistics Screen
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 12 Advanced Screen This screen is for use by technical support staff and advanced users only. See the "Help" for details of the settings on this screen.. Figure 15: Advanced Screen About Screen This screen displays details of the traffic sent or received on the current Wireless network. Figure 16: Screen
13 Appendix A Specifications This Appendix covers the most likely problems and their solutions. PC Card Adapter Model CB801R Chipset: Ralink RT2560 RF Chip: Ralink RT2525 Bus Type: CardBus 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, and 6 Mbps (802.11g) Data Rates : 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps (802.11b) Frequency Band : 2.4GHz to 2.462GHz Wireless Medium : DSSS and OFDM Media Access Protocol: CSMA/CA Operating Channels: 1-14(FCC:1-11、ETSI:1-13、Japan:1-14 ) Operating Range: • Indoors: Up to 328 ft (100 meters) • Outdoors: Up to 1312 ft (400 meters) Receive Sensitivity : 54 Mbps: -70 dBm 48 Mbps: -72 dBm 36 Mbps: -77 dBm 24 Mbps: -80 dBm 18 Mbps: -82 dBm 12 Mbps: -85 dBm 9 Mbps: -86 dBm 802.11g6 Mbps: -88 dBm 11 Mbps: -86 dBm 5.5 Mbps: -89 dBm 2 Mbps: -91 dBm 802.11b1 Mbps: -91 dBm Wireless Medium: DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) Media Access Protocol: CSMA/CA Transmit Power: 802.11g: 17.5 ± 2 dBm A
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 14 802.11b: 18.5 ± 2 dBm Security : 64/128-bit WEP WPA—Wi-Fi Protected Access Standards Conformance: WPA certified, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b EMI: FCC, CE Environmental Range: Operating temperature: 0o to 40oC (32o to 104oF) Operating humidity: 0 to 90% non-condensing System Requirements Notebook PC must be running Windows 98SE/ME/XP/ 2000 USB Adapter Model UB801R Chipset: Ralink RT2572 RF Chip: Ralink RT2526 Bus Type: USB 2.0 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, and 6 Mbps (802.11g) Data Rates : 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps (802.11b) Frequency Band : 2.4GHz to 2.462GHz Wireless Medium : DSSS and OFDM Media Access Protocol: CSMA/CA Operating Channels: 1-14(FCC:1-11、ETSI:1-13、Japan:1-14 ) Operating Range: • Indoors: Up to 328 ft (100 meters) • Outdoors: Up to 1312 ft (400 meters) Receive Sensitivity : 54 Mbps: -71 dBm 48 Mbps: -73 dBm 36 Mbps: -77 dBm 24 Mbps: -81 dBm 18 Mbps: -83 dBm 12 Mbps: -83 dBm 9 Mbps: -83 dBm 802.11g6 Mbps: -83 dBm 11 Mbps: -87 dBm 802.11b5.5 Mbps: -88 dBm
Appendix A - Troubleshooting 15 2 Mbps: -89 dBm 1 Mbps: -89 dBm Wireless Medium: DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) Media Access Protocol: CSMA/CA Transmit Power: 802.11g: 13.5 dBm 802.11b: 17.5 dBm Security : 64/128-bit WEP WPA—Wi-Fi Protected Access Standards Conformance: WPA certified, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b EMI: FCC, CE Environmental Range: Operating temperature: 0o to 40oC (32o to 104oF) Operating humidity: 0 to 90% non-condensing Notebook or desktop PC with USB port; USB 2.0 required for 54 Mbps data rate System Requirements Notebook or desktop PC must be running Windows 98SE/ME/XP/ 2000 Model Wireless Adapter Dimensions 70 mm (W) * 105 mm(D) * 22 mm (H) Operating Temperature 0° C to 40° C Storage Temperature -10° C to 70° C Network Protocol: TCP/IP Network Interface: 1 * 10/100BaseT Ethernet 1 * Wireless Interface LEDs 3 Power Adapter 5 V DC External Wireless Interface Standards IEEE802.11g WLAN, JEIDA 4.2, roaming support Frequency 2.4 to 2.4835GHz (Industrial Scientific Medical Band ) Channels Maximum 14 Channels, depending on regulatory authorities
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 16 Modulation DSSS BPSK/QPSK/CCK, OFDM/CCK Data Rate Up to 54 Mbps Coverage Area Indoors : 10m @54Mbps, 80m @6Mbps or lower Outdoors : 30m @54Mbps, 200m @6Mbps or lower Security WEP 64Bit, WEP 128Bit, WPA-PSK Output Power 16 dBm (typical) Receiver Sensitivity -80 dBm Min.
17 Appendix B About Wireless LANs This Appendix provides some background information about using Wireless LANs (WLANs). Modes Wireless LANs can work in either of two (2) modes: • Ad-hoc • Infrastructure Ad-hoc Mode Ad-hoc mode does not require an Access Point or a wired (Ethernet) LAN. Wireless Sta-tions (e.g. notebook PCs with wireless cards) communicate directly with each other. Infrastructure Mode In Infrastructure Mode, one or more Access Points are used to connect Wireless Stations (e.g. Notebook PCs with wireless cards) to a wired (Ethernet) LAN. The Wireless Stations can then access all LAN resources. Access Points can only function in "Infrastructure" mode, and can communicate only with Wireless Stations which are set to "Infrastructure" mode. BSS/ESS BSS A group of Wireless Stations and a single Access Point, all using the same ID (SSID), form a Basic Service Set (BSS). Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to communicate with each other. ESS A group of Wireless Stations, and multiple Access Points, all using the same ID (ESSID), form an Extended Service Set (ESS). Different Access Points within an ESS can use different Channels. In fact, to reduce interference, it is recommended that adjacent Access Points SHOULD use different channels. As Wireless Stations are physically moved through the area covered by an ESS, they will automatically change to the Access Point which has the least interference or best performance. This capability is called Roaming. (Access Points do not have or require Roaming capabilities.) B
Wireless 3-in-1 Companion User Guide 18 Channels The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used for communication. • Access Points use a fixed Channel. You can select the Channel used. This allows you to choose a Channel which provides the least interference and best performance. In the USA and Canada, 11 channel are available. If using multiple Access Points, it is better if adjacent Access Points use different Channels to reduce interference. • In "Infrastructure" mode, Wireless Stations normally scan all Channels, looking for an Access Point. If more than one Access Point can be used, the one with the strongest signal is used. (This can only happen within an ESS.) • If using "Ad-hoc" mode (no Access Point), all Wireless stations should be set to use the same Channel. However, most Wireless stations will still scan all Channels to see if there is an existing "Ad-hoc" group they can join. WEP WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a standard for encrypting data before it is transmitted. This is desirable because it is impossible to prevent snoopers from receiving any data which is transmitted by your Wireless Stations. But if the data is encrypted, then it is meaningless unless the receiver can decrypt it. If WEP is used, the Wireless Stations and the Access Point must have the same settings for each of the following: WEP Off, 64 Bit, 128 Bit Key For 64 Bit encryption, the Key value must match. For 128 Bit encryption, the Key value must match WEP Authentication Open System or Shared Key. Wireless LAN Configuration To allow Wireless Stations to use the Access Point, the Wireless Stations and the Access Point must use the same settings, as follows: Mode On client Wireless Stations, the mode must be set to "Infrastructure". (The Access Point is always in "Infrastructure" mode.) SSID (ESSID) Wireless Stations should use the same SSID (ESSID) as the Access Point they wish to connect to. Alternatively, the SSID can be set to "any" or null (blank) to allow connection to any Access Point. WEP The Wireless Stations and the Access Point must use the same settings for WEP (Off, 64 Bit, 128 Bit). WEP Key: If WEP is enabled, the Key must be the same on the Wireless Stations and the Access Point. WEP Authentication: If WEP is enabled, all Wireless Stations must use the same setting as the Access Point (either "Open System" or "Shared Key").

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