EZ ConnectTM g WLAN Cardbus User Guide From SMC's EZ line of low-cost workgroup LAN solutions 38 Tesla Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 679-8000 March 2005 Revision #: R01, F1.0 Copyright Information furnished by SMC Networks, Inc. (SMC) is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by SMC for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of SMC. SMC reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice. Copyright © 2005 by SMC Networks, Inc. 38 Tesla Irvine, CA 92618 All rights reserved. Trademarks: SMC is a registered trademark; and EZ Connect is a trademark of SMC Networks, Inc. Other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Compliances 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 or more of the following measures: · Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. · Increase the distance 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: To assure continued compliance, (example - use only shielded interface cables when connecting to computer or peripheral devices) 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 transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. CSA Statement (Canada) This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of Industry Canada. Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radio-électriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par l'Industrie. i Compliances CE Mark Declaration of Conformance for EMI and Safety (EEC) This information technology equipment complies with the requirements of the Council Directive 89/336/EEC on the Approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to Electromagnetic Compatibility and 73/23/EEC for electrical equipment used within certain voltage limits and the Amendment Directive 93/68/EEC. For the evaluation of the compliance with these Directives, the following standards were applied: RFI · Limit class B according to EN 55022:1998 Emission: · Limit class B for harmonic current emission according to EN 61000-3-2/1995 · Limitation of voltage fluctuation and flicker in low-voltage supply system according to EN 61000-3-3/1995 Immunity: · Product family standard according to EN 55024:1998 · Electrostatic Discharge according to EN 61000-4-2:1995 (Contact Discharge: ±4 kV, Air Discharge: ±8 kV) · Radio-frequency electromagnetic field according to EN 61000-4-3:1996 (80 - 1000 MHz with 1 kHz AM 80% Modulation: 3 V/m) · Electrical fast transient/burst according to EN 61000-4-4:1995 (AC/DC power supply: ±1 kV, Data/Signal lines: ±0.5 kV) · Surge immunity test according to EN 61000-4-5:1995 (AC/DC Line to Line: ±1 kV, AC/DC Line to Earth: ±2 kV) · Immunity to conducted disturbances, Induced by radio-frequency fields: EN 61000-4-6:1996 (0.15 - 80 MHz with 1 kHz AM 80% Modulation: 3 V/m) · Power frequency magnetic field immunity test according to EN 61000-4-8:1993 (1 A/m at frequency 50 Hz) · Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity test according to EN 61000-4-11:1994 (>95% Reduction @10 ms, 30% Reduction @500 ms, >95% Reduction @5000 ms) LVD: · EN 60950 (A1/1992; A2/1993; A3/1993; A4/1995; A11/1997) ii Contents Compliances Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement CSA Statement (Canada) CE Mark Declaration of Conformance for EMI and Safety (EEC) i i i ii Introduction Features Applications System Requirements Package Checklist 1 1 2 2 2 Hardware Description LED Indicators 3 3 Hardware Installation Driver and Utility Installation Utility Configuration Wireless Network Manager Configuration Link Information IP Information Site Survey Version Information 4 5 9 9 10 13 15 16 17 Network Configuration and Planning Network Topologies Ad Hoc Wireless LAN Infrastructure Wireless LAN Setting the Communication Domain 18 18 18 19 20 Troubleshooting Adapter Installation Problems 21 21 Network Connection Problems Specifications General Specifications Data Rate and Transmission Power Typical Receiver Sensitivity Range 21 23 23 25 25 iii Contents iv EZ CONNECTTM G WLAN CARDBUS Introduction The WLAN Cardbus is a 54 Mbps wireless network adapter that seamlessly integrates with existing Ethernet networks to support applications such as mobile users or temporary conferences. This solution offers a high data rate and reliable wireless connectivity with considerable cost savings over wired LANs (which include long-term maintenance overhead for cabling.) Just install enough wireless access points to cover your network area, plug wireless cards into your notebooks, and start networking. Using this card in conjunction with a wireless access point, you can create an instant network that integrates seamlessly with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs. Moreover, moving or expanding your network is as easy as moving or installing additional access points ­ no wires! Features · Wireless connection without the hassles and cost of cabling · Greater flexibility to locate or move networked PCs · Integrates with or replaces wired LANs at dramatically lower cost than wired alternatives · Seamless connectivity to wired Ethernet LANs augments existing networks quickly and easily · Easy installation · Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) technology provides robust, interference-resistant and secure wireless connection · Complemetary Code Keying (CCK) ensures backward compatibility to the existing IEEE 802.11b WLAN infrastructure · Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) provides the speed required for today's high-bandwidth application · Supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP · Supports WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) security · Provides a user-friendly interface for configuration · Extended range feature supported 1 EZ ConnectTM g WLAN Cardbus Applications Offers a fast, reliable, cost-effective solution for wireless client access to the network in applications like these: · Remote access to corporate network information E-mail, file transfer, and terminal emulation · Difficult-to-wire environments Historic or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open areas where wiring is difficult to employ · Frequently changing environments Retailers, manufacturers, and banks who frequently rearrange the workplace and change location · Temporary LANs for special projects or peak times Trade shows, exhibitions, and construction sites that need a temporary setup for a short time period. Retailers, airline, and shipping companies that need additional workstations for peak periods. Auditors who require workgroups at customer sites · Access to database for mobile workers Doctors, nurses, retailers, office workers who need access to databases while being mobile in the hospital, retail store or office campus · SOHO users SOHO (Small Office and Home Office) users who need easy and quick installation of a small computer network System Requirements Before you install the WLAN Cardbus, check your system for the following: · A laptop with a PCMCIA Type II or Type III slot · Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP (Prepare the Windows OS CD for use during installation) · A minimum of 1500 Kbytes of free disk space for installing the driver and utility program · 300 MHz processor or higher · Other IEEE 802.11b/g-compliant devices installed in your area Package Checklist The WLAN Cardbus package includes: · 1 WLAN Cardbus · 1 driver/utility installation program, and documentation CD · Quick Installation Guide Please inform your dealer if there are any incorrect, missing, or damaged parts. If possible, retain the carton, including the original packing materials. Use them again to repack the product if there is a need to return it for repair. 2 Hardware Description The WLAN Cardbus supports 54 Mbps connections to Ethernet networks. This card is fully compliant with specifications defined in IEEE 802.11b standard and IEEE 802.11g standard. It can be installed in any notebook with a Type II or TYPE III PCMCIA slot. It supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP. LED Indicators The WLAN Cardbus includes two status LED indicators, as described in the following table. LED Status Description Link On Flashing Indicates a valid connection with an access point. Indicates that the WLAN Cardbus is scanning for available networks. Indicates that the WLAN Cardbus is transmitting/receiving data. Activity Flashing 3 Hardware Installation Warnings: Network cards are sensitive to static electricity. To protect the card, always touch the metal chassis of your notebook or the ground before handling the card. 1. 2. 3. Turn on your notebook. Find an available Type II or Type III PCMCIA slot in your notebook. With the PC Card's 68-pin connector facing the PCMCIA slot, label side up, slide the card completely into the slot as shown below. Note: The PCMCIA slot allows you to "hot swap" PC Cards any time. 4. Install the appropriate driver into your system. Drivers can be found on the driver CD that comes with the package. See the following section for instructions. 4 Driver and Utility Installation The CD labeled "Driver and Utility CD" that comes with the package contains the software drivers and utilities available for the Wireless PC Card. Note: You may find that the instructions here do not exactly match your version of Windows. This is because these steps and screenshots were created from Windows XP. Windows 98SE, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 2000 are similar, but not identical, to Windows XP. 1. 2. Place the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. The program will auto-run. Windows XP will automatically install the driver. 3. Insert the adapter into your computer when you see the following message. 5 EZ ConnectTM g WLAN Cardbus 4. Once the utility has been installed into your system, the Found New Hardware Wizard window will appears. 5. 6. Select Yes, this time only and click Next. Choose the Install the software automatically option, and click Next. 6 Driver and Utility Installation 7. Click Continue Anyway to proceed with the installation. Note: Do not select STOP Installation, as this will cancel the installation process, and the drivers will not be installed properly. 7 EZ ConnectTM g WLAN Cardbus 8. Click Finish to exit the wizard. 9. When the wizard has finished installing the driver, the following screen will appear. Select Yes, I want to restart my computer now. Click Finish and your PC will restart. The driver and utility installation is completed. Your adapter is now ready for use. 8 Utility Configuration Wireless Network Manager Double-click the shortcut icon on the desktop, or from the task bar to launch the utility. You can also access the utility program from the Start menu. The configuration utility includes the following five tabs: Configuration -- Allows you to monitor network status, configure wireless adapter parameters, and access security control. Link Information -- Shows wireless adapter statistics. IP Information -- Shows Network connection information. Site Survey -- Scans/Shows all the wireless devices in range. Version Information -- Show ...