AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Acrowave Systems £ Wireless LAN PC Card User’s Guide AWL-1100C/AWL-1100P AWL-1100U/AWL-1100M Corporate Headquarters Acrowave Systems Co. Ltd. 6Fl. Maru Building 86-6 Nonhyun-dong Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-818 Korea http://www.acrowave.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction To The Wireless LAN 1.1 What’s the Wireless LAN? …………………………………… 5 1.2 Wireless LAN Standard and Structure………………………… 6 Chapter 2 Before You Start AcroLAN……………………………. 12 Chapter 3 Installing AcroLAN Card Driver………………………13 Chapter 4 Connecting the AcroLAN Card to your computer 4.1 Installing AcroLAN PCMCIA Card……………………… 4.2 Installing AcroLAN PCI Card………………………….… 4.3 Installing AcroLAN USB Card………………………….… 4.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 THE SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE PRODUCTS IN THIS MANUAL ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL STATEMENTS, INFORMATION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS MANUAL ARE BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE BUT ARE PRESENTED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. USERS MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR APPLICATION OF ANY PRODUCTS.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Chapter 1 Introduction To The Wireless LAN A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a flexible data communication system implemented as an extension to, or as an alternative for, a wired LAN within a building or campus. Using electromagnetic waves, WLANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the need for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility, and, through simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ratified the original 802.11 specifications in 1997 as the standard for wireless LANs. That version of 802.11 provides for 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps data rates and a set of fundamental signaling methods and other services. The most critical issue affecting WLAN demand has been limited throughput. The data rates supported by the original 802.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Figure 1. Ad Hoc Mode l Infrastructure Mode In infrastructure mode, the wireless network consists of at least one access point connected to the wired network infrastructure and a set of wireless end stations. This configuration is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended Service Set (ESS) is a set of two or more BSSs forming a single sub-network.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 observed packet error rates. Once accepted by the access point, the client tunes to the radio channel to which the access point is set. Periodically it surveys all 802.11 channels in order to assess whether a different access point would provide it with better performance characteristics. If it determines that this is the case, it reassociates with the new access point, tuning to the radio channel to which that access point is set.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 ƒ BSS, ESS and SS ID The basic service set (BSS) is the basic building block of WLAN network. Minimum WLAN BSS may be consist of only two stations. Using access point (AP) and network distribution systems (DS), WLAN service set can be extended arbitrary size – extended service set (ESS). Each service set has its network ID (SSID). All the service sets within an ESS network can have same service ID so that the ESS can support inter-cell ROAMING.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Backbone Network AP #`1 SS ID = Acrowave AP #`2 SS ID = Acrowave ROAMING Re-Configuration Required ESS BSS AP #`3 SS ID = Acro Backbone Network Figure 4.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Chapter 2 Version 20002.5 Before You Start AcroLAN To use the AcroLAN adapter with a computing device (desktop personal computer, notebook, laptop computer, portable or hand-held device), the device must be equipped with an internal or external PC Card Type II or Type III slot. All drivers and supporting software (card and socket services) for the client adapter slot must be loaded and configured.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Chapter 3 Version 20002.5 Installing the PC/PCI Card Adapter on a Windows OS This section provides instructions for installing a PC/PCI adapter on a computer using one of the Windows operating systems. Whatever operating systems(Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP) you use the installation procedures are all same. But, PCI card does not support for Windows XP. Caution The following procedures and physical connections apply generally to normal and conventional client adapter slots.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide 3.1.1 Version 20002.5 Installing the PC Card Driver for Windows Operating Systems × Windows95, 98, 2000, ME, XP If the operating system on your computer is Windows, follow these steps. STEP 1 If you insert the AcroLAN software and documentation CD for Windows, the Windows automatically runs AcroLAN setup program and a dialog box appears. ( Some CDs may not run automatically, in this case execute “Setpu.exe” file located at the Card setup directory of CD.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Chapter 4 Version 20002.5 Connecting the AcroLAN Card to your computer Caution The following procedures and physical connections apply generally to normal and conventional client adapter slots. In the cases of custom or non-conventional equipment, be alert to possible differences in client adapter slot configurations. 4.1 Installing AcroLAN PCMCIA Card Before you begin, examine the card. One end is a dual-row, 68-pin client adapter connector.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 good condition: • AcroLAN AWL-1100P Series PCI Client Adapter • Standard 2 dBi dipole antenna • AWL-1100P Series software and documentation CD for Windows 95/98 Windows ME, Windows 2000 Installing the PCI Client Adapter If any item is damaged or missing, contact your client adapter supplier. Save all shipping and packing material in order to repack the unit should service be required.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Caution Do not force the client adapter into the slot. Forcing it will damage both the card and the slot. If the card does not go in easily, remove the card and reinsert it. 6. Reinstall the screw to the top of the CPU back panel. 7. The client adapter comes with one 2dBi dipole antenna. With the unit powered off, attach the antenna to the antenna connector on the client adapter.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Caution Do not over-tighten the antenna connector; finger-tight is sufficient. Position the antenna vertically for best omni-directional signal reception. 4.3 Installing AcroLAN USB Card AWL-1100U is Wireless LAN Adapter and it provide USB1.1 host interface. USB can use both notebook PC and desktop PC. Operation and installation method is same with PC card. To install AcroLAN USB Card, first connect one end of the USB cable to the card.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB port on your computer. Since the card gets its power from the PC’s USB port, there is no external power adapter. The Power LED should light up green when the Card is attached and the PC is on. 4.4 Installing AcroLAN Mini-PCI Card AWL-1100M is Mini PCI type card and it can use at notebook PC. Antenna is located at the side of monitor and it can improve link quality.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Chapter 5 Version 20002.5 Configuring the AcroLAN Card If you have connected Wireless LAN card successfully, illuminating LED and Sound confirms the detection of your card. Also you will see its icon on the right bottom of your screen. If you install Acrowave’s wireless LAN card for the first time all the setup process runs automatically.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Caution This Process could cause serious problem on your network if you edit wrong data. So, if you do not know how to configure your network option, ask for help your network administrator. Click on the TCP/IP option for setting the IP address for your computer. You can select either Static or DHCP setting. If you use static IP address then enter the IP value assigned for you, and Subnet masking, DNS, Domain/Workgroup name, Gateway address value.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 DNS After setting these parameters appropriately, click on OK to return Network Component Type and you can select the File and Printer Sharing options as well as the Access to your computer by other users connected to that network by setting the computer sharing options. Click on OK.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Screen message “Do you want to restart your computer” will pop up. Select Yes. It will shut down your computer and will restart.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 5.2 Uninstalling AcroLAN Card Driver If you want to uninstall the PC card, click on the control panel. Select the Add/Remove Programs. Click on the Acrowave 11Mbps Wireless LAN and click on Add/Remove button. Uninstall Shield removes the software successfully. And then, click System icon in the control panel and removes the ACROWAVE 11Mbps Wireless PC Card adapter under the Network adapters. 5.3 Remove PC Card from PC card socket 5.3.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Above utility window will be pop up when you click PC monitor shape green icon. Select “ Radio Disable”. Then PC icon will be display with X and it means Wireless LAN operation is stoped. After PC monitor shape green icon go out of sight, Pull out USB connector from PC. If you want to use again then connect USB port to PC and select “Enable Radio” at utility window. 5.3.3 Remove Mini-PCI AcroLAN Card Be sure to turn off PC power before remove.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 5.4 AcroLAN Configuration Utility Acrowave install shied program installs wireless LAN driver program and Configuration Utility program. You can see the icon at the right bottom of your screen. Click on that icon will show you the screen as show below. Wireless Link Status Status shows wireless LAN card’s MAC address information. Current Tx Rate shows transmit data rate. Current Channel shows selected channel number.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 usually, the quality level moves simultaneous with the Link Quality level. Network Configuration Network Type : You can select wireless LAN network mode – Infrastructure(Access Point) or Ad-hoc(Peer-to-Peer) mode Infrastructure Mode This mode is used to set up a connection to a wired Ethernet network. This mode requires an ACROLAN Access Point to gain access to the wired network.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Encryption - WEP In order to do secure communication over the wireless LAN network, wireless LAN module provides encryption function - WEP. There are two ways to generate WEP key. This key is an important in protecting the illegal access to the wireless networks. If you want to use WEP function, the AP also set the same WEP key value with you. And all the users who want to communicate with you must use same key with each other.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 There are two ways to generate the WEP key. One is by entering any text in the Passphrase. And click on Generate button. It will generate four WEP keys; Key 1, Key 2, Key 3, Key 4. You can select any key for the security. If you do not select any key, Key 1 is selected in default. The other way is by entering Key value directly from the keyboard. Select the Key number and use that Key for accessing the AP.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Chapter 6 Version 20002.5 Troubleshooting In this chapter, we have listed various problems that you may encounter during the installation and have also listed possible solutions. The system tray wireless monitor icon is always red £ Change your location or the location of the antenna by a few feet and try again. £ Make sure the client adapter card is securely inserted in the expansion slot. £ Make sure the antenna is securely attached.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide £ Version 20002.5 Make sure that your TCP/IP is set properly and correctly.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Appendix Appendix A Cell Planning (Radio Range) This section provides general guidelines on factors that influence network performance Cell Site Survey Because of differences in component configuration, placement and physical environment, every network application is a unique installation.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 mobile station desires to transfer and the number of stations located in each cell. Seamless roaming is supported as a mobile station moves in and out of range of each AcroLAN Access Point, thereby maintaining a constant connection to the wired LAN. Each device in the radio network must be configured with the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) to provide the roaming capability. Multiple systems can operate in the same vicinity.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Appendix B Technical Specifications Supported Operating Systems Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP Radio Specifications Item Specification Description Radio Type Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) 2.4 GHz ISM Band Operating Frequency 2400-2483.5 MHz FCC ID Channeling Type of Modulation Receiver sensitivity 5 MHz increments BPSK 1 Mbit/s QPSK 2 Mbit/s CCK 5.5 and 11 Mbits/s –87 dBm @ 1 Mbps –85 dBm @ 2 Mbps –84 dBm @ 5.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Power Requirements - PC Card Specification Value Operational Voltage Receive Mode Current 3.3V ± 0.25V 250 mA (200 mA typically) 400 mA (370 mA typically) 30 mA typically High Power Transmit Mode Current Sleep Mode Current - PCI Card Specification Operational Voltage Receive Mode Current High Power Transmit Mode Current Sleep Mode Current Value 5.0V ± 0.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Size Operating Temperature Connectors Status Indicators Version 20002.5 149 mm L x 121 mm W x 18 mm H 0°C to 70°C minimum (32°F to 158°F) PCI Card edge Green LEDs – link association/activity USB Card Item Description Size Operating Temperature Connectors Status Indicators 56 mm L x 121.8 mm W x 10.
AcroLAN Card User’s Guide Version 20002.5 Appendix C Channel Allocation The channel identifiers and the channel center frequencies of each 22-MHz-wide channel are shown in the table below, as appropriate for the various areas or regulatory agencies.
