Installation and User Guide Wireless LAN Client Adapter Airgo Networks, Inc. 900 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA 94304 P: 650-475-1900 F: 650-475-1708 www.airgonetworks.
Copyright © 2003 by Airgo Networks. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Airgo Networks unless such copying is expressly permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Overview 1 Connecting the Wireless LAN Client Adapter 2 Installing the Wireless LAN Client Adapter Driver and Client Utility 4 Uninstalling the Client Utility and Drivers 8 Overview of Wireless Networking 11 Service Set Identifiers 12 Wireless Bands and Channels 12 Client Utility 12 Accessing the Client Utility 14 Navigating the User Interface 14 Configuration Overview 20 Scanning for Available Networks 20 Working with Profiles 21 Profile Window 23 Wireless Security 24
Preface This guide explains how to install and configure the Wireless LAN Client Adapter, which provides PC laptop and desktop users with access to 802.11 access points. The guide is intended for business and consumer users who want to install and configure the Wireless LAN Client Adapter quickly and easily. It is also intended for users who are interested in advanced configuration and troubleshooting.
Preface ■ ■ ■ 4 Access Point Installation and Configuration Guide — Describes how to install and configure the Access Point. NMS Pro Installation and Configuration Guide — Explains how to install and use the enterprise network management application. Command Line Interface (CLI) Reference Manual — Provides a listing of all the commands available for the Access Point, usable through console access and command line interface; this manual is intended for advanced users and system administrators.
1 InstallationOverview This chapter explains how to install the Wireless LAN Client Adapter, adapter driver, and Client Utility. It includes the following topics: • • • • Overview Connecting the Wireless LAN Client Adapter Installing the Wireless LAN Client Adapter Driver and Client Utility Uninstalling the Client Utility and Drivers Overview The Wireless LAN Client Adapter provides the communication link between your laptop or desktop PC and other devices in a wireless network.
1 InstallationOverview • CPU 1.0 GHz or greater • At least 10 MB disk capacity available for the driver and Client Utility software. • Type II or Type III cardbus slot for notebooks and laptops Connecting the Wireless LAN Client Adapter To install the PC card: • With the computer powered on or off, slide the PC card firmly into an available CardBus slot (Figure 1).
Connecting the Wireless LAN Client Adapter To install the PCI card adapter (Figure 2): 1 Power down your PC. 2 Remove the cover that provides access to the PCI expansion slot. 3 Insert the PCI card into an available PCI slot. 4 Replace the cover. 5 Attach the antenna to the external connector on the PCI card. You are now ready to install the Wireless LAN Client Adapter driver software.
1 InstallationOverview Installing the Wireless LAN Client Adapter Driver and Client Utility NOTE: Before installing the Wireless LAN Client Adapter or any other wireless adapter, you must make sure that your system has the latest Microsoft patches to support wireless networking. You can find information and patches at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/broadbandnetworking/ 10_concept_wireless_security.mspx.
Installing the Wireless LAN Client Adapter Driver and Client Utility 5 Click Next. The License agreement window opens. 6 Review the license agreement, and then click Yes.
1 InstallationOverview 7 Click OK. 1 You may see a warning regarding Windows logo testing. 8 Click Continue Anyway. The installation wizard installs the adapter driver. The next screen indicates that the installation was successful and prompts you to continue with Client Utility installation. 9 Click Next. 1 If your PC Card adapter is not yet physically installed, the installation, the wizard prompts you to do so.
Installing the Wireless LAN Client Adapter Driver and Client Utility The wizard prompts you to choose an installation location. 10 Click Next to accept the default location, or click Browse to select a different location before clicking Next. The wizard completes the installation. 11 Click Finish to complete the installation and start the Client Utility. The installation is now complete. If you encounter any difficulties, refer to “Confirming the Installation” on page 33 for additional information.
1 InstallationOverview Uninstalling the Client Utility and Drivers This section explains how to remove the Client Utility software from your system, which may be necessary if you are upgrading to a newer version of the utility. NOTE: Use the Windows System control panel if you need to uninstall only the Wireless LAN Client Adapter driver.
Uninstalling the Client Utility and Drivers 4 Click Finish. The Uninstall process is now complete.
1 InstallationOverview 10 Installation and User Guide: Wireless LAN Client Adapter
2 Introduction to the Client Utility The chapter provides an overview of wireless networking and explains how to access the Client Utility to configure your Wireless LAN Client Adapter. It includes the following topics: • Overview of Wireless Networking • Client Utility • Navigating the User Interface Overview of Wireless Networking The Wireless LAN Client Adapter connects your PC to a wireless local area network (wireless LAN) by way of radio signals.
2 Introduction to the Client Utility Figure 4: Ad-Hoc Network A0018 Service Set Identifiers The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a name that uniquely identifies a wireless local area network. Each device in the wireless network must have the same SSID configured in order to participate in the network. The SSID can be up to 32 alphanumeric characters in length and is also known as the wireless network name. The 802.
Client Utility To specify that Windows will not be managing the wireless adapter: 1 Right-click the wireless icon on the system tray. 2 Select View Available Wireless Networks. The window shows the list of available networks. 3 Click Advanced to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, Wireless Networks tab.
2 Introduction to the Client Utility 4 Clear the checkbox entitled Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings. 5 Click OK. You can now use the Client Utility to manage your wireless connections. Accessing the Client Utility If you followed the instructions in Chapter 1, the Client Utility is installed on your PC. To start the Client Utility: • Choose Start > Programs > Airgo Networks > Client Utility. The Client Utility application icon will appear in the system tray.
Navigating the User Interface Using the Compact View The compact view displays summary information about current communications between your PC and the access point. When you start the Client Utility, the compact view opens in text mode (Figure 6).
2 Introduction to the Client Utility Using the Expanded View Click More to open the Client Utility to the expanded view (Figure 8). Figure 8: Client Utility, Expanded View The upper section of the expanded view lists all the networks and network profiles available to your PC.
Navigating the User Interface Item (continued) Description Encryption Type of data encryption enabled for this access point or profile Network Infrastructure or ad-hoc Use the horizontal scroll bar to view all the columns. You can resize each column by selecting and moving the column header dividers.
2 Introduction to the Client Utility Background Operation and Exiting While the Client Utility is running, its icon is always displayed on the Windows system tray. To close the Client Utility window while keeping it operating in the background, click X in the upper right corner of the utility window. To exit the utility, right-click the system tray icon, and select Exit.
3 Configuration Configuration Overview This chapter explains how to scan for and connect to wireless networks and how to set up a profile to store network configuration information.
3 Configuration Overview Configuration Overview Figure 10 shows the Client Utility in Expanded View. Figure 10: Client Utility, Expanded View The Client Utility uses profiles to store information describing how your Wireless LAN Client Adapter connects to the wireless network. Each profile contains information about the type of network connection, security settings, and power settings.
Working with Profiles access point it finds for which it can establish radio communications. Association normally happens automatically; however, it is recommended that you start the Client Utility once you are connected. This enables you to verify the configuration and confirm that the access point to which you are connected is a trusted component of your network. Whenever you open the Client Utility, the system performs an automatic scan. You can also scan for networks at any time, upon demand.
3 Configuration Overview You can edit any profile in the list, including the active one. If you edit and save the active profile, the system temporarily drops the network connection while implementing the changes. When the configuration change is complete, the network connection is restored. To edit a profile: 1 Highlight the profile name and click Edit. If the profile is active, the system requests confirmation that you want to continue. Click OK to open the profile window.
Profile Window Profile Window Figure 13 shows the Profile window, which opens when you double-click on an entry in the network list or highlight a listed profile and click Edit. This section provides an overview of the information in the Profile window. Profile Name The top of the window contains an area for the name of the profile. When you create a profile, select a name that clearly identifies the network.1 The default profile name is the SSID.
3 Configuration Overview Figure 13: Advanced Profile Settings Network Settings The Network section shows the type of network (infrastructure or ad-hoc) and contains an area to enter the SSID (service set identifier), a name that uniquely identifies the network. • Select SSIDto connect to an existing wireless network, usually with an interface to a wired network, for Internet and email access, file sharing, and print and other services.
Wireless Security wireless communication standard, wireless security continues to evolve, as shortcomings of existing security solutions are uncovered and new solutions are adopted. [Company Name - Short] products provide a complete state-of-the-art security solution for 802.11 wireless networks, using the native wireless support in Windows 2000 and Windows XP where appropriate. Wireless security encompasses two major components: encryption and authentication.
3 Configuration Overview Automatic key-generation methods rely upon digital certificates, which contain encoded user and encryption information to verify the identity of a user and match it with a database of secure user records. A certificate authority is the network service that manages digital certificates and guarantees their integrity. The IEEE 802.1X standard specifies certificate-based authentication using EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol). EAP, in turn, comes in numerous variations.
Wireless Security Now use WZC to configure security settings: 1 Right-click the wireless icon on the system tray. 2 Select View Available Wireless Networks. 3 The window shows the list of available networks. 4 Select your network, and click Advanced to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, Wireless Networks tab. 5 Confirm that Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is selected.
3 Configuration Overview 6 Select the network, and click Configure. 7 Confirm the authentication and encryption selections exactly match those of the access point to which you are connecting. Enter a network key, if required. 8 If you selected AES for data encryption, open the Authentication tab and select the EAP type appropriate to your network. 9 Click OK as needed to close the WZC windows.
Glossary This glossary defines terms that apply to wireless and networking technology in general and [Company Name - Short] products in particular. 802.1x Standard for port-based authentication in LANs. Identifies each users and allows connectivity based on policies in a centrally managed server. 802.11 Refers to the set of WLAN standards developed by IEEE. The three commonly in use today are 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g, sometimes referred to collectively as Dot11.
Glossary Basic Service Set (BSS) The set of all wireless client stations controlled by a single access point. The BSSID, or identifier, for the basis service set can be assigned or default to the MAC address of the access point. Bridge A connection between two (or more) LANs using the same protocol. Virtual bridges are used as a means of defining layer 2 domains for broadcast messages. Each virtual bridge uniquely defines a virtual local area network (VLAN).
Glossary This establishes a secure channel over which the supplicant can be authenticated to the server. Extended Service Set (ESS) A set of multiple connected BSSs. From the perspective of network clients, the ESS functions as one wireless network, with clients able to roam between the BSSs within the ESS. ESSID Name or identifier of the ESS used in network configuration.
Glossary MAC address authentication Method of authenticating clients by using the MAC address of the client station as opposed to the user. Network Address Translation (NAT) The translation of one IP address used within a network to another address used elsewhere. One frequent use of NAT is the translation of IPs used inside a company, versus the IP addresses visible to the outside world.
Glossary measured, and improved. In a wireless network, QoS is commonly managed through the use of policies. Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) A client/server protocol and software that enables remote access servers to communicate with a central server to authenticate users and authorize service or system access. RADIUS permits maintenance of user profiles in a central repository that all remote servers can share.
Glossary Static IP Address A permanent IP address assigned to a node in a TCP/IP network. Subnet Portion of a network, designated by a particular set of IP addresses. Provides a hierarchy for addressing in LANs. Also called subnetwork. Subnet Mask A TCP/IP addressing method for dividing IP-based networks into subgroups or subnets (compare with maskbits). Each triplet of digits in an IP address consists of 8 bits. To specify using a subnet mask, indicate the masked bits as an IP address.
Glossary or router to accomplish the same thing. Network management software of some sort is used to configure and manage the VLANs on a given network. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security mode for wireless networks that improves on the authentication and encryption features of WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Security protocol for wireless local area networks (WLANs) defined in the 802.11b standard.
Glossary 36 Installation and User Guide: Wireless LAN Client Adapter
Index Numerics D 128-bit WEP key 25 40-bit WEP key 25 802.11 11, 43 802.1x 43 deleting a profile 22 device types 1 DFS 44 DHCP 44 display mode 15 DNS 44 driver installation Windows 2000 31 Windows XP 29 DSCP 44 dynamic IP address 44 A access point (AP) 43 ACL 43 activating a profile 21 ad-hoc network 11, 43 Advanced Encryption Standard.
Index ping 46 PoE 46 policy-based networking 46 power settings 24 preamble type 46 pre-shared key 25 profile 16, 20 profile name 23 profile window 23 network settings 24 power settings 24 security settings 24 profiles activating 21 creating 21 deleting 22 editing 22 Q QoS 46 R RADIUS 47 RADIUS server 26 Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service.