Communications Between Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN 1 What is Next? 2 Troubleshooting 3 Self-Diagnostic Function 4 Setting Screen Tables 5 Glossary 6 Product specifications 7 This manual explains the procedure for communications between Ethernet LAN and wireless LAN, examples of AirStation settings, and remedies for troubleshooting problems. Refer to this manual as necessary.
Using this Manual This section explains the symbols used in this manual. Symbols Caution Items to which you must pay attention when handling the product. Failure to follow this mark may result in personal injury and/or damage to the equipment. Note Supplementary information that you should know when handling the product. Reference Refers to the page of related subject. Next Advises to which page you should continue next. Column Explanatory text with this mark explains convenient facts for you to know.
Communication between a wireless LAN and a wired LAN This chapter describes how to use an AirStation when communicating between a wireless LAN and a wired LAN. Network Configuration Illustration Current Network Environment : Wired LAN Network Desired Network : Network comprising wireless and wired LAN PCs. . Setup Flow The setup flow for communication between wired LAN PCs and wireless LAN PCs is given below..
Table of Contents 1 Communications Between Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN .................................................... 4 Configuration .............................................................................................. 4 Work Flow Chart ......................................................................................... 5 Installation ...................................................................................................
6 Glossary.......................................................... 66 7 Product Specifications .................................... 70 Specifications............................................................................................. 70 LAN Port Connector Specifications ...........................................................
1 Communications Between Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN This section explains the procedure for enabling communication between personal computers on an Ethernet LAN and personal computers on a wireless LAN using AirStation. Installation Connection to the AirStation, hub, ground wire, and Power supply is shown below. Be sure to use the supplied AC adapter power supply.
Preparing the AirStation Settings (on the Personal Computer) The AirStation settings are preformed using a personal computer on the Ethernet LAN. For the proper AirStation setting, make sure that the following software are installed in the personal computer (hereafter called the settings personal computer) on the Ethernet LAN. TCP/IP protocol . . . . . . Refer to the TCP/IP Protocol Setting. AirStation manager. . . . Refer to Installing the AirStation Manager.
5 Select TCP/IP, and then click the Properties button. 6 Click the IP Address tab, and set the IP address. When you enter the IP address, click the OK button. Consult your network manager for the IP address settings of the personal computer. If there is a DHCP server on the network, select "Obtain an IP address automatically". For IP address settings, refer to "Allocating IP Addresses" (page 52) in Chapter 3 Troubleshooting. 7 Restart Windows 98/95.
Adding TCP/IP Protocols (Windows 98/95) If the TCP/IP Protocol is not in added to the settings personal computer, add the protocol using the following procedure. 1 2 Click the Start button, and select Settings, Control Panel, and then Network. Click the Add button. 3 Select Protocol, and click the Add button. 4 In the Manufacturers field, select Microsoft, and in the Network Protocols field, select TCP/IP and click the OK button. 5 The TCP/IP protocol is added.
Windows 2000 The TCP/IP protocol is set on the settings personal computer using the following procedure. 1 2 3 4 Start Windows 2000, and log on using your logon name (e.g., Administrator with administrator access). 5 Check it Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is displayed. Click the Start button. Then select Settings and Network and Dial-up Connections. Double-click the Local Area Connection icon. Click the Properties button.
7 Set the IP address, and click the OK button. If there is a DHCP server on the network, select "Obtain an IP address automatically". For IP address settings, refer to "Allocating IP Addresses" (page 52) in Chapter 3 Troubleshooting. 8 Click the OK button. 9 Click the Close button. Refer to "Installing AirStation Manager" (page 14).
Adding the TCP/IP Protocols (Windows 2000) If the TCP/IP Protocol is not in added to the settings personal computer, add the protocol using the following procedure. 1 2 3 10 Click the Start button, and then select Settings and Network and Dial-up Connections. Double-click the Local Area Connection icon. Click the Properties button. 4 Click the Install button. 5 Select Protocol, and click the Add button. 6 Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click the OK button.
7 Check if the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is added. This completes the TCP/IP protocol installation. Continue to the “TCP/IP Protocol Settings” (Windows 2000) section procedure Step 6.
WindowsNT4.0 Make the TCP/IP protocol settings on the settings personal computer using the following procedure. 1 2 3 4 Start the personal computer. Click the Start button, and then select Settings and Control Panel. Double-click the Network icon. Click the Protocols tab, and make sure that TCP/IP Protocol is displayed in the Network Protocols field. If Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is not displayed, refer to the Adding TCP/IP Protocols (Windows NT 4.0) section (page13).
6 Set the IP address. When you have entered the IP address, click the OK button. Consult your network manager for the IP address setting of the settings personal computer. If there is a DHCP server on the network, select Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. For IP address settings, refer to "Allocating IP Addresses" (page 52) in Chapter 3, Troubleshooting. 7 Restart Windows NT 4.0. The TCP/IP protocol is set the settings personal computer. Refer to "Installing AirStation Manager" (page 14).
5 The TCP/IP protocol is added. This completes the TCP/IP protocol installation. Continue to the “TCP/IP Protocol Settings” (Windows NT 4.0) section procedure Step 5. Installing AirStation Manager Install the AirStation Manager in the settings personal computer using the following procedure. 1 2 3 14 Insert the AirStation Series Driver CD in the CD-ROM drive. Click the Start button, and select Run... Enter D:\WLEASY.EXE (where D is the CDROM drive), and click the OK button.
6 Click the Next button. 7 Select the directory in which you want to install AirStation Manager, and click the Next button. To change the default installation directory, select a new directory, and then click the Next button. 8 Check the installation directory displayed, and then click the Start button. Windows will copy the file to the directory. 9 Click the OK button. Installation of the AirStation Manager is completed. Refer to "AirStation Settings (Settings Personal Computer)" (page 16).
AirStation Settings (Settings Personal Computer) Make sure a Web browser is installed before making the AirStation settings. For the installation procedure, refer to the manual supplied with the Web browser. (Microsoft Internet Explorer is installed as standard on Windows 98 and Windows 2000.) Setting Procedure. The AirStation is set in the settings personal computer using the following procedure. When the AirStation is set for Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 the procedure may be different.
7 In the Network adapter field, enter the name of the LAN card to be used, and then click the Next button. • If "Network Adapter Is Not Installed is displayed", the drivers for the wireless LAN card have not been installed. Refer to the LAN board manual, and install the drivers. • If "Network Adapter Settings Error is displayed", the TCP/IP settings have not been set correctly. Refer to the "TCP/IP Protocol Setting" section (page 5) in the Preparing AirStation Settings, and correct the TCP/IP setting.
When the settings screen comes up, click the Exit button in the Easy Installation Wizard Screen to close the Easy Installation Wizard. 12 Click the Standard Settings button. 13 Click the Yes button. If using Netscape Navigator, the following message will be displayed: Send data cannot be protected from here. 14 The "Enter Network Password screen" will be displayed. Enter the user name and password given below, and click the OK button.
Windows 2000/NT 4.0 The AirStation is set in the settings personal computer using the following procedure. 1 2 Click the Start button, and select Programs, MELCO AirStation, and then AirStation Manager. Select Edit, and Search AirStation. 3 Windows will search for the AirStation. 4 Select the AirStation once it has been found and then select Admin, and Set IP Address. 5 The IP address settings is set and click the OK button. • Change the IP address and net mask depending on the environment.
7 Your Web browser will start automatically, and the settings screen will be displayed. When the settings screen is not displayed after the Web browser starts, refer to the "Setting Screen Is Not Displayed" (page 44) section in Chapter 3 Troubleshooting. 8 20 Repeat from step 11 onwards in the Settings Procedure(page 16), for completion of the AirStation setting.
Connecting To the AirStation After the AirStation setting is completed the following procedure is need to connect the wireless LAN to the AirStation. • Create the AirStation information files. • Set the wireless LAN personal computer settings. • Install the Client Manager. • Set the AirStation connection settings. • Check the AirStation connections.
8 In the Save In: field, select 3½" Floppy (A:), and enter a suitable name such as Airstation.Apd in the File Name: field. Next, click the Save button. Creation of the application information file is completed. Continue to "Setting the Wireless LAN Personal Computer" (page 22). Setting the Wireless LAN Personal Computer In order to make the communication between the Ethernet LAN and the wireless LAN possible, you must set the wireless LAN personal computer settings.
4 Select "Client Manager Installation" and click Next. 5 Quit any other applications that are running and then click OK. 6 Click NEXT. 7 Check that the destination directory for Client Manager is correct and click NEXT. If you want to change the directory, enter the path, select the appropriate drive and click NEXT. 8 Check that the correct destination directory is specified and click Start. Necessary files are copied. 9 Click OK to include the Client Manager icon in the start-up menu.
10 Click OK. This completes Client Manager installation. Go to "AirStation Connection Settings" on page 25. To uninstall the Client Manager, click Start and select MELCO Wireless LAN and then Uninstall Client Manager and follow the screen prompts.
AirStation Connection Settings Connect the AirStation using the following procedure. 1 2 From the wireless LAN personal computer, click the Start button, and select Programs, MELCO Wireless LAN, and then Client Manager. 3 4 Insert the AirStation Information Files Disk into the floppy disk drive. Select File, and Open. In the Look In: field, select 3½" Floppy (A:), the file name (e.g., Airstation.Apd), and then click the Open button. 5 "The AirStation applications" will be displayed as unavailable.
9 Connection to the AirStation is completed. When connecting to AirStation is completed, the application name in the AirStation display will change from gray to black, and an antenna mark ( ) will also be displayed. If the AirStation application is not displayed in black, refer to "Cannot Connect to the AirStation Using Client Manager (Unavailable Even When Found)" (page 52) in Chapter 3 Troubleshooting. After connecting to the AirStation, a slow baud rate of 2 Mbps or similar may be displayed.
Connection Test Results The connection test result display the connection status and the radio status. The following table shows the test result in detail Connection status Radio status Very good Very good Good Good Poor Questionable Very poor Poor Communications not possible The overall diagnosis results are displayed as a combination of connection status and radio status.
Communications With Other Personal Computers After check the connection to the AirStation use the following procedure to connect personal computers on the Ethernet LAN using the wireless LAN computers. 1 Double-click the Network Neighborhood icon on the Desktop. The personal computers connected to the Ethernet LAN and the wireless LAN network will be displayed. 2 Double-click the personal computer you want to connect to.
2 What is Next? This section explains how to change the AirStation settings, and their various uses. Displaying AirStation Setting Screen The AirStation setting screen can be displayed using the following procedure. 1 Refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" (page 14) section in Chapter 1, Communications Between Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN, and install the AirStation Manager. 2 3 Click the Start button, and select Programs, MELCO AirStation, and AirStation Manager.
Enabling and Disabling Roaming Function While moving from one room to another using one roaming function, you can switch AirStations without new setting automatically. Set the roaming function can be set using the following procedure. Be sure to set the roaming function from a personal computer on the Ethernet LAN. If you set the roaming function from a personal computer on the wireless LAN, you cannot to connect to the AirStation. If it is the case, please refer to Chapter 3 Troubleshooting.
Setting the Wireless LAN Personal Computer 1 2 From the wireless LAN personal computer, click the Start button, and select Programs, MELCO AIRCONNECT, and then Client Manager. 3 When you set the roaming function to be enable, the ESS ID of the AirStation will be changed to "000000" + group name. Enter "000000" + group name in the ESS ID field, and then click the OK button. 4 Click the OK Button. Select File, and Manual....
Limiting Connections from Wireless LAN Personal Computers To limit connections to the AirStation from a wireless LAN personal computer, use following procedure. After setting only wireless LAN personal computers that have been registered can communicate with Ethernet LAN personal computers. Setting Procedure 1 2 Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 29) in Chapter 2, What is Next?, and display the AirStation setting screen.
5 6 "Add MAC Address" will be displayed. Click the Return button. In the Connection of Wireless LAN Computer field, select the Set Limit option and click the Set button. If you make the settings using a wireless LAN personal computer, check that the wireless LAN personal computer is registered in Wireless LAN Computers that can be connected before you click the Set button.
Strengthening Security Using the WEP (Encoding) Function You can prevent the external decryption of wireless packets by encoding the packets using the WEP function. The AirStation is set using the following procedure. If the WEP function is already set, communications with Macintosh computers will be disabled as the WEP function is not compatible with the Airport WEP function. Be sure to set the WEP (encoding) using a personal computer on the Ethernet LAN network.
Multiple AirStation Groups When multiple AirStations are used to communicate with the wireless LAN personal computers on the same floor, the baud rate may be reduced. This is because the AirStations are using the same frequency to communicate simultaneously. If this happens, you can enable communications regardless of other LAN networks by making settings to use different frequencies (wireless channels) in each LAN network (i.e., grouping).
Setting Send Mode Set the AirStation’s LAN board send mode using the following procedure. 1 Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 29) in Chapter 2, What is Next?, and display the AirStation setting screen. 2 Click the Custom Setup button. 3 In the "Communication Type" field, select either full duplex or half duplex, and click the Set button. When the AirStation’s send mode is set to full duplex, make sure that the send mode for the connected hub is also set to full duplex.
Connecting to the AirStation Using an AirPort-compatible Personal Computer Getting Started The following software is required when the Macintosh AirPort-compatible personal computer is used to share files with Windows personal computers. •Software that supports shared files (e.g., DAVE). Refer to the manual supplied with your software for details of settings to enable file sharing. Setting Method To connect to the AirStation using an AirPort-compatible computer, use the following procedure.
Checking AirStation’s IP Address You can check AirStation’s IP address validity using the following procedure. 1 2 3 Refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" section (page 14) in Chapter 1, Communications Between Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN Click the Start button, and then select Programs, MELCO AirStation, and AirStation Manager. On the Menu Bar, select Edit. Then select Search AirStation. 4 Windows will search for the AirStation. 5 AirStation’s IP address will be displayed.
Checking the Wireless Frequency Status The status of the wireless frequency between the wireless LAN personal computer and the AirStation can be checked using the following procedure. 1 2 Click the Start button, and then select Programs, MELCO Wireless LAN, and Client Manager. On the Menu Bar, select File. Then select Test Connection and Diagnostic. Perform the connection test only for the AirStations with the antenna mark( ). 39 3 Check the connection status.
Connection Test Result The connection test results displaies the connection status and the radio status. The following table shows the test result in detail. Connection status Radio status Very good Very good Good Good Poor Questionable Very poor Poor Communications not possible The overall diagnosis results are displayed as a combination of connection status and radio status.
3 Troubleshooting This section explains the possible causes and remedies of a problem that may occur when using this product. Making AirStation Settings "Network Card Is Not Installed" Is Displayed When Starting the Easy Installation Wizard Cause The network adapter drivers are not installed. Remedy Refer to the network adapter manual and install the proper drivers. For the driver installation procedure, please refer to the manual supplied with the network adapter.
"The Network Protocol Setup Is Incorrect" Is Displayed When Starting the Easy Installation Wizard Cause • TCP/IP setting are incorrect. • Cannot obtain an IP from the DHCP server automatically. Remedy Check if TCP/IP is correctly installed and set.
. "Cannot Find AirStation" Is Displayed When Starting the Easy Installation Wizard Cause (1) The entered MAC address is incorrect when the AirStation is set from the wireless LAN personal computer. Remedy (1) Check and reenter the AirStation’s MAC address. For the MAC address, refer to the Parts Nomenclature and Functions section in Install Manual. The factory-set group name is "Group". If you are setting for the first time, or have not changed the group name, check if it is set to "Group" or not.
Setting Screen Is Not Displayed Cause (1) • When a proxy server is set using the Web browser settings, the setting screen is not displayed. • Dial up using a modem is set. Remedy (1) • When the AirStation is set on a network environment with a proxy server, you must change the Web browser’s proxy settings. • Change the setting to disable dial-up from the Web browser settings. Setting by the following procedure. Internet Explorer 5 or Later 1 2 3 4 Start Internet Explorer. On the Menu Bar, select Tools.
6 Enter the AirStation’s IP address in the "Do Not Use Proxy Server for Addresses Beginning With:" field, and click the OK button. If you do not know the AirStation’s IP address, search for the AirStation using the AirStation Manager. For AirStation Manager details, refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" section (page 14) in Chapter 1, Communications Between Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN. Internet Explorer 4.0 1 2 3 4 5 Start Internet Explorer. On the Menu Bar, select View.
Netscape Navigator 4.0 or Later 1 2 3 Start Netscape Navigator. On the Menu Bar, select Edit, and then select Preferences 4 In the Category field, select Proxies. If Proxies is not displayed, click the + symbol to the left of the Advanced option. If Manual proxy configuration is selected, click the View button. If "Direct connection to the Internet" or "Automatic proxy configuration" is selected, there should be no problem with the Web browser settings.
After making the setting though the wireless LAN personal computer, communication with the AirStation is disabled. Cause (1) The following AirStation function can be set through the wireless LAN personal computer. 1. Changes to the roaming function setting. 2. Changes to the group name. 3. Changes to the password (WEP) setting. Remedy (1) If the communication is disabled because of changes described above, connect to the AirStation using the following procedure.
4. Enter the following in the Password field, and click the OK button. • If you changed the password (WEP): Enter the password (WEP) set in the AirStation. • If you did not changed the password: Click the OK button without entering anything in the Password field. Check it you can connect to the AirStation and if it does the setting is complete.
Wireless LAN PC Communications If the "Error Message" is Displayed When you start Client Manager using the wireless LAN personal computer, the error message wireless LAN card cannot be found, is not displayed. Cause (1) The wireless LAN card drivers are not installed correctly. Remedy (1) Refer to the wireless LAN card manual, check that the drivers are installed correctly. Cause (2) The ESS-ID setting drivers are not installed (Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 only).
Cause (3) When you search the network, the connected computers are displayed, but the search process is slow. Remedy (3) Search the computer using the following procedure. (1) Click the Start button, and then select Find, and Computer... (2) In the Named: field, enter the name of the computer connected to the network, and click the Find Now button. (3) Double-click the icon for the connected computer to connect. Cause (4) The TCP/IP Protocol is not installed, or it is not set correctly.
Windows 2000 If the TCP/IP Protocol is installed, you can check the IP address using the following procedure. 1.Click the Start button, and select Programs, Accessories, and Command Prompt. 2.C:\> will be displayed on screen. Enter IPCONFIG/ALL, and press the Enter key. 3.The IP address and sub-network will be will be displayed in the IP Address/Subnet Mask field. Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection IP address..................................... :192.168.100.2 Subnet Mask...............................
Cause (7) TCP/IP protocol is installed, but the IP address setting is incorrect. Remedy (7) Check if the IP address setting is correct. Refer to the "Allocating IP Addresses" section (page 52) in Chapter 3, Troubleshooting. Roaming Function Is Not Operating Correctly Cause The AirStation settings are incorrect. Remedy • Check that the same AirStation group name has been set for all personal computers performing roaming. • When setting WEP (encryption), set all AirStation WEP settings to the same.
Windows 98/95: Read the IP address automatically. Windows 2000: Read the IP address automatically. Windows NT 4.0: Read the IP address from the DHCP server. An IP Address Is Already Allocated to the Personal Computers on the Network Check if the IP address is set in the personal computer by the network manager. An IP Address Is Not Allocated to the Personal Computers on the Network Set the IP address on the personal computers as well as the AirStation using the following procedure.
4 Self-Diagnostic Function AirStation will perform self-diagnosis when the power supply is turned ON, or when the AirStation is restarted. If an error occurs, you can identify the error by the DIAG lamp flash number. The DIAG lamp keeps flashing until the power is turned OFF or the AirStation is restarted. If the front panel DIAG lamp and the side panel DIAG lamp are flashing alternately, the data is being written. Do not turn OFF the power supply to the AirStation while this is happening.
5 Setting Screen Tables This section explains details of the setting screen tables.
Setting Screens Explanation • Items marked with an asterisk (*) can be set using the Standard Setup screen. • For details of the setting items, refer to the on-screen setting Help. Detailed Settings (Bridge Mode) Item Explanation Factory setting Basic Setting AirStation Name* Set the AirStation name. (See note 1) Last six digits of "AP" + MAC address Group Name* Set the group name. (See note 2) GROUP ESS ID Set ESS ID.
Machine Diagnostics Item Explanation Information of the Main Unit Model name Display the AirStation product name. AirStation name Display the AirStation name. Wireless module firmDisplay the wireless firmware name and version. ware Group name Display the group name. MAC address of wired Display the AirStation’s Ethernet MAC address. LAN MAC address of wireDisplay the AirStation’s wireless MAC address. less LAN ESS-ID Display ESS-ID.
6 Glossary This section explains the glossary of terms used in this manual that are required to configure the network. Wireless Channel If there is more than one Wireless LAN network with different ESS-ID on the same floor, and they are communicating with each other, the baud rate may be slowed, due to the same radio frequency being used. If this happens, you can still communicate regardless of other LAN networks by using to use different frequencies (wireless channels).
TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) TCP/IP is a protocol equivalent to the network and transport levels of the OSI reference model, and it is defined using RFC. Consequently, different terminals can communicate with each other using TCP/IP. • Normally, TCP/IP includes the application protocols TELNET and FTP. • TCP/IP is the standard internet protocol. WEP (Encryption) By setting an encryption key in the AirStation, you can prevent wireless packets from being decrypted externally.
Windows 98/95 Identification Screen Displayed Screen Double-click the Network icon and click the "Identification" tab. The following screen will be displayed. Explanation of Screen Fields The boxes within the screen are as follows: Computer name : The name used to identify the computer on the network. Set a unique name for each personal computer. Workgroup : The name used to identify the computer workgroup on the network.
Roaming Function If using the roaming function and moving from one room to another room, you can switch the AirStation automatically. With the roaming function, you can easily move from the office to the conference room while maintaining access to the network. Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN The following terms are used in this manual to clarify the distinction between the wired 10/100 base LAN, and the wireless LAN.
7 Product Specifications This section explains the AirStation specifications and the LAN port connector specifications. Specifications Wireless LAN interface Conforming standards IEEE802.11b (wireless LAN standard protocol) RCR STD-33, ARIB STD-T66 (low-power data communications system standard) Communications method DS-SS simplex (half duplex) operation Data Baud Rate 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps (autosense) Access method Infrastructure mode Frequency range (mid- 2412 to 2483.
LAN Port Connector Specifications Use the RJ-45 8-pole connector, specified by ISO/IEC8877:1992.
MEMO 64 WLA-L11 User’s Manual
Notice The information in this manual is subject to change without notice. TECHWORKS INC. / Buffalo Technology SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN OR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS MANUAL. This manual contains information protected by copyright. No part of this manual may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without prior written consent from TECHWORKS INC./Buffalo Technology. All rights reserved. Printed in Japan.
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