Asus WiFi-b User manual

WiFi-b™Card
Wireless Fidelity Card
User Guide
®

ii
Checklist
Copyright © 2003 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for
backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
(“ASUS”).
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or
altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2)
the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS”WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FORA PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALLASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE
OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR
ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUALARE FURNISHED
FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGEATANY TIME
WITHOUT NOTICE,AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BYASUS.
ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR
INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS
AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered
trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or
explanation and to the owners’benefit, without intent to infringe.
E1414
Revised Edition V2
September 2003

iii
Contents
Notices........................................................................................................ v
Safety information...................................................................................... vi
About this guide ......................................................................................... vi
WiFi-b™specifications summary .............................................................viii
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Welcome........................................................................................1-2
1.2 Package contents ..........................................................................1-2
1.3 Features ........................................................................................1-2
1.4 Card layout ....................................................................................1-3
1.5 LED indicators ...............................................................................1-3
Chapter 2: Hardware installation
2.1 System requirements.....................................................................2-2
2.2 Installing the WiFi-b™card ...........................................................2-3
2.3 Antenna placement........................................................................2-3
2.4 WiFi-b™modes .............................................................................2-4
2.5 Network setup................................................................................2-4
Chapter 3: Software installation
3.1 Support CD information .................................................................3-2
3.1.1 Installing the WLAN Card Utilities and driver ................... 3-2
3.1.2 Setting the Windows®XP wireless options .....................3-2
3.1.3 Other support CD options ................................................3-2
3.2 Setup Wizard .................................................................................3-3
3.2.1 Selecting the WiFi-b™operation mode ...........................3-3
3.2.2 Station Mode....................................................................3-3
3.2.3 My Configuration..............................................................3-5
3.3 Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) .............................................. 3-10
3.3.1 Broadband connection that requires an account ...........3-10
3.3.2 Broadband connection that is always on .......................3-14
3.3.3 Dial-up modem ..............................................................3-15
Chapter 4: Utility information
4.1 The Control Center utility ...............................................................4-2
4.1.1 Control Center icons ........................................................4-2

iv
Contents
4.2 Control Center Right-click menu....................................................4-2
4.2.1 Wireless LAN Card Settings ............................................ 4-3
4.2.2 Help Menu .......................................................................4-9
4.2.3 Change Mode ..................................................................4-9
4.2.4 Preferences ...................................................................4-10
4.2.5 About Control Center .....................................................4-10
4.3 Control Center Left-click menu ....................................................4-10
4.4 Configuring WiFi-b™by Wireless Settings utility ........................ 4-11
4.4.1 Station Mode (STA) ....................................................... 4-11
4.4.2 Soft Access Point Mode (Soft AP) .................................4-13
4.5 Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) ..............................................4-16
4.5.1 Connect to the Internet using a broadband
connection that is always on .......................................... 4-16
4.5.2 Connect to the Internet using a broadband or
dial-up connection that requires an account ..................4-17
4.6 Network Bridge ............................................................................4-19
Appendix
A.1 Troubleshooting ............................................................................ A-2
A.2 Channels ...................................................................................... A-5

v
Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference, and
•This device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
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 manufacturer’s 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 separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment to 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.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the
graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations.
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
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 the Canadian
Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

vi
Safety information
In order to maintain compliance with the FCC RF exposure guidelines, this
equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance [20cm] between
the radiator and your body. Use only with supplied antenna. Unauthorized antenna,
modification, or attachments could damage the transmitter and may violate FCC
regulations.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual
could void your authorization to use this device.
MPE Statement
Your device contains a low power transmitter. When device is transmitted it sends
out Radio Frequency (RF) signal.
Caution Statement of the FCC Radio Frequency Exposure
This Wireless LAN radio device has been evaluated under FCC Bulletin OET 65C
and found compliant to the requirements as set forth in CFR 47 Sections 2.1091,
2.1093, and 15.247(b)(4) addressing RF Exposure from radio frequency devices.
The radiation output power of this Wireless LAN device is far below the FCC radio
frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, this device shall be used in such a manner
that the potential for human contact during normal operation –as a mobile or
portable device but use in a body-worn way is strictly prohibited. When using this
device, a certain separation distance between antenna and nearby
persons has to be kept to ensure RF exposure compliance. In order to comply with
the RF exposure limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, the distance
between the antennas and the user should not be less than [20cm].
SAR Exposure
This device has been tested for compliance with FCC RF Exposure (SAR) limits in
typical laptop configurations.
In order to comply with SAR limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, it is
recommended when using a PC card adapter that the integrated antenna is
positioned more than [2.5cm] from your body or nearby persons during extended
periods of operation. If the antenna is positioned less than [2.5cm] from the user, it is
recommended that the user limit the exposure time.

vii
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need to install and configure your
WiFi-b™card.
How this guide is organized
This manual contains the following parts:
•Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the WiFi-b™card. It presents the card
layout, the standard package contents and LED indicators.
•Chapter 2: Hardware installation
This chapter provides a step-by-step procedure on installing the WiFi-b™card
into an ASUS motherboard. It also provides information on the system
requirements and recommended WiFi-b™wireless network settings.
•Chapter 3: Software installation
This chapter provides information on the WiFi-b™card software installation
and describes configuration of WiFi-b™using the setup wizard.
•Chapter 4: Utility information
This chapter provides information on how to configure the WiFi-b™using the
Control Center utility.
•Appendix
The appendix contains sections for troubleshooting and information on
IEEE 802.11b channels and frequencies.
Conventions used in this guide
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.
WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to
complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when
trying to complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Information that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to aid in completing a task.

viii
WiFi-b™ specifications summary
Standard IEEE 802.11b
Technology Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)
Data Transfer Rate 11Mbps (with automatic fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1Mbps)
Host Interface ASUS proprietary WiFi-b™interface
Network Types Supports Infrastructure and Ad Hoc networks
Frequency Band 2.4 GHz ~ 2.5 GHz
Security 64-bit/128-bit configurable WEP encryption
Access Point Software access point function supports up to
31 wireless clients (Windows
®
XP only)
Operating Distance Indoors: 100 ft (30 m) @ 11Mbps
Outdoors:1000 ft (300 m) @ 11Mbps
Supported OS Station Mode: Windows
®
98SE/ME/2000/XP
Soft AP Mode: Windows
®
XP
Antenna Stand-alone dipolar antenna
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Chapter 1
This chapter describes the features of the
WiFi-b™card. It presents the card layout, the
standard package contents and LED indicators.
Product introduction

1-2 ASUS WiFi-b™Card
1.2 Pac age contents
Check the following items in your ASUS WiFi-b™package. Contact your retailer if
any item is damaged or missing.
ASUS WiFi-b™card
ASUS WiFi-b™antenna
User Guide
WiFi-b™support CD*
* If you purchased an ASUS Wireless Edition motherboard, the WiFi-b™
support CD contents are included in the motherboard support CD.
1.3 Features
The WiFi-b™card gives you freedom to connect to a wired or wireless local area
network and the Internet without the wires and cables. Employing the Direct
Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology, the WiFi-b™card is capable of
transmitting and receiving signals through radio waves on the 2.4 GHz band.
Here are other WiFi-b™features:
•Reliable data transfer rates of up to 11Mbps with automatic fallback to 5.5, 2,
and 1Mbps
•Secure data transmission via Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption
•Operating distance of up to 100 ft (30 m) indoors and 1000 ft (300m) outdoors*
•Easy installation and full software support
•Soft access point function supports up to 31 wireless clients (Windows
®
XP only)
•Supports infrastructure (WiFi-b™to access point) and ad-hoc (WiFi-b™to other
wireless clients) network types
•Windows
®
98SE/ME/2000/XP compatible
* The WiFi-b™ operating distance may be shorter if there are walls, barriers, or
interferences in the home layout or operating environment.
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing the ASUS WiFi-b™Card! The WiFi-b™card is a wireless
network interface card for ASUS motherboards with the proprietary Wi-Fi slot. This
card conforms to the IEEE 802.11b standard for wireless local area network
(WLAN) assuring you of seamless connection to any wireless network. The
WiFi-b™card also allows you to share a single Internet connection with other
computers making it a perfect solution for your home or small office network. With
easy installation and full software support, WiFi-b™is sure to keep you ahead in
the world of wireless computing.

Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1-3
1.4 Card layout
1.5 LED indicators
The WiFi-b™card comes with a Data Transmission (Green AIR) and Network Link
(Yellow LINK) LED indicators. Refer to the table below for LED indications.
AIR LINK Meaning
Fast Blink ON WiFi-b™radio is on and is transmitting/receiving data
ON ON WiFi-b™radio is on but no data activity
OFF OFF No power / WiFi-b™radio is off or disabled
Blink OFF WiFi-b™is not connected to a wireless LAN
Antenna connector
Data Transmission LED
Network Link LED
WiFi-b™connectors

1-4 ASUS WiFi-b™Card

Chapter 2
This chapter provides a step-by-step procedure
on installing the WiFi-b™card into an ASUS
motherboard that supports Wi-Fi specification. It
also provides information on system
requirements and recommended wireless
network settings.
Hardware installation

ASUS WiFi-b™Card 2-2
Follow these instructions to install the WiFi-b™card in your system.
1. Make sure that the PC is turned off. Unplug the power cord from the electrical
socket.
2. Remove the PC cover.
3. Locate the Wi-Fi slot. Refer to your motherboard documentation for the Wi-Fi
slot location.
4. Remove the rear panel bracket opposite the Wi-Fi slot. Keep the screw
for later use.
2.2 Installing the WiFi-b
™
card
Before handling the card, touch a bare metal portion of your PC to discharge static
electricity from your body. Wear a wrist strap grounded to the PC chassis when
handling the card.
The PCI5 and the Wi-Fi slot may not be used simultaneously on certain
motherboards. Check your motherboard documentation for this limitation.
2.1 System requirements
Before installing the WiFi-b™card, make sure that your system meets the
following requirements.
•ASUS motherboard with Wi-Fi slot
•Intel
®
Pentium™4 or AMD K7/K8 system
•Minimum 64MB system memory
•Windows
®
98SE/2000/ME/XP operating system
•CD-ROM drive for software and drivers installation
The following ASUS motherboards support the WiFi-b™card: P4C800-E Deluxe,
P4C800 Deluxe, P4C800, P4P800 Deluxe, P4P800, P4P800S-E Deluxe, P4P800S,
P4P8X, P4S800-D Deluxe, P4S800D, P4S800, K8V Deluxe, A7N8X-E Deluxe, and
A7V600. Visit theASUS website for an updated list of motherboards with Wi-Fi slot.
Notes for P4P800 Deluxe/P4C800 Deluxe/P4P800/P4C800/P4C800-E Deluxe
motherboards:
•Update the BIOS before installing the WiFi-b™card. Download the latest BIOS
file from the ASUS website.
•Update the 3Com utilities to V.046 before installing the WiFi-b™card. The 3Com
utility update is available in the WiFi-b™support CD.
•The PCI slot nearest the WiFi slot may not be used simultaneously with the Wi-Fi
slot. If a PCI card is installed on this slot, transfer it to another PCI slot before
installing WiFi-b™.

Chapter 2: Hardware Installation 2-3
5. Carefully insert the card into the Wi-Fi slot.
To prevent incorrect orientation, a WiFi-b™connector pin is removed to match the
covered hole on the Wi-Fi slot.
6. Secure the card with the screw that you removed earlier.
7. Replace the PC cover and plug in the power cord.
9. Connect the dipolar antenna twist-on connector to the antenna connector
(male) of the WiFi-b™card.
8. Turn on the computer.
2.3 Antenna placement
Place the antenna at an elevated location to receive or transmit better signal. Do
not place the antenna under your table or in a closed compartment.
An installed WiFi-b™card

ASUS WiFi-b™Card 2-4
2.4 WiFi-b
™
modes
The WiFi-b™card may be set to Station (STA) or Soft Access Point (Soft AP)
mode. In STA mode, WiFi-b™connects to a wireless or wired network through an
access point. In Soft AP mode, WiFi-b™connects other computers with wireless
devices to a wireless or wired network.
The following section describes the WiFi-b™card functions in a typical home or
small office network.
2.5 Networ setup
After installing the WiFi-b™card, determine your network settings to avail all
WiFi-b™features. The following network settings are recommended.
WiFi-b™in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
The Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature allows wireless clients to share a
single Internet connection. In this setup, WiFi-b™automatically assigns a virtual IP
address to each of the wireless clients. The computer with the WiFi-b™card must
create a broadband network connection.
ADSL Modem
Wireless clients
INTERNET
PC with WiFi-b™
WiFi-b™in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode -ICS and Bridge
In this setup, WiFi-b™bridges the computer’s network connection to the ADSL
modem (wired) and to the wireless client (wireless). WiFi-b™assigns a virtual IP
address to the wireless client. The PC with the installed WiFi-b™card must setup
a broadband network connection.
ADSL Modem Hub
PC1
PC2
Wireless client
INTERNET
PC with
WiFi-b™

Chapter 2: Hardware Installation 2-5
ADSL Modem Router Hub
PC1 PC2
PC3 with
WiFi-b™
Wireless client
INTERNET
WiFi-b™in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Bridge
In this setup, WiFi-b™functions as a wireless hub allowing a wireless client to
access the ADSL modem and the Internet. The router assigns a virtual Internet
Protocol (IP) address to the wireless client.
WiFi-b™in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Bridge
In this setup, WiFi-b™bridges the computer’s network connection to theADSL
modem and to the wireless clients allowing the latter access to the Internet. The
real IP address for each wireless client is supplied by the Internet Service Provider.
In this setup, every computer must create a broadband network connection.
ADSL Modem
Wireless
clients
INTERNET
PC with
WiFi-b™
The number of computers that can connect simultaneously to the Internet depends
on the number of IP address assigned by the ISP.

ASUS WiFi-b™Card 2-6
ADSL Modem Router Hub
PC1 PC2
Wireless clients
INTERNET
Access Point
WiFi-b™in Station Mode - Infrastructure Network
When set to Station Mode, WiFi-b™connects to a wired or wireless network via an
access point. The router assigns a virtual IP address to each wireless client.
WiFi-b™in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Bridge
This setup applies to a host computer with an installed WiFi-b™card and a
network adapter connected to a hub. By bridging the network connections to the
hub and the wireless client, the latter is allowed connection to the Internet via the
ADSL modem. The Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns the real IP address to
the wireless client. In this setup, every computer must create a broadband network
connection.
ADSL Modem Hub
PC2
PC3
Wireless client
INTERNET
PC1 with
WiFi-b™
The number of computers that can connect simultaneously to the Internet depends
on the number of IP address assigned by the ISP.

Chapter 3
This chapter provides information on the
WiFi-b™card software installation and
describes configuration of WiFi-b™using the
setup wizard.
Software installation

3-2 ASUS WiFi-b™Card
3.1.2 Setting the Windows
®
XP wireless options
The Wireless Option window appears
after the software installation if you are
using Windows XP
®
. Select “Only use
ASUS utilities and disable XP wireless
function”to avail all WiFi-b™card
features. Click OK.
3.1 Support CD information
The Support CD contents are subject to change at anytime without notice. Visit the
ASUS website for updates.
3.1.1 Installing the WLAN Card Utilities and driver
To install the WiFi-b™card driver and the Control Center Utility in your computer:
1. Insert the support CD into the
CD-ROM drive.
2. Click “Install ASUS WLAN Card
Utilities/Driver”when the ASUS
WiFi-b installation window appears.
3.1.3 Other support CD options
Uninstall ASUS WLAN Card Utilities/
Driver. Click this option to uninstall the
WLAN Card utilities and driver from your
system.
Read/Install User Documentation. Click
to view the installation and quick setup
guides in PDF format.
Explore this CD. Click this option to
explore the support CD contents.
Browse our Web Site. Click this option
to visit the ASUS website.
Click EXIT to close the installation window.
If Autorun is NOT enabled in your
computer, browse the contents of the
support CD and double click the
Setup.exe file to run the CD.
Windows
®
98SE/ME users must restart the computer after installation.