Asus SpaceLink WL230 User manual

SpaceLink™ B&W PCI Card
WL230
User’s Manual
®

2ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
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Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is
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SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
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OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL,
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Copyright © 2002 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Information
Product Name: SpaceLink B&W PCI Card (WL230)
Manual Revision: 1 E1165
Release Date: December 2002

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 3
Copyright Information
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (Asia-Pacific)
Address: 150 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 112
General Tel: [phone]
General Fax: [phone]
General Email: [email protected]
Technical Support
MB/Others (Tel):[phone] (English)
Notebook (Tel): [phone] (English)
Desktop/Server: [phone] (English)
Support Fax: [phone]
Support Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.asus.com.tw
Newsgroup: cscnews.asus.com.tw
ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America)
Address: 6737 Mowry Avenue, Mowry Business Center,
Building 2, Newark, CA 94560, USA
General Fax: [phone]
General Email: [email protected]
Technical Support
Support Fax: [phone]
General Support: [phone]
Web Site: www.asus.com
Support Email: [email protected]
ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany & Austria)
Address: Harkortstr. 25, 40880 Ratingen, BRD, Germany
General Fax: [phone]
General Email: [email protected] (for marketing requests only)
Technical Support
Support Hotline: MB/Others: [phone]
Notebook (Tel): [phone]
Support Fax: [phone]
Support (Email): www.asuscom.de/de/support (for online support)
Web Site: www.asuscom.de

4ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................. 7
Overview .............................................................................................. 7
The SpaceLink™ Family ...................................................................... 8
System Requirements .......................................................................... 9
The Product Package........................................................................... 9
ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card Layout ........................................... 10
LED Definitions .......................................................................... 10
ASUS SpaceLink B&W Specifications ....................................... 11
2. Installation ............................................................................. 12
2.1 Installing the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card ......................... 12
Blue Magic PCI Slot ................................................................... 13
Non-Blue Magic PCI Slot ........................................................... 13
2.2 Installing the SpaceLink PCI Driver ........................................... 14
2.3 Verifying Drivers......................................................................... 15
2.4 Installing the SpaceLink Utilities ................................................ 16
2.5 Installing the SpaceLink Bluetooth............................................. 17
3. Wireless LAN Reference ...................................................... 19
3.1 Overview .................................................................................... 19
3.2 Windows XP Wireless Options .................................................. 20
3.3 Control Center............................................................................ 21
3.4 Wireless Settings ....................................................................... 23
More than one ASUS SpaceLink Card....................................... 24
3.5 Status - Status Tab..................................................................... 24
Association State ....................................................................... 25
SSID........................................................................................... 25
Network Type ............................................................................. 25
Current Channel......................................................................... 25
MAC address ............................................................................. 25
Transmit Rate ............................................................................ 25
Receive Rate ............................................................................. 25
Security ...................................................................................... 27
Power Save State ...................................................................... 27
Radio State ................................................................................ 27
3.6 Save as Profile........................................................................... 27
3.7 Activate Configuration................................................................ 27
3.8 Status - Connection Tab............................................................. 28

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 5
Table of Contents
Frame Sent/Received ................................................................ 28
Frame Error................................................................................ 28
Connection Quality..................................................................... 28
Overall Connection Quality ........................................................ 28
Frame Statistics ......................................................................... 29
3.9 Status - IP Config Tab ................................................................ 30
3.10 Config - Basic Tab...................................................................... 31
Power Saving............................................................................. 32
Transmit Power .......................................................................... 32
Wireless Mode ........................................................................... 32
Data Rate................................................................................... 33
3.11 Encryption .................................................................................. 34
Selecting Encryption Types (Enable AES or WEP).................... 34
Default Key ................................................................................ 34
Key Length................................................................................. 35
Unique Key ................................................................................ 35
Shared Key ................................................................................ 35
Two ways to assign Shared Keys .............................................. 35
3.12 Config - Advanced Tab ............................................................... 37
Channel...................................................................................... 37
Start Ad Hoc Network................................................................. 37
Scan Mode................................................................................. 37
QoS............................................................................................ 38
2.4 GHz Preamble ..................................................................... 38
3.13 Survey - Site Survey Tab ........................................................... 39
3.14 About - Version Info Tab............................................................. 40
3.15 Link Status ................................................................................. 41
3.16 Mobile Manager ......................................................................... 42
Main Window ............................................................................. 43
Using New Configuration Wizard ............................................... 46
Using Edit Configuration ............................................................ 47
Encryption .................................................................................. 49
Site Monitor................................................................................ 55
Starting Site Monitor .................................................................. 55
Main Screen............................................................................... 55
Monitor ....................................................................................... 56
3.17 Windows XP Wireless Properties ............................................... 57

6ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1
Bluetooth Reference .................................................................. 59
Introduction to Bluetooth .................................................................... 59
Bluetooth Dongle ................................................................................ 60
Using the Bluetooth Software............................................................. 61
Bluetooth Connection Wizard............................................................. 62
Explore ............................................................................................... 63
Setup .................................................................................................. 64
Security ...................................................................................... 64
Configuration.............................................................................. 64
Services.............................................................................................. 65
Fax ............................................................................................. 66
Network Access ......................................................................... 66
Serial Port .................................................................................. 66
Dial-Up Networking .................................................................... 66
Inbox .......................................................................................... 66
File Transfer (to Public Folder) ........................................................... 67
Bluetooth Cellular Phone.................................................................... 68
Dial-Up Networking with Bluetooth Cellular Phone.................... 69
5. Troubleshooting .................................................................... 70
6. Glossary................................................................................. 72
IEEE 802.11b (11Mbits/sec) ............................................................... 76
Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum (for 802.11b) .............................. 77
IEEE 802.11a (54Mbits/sec) ............................................................... 78
COFDM (for 802.11a) ......................................................................... 79
7. Safety Information ................................................................ 80
Federal Communications Commission Statement ............................. 80
Canadian Department of Communications ........................................ 81
Regulatory information / Disclaimers.................................................. 81
MPE Statement (Safety Information).................................................. 81
Safety Information .............................................................................. 81
Caution Statement of the FCC Radio Frequency Exposure............... 82
SAR Exposure.................................................................................... 82
Radio Frequency Interference Requirements .................................... 82

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 7
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1
1. Introduction
Overview
Thank you for purchasing the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card. The ASUS
SpaceLink B&W PCI Card is a PCI compliant “wireless” network interface
card (NIC) for any computer equipped with a PCI slot. For Bluetooth support,
you must also have an ASUS motherboard equipped with a Blue Magic PCI
slot or any motherboard with a USB 2.0 header. The Blue Magic PCI slot has
USB 2.0 built into the slot.
ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card is designed to be fully compliant with both
theIEEE802.11bandIEE802.11a wirelesslocalareanetwork(WirelessLAN)
standardsas wellas Bluetooth forinterconnecting personaldevices.Asaresult
ofthecompletionofthe standard,theinteroperabilityofWirelessLANproducts
amongmultiplemanufacturerswillbeguaranteed.TheASUSSpaceLink B&W
PCI Card product provides high-speed, standards-based Wireless LAN
solutions. The ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card can auto-switch between
802.11b and 802.11a networks, while maintaining Bluetooth connectivity.
TheASUS SpaceLink B&WPCI Card supports data rates up to 11 Mbps, with
automaticfallback to 5.5,2, and 1Mbps in802.11b networks.It operatesinthe
unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequencies called the Instrumentation, Science, and
Medical (ISM) band. Unlicensed means free of charge to users.
TheASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card also supports data rates up to 54 Mbps
in 802.11a networks using 5 GHz frequencies and Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology.
The ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card configuration utility is a user-friendly
applicationthathelpsyouquicklysetupmultipleroamingnodesusingtheASUS
SpaceLink B&W PCI Card.You can even export the configuration settings to
afileandimportthemto othercomputersforfastmultipleinstallations.Wireless
LANsarecomplementaryextensionstoexistingwiredLANs,offeringcomplete
mobilitywhile maintaining continuous network connectivityto both corporate
and home Intranets. They add a new level of convenience for LAN users. PC
users stay connected to the network anywhere throughout a building without
beingboundbyaLANwires.ThisisaccomplishedthroughtheuseofSpaceLink
Access Points. SpaceLink Access Points with built-in Internet gateway
capability,allowsyourfamily toshareabroadbandModemandoneISPaccount
simultaneouslyfromdifferentroomswithoutwires!ASUSSpaceLinkproducts
can keep you connected anywhere, any time.

8ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1
The SpaceLink™ Family
The SpaceLink™ Wireless PCI Card is a member of a product family that
provides a complete wireless networking solution.
The above illustrations are not to scale.
The SpaceLink™
Cardbus Card (WL-
200)isadualband(IEEE
802.11a/b)wirelessLAN
adapter that fits into a
Notebook PC’s
PCMCIA Type II slot
with Cardbus support.
LNK
AIR
The SpaceLink™
PCCard (WL-100)
is a wireless LAN
adapter that fits into
a PCMCIA Type II
slot in a Notebook
PC.
The SpaceLink™
CF Card (WL-110)
is a wireless LAN
adapter that fits into
a Compact Flash
Type II slot in a
Portable Digital
Assistant (PDA).
The SpaceLink™
Access Point (WL-
300)creates a wireless
network using the
IEEE 802.11b
wireless standard.
The SpaceLink™ Gateway (WL-
500)creates a wireless networkusing
the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard
and allows sharing a single Internet
connection.
The SpaceLink™
PCI Card (WL230)
is a dual band/dual
mode wireless PCI
card that supports
IEEE 802.11a,
802.11b, and
Bluetooth.

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 9
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1
System Requirements
To begin using the SpaceLink™ Wireless PCI Card, you must have the
following minimum requirements:
• An ASUS motherboard with the Blue Magic PCI slot
• Windows XP/2000/ME/98SE
• 32MB system memory or larger
• 300MHz processor or higher
As of the writing of this manual, the following motherboards have the Blue
Magic PCI slot: A7V8X, P4PE, P4G8X, P4GE-V. Please visit the ASUS
Web Site for updated information.
The Product Package
When you receive the Wireless LAN package, it should contain the
following items:
• One SpaceLink™ Wireless PCI Card (WL230) with Antenna
• One SpaceLink™ Wireless PCI Card (WL230) User’s Manual
• One Support CD (tools and documentation)
ASUS WLAN Control Center
Mobile Manager
Site Monitor
TroubleShooting
ASUS Bluetooth Software
If any of the above items are not included or damaged, contact your
local dealer for instructions.

10 ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1
ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card Layout
USB 2.0 Out (up to 2 ports)
USB 2.0 In
Status
Activity
Transmit
Receive
Antenna Port ASUS BlueMagic PCI
LED Definitions
Receive LED:
Blink - Receiving data packets
OFF - No data packets received
Transmit LED:
Blink - Transmitting data packets
OFF - No data packets transmitted
Activity LED Status LED Meaning
Fast Blink Fast Blink Associated or joined with network
Slow Blink Slow Blink Associated or joined with network, no activity
Alternating Alternating Searching for network connection
OFF Slow Blink Power save mode (Power-Up or Reset)
OFF OFF No power received

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 11
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 1
ASUS SpaceLink B&W Specifications
Industry Standards: Bluetooth, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b
Host Interface: ASUS BlueMagic PCI
Antenna: Integrated Bluetooth and dual-band wireless LAN
Bluetooth
Operating Freq: 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz
Data Rate: 1 Mbps
Range: Up to 10 meters
Architecture: Piconet, scatter net
IEEE802.11a
Operating Freq: 5.15GHz to 5.35GHz, 5.725GHz to 5.85GHz
Data Rate: 54, 48, 36, 24, 12, 9, 6Mbps, turbo mode up to 108Mbps
Range: Indoor: 12 meters @ 11Mbps, 50 meters @ 6Mbps
Outdoor: 30 meters @ 54Mbps, 150 meters @ 6Mbps
Architecture: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc
IEEE802.11b
Operating Freq: 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz
Data Rate: 11, 5.5, 2, 1Mbps
Range: Indoor: 30 meters @ 11Mbps, 90 meters @ 2Mbps
Outdoor: 150 meters @ 11Mbps, 300 meters @ 2Mbps
Architecture: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc

12 ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
2. Installation
This chapter explains how to install theASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
hardware, drivers, and utilities. This product is designed to operate in
Windows Me, 2000, and XP. Examples in this manual will be that of
Windows XP.
Complete the following steps to install the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI
Card.
1. Install the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card.
2. Install the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card Driver
3. Install the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card Utilities
2.1 Installing the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
1. Turn OFF your computer and open your computer chassis.
2. Locate the WPCI_USB* jumpers and move them to “Wireless
PCI_USB”
P4PE
®
P4PE WPCI_USB Setting
WPCI_USB
Wireless
PCI_USB
(Default)
35
46
1
3
24 Original
PCI
reserved pi
n
*This is one motherboard example only and may not correctly re-
flect your motherboard. See your User’s Manual for correct infor-
mation regarding the name, location, and use of these jumpers on
your motherboard.

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 13
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
3. Insert the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card into a Blue Magic PCI
slot.
4. Attach the antenna to the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card as shown.
2.1 Installing the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card (Cont.)
Ifinserting theASUS SpaceLink
B&W PCI Card into a non-Blue
Magic PCI slot, a USB 2.0
header on the motherboard or
USB 2.0 PCI card is required.
Connectthe provided USB cable
from the ASUS SpaceLink
B&W PCI Card (USB 2.0 IN)
to the USB 2.0 OUT header on
the motherboard or PCI card.
You can still use the USB 2.0
port by connecting your USB
bracket to the USB 2.0 OUT on
theASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI
Card.
Non-Blue Magic PCI Slot
35
46
USB 2.0 Out
USB Cable
USB 2.0 Out (SpaceLink)
1
3
24
USB 2.0 Out (MB)
USB 2.0 In
Blue Magic PCI Slot

14 ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
2.2 Installing the SpaceLink PCI Driver
With the SpaceLink B&W PCI Card installed, turn ON your computer and
enter Windows.
1. Windowswillautomatically detecttheASUS
SpaceLinkB&WPCICardonceitisinserted
into the PCMCIA slot, then the “Add New
Hardware Wizard” dialog will appear. Click
Next.
2. Insert the support CD that came with your
ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card .
3. Select “Search for the best driver in”...
“Search removable media...” Click Next.
4. When asked about driver compatibility with
Windows XP. Click Continue Anyway
since ASUS has always tests its drivers
before product shipment.
5. Wait while Windows XP creates a restore
point for you system files in case you need
to restore your current system.

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 15
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
6. ClickFinishwheninstallationhascomplete.
Restart your computer if prompted.
2.3 Verifying Drivers
You can verify the driver in Device Manager. (Access Device Manager
from Start | Control Panel | System | Hardware).Aquestion mark means
that no driver has been installed. An exclamation mark over a card
means that the driver is incorrect. Verify that you are using the correct
product and driver CD. Try repeating the installation and contact customer
support if necessary.
7. You can verify the “ASUS 11a/b PCI Wireless
NetworkAdapter” driver in Device Manager.
2.2 Installing the SpaceLink PCI Driver (Cont.)

16 ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
2.4 Installing the SpaceLink Utilities
After you have installed the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card driver, you
can install the wireless utilities.
1. Insert the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card support CD and an autorun menu will appear. If
your autorun is disabled, double click SETUP.EXE in the root directory of the support CD.
2. From the autorun menu, click Install ASUS Dual-Band WLAN Card Utilities.
1. Click Next on the Welcome screen. 2. Click Next after reading the Information.
3. Click Next to use the default Destination
Folder or click Browse to select another
folder.
4. Click Finish after setup is complete.

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 17
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
2.5 Installing the SpaceLink Bluetooth
The SpaceLink Bluetooth requires the installation of the Samsung Bluetooth
Software. After installation, you will find the PDF User Manual in
“XTNDConnect Blue Manager” folder.
1. Click Next to begin. 2. Click Next after reading the License
Agreement and selecting “I accept...”.
3. Select your computer type: Desktop 4. Click Next to accept the destination folder
or click “Change” to specify another folder.
5. Click Install when ready to install the
software. 6. Click OK after reading the driver notice.

18 ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 2 - Installation
Chapter 2
2.5 Installing the SpaceLink Bluetooth (Cont.)
7. Click Finish when installation is complete. 8. Click Yes to restart your computer.

ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card 19
Chapter 3 - Wireless LAN Reference
Chapter 3
3. Wireless LAN Reference
3.1 Overview
The ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card software includes five groups of
utilities.
•Control Center – Makes it easy to launch applications and activate
network location settings.
•Mobile Manager – A convenient tool to setup and manage network
location settings.
•Site Monitor – Measures the received signal strength indicator (RSSI)
values of all wireless networks. This tool is used for determining the
best placement ofAccess Points to provide the most efficient coverage
in a wireless network.
•Troubleshooting - Troubleshooting will test your settings and connec-
tion to try to pinpoint your problem and give you a solution.
•Wireless Settings–Allows users to control theASUS SpaceLink B&W
PCI Card.

20 ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card
Chapter 3 - Wireless LAN Reference
Chapter 3
3.2 Windows XP Wireless Options
The wireless options shown below is only available for Windows XP. The
first time you run the Control Center utility, it will automatically show.
Select one of the radio buttons to decide which interface to use with your
SpaceLink B&W PCI Card.
OnlyuseXPwirelessfunction– Only use “Windows XP” wireless network
settings to configure the ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card.
Only use ASUS utilities and disable XP wireless function – Only use
“ASUS SpaceLink B&W PCI Card utilities” to configure the ASUS
SpaceLink B&W PCI Card.
You can return to the Wireless Option setting at any time by left clicking
the control center icon and choosing “Wireless Option”.
Taskbar Left-Click Menu