Broadcom BCM94318MPG User manual

Contents: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
Broadcom 54g WLAN BCM94318MPG User Manual
Introduction
Completing the Setup
Utility Functions
Specifications
Regulatory Information
Company Copyright Statement
Company Trademark Statement. Microsoft® and Windows® are trademarks owned by Microsoft Corporation. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
WLCARD-UG200-D2 01.30.03
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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
The Company 54g WLAN Solution
Using the Company 54g WLAN
Features and Requirements
The Company 54g WLAN Solution
The Company 54g WLAN solution accesses wireless local area networks (LANs), enables the sharing of a local printer
and files with others in the network, accesses the Internet, and enables roaming about the office—wire-free. This wireless
LAN solution is designed for both the home user and small businesses—and it is scalable so that users can be added and
new network features can be enabled as networking needs grow.
WEP is a security protocol for wireless local area networks (defined in IEEE Std 802.11, 1999 Edition) that encrypts data
sent over radio waves. The use of the WEP key is optional and can be enabled or disabled. If the network being
connecting to has enabled WEP, WEP must also be enabled in the network profile and the WEP key must be set to match
the WEP key used by the network. Otherwise, it is impossible to connect to the network.
The Company 54g enabled notebook makes a wireless connection to a network, as illustrated on the following figure.
Networks 1 and 2 are infrastructure type of networks. The two notebook computers connected by radio waves form an ad
hoc type of network.
Enterprise Users
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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
Obtain the following information from the network administrator:
●Network names (SSID) of the specific wireless networks to connect to
●WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key information (if any) for the networks to connect to
●For Microsoft® Windows® networking, the customer name and workgroup name
●For a network account, a user name and password
●An IP address (if not using a DHCP server)
Home Users
The access point (AP) that communicates with the Company 54g enabled notebook has a preassigned network name
(SSID) that the notebook recognizes upon startup. To enable WEP, use any string of numbers for the WEP key.
Upon startup, the Company 54g enabled notebook detects certain wireless networks (WLANs) that are within range.
Before connecting to these and other wireless networks, configure a profile for each network.See Completing the setup.
Using the Company 54g WLAN
The Company 54g enabled notebook is an IEEE 802.11g based wireless LAN device. A LAN is composed of two or more
computers that are connected to each other to share files or common equipment such as a printer or an Internet
connection. A wireless LAN provides the same functionality of a wired network, but it eliminates the need to install
networking cables and other networking equipment. Not only is a wireless LAN easier to deploy, but it also allows for
roaming. For example, when using the Company 54g enabled notebook, it is possible to roam from a conference room to
an office without being disconnected from the network.
Features and Requirements
An IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN includes the following features:
●Support for IEEE 802.11g draft specification
●Support for IEEE 802.11b standard
●2.4-GHz band operation
●Network data rate of up to 54 Mbit/s
●Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption
The following items are needed for participating in a wireless LAN:
●Company 54g enabled notebook computer running on a Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system
●Software compact disc containing the drivers, software reference guide, and Help file
The Company 54g enabled notebook works with any Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® base station or wireless client adapter.
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Introduction: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
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Back to Contents
Ccopyright and Trademark Information.
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN)
User Manual
NOTE—Before starting, obtain the required network information from the network administrator or the wireless access
point installer (see The Company 54g WLAN Solution in Introduction).
Modes of Operation
Configuring a Network Profile
Modes of Operation
A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of operation: infrastructure network and computer-to-computer
(ad hoc) network. Whereas each mode has its advantages, one mode may be more appropriate than the other, depending
on the location and type of network connection.
Infrastructure Mode
The key difference between the infrastructure type of network and an ad hoc network is that the infrastructure network
includes a base station (host) computer that has a built-in wireless network adapter and is connected to a wireless access
point (AP). This functionality allows computers on the infrastructure wireless LAN to access the resources and tools of the
wired LAN, including Internet access, e-mail, file transfers, and printer sharing.
Characteristics
Networked computers communicate with each other through a dedicated AP. All data transmitted between the computers
on this wireless LAN passes through the AP.
Advantages
●Extended range. The access point extends the range of the wireless LAN. Each computer can communicate with
other computers equipped by wireless networks that are within the range of the access point.
●Roaming. As the user moves around the home or office, the Company 54g enabled notebook determines the
best access point to use to ensure continuous communication with the network.
●Network connectivity. An access point can provide wireless LAN access to an existing wired network by bridging
the two networks together. This gives users of the wireless LAN access to all the functions of a wired
network—from file server access to e-mail and the Internet.
Disadvantages
Because the infrastructure mode offers more features, it requires additional components and setup time to deploy.
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
Requirements
A base station computer having a wired connection to the Internet, a wireless network adapter, and a connection to an
AP.
Computer-to-Computer Mode
A peer-to-peer (ad hoc) network is the easiest to deploy and is ideal for home use or in small offices. This mode allows
the sharing of files with other employees, printing to a shared office printer, and access to the Internet through a shared
modem. With ad hoc networking, however, the computer is only able to communicate with other wireless networks that
are within a certain range and are in the same wireless workgroup.
Characteristics
Networked computers send data directly to each other.
Advantages
●Simple setup
●Cost efficiency
Disadvantages
Communication is limited to those who are located within a certain range.
Configuring a Network Profile
To connect to a wireless network, a network profile for that network must be configured on the Company 54g enabled
notebook. If the Company 54g enabled notebook computer came with the Company 54g WLAN card already installed
and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below.
NOTE—For more information on how to configure a network profile and IEEE 802.1x authentication, click Learn about
setting up wireless network configuration at the bottom of the Wireless Networks tab of Wireless Network
Connection Properties.
Open Network Connections and then open Properties for the Wireless Network Connection you want to configure by
doing the following.
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
You can configure a network profile for networks that are listed under Available networks as well as those that are not
listed. When you have completed configuring a network profile, the network name and icon appear at the top of the list
under Preferred networks. The computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the list. Follow the
applicable instruction set below, based on whether or not the network is listed and whether or not the network requires a
WEP key (check with your network administrator to see if a WEP key is required).
NOTE—Both the network name and the network key are case-sensitive.
●Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Does Not Require a WEP Key
●Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Requires a WEP key
●Configuring a Profile for a Network That Is Not Listed and Does Not Require a WEP Key
●Configuring a Profile for a Network That is Not Listed and Requires a WEP Key
Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Does Not Require a WEP Key
1. Open Network Connections and then open Properties for the Wireless Network Connection to configure by
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
doing the following.
a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
3. Under Available networks, click the network name, and then click Configure.
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
4. Click OK. The network name and icon appear at the top of the list under Preferred networks.
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Completing the Setup: Company 54g Wireless LAN (WLAN) User Manual
5. Click OK to activate the network connection. To verify that the network connection has been made, reopen
Wireless Network Connection Properties for that wireless network and click the Wireless Networks tab. The
computer is connected to the selected network when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon for that
network. If the bubble does not appear, click Refresh. If it still does not appear, try to access a Web page to
verify that an Internet connection exists.
Configuring a Profile for a Listed Network That Requires a WEP Key
1. Open Network Connections and then open Properties for the Wireless Network Connection to configure by
doing the following.
a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
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