Buffalo AirStation WLAR-L11-L User manual

What is Next? 1
Troubleshooting 2
Self-Diagnostic Function 3
Setting Screen Tables 4
Glossary 5
Product specifications 6
This manual explains examples of AirStation set-
tings, and remedies for troubleshooting prob-
lems. Refer to this manual as necessary.
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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 the equipment.
Note
Supplementary information you should know for handling the product.
Reference
Refers to the related subject page.
Next
Advises to which page to be followed.
Column
Explanation of convenient facts you should know.
Glossary and Diacritical Marks Within the Text
• Text in bold indicates the name of menu options, buttons, text boxes, check boxes, software, and dialog
boxes, etc., that you can select to perform operations.
• The WLAR-L11-L is referred to as the AirStation through this manual.
• The personal computer to be used with the Buffalo wireless LAN card is called the wireless LAN PC.
• The personal computer to be used to change the AirStation settings is referred to as the Settings PC.
Precautions for using the AirStation
Be sure to read this manual before using the product because this product is highly refined. TECHWORKS INC./
Buffalo Technology. is not responsible for accidents or damages to the personal computer as well as AirStation
due to misuse. Misuse of our product will void the guarantee automatically that came with the purchase.
All rights for this manual are owned by MELCO INC. No part of this manual may be transmitted,
reproduced, or revised without permission from MELCO INC.
Product name of other companies used in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks
of the respective companies. Trademark symbols (
TM
, ®, ©, etc.) are not indicated in this manual.
Specifications, design, and other descriptions in this manual are subject to change without notice.
This manual is carefully prepared, however, feel free to contact your nearest sales representa-
tive if you have any questions or problems.
In addition, note that MELCO INC. shall not be liable for any expenses incurred due to damage
or loss arising from the use of the WLAR-L11-L, although MELCO INC. has been advised of
the possibility of such damage.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 1
Getting Started
This manual contains the following.
What is Next? P3
Refer to "What is Next?" (page 3) for changing AirStation settings for various applications.
Troubleshooting P21
Refer to "Troubleshooting" (page 21) for problems such as failure of AirStation settings or fail-
ure of connecting to the Internet.
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2 WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual
Table of Contents
1What is Next? .................................................. 3
Connecting to other computers.................................................................... 3
Displaying AirStation Setting Screen ........................................................... 6
Enabling and Disabling Roaming Function .................................................. 7
Limiting Connections from Wireless LAN PC............................................... 9
Strengthening Security Using the WEP (Encoding) Function .................... 11
Multiple AirStation Groups ......................................................................... 12
Connecting to the AirStation Using an AirPort-compatible PC ..............................13
Packet Filter Settings Example .................................................................. 14
IP Address Auto Allocation Functions (DHCP Server) Settings Example.. 16
Checking AirStation’s IP Address .............................................................. 17
Resetting the AirStation Settings to the Factory Settings .......................... 18
Checking the Wireless Frequency Status .................................................. 19
2Troubleshooting ............................................. 21
3Self-Diagnostic Function ................................. 38
4Setting Screen Tables .................................... 39
5Glossary.......................................................... 44
6Product Specifications .................................... 48
Specifications............................................................................................. 48
Port Connector Specifications ................................................................... 49
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 3
1What is Next?
This section explains how to change the AirStation settings, and their various uses.
When using the AirStation to connect to the Internet use the steps below.
Network Setting
Connecting to other computers
1Click on the Start button and select [Settings] - [Control Panel].
2Double Click on the Network Icon
3Click on "File and Print sharing..." button.
When using Windows Me/98 make sure that the "Primary network Logon" is
selected as either "Client for Microsoft Networks" or "Windows Logon".
4Check "I want to be able to give others
access to my files" and "I want to be able
to allow others to print to my printer(s)".
And click the OK button.
5"File and Printer sharing for Microsoft net-
works" is added.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual4
Go to "Sharing settings" section (page 4) .
Sharing settings
Make settings for sharing drives and folders. The example here describes the procedure for shar-
ing the C drive in My Computer.
6Click the Identification tab (Windows Me/
98) or User Information tab (Windows
95). Check the Computer name, Work-
group, and Computer
Description, and click the OK button.
The same workgroup must be assigned to all the computers included in
the network.
7The message "Do you want to restart your computer now?" is displayed. Click
yes to restart.
1Double-click the My Computer icon on the desk top.
2Click the icon for the C drive with the right
mouse button and select Sharing.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 5
Go to "Connection to other computers" section (page 5) .
Connection to other computers
After determining the connection to the network, follow the steps below to access the wired LAN
PC from the wireless LAN PC. An explanation using Windows98 as the operating system is given.
3Select "Shared As:", and check or change
Shared Name, Comment, Access Type,
and Password. Click the OK button.
4The icon for the C drive changes as shown below.
1Double-click the Network Neighborhood icon on the desktop.
Computers connected to the networks on the wired LAN and wireless LAN are
listed.
2Double click the desired computer
3The drive(s) set to be shared [refer to
"Sharing settings" section (page 4) ] are
listed. Double-click the desired drive.
4The contents in the selected drive are dis-
played and you can access the desired
folder.
Connection to the network on the
wired LAN from the wireless LAN PC is
complete. Your computers can now be
operated in a comfortable environment
using both the wireless and wired LANs.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual6
The AirStation setting screen can be displayed using the following procedure.
Displaying AirStation Setting Screen
1WindowsMe/98/95 User : Refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" (page
12) section in Chapter 2, Preparing the AirStation
Settings in the separate Internet Connection Man-
ual, and install the AirStation Manager.
Windows2000/NT4.0 User :Refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" (page
38) section in Chapter 6, Preparing the AirStation
Settings in the separate Internet Connection Man-
ual, and install the AirStation Manager.
2Click the Start button, and select Programs, MELCO AirStation, and AirSta-
tion Manager.
3Select Edit, and Search AirStation.
4Windows will search for the AirStation.
5The AirStation Manager will be displayed.
6Select the AirStation name and select Admin
and Configure AS.
7Your Web browser will start and the setting
screen will be displayed.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 7
While moving from one room to another using 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 con-
nect to the AirStation. If this is the case, please refer to Chapter 2 Troubleshooting.
• The AirStation can only be used with another company's wireless LAN products that have a
roaming function when Wi-Fi recognition is complete.
• When the roaming function is enabled, roaming is still possible even if the wireless channels change.
• When setting WEP(encryption), set all AirStation WEP setting to the same.
The AirStation Setting
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the settings.
Enabling and Disabling Roaming Function
1Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 6) in Chapter
1, What is Next?, and display the AirStation setting screen.
2Click the Custom Setup button.
3Set the following, then click the Set button.
Roaming between AirStations
Group Name :Enter the same group name for
all the AirStations in the same
roaming network.
ESS-ID :Select Generate From Group
Name, MAC Address and
Roaming setting.
Roaming :Select Use.
Roaming using another company's access points
ESS-ID :Select Generate, then enter the
same ESS-ID as another com-
pany's products.
Group Name :Setting is ineffectual
Roaming :Setting is ineffectual
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual8
Setting the Wireless LAN PC
1From the wireless LAN PC, click the Start button, and select Programs,
MELCO Wireless LAN and then Client Manager.
2Select File and Manual....
3The following setting can be different depend-
ing upon the setting of ESS-ID set at the step 3
in the "The AirStation Setting" (page 7).
Please set it correctly. Then click the OK but-
ton.
Generate from Group Name
ESS-ID :Enter "000000" + group name.
Network Mode :Select
11Mbps communication
over AirStation
.
Generate
ESS-ID :Enter the same ID as the AirStation
setting.
Network Mode :Select
11Mbps communication
over AirStation .
4Click the OK button.
If you wish to use a password
using the WEP key, enter your password
in the Password field.
5Windows will search for the AirStation.
6Verification of the connection to the AirSta-
tion is completed.
The name of the connecting
AirStation with the roaming function will be
displayed with an antenna mark ( ).
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 9
To limit connections to the AirStation from wireless LAN PCs, use the following procedure. After setting,
only registered wireless LAN PCs can communicate with Ethernet LAN PCs.
Setting Procedure
Limiting Connections from Wireless LAN PC
1Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 6) in Chapter
1, What is Next? and display the AirStation setting screen.
2Click the Custom Setup button.
3Click the Wireless LAN Computer Limita-
tion Setup hyperlink.
4Enter the MAC address of the wireless LAN
PCs that can connect to the network. Then
click the Add button.
•Refer to the manual enclosed with the
wireless LAN PC for the MAC address.
•When entering the MAC address, sepa-
rate each two-digit group by entering a
colon (:) between them.
If the wireless LAN card of your choice on the network is displayed in the Table of
Wireless LAN PCs for which Connection Is Disabled, select the Enable Connection
check box for the relevant MAC address and click the Change button.
5"Add MAC Address" will be displayed. Click the Return button.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual10
This way, only registered wireless LAN PCs in the "Available Wireless LAN Computers" field will be able
to communicate within the Ethernet LAN.
To disable the registration of the MAC address, clear the Inhibit Connection check box
in the "Available Wireless LAN Computer(s)" field and click the Change button.
6In the Connection of Wireless LAN Computer
field, select the Set Limit option and click the
Set button.
If you set from a wireless LAN
PC, check if the wireless LAN PC is regis-
tered in Wireless LAN Computers that can
be connected before you click the Set but-
ton. If it is not registered, refer to the
"Resetting the AirStation Setting to the
Factory Settings" section (page 18) and
reset to the factory setting.
7"Complete Setting" will be displayed. Click the Back button on the Tool Bar.
8The added MAC address will be displayed in
the "Available Wireless LAN Computer(s)"
field.
You can register up to 255 MAC
addresses maximum.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 11
Additional security is provided by encoding the packets with the WEP function. How to use WEP is shown
in the following procedure.
•If the WEP function is already set, communication with Macintosh computers is not possible
since the WEP function is not compatible with the Airport WEP function.
•The AirStation is compatible with other wireless LAN products if they have the Wi-Fi certifies
WEP function.
Be sure to set the WEP (encoding) using a PC on the Ethernet LAN network. If you set this
term a PC on the wireless LAN, communication with the AirStation may be disabled. If communication
with the AirStation is disabled, refer to Chapter 2 Troubleshooting.
Setting Procedure
Strengthening Security Using the WEP (Encoding) Function
1Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 6) in Chapter
1, What is Next? and display the AirStation setting screen.
2Click the Custom Setup button.
3Enter the code in the "Encryption Code (WEP)"
field and enter the same code in the "Confirm
Encryption Code" field for confirmation.
Next, click the Set button.
The encryption code is either char-
acter input (5 characters) or hexadecimal
input (10 digits).
When character is inputted. Use
either single-byte English alphabet charac-
ter or the underbar "_" string of up to 5 dig-
its.
4"Settings Completed" will be displayed. Close the Web browser.
When WEP is enabled, you will be prompted to enter your encryption code when-
ever you try to connect to the AirStation from the client manager. If no encryption code is
entered, communication with the AirStation will be disabled.
Example of Hexadecimal WEP input
Input 10 digits of hexadecimal values (0 to F)
Example: 0123456789
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual12
When multiple AirStations are used to communicate with the wireless LAN PCs on the same floor, the baud
rate may be reduced. This is because the AirStations are using the same frequency to communicate simulta-
neously. If this happens, good communication can be achieved by changing the center frequency (wireless
channels) in each LAN network (i.e., grouping). Changing the wireless channel and grouping the network
are shown in the following procedure.
Setting Procedure
Multiple AirStation Groups
1Refer to the "Displaying the AirStation Setting Screen" section in Chapter 1,
What is Next? and display the AirStation setting screen.
2Click the Custom Setup button.
3"In the Wireless Channel field", select the
wireless channel setting for the AirStation and
click the Set button.
4"Settings Completed" will be displayed. Close the Web browser.
•Using neighboring channels or frequencies close to each other may result in mutual
interference. To make sure that there is no interference, set each channel at least four
channels apart. (Changing wireless channel may result in interference with other wire-
less equipment.)
•Using channels 10,11,12 and 13 in France cause the frequency channel restriction.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 13
Getting Started
The following software is required when the Macintosh AirPort-compatible PC is used to share files with
Windows PCs.
•Software that supports shared files (e.g., DAVE).
Refer to the manual supplied with your software for details of how to enable file sharing.
Setting Method
To connect to the AirStation using an AirPort-compatible computers, use the following procedure.
Before setting check if the AirPort software is installed or not. (For the procedure for
installing the AirPort software refer to the AirPort manual.)
Connecting to the AirStation Using the AirPort-
compatible PC
1Display the AirStation setting screen using the setting PC (Windows PC).
Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 6) in Chapter
1 What is Next?
2Click the Device Diagnostic button.
3Verify if "Disabled" is displayed in the "Encryption (WEP) function" field.
If "Enabled" is displayed, refer to the "Strengthening Security Using the WEP
(Encoding) Function" section (page 11) in Chapter 1 What is Next?. Clear the Encryption
Code(WEP) field and the Confirm Encryption Code field.
4The AirStation ESS-ID should be displayed in the "ESS-ID field".
5Start the AirPort-compatible computer. Select
Apple Menu on the menu Bar and select Air-
Port. The AirPort setting tool will start.
6From the pull-down menu in the "Network
Selection" field of the AirPort Network, select
the AirStation ESS-ID that was identified in
step 3.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual14
Changing the Packet Filter Setting
For the packet filter setting the following cases are possible.
• Manual Setting (LAN to WAN).
• Prohibit setting from the wireless LAN.
• Prevent line connection when the Web browser is closed.
• Prohibit NBT packet routing.
NBT (NetBIOS over TCP/IP) packet transfers NetBIOS data through the Internet. The filter
prohibits access to/from the outside by Microsoft Windows network users.
The setting procedure is as follows:
Packet Filter Setting Example
1Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 6) in Chapter 1
What is Next? and display the AirStation setting screen.
2Click the Custom Setup button.
3Click the Packet Filter Setup hyperlink.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 15
This completes the setting procedure.
4Select the items to be set in the Setting Filter
field and click the Add the Rule button.
When you select the "Manual Setting (LAN to WAN)" enter the following values.
Source IP Address:
The transmission source IP Address that
does not pass the communication packet.
Destination Port:
The port that does not pass the arbitrary
packet. If the [Manual Setting of TCP port]
and [Manual Setting of UDP port] are
selected, the port number is inputted to
the [port number].
Log Output:
The log output is completed when the
packet is detected.
5"Complete Setting" will be displayed. Click the Return button.
6The added packet filter will be displayed.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual16
This section explains the following IP setting example.
Addresses that can be allocated by DHCP: 192.168.0.5 to 192.168.0.24
The following address is desired to be excluded from the above address range: 192.168.0.17
The IP address allocated by the DHCP server should be the same network address as
the AirStation’s IP address.
Setting Procedure
This completes the IP address settings.
IP Address Auto Allocation Functions (DHCP
Server) Setting Example
1Refer to the "Displaying AirStation Setting Screen" section (page 6) in Chapter 1
What is Next? and display the AirStation setting screen.
2Click the Custom Setup button.
3Click the Automatic IP Assignment Setup
button.
4
Enter the following settings and click the Set button.
Automatic IP Address Assignment:(LAN)Use
Assigned IP Address: 20 units from 192.168.0.5
Deleted IP address: 192.168.0.17
The following can be set if connect-
ing to the Internet through the AirStation.
Default gateway: The AirStation’s IP address.
DNS server notification:
Enter the DNS address speci-
fied by your provider.
!

WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual 17
You can check AirStation’s IP address validity using the following procedure.
Checking AirStation’s IP Address
1WindowsMe/98/95 User : Refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" (page
12) section in Chapter 2, Preparing the AirStation
Settings in the separate Internet Connection Manual
and install the AirStation Manager.
Windows2000/NT4.0 User :Refer to the "Installing AirStation Manager" (page
38) section in Chapter 6, Preparing the AirStation
Settings in the separate Internet Connection Manual
and install the AirStation Manager.
2Click the Start button, and then select Programs, MELCO AirStation and
AirStation Manager.
3On the Menu Bar select File. Then select Con-
nect.
If you are using the PC on the Ethernet LAN, select Edit, Search AirStation,
then go to step 5.
4
Enter the following settings and click the OK button.
MAC address :
Last 6 digit of the AirStation’s
MAC address.
Group name :"GROUP" (Capital letter)
When inputting the ESS-ID directly,
be sure to check the ESS-ID before entering.
The AirStation's Mac address is found
in the AirStation. Refer to the "Package Details
and Parts Nomenclature and Functions" sec-
tion in the separate Install Manual, and check
it.
5Click the OK button.
When WEP setting is enabled, enter the
encryption code in the WEP key field.
6Windows will search for the AirStation.
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WLAR-L11-L Reference Manual18
7AirStation’s IP address will be displayed.
AirStation’s IP address will be displayed in the "IP Address" field.
Resetting the AirStation Setting to the Factory Settings
1Connect the power supply to the AirStation.
2Press and hold the factory setting switch on the back of the AirStation for 3 sec-
onds minimum. The DIAG lamp in the front (bottom) will flash. When the DIAG
lamp stops flashing, the AirStation is reset to the factory setting.
For the factory setting switch, refer to the "Package Details and Parts Nomencla-
ture and Functions" section in the separate Install manual.
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