Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 User manual

User’s Guide
Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200
July 2002
This guide provides information on installing and setting up the
Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 as well as tips on solving
common problems.

© 2002 Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
Compaq and the Compaq logo are trademarks of Compaq Information
Technologies Group, L.P. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarksof their respective
companies.
Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein. The information is provided “as is” without warranty of any
kind and is subject to change without notice. The warranties for Compaq
products are set forth in the express limited warranty statements accompanying
such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional
warranty.
User’s Guide
First Edition (July 2002)

User’s Guide iii
Contents
1 Getting Started
Introduction . . . ................................ 1–1
UsingaWirelessLocalAreaNetwork........... 1–1
FeaturesandRequirements....................... 1–2
SelectingaNetworkMode........................ 1–3
Peer-to-PeerNetwork ........................ 1–3
BaseStationNetwork........................ 1–3
2 Installing Software & Hardware
Beforeyoustart................................ 2–1
PreparingforInstallation......................... 2–2
InstallingSoftware.............................. 2–3
InstallingtheWirelessLANMultiPortW200......... 2–7
RemovingtheMultiportCover................. 2–7
■Notebookcomputers....................... 2–7
■Desktopcomputers........................ 2–7
MountingtheWirelessLANMultiPortW200..... 2–8
■Notebookcomputers....................... 2–8
■Desktopcomputers........................ 2–8
CompletingtheInstallation.................... 2–9
3 Using the Wireless LAN MultiPort W200
Introduction . . . ................................ 3–1
RadioAntennas............................. 3–1
Maintenance................................ 3–1

iv User’s Guide
UsingtheClientManager ........................ 3–2
StartingClientManager....................... 3–2
ViewWirelessLinkQuality................... 3–2
View/ModifyWirelessSettings................. 3–3
DisableRadio .............................. 3–4
EnableRadio............................... 3–5
RemovingtheWirelessLANMultiPortW200..... 3–5
■Notebookcomputers....................... 3–6
■Desktopcomputers........................ 3–6
FindingInformation............................. 3–7
4 Advanced Operations
Introduction . . . ................................ 4–1
SetupandManageUserProfiles................... 4–2
Manage Profiles with Windows XP ............. 4–2
Manage Profiles with Windows 98/2000 ......... 4–3
■CreateaWirelessConfigurationProfile........ 4–4
■Customize your Wireless Configuration Profiles . 4–7
■ActivateWirelessConfigurationProfiles....... 4–8
Disable/EnabletheWirelessLANMultiPortW200.... 4–9
SecureyourWirelessNetwork.................... 4–10
EncryptionOptions......................... 4–10
■EncryptionKeyFormats................... 4–11
■EncryptionKeyDistribution................ 4–12
Diagnostic Options............................. 4–13
Basic Diagnostics .......................... 4–13
Advanced Diagnostics. ...................... 4–13
■Card Diagnostics. . . ...................... 4–14
■LinkTest............................... 4–14
■SiteMonitor ............................ 4–14
DisplayVersionInformation.................. 4–14

User’s Guide v
A Specifications
PhysicalSpecifications...........................A–1
PowerCharacteristics ........................A–1
NetworkingCharacteristics....................A–1
RegulatoryInformation..........................A–2
RadioCharacteristics.........................A–2
B Troubleshooting
UsingtheWorldWideWeb.......................B–1
Preparing to Call Technical Support .............B–1
SolvingCommonProblems.......................B–2

User’s Guide 1-1
1
Getting Started
Introduction
The Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 allows you to
access wireless Local Area Networks, share a local printer and
files with others in your network, access the Internet, and roam
about the office—wire-free.
This wireless Local Area Network solution is designed for both
large and small businesses, and it is scalable so that you can add
users and new network features as your networking needs grow.
Using a Wireless Local Area Network
This product is a Local Area Network (LAN) device. A LAN is
two or more computers that are connected to each other in order
to share files or common equipment such as a printer or a modem.
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 a notebook computer with a Wireless
LAN MultiPort W200, you can roam from a conference room to
an office without being disconnected from the network.

1-2 User’s Guide
Getting Started
Features and Requirements
This wireless LAN product includes the following features:
■Support for the IEEE 802.11b Standard
■2.4-GHz band operation
■Network speeds up to 11 Mbps
■Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption
To participate in a wireless LAN, you need the following items:
■Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200
■Software CD containing application, drivers, software
reference guide, and help file
■A computer with a MultiPort bay, a CD drive, and Microsoft
Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows XP
Professional or Home Edition.
The Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 is WiFi (Wireless Fidelity)
certified and will work with any other WiFi certified base station
or wireless client adapter.

User’s Guide 1-3
Getting Started
Selecting a Network Mode
A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of
operation. While each method has its advantages, one may be
better suited for your needs. Review the following configurations
to determine which mode is best for you.
■“Peer-to-Peer Network”
■“Base Station Network”
Peer-to-Peer Network
Also called “ad hoc” network. This mode is the easiest to deploy
and is ideal for small offices. As a user on this type of network,
you are able to share files with other employees, print to a shared
office printer, and access the Internet through a shared modem.
However, with peer-to-peer networking your computer is only
able to communicate with other wireless computers that are
within range and in your wireless workgroup.
Base Station Network
Also called “infrastructure” network.The key difference between
a wireless Base Station network and a peer-to-peer network is the
addition of one extra element—the base station or access point.
Additionally, the wireless Base Station can provide access to an
existing wired LAN. This link allows computers on the
infrastructure wireless LAN to access the other wired LAN’s
resources and tools, including Internet access, electronic mail
delivery, file transfer, and printer sharing.
Characteristics • Networked computers send data directly to
each other
Advantages • Simple to set up
• Cost-efficient
Disadvantages • Communication is limited to those who are in
range

1-4 User’s Guide
Getting Started
Characteristics Networked computers communicate with each
other through a dedicated base station.
All data transmitted between the computers on
this wireless LAN passes through the base
station.
Advantages Extended range: The access point extends the
range of the wireless LAN. Each computer can
communicate with other computers equipped
for wireless networking that are within the
range of the access point.
Roaming: As you move throughout the
building, the Wireless LAN MultiPort W200
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 electronic
mail and the Internet.
Disadvantages Because this network mode offers more
features, it requires additional components and
setup time to deploy.
Requirements One base station, such as the:
• WL310 Wireless Home Office Gateway
• WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point
• WL510 Wireless Enterprise Access Point

User’s Guide 2-1
2
Installing Software & Hardware
Before you start
Read and follow these guidelines where applicable:
■New Computers—Before installing the Wireless LAN
MultiPort W200, complete the system software setup process
and ensure that your operating system is fully operational.
Refer to the Getting Started guide included with your
computer for instructions.
■Existing Computers—If you previously installed a wireless
LAN device, such as a WL110 Wireless PC Card or WL215
Wireless USB Adapter, you must uninstall the wireless LAN
drivers and software according to the device manufacturer’s
instructions.