Farallon SkyLINE 11Mb User manual

SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card
User’s Guide

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2
Copyright © 2000 Farallon Communications, Inc. v.0400
All rights reserved.
This manual and any associated artwork, software, and product designs are
copyrighted with all rights reserved. Under the copyright laws this manual,
artwork, software, and product designs may not be copied, in whole or part,
without the written consent of Farallon. Under the law, copying includes
translation to another language or format.
Farallon Communications
3089 Teagarden St.
San Leandro, CA 94577-5720
U.S.A.
For additional copies of this user’s guide, order Farallon part number
6120369-00-01.
Other products and corporate names may be trademarks of other companies
and are used only for explanation and to the owner’s benefit without intent to
infringe.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................1
SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card features ......................................................2
Package contents ...................................................................................2
System requirements ...................................................................................3
Macintosh ..............................................................................................3
Windows ................................................................................................3
Infrastructure network requirements .........................................................3
Network configuration ..................................................................................4
Ad Hoc network .......................................................................................4
Infrastructure network .............................................................................4
Chapter 2 - Installation ..................................................................................5
Macintosh installation ..................................................................................6
Installing SkyLINE software ......................................................................6
Installing SkyLINE hardware .....................................................................7
Configuring the SkyLINE Card for Macintosh ..............................................8
Configuring your card for your network ......................................................9
Configuring Macintosh networking software .............................................14
Card ejection ........................................................................................15
Windows installation ..................................................................................16
Windows 95/98 installation ...................................................................16
Windows NT 4.0 installation ..................................................................20
Configuring the SkyLINE Card for Windows ..............................................21
Chapter 3 - Operation and Troubleshooting ...................................................23
SkyLINE card operation ..............................................................................24
SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card LED .....................................................24
Macintosh card operation ......................................................................24
Windows card operation ........................................................................25
Troubleshooting .........................................................................................26
No CD-ROM drive on your computer ........................................................26
Environment and operation ....................................................................26
Macintosh troubleshooting .....................................................................27
Checking installed files ..........................................................................29
Windows troubleshooting .......................................................................30
Windows NT Diagnostics ........................................................................32
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Chapter 4 - Farallon Technical Support .........................................................33
Appendix A - Specifications & Regulations ...................................................35
Technical specifications .............................................................................35
Regulatory notices .....................................................................................36
DSSS PHY frequency channel plan ..............................................................38
Appendix B - Macintosh configurations .........................................................39
Infrastructure with Macintosh and Lucent ................................................39
Ad Hoc with Macintosh and Lucent .........................................................40
Glossary ......................................................................................................41
Warranties ..................................................................................................43
Index ..........................................................................................................47
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1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Farallon’s SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card provides network
connectivity for laptop computers equipped with a PC Card (PCMCIA)
slot. SkyLINE allows computers to join an IEEE 802.11 compliant
DSSS wireless Local Area Network (LAN). A wireless LAN offers the
advantages of a wired LAN in situations where it is impractical to run
conventional wiring.
The SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card allows Macintosh PowerBook
and Windows notebook users to build an Ad Hoc network or connect
to an Infrastructure network. An Ad Hoc network connects two or
more computers directly to each other. An Infrastructure network
allows computers to tap into the resources of a wired network using
a wireless LAN access point. An access point (such as Apple’s
AirPort Base Station) links wireless computers to an Ethernet
network.
Farallon’s SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card uses a radio frequency
modulation technology called Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
(DSSS), which provides up to 11 Mbps bandwidth. The card’s
compliance with the 802.11b standard ensures compatibility with
many popular wireless access points as well as interoperability with
other DSSS 802.11 compatible wireless devices.
In situations where more than one access point is used, a computer
with the SkyLINE card installed can roam from access point to
access point, significantly increasing the range of the wireless LAN.
TM
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2
S
KY
LINE 11M
B
W
IRELESS
PC C
ARD FEATURES
■
Compatible with other 2.4 GHz/DSSS wireless cards and LAN
access points
■
Complies with IEEE 802.11b standards for easy interoperability
■
Provides network services anywhere within range, without wires
■
Operable with existing Ethernet equipment in combination with
an access point or a software router
■
Provides drivers for Mac OS, Windows 95/98 and Windows NT
■
Easy Plug-and-Play installation
■
Supports popular network protocols including TCP/IP, Apple-
Talk, NetBEUI and IPX/SPX
■
Offers an extended range up to 150 feet indoors and up to 300
feet outdoors
■
Provides multi-channel frequency selection between 2.4 GHz to
2.4835 GHz
■
Delivers a data rate of up to 11 Mbps using Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) radio technology, which is more resis-
tant to the effects of noise than other wireless technologies
■
Automatically adjusts data rate, stepping down speed from 11
to 5.5 to 2 and 1Mbps to increase range
■
Requires no external circuitry or AC power, and uses low power
consumption to preserve computer battery life
P
ACKAGE CONTENTS
Your SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card package should include the
following:
■
SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card
■
Farallon software CD-ROM for Mac and Windows
■
This user’s guide
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Introduction 3
S
YSTEM REQUIREMENTS
M ACINTOSH
■
PowerBook that meets Mac OS 7.5.5 requirements or higher (up
to Mac OS 9), including the G3, 2400, 3400, 1400, 5300 and
190 PowerBooks
■
Available PC (PCMCIA) card slot
■
Minimum 16 MB RAM (24 MB RAM for Mac OS 8.5 and up)
■
Farallon SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card driver for Macintosh
(provided)
W INDOWS
■
Windows notebook with Windows 95/98 or Windows NT 4.0
■
Original Windows 95/98 or Windows NT software CD or dis-
kettes
■
Available PC (PCMCIA) card slot
■
Minimum 16 MB RAM
■
Farallon SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card driver for Windows
(provided)
I NFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
An Infrastructure network requires the use of one or more IEEE
802.11 DSSS compliant wireless LAN access points.
When the network is configured properly, a portable computer with the
SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card installed can access a number of
different brands of access points when they are in use on a network.
For an updated list of compatible access points, visit us online at
www.farallon.com or call 510-346-8001.
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4
N
ETWORK CONFIGURATION
Computers with Farallon’s SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card installed
can join a wireless LAN configured as an Ad Hoc or Infrastructure
network.
A
D
H
OC NETWORK
The Ad Hoc network offers peer to peer connections between
workstations, allowing communication between computers within
range that have an 802.11 DSSS compatible PC card installed. A
wireless Ad Hoc network can also access a wired LAN’s TCP/IP
services (such as email and the Internet) by using a TCP/IP software
router on an Ethernet equipped PowerBook or notebook.
I NFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK
The Infrastructure network uses an access point (or several access
points) as a gateway, linking the wireless network to a wired LAN. As a
result, portable workstations on your wireless network have access to
all of the features of your wired LAN including email, Internet access,
network printers and file servers.
wired LAN
server
access point
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5
Chapter 2
Installation
Installation of your SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card involves three
steps:
■
Installing the software
■
Installing the card
■
Configuring the card and networking software
The SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card can be configured for use with
wireless networks using Ad Hoc mode or Infrastructure mode. During
configuration you also set the card to the Address mode (Translation
or Encapsulation of Ethernet packets) of your network.
The SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card can be used in a cross-platform
environment, allowing Macs and PCs wireless connectivity on a
shared network. This chapter is divided into sections that address
installation and configuration for both Mac OS and Windows.
■
Installation for Mac OS, see page 6.
■
Installation for Windows 95/98, see page 16.
■
Installation for Windows NT, see page 20.
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6 Chapter 2
M
ACINTOSH INSTALLATION
Macintosh installation begins with the SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC
Card driver software. Once the driver is installed, you can install the
card and configure it using the Wireless Control Panel. Finally, you
must configure the networking software on your Macintosh to use the
wireless card for your network.
Note: If you do not have a CD-ROM drive in your computer, you can
download the driver software from the Farallon website at
www.farallon.com . A disk image is also available on the Faral-
lon CD-ROM included in your SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card
package. This disk image can be used to create an installer
diskette on a desktop machine with a CD-ROM drive.
I
NSTALLING
S
KY
LINE
SOFTWARE
The SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card requires Mac OS 7.5.5 or higher.
1. With your computer’s power on, insert the Farallon CD-ROM into
the CD drive of your computer.
2. Double-click the Installer icon. The Easy Install dialog box
appears.
3. Click the Install button. The Installer places the required
networking software in your System Folder.
4. After installation is complete, restart your computer and continue
installation instructions on the next page.
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