Gemtek WL-375P User manual

Wireless LAN
User's manual 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Page 1
11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card
WL-375P
User's Manual
V1.0 – Mar. 25, 2002

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Page 2 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card User's manual
Copyright statement
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the
prior writing of the publisher.
Printed in Taiwan, Mar. 2002

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User's manual 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Page 3
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the
following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Caution:To assure continued compliance, (example - use only shielded interface cables
when connecting to computer or peripheral devices). Any changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.
This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolledenvironment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum
distance of 20centimeters between the radiator and your body.

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R&TTE Compliance Statement
This equipment complies with all the requirements of the DIRECTIVE 1999/5/EC OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and
telecommunication terminal Equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (R&TTE).
The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC (Telecommunications Terminal
Equipment and Satellite Earth Station Equipment) As of April 8, 2000.
Safety
This equipment is designed with the utmost care for the safety of those who install and use it. However,
special attention must be paid to the dangers of electric shock and static electricity when working with
electrical equipment. All guidelines of this manual and of the computer manufacturer must therefore be
allowed at all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment.
EU Countries intended for use
The ETSI version of this device is intended for home and office use in Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France(with Frequency channel restrictions), Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
The ETSI version of this device is also authorized for use in EFTA member states Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
EU Countries Not intended for use
None.
Potential restrictive use
France: Only channels 10,11,12, and13

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User's manual 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Page 5
Contents
1 Contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
3 Wireless LAN Basics………………………………………………………………………………….7
4. Installation for Windows Plateform…………………….…………………………………………….8
4.1 Installation Overview ………………………….…………………………………………….…9
4.2. Installation Procedure for Windows 95 / 98 ………………………..……………….….... 10
4.3 Uninstall Procedure for Windows 95 / 98 …………………………………………….……. 12
4.4. Installation Procedure for Windows NT 4.0 ………………………………………………13
4.5 Uninstall Procedure for Windows NT 4.0 …………………………………………………...14
4.6. Installation Procedure for Windows 2000/ Windows ME …………………………………..15
4.7. Uninstall Procedure for Windows 2000/ Windows ME ……………………………………..16
5. Configuration Utility ……………… ………………..………………………………………………..17
6. Troubleshooting …….……………………………………………………………….………………...25
7. Technical specifications of Wireless LAN …………………………………….…………………….27

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2. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing your 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card. This manual will assist you with the
installation procedure.
The package you have received should contain the following items:
•11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card
•User's manual
•Quick installation guide
•Diskette or CD containing Wireless LAN Management utility and drivers
Note: if there's anything missing, please contact your local vendor or dealer
The diskette or CD contains the drivers and the program Configuration Utility that is used for
managing the Wireless LAN Card and establishing the wireless connection with your Local Area
Network.

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User's manual 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Page 7
3. Wireless LAN Basics
Wireless LAN (Local Area Networks) systems offer a great number of advantages over a traditional,
wired system. Wireless LANs (WLANs) are more flexible, easier to setup and manage and often more
cost effective than their wired equivalence.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the
need for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility, and, through
simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.
With wireless LANs, users can access shared information without looking for a place to plug in and
network managers can set up or augment networks without installing or moving wires. Wireless LANs
offer the following productivity, convenience and cost advantages over traditional wired networks:
•Mobility - Wireless LAN systems can provide LAN users with access to real-time information
anywhere in their organization. This mobility supports productivity and service opportunities not
possible with wired networks.
•Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can
eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.
•Installation Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go.
•Reduced Cost-of-Ownership - While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware
might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle
costs will be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments
requiring frequent moves, adds, and changes.
•Scalability - Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs
of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer-
to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousands
of users that allow roaming over a broad area.

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4. Installation for Windows platform
The following sections will assist you to in installing wireless LAN Adapter successfully. You will first
install software(driver) and then insert the Wireless LAN PC card, and finally set the network
properties to accommodate resource sharing and select the type of wireless network that you wish to
install. The Wireless LAN can easily be installed and used, without bothering to connect cables for
keeping your computer to use network resources, as in case of wired LAN.

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4.1. Installation Overview
Here are some steps you will perform in establishing your wireless network connection:
zInstall the Access Point at first. AP is needed in case of Infrastructure network mode.
zInstall the software using the Installation Diskette or CD.
zInstall the Wireless LAN Card (WIRELESS LAN 11Mbps PC Card).
zInstall the network protocol(s) required to communicate on your network. Most likely you will need
the TCP/IP protocol.

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4.2. Installation Procedure for Windows 95(OSR2) /98
Please follow the following steps one by one in order to install the WLAN PC card
successfully.
1.Power on your computer and allow Windows 95 (OSR2) / 98 to load fully.
2.Be sure that there is no PCMCIA adapter inserted yet.
3.Insert the given Installation CD in the CD-ROM and then click on the Setup.
4.Accept the license agreement.
5.Select the SSID. Default ESSID is default. You can change this later also using the configuration
utility or network configuration. Click on Next.
6. Select network type and click on Next. Default is Infrastructure.
7. Give the path of the destination folder. To set the path of your choice click on Browse and then
click Next.
8. Setup will add program icon to the Program Folder. You may type a new folder name, or select one
from the existing Folder list.
9. It takes a few seconds for copying the utility files and then click on Finish. Then insert Wireless LAN
11 Mbps PC card into slot and restart PC.
10. Restart the PC and Click on the Control Panel and then on PC Card. Check whether it has PCMCIA
card in one of the sockets or not. If you find 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card in one of the sockets,
it means the card is detected properly.
11. Check for the 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card by right clicking on My Computer using the mouse.
Select the Device manager and then Network Adapters. If you find the Yellow (?) sign on the adapter,
it shows the installation is not successful. Select the adapter and click on Remove. Restart your
computer after uninstalling the driver to make the changes effective. And refer to manual.
12. Right click on the Network Neighborhood using the mouse.
13. Select Properties from the pop up menu. The network box appears and you see three main tables:
Configuration, Identification, and Access Control.
14. Click on the Configuration tab and then click on the Add button. Select Network Component Type
box appears. Click on the Protocol the click the Add button.
15. Select Network Protocols box appears. From the list of manufactures, click on Microsoft. From the
list of network protocols list, select NetBEUI, then click OK.
Note: Do not insert the PCMCIA card until you are asked to do so, failure of which may result in unsuccessful installation
of your WLAN PC card

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16. The NetBEUI protocol is now installed. After clicking on OK return back to Network Component
Type box.
17. Repeat the step 15 and 16 to add IPX/SPX protocol.
18. Repeat the step 15 and 16 to add TCP/IP protocol.
19. Click on the TCP/IP option for setting the IP address for your computer. You can select either Static
or DHCP setting. If you use the static IP setup then enter the IP value, Subnet masking, DNS,
Domain/ Workgroup name, and Gateway Address values. After setting these parameters
appropriately, click OK to return to Network Component Type and you can select the File and
Printer Sharing options as well as the Access to your computer like other users connected to that
network by setting the computer sharing options. Click on OK.
20. Screen message do want to restart your Computer will pop up. Select Yes. It will shut down your
computer and will restart.
Important: Restart your computer to make the changes effective before you reinstall the
driver.

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4.3. Uninstall Procedure for Windows 95(OSR2) /98
If you want to uninstall the PCMCIA/PCI card under Win 95 (OSR2)/98, click on the Start at the left bottom of
your screen. Select the Programs. Click on the Wireless LAN 11Mbps PC Card and click on Uninstaller.
Confirm message about removing the " Wireless LAN 11Mbps PC Card ", click on Yes and all of its
components appear. UninstallShield removes the software " Wireless LAN 11Mbps PC Card " successfully.
Click on OK to finish the uninstall procedure.
Important: Restart your computer to make the changes effective before you reinstall the
driver.

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4.4. Installation Procedure for Windows NT4.0
1. Power on your computer. Please make sure Windows NT networking is already installed:
2. Insert 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC card into PC card slot.
3. Insert the given Installation CD in the CD-ROM and then click on the Setup.
4. Accept the license agreement.
5. Select the SSID. Default ESSID is default. You can change this later also using the
configuration utility or network configuration. Click on Next.
6. Select network type and click on Next. Default is Infrastructure.
7. Give the path of the destination folder. To set the path of your choice click on Browse and then
click Next.
8. Setup will add program icon to the Program Folder. You may type a new folder name, or select
one from the existing Folder list.
9. It takes a few seconds for copying the utility files and then click on Finish.
10.Few seconds later Microsoft TCP/IP properties table pops up, set Internet protocol (TCP/IP),
either choose obtain an IP address automatically or set your own IP address. Then click OK.
11. Restart your Computer

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4.5. Uninstall Procedure for Windows NT4.0
If you want to uninstall the Wireless LAN 11Mbps PC Card under Win 2000, click on the Start at the left
bottom of your screen. Select the Programs. Click on the Uninstaller of Wireless LAN 11Mbps PC Card.
Confirm message about removing the "11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card" and all of its components appear.
Click on Yes. UninstallShield removes the software successfully. Click on OK to finish the uninstall procedure.
Proceed to chapter 5 for the explanation of the Configuration Utility.
Important: Restart your computer to make the changes effective before you reinstall the
driver.

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4.6. Installation Procedure for Windows 2000 / Windows ME
Please follow the following steps one by one in order to install the Wireless-LAN
11Mbps PC Card successfully.
1. Power on your computer and allow Windows 2000 / ME to load fully.
2. Be sure that there is no PC Card inserted yet.
3. Insert the given Installation CD in the CD-ROM and then click on the Setup.
4. Accept the license agreement.
5. Select the SSID. Default ESSID is default. You can change this later also using the
configuration utility or network configuration. Click on Next.
6. Select network type and click on Next. Default is Infrastructure.
7. Give the path of the destination folder. To set the path of your choice click on Browse and
then click Next.
8. Setup will add program icon to the Program Folder. You may type a new folder name, or select
one from the existing Folder list.
9. It takes a few seconds for copying the utility files and then click on Finish.
10. Then insert 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card into the slot, wizard will found new hardware 11
Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card, click on Next.
11. Choose Display a list of the known drivers for this device so that I can choose a specific
driver, then click on Next.
12. Select Hardware types Network adapters, click on Next, then one click 11Mbps Wireless
LAN PC Card Adapter, click Have disk then enter the path name D:\ (where D is the CD drive
of your Notebook PC). It copies the driver files.
13. Restart your computer
14. Click Control panel – System - Hardware – Device Manager, you will find 11Mbps Wireless
LAN PC Card in Network adapters. If you find the Yellow (?) sign on the adapter, it shows
the installation is not successful. Select the adapter and click on Remove.
Then reinstall from the step #3.
15. If your 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card is install properly, then right click on the My Network
Place using the mouse, click Properties to set up local area connection.
own IP address. Then click OK.
16. Restart your Computer
Note: Do not insert the PC card until you are asked to do so, failure of which may result in unsuccessful installation of
your WLAN PC card

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4.7. Uninstall Procedure for Windows 2000/Windows ME
If you want to uninstall the 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card under Win 2000, click on the Start at the left
bottom of your screen. Select the Programs. Click on the Uninstaller of Wireless LAN 11Mbps PC Card.
Confirm message about removing the "11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card" and all of its components appear.
Click on Yes. UninstallShield removes the software successfully. Click on OK to finish the uninstall procedure.
Important: Restart your computer to make the changes effective before you reinstall the
driver.

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5. Configuration Utility
11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Wireless LAN adapter uses its own management software. All
functions controlled by user are provided by this application. Usually this application starts
automatically, Use Start, Programs, and 11Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Wireless LAN to start the
Manager application.
A new icon - should appear in your Icon tray. If the icon is in red, it means that 11Mbps Wireless
LAN PC Card NIC configuration is invalid or incomplete. Sometimes icon can be colored in red. This
can happen when driver is in Pseudo BSS mode, and the radio channel, which is used for
communication is defined incorrectly.
Figure 1 Icon tray with a new icon
Double clicking on that icon will show you the screen as shown below.
Figure 2 Management window with “Status” tab open
User can navigate through “sheets”, by clicking or tapping them with a stylus. “OK” button will minimize
window, and “Cancel” (or X button) will close application. Here we explain the use and meanings of
the various screen messages.

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Link Info
- State
This field is used to display the current state of the driver. When the state is “Associated “ means
normal flow of operation in Infrastructure mode. The PC is connected to access point. BSSID is
shown in the form of hex digits. Networking is available.
A state of “Scanning ” means that the node is searching for available access point and cannot
detect the SSID for an access point within range.
This field will also display an error message if for some reason the driver failed to initialize.
- Rescan
Pressing the rescan button causes the driver to restart and begin its Connection Procedure. The
connection procedure differs depending on the Mode of the driver.
Infrastructure Mode - The driver will scan all available channels continuously until it finds one or
more Access Points that matches its SS ID. At that point it will try and authenticate and associate
with the Access Point.
802.11Ad Hoc Mode - The driver will scan for 5 seconds looking for an existing 802.11Ad Hoc
network using the same SS ID. If one is not found the driver will start its own 802.11Ad Hoc network.
- Current Channel and Tx Rate
Shows the channel of the radio and transmit rate are being currently used for an active connection.
This value has no meaning when the radio is “Scanning”
- Throughput
These two fields display the instantaneous wireless Receive and Transmit throughput displayed in
bytes per second. These values are updated every two seconds.
- Link Quality
The Link Quality bar graph is only active when the node is in Infrastructure Mode. The bar graph
displays the quality of the link between the node and its Access Point. A label summarizes the
quality of the link over the bar graph, which can take on one of the following values:
“Poor”
“Weak”
“Fair”
“Good”
“Excellent”

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User's manual 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card Page
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The driver will start looking for a better Access Point if the Link Quality becomes “Poor”. Link Quality
is a measure of receives and transmits errors over the radio.
- Signal Strength
The Signal Strength bar graph is only active when the node is in Infrastructure Mode. The bar
graph displays normalized signal strength as reported by the radio, averaged over all frames over
100 bytes long that are received from the Access Point.

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“CONFIGURATION” tab
The Configuration Tab contains several fields where operating parameters of the driver
can be viewed or changed. Changes to any of the parameters in this panel can be
applied to the driver without the need to reboot the PC.
Figure 4 Management window with "CONFIGURATION" tab open
Restore Defaults:Pressing this button restores each field in the panel to its default value. The Apply
Changes button or OK must be pressed before the default values are saved to the
driver and registry.
Undo Changes: Pressing this button reverts all fields in the panel back to their original values that
were present when the Configuration Utility was opened from the Task Bar.
Apply Changes: This button becomes active only when one of the fields has been modified. Pressing
this button applies the changed values to the driver and saves them to the registry
for the next time the PC boots up.