Gigafast WE721-AEX User manual

User’s Guide
Wireless LAN PC Card
11 Mbps
Version 2.0
2
Table of Contents
Information to User……………………………….. 3
1Introduction………………………………………... 5
2Wireless LAN basics……………………………… 6
3Windows Installation……………………………… 7
3.1 Install the Wireless LAN PC Card……….. 8
3.2 Install Utility…………..…………………..... 17
3.3 Configuration Utility……………………….. 21
4Technical Specifications of WLAN PC Card…… 29
Glossary…………………………………………… 30
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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INFORMATION TO USER
FCC INFORMATION
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment.
This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm
between the radiator & your body.
The 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 instruction, may cause harmful interference
toradio communication. However, there is no granteethat interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment dose 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 or more 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/TX technician for help.
Notice: The Part 15 radio device operates on a non-interference basis with other
devices operating at this frequency. Any changes or modification not expressly
approved by the party responsible could void the user’s authority to operate
the device.
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REGULATORY INFORMATION
The Wireless LAN PC Card must be installed and used in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. This device complies with the following radio frequency
and safety standards.
USA -Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference that may cause undesired operation.
Europe -R&TTE Directive
This device complies with the specifications listed below
• ETS 300-826 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.
• ETS 300-328 Technical requirements for Radio equipment.
• EN60950 Safety Requirements for Radio equipment

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1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Wireless Local Area Net (WLAN) PC Card. You
are about to install a networking system that is not only fast and powerful,
but also easy to set up and simple to maintain. In a short time you and those
in your network will be able to share a local printer and files, access the
Internet, and roam about the office wire-free.
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.
This wireless networking solution has been designed for both large and
small businesses, and it is scalable so that you can easily add more users
and new network features as your business grows.
This manual will assist you in the installing WLAN PC Card.
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2. Wireless LAN basics
Wireless LAN network defined by IEEE 802.11b standard committee could be
configured as:
•• Ad Hoc wireless LAN, or
•• Infrastructure wireless LAN.
Ad Hoc network is a group of notebooks with wireless LAN PC card called a BSS
(Basic Service Set). These notebooks use their wireless LAN PC cards to
communicate with each other, and notebooks cannot connect to the Internet.
Figure 2-1 Ad Hoc wireless network
The most obvious differentiation between Infrastructure wireless network and Ad
Hoc wireless network is that the notebooks in Infrastructure wireless network can
make use of the resource in the Internet through Access Point.
STA 3
STA 1
STA 2
Access Point
Internet
Figure 2-2 Infrastructure wireless network
To set up your notebook’s network as the type of “Ad Hoc” or “Infrastructure ”
wireless network depends completely on your requirement. Generally, if your network
environment has an Access Point, we recommend that you set it as “Infrastructure ”
to connect to the Internet.
STA 1
STA 2
STA 3

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3. Windows Installation
This section describes the procedures for installing the Wireless LAN PC Card under
Windows98 SE operating system.
Before You Start
To use the WLAN PC card with a computing device, the device must be equipped with
an internal or external PCMCIA Card Type II or Type III slot. All drivers and supporting
software for the WLAN PC Card must be loaded and configured.
Ask your system administrator for the following information, which you may need to
provide during driver installation:
•Your Wireless Client Name
•Your Wireless SSID
•Your computer’s unique client name and workgroup name
•For your network account, your user name and password.
•Your IP address, gateway address, and subnet maskif you’renotusing a
DHCP server.
Every computer on a network is identifiedby a unique network address. There are two
methods of assigning network addresses to computer on a TCP/IP network:
•Static IP addressing
•Dynamic IP addressing (DHCP)
In networks with staticIPaddressing, the network administrator manually assigns an IP
address to each computer. Once a static IP address is assigned, a computer uses the
same IP address every time it reboots and logs on to the network. You maymanually
change the IP address in theNetwork Properties dialog box.Networks using static
IP addresses are easy to set up and do not require additional network management
software.
In networks with dynamic IP addressing, a DHCP server in the network dynamically
assigns IP addresses to all clients every time they log on to the network. Network using
dynamic IP addresses require setting up and running a DHCP Server or installing the
Wingate software package.
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3.1Install Wireless LAN PC Card
Step 1. Hold the PC card with the logo facing up, and insert the card into the slot,
applying just enough pressure to make sure it is fully seated. Windows 98
automatically detects the PC card, briefly opens a New Hardware Found
window, and starts collecting information for a driver information database.
When Windows 98 is ready to configure the new hardware, it opens theAdd
New Hardware Wizard dialog box as shown, Click Next.
Step 2. A dialog box appears asking what do you want Windows to do. SelectSearch
for the best driver for your device (recommended) and click Next.

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Step 3. Select Specify a location, insert the documentation CD, and click
Browse to select WLAN PC Card folder from CD Drive.
Step 4. Select the folder that contains driver in CD-ROM,then click OK returns to
previous menu and click Next.
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Step 5. After the hardware wizard finds the installation files in the software CD, it
displays the search results:” Windows driver file search for the device:
PRISM2 IEEE 802.11 PC CARD Adapter.” Click Nextto copy the required
files.
Step 6. Starting Copy

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Step 7. The Add New Hardware Wizardwindow appears stating that Windows has
finishedinstalling the software that yournew hardware device requires. Click
Finish.
Step 8. The System Settings Change window states:” To finish setting up your new
hardware, you must restart your computer. Do you want to restart your
computer now?” Remove the software CD and click Yes to restart the
computer.
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Step 9. After the computer restarts, double click the My Computer icon on your
desktop. In My Computer window, double click the Control Panel icon. In
Control Panel window, double click the Network icon.
Step 10. Select the TCP/IP->PRISM2 IEEE 802.11 PC CARD Adapter for setting the
IP address. Click Properties.

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Step 11. Set IP address and Subnet Mask . You can select either Static or DHCP
setting. If you use the static IP setup then please enter the IP address and
Subnet masking. You should ask your network administrator for an address,
and then typeitinto the blanket boxes as below. Then click OK to return to
Step 10 Network dialog box.
If your network hasa DHCP server and Access Point supports DHCP.IP
address can be automatically assigned to this device. Choose Use DHCP
for WINS Resoluti on in WINS Configuration then click OK to return to Step
10 Network dialog box.
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Step 12. Click Add to select Network Protocol.
Step 13. Select the type of network component you want to install, and then click
Add.

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Step 14. Select Network Protocols box appears. From the list of manufactures, click
on Microsoft. From the list of network protocols list, select NetBEUI, then
clickOK.
Step 15. The NetBEUI protocol is now installed. After clicking on OKreturn back to
Network Component Type box, then click OK.
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Step 16. The Systems Settings Change window states: “ To finish setting up your new
hardware, you must restart your computer. Do you want to restart your
computer now?” Click Yes to restart the computer.

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3.2Install Utility
Step 1. Double click the MY Computer icon on your desktop. In my computer
window, double click the CD Drive icon. Choose WLAN PC Card folder and
double click Stepicon to executeSetup.exe. It opens the Welcome dialog
box as shown then click Next.
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Step 2. Software License Agreement, click Yes.
Step 3. Type in an SSID.The System ID (or SSID) is the name for your Wireless LAN.
All computers that are to be part of the same wireless LAN must have the
same SSID. ClickNext.

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Step 4. Choose the Network Mode in which your wireless Mode will operate, click
Next.
Step 5. Choose Destination Location, click Next.
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Step 6. Click Next
Step 7. Starting Copy.
Step 8. Click Finish to restart your computer.

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3.3 Configuration Utility
WLAN PC Card uses its own management software. All functions controlled by user
are provided by this application. When you insert the WLAN PC card into the PCMCIA
slot, a new icon-should appear in your icon tray automatically
wait a while. If the icon is in red, it means that WLAN PC Card configuration is invalid or
incomplete.
Double click on that icon will show you the screen as shown below.
User can navigate through “cards”, by clicking or tapping them with a stylus. Following
we explain the use and meanings of the various screen messages.
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Link Info
State
The field shows the association to available Access Point with BSSID, MAC ID
of WLAN PC Card. When the state is “Associated” means normal flow of
operation in infrastructure mode. The PC is connected to Access Point. BSSID
is chose in the form of hex digits. Networking is available.
Tx/Rx Rate Information
This displays the instantaneous wireless Receive and Transmit throughput in
bytes per second. These values are updated every two seconds.
Link Quality / Signal Strength
The Link Quality and Signal Strength bar graph is only active when the node is
in Infrastructure Mode. The bar graph displays the quality and strength 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:
“Not Applicable”
“Poor”
“Fair”
“Good”
“Excellent”
The driver will start looking for a better Access Point if the Link Quality
becomes“Poor”. Link Quality is a measureof receiving and transmitting errors
over the radio.

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Configuration
The Configuration Tab contains severalfieldswhereoperatingparametersof
thedriver can be viewed or changed. Changestoany of the parameters in this
panel can be applied to the driver without a need to restart the PC.
Network Mode
This field allows you to select from a list of supported Network “Modes”. The
modes displayed will have three values: “Infrastructure”, “802.11 Ad Hoc” and
“Ad Hoc”.
Infrastructure-The infrastructure mode of operation requires the
presenceofan802.11bAccessPoint.Allcommunication
is done via the Access Point, which relays packets to
other wireless clients in the BSS as well as to modes on
a wired network such as Ethernet.
802.11 Ad Hoc-The Ad Hoc mode has two options, 802.11 Ad Hoc and
Ad Hoc, the 802.11 Ad Hoc mode option is recommended.
This is the 802.11b peer-to-peer mode of operation. All
communication is done from Client to Client without the use
of an Access Point. 802.11 Ad Hoc networking use the same
SSID for establishing the wireless connection. In this mode
the Channel number will be found automatically.
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SSID
SSID is the group name that will be shared by every member of your wireless
network. You will only be able to connect with an Access Point, which has the
same SSID.
Tx Rate
The transmission rate at which client of AP transmits the data packets. You
can set this to fixed 1Mbps, 2Mbps, 5.5Mbps, 11Mbps or Fully Automatic.
“Apply Changes” button
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

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Encryption
You may desire an additional measure of security on your wireless network,
which can be achieved by using WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption.
WEP encrypts each frame transmitted from the radio using one of the Keys
entered from this panel.
When an encrypted frame is received it will only be accepted if it decrypts
correctly. This will only happen if the receiver has the WEP Key used by the
transmitter.
To be written to the driver and registry, each key must consist of hex digits,
which means that only digit 0-9 and letters A-F are valid entries. If entered
incorrectly program will not write keys to a driver.
You can set this to disable, 64 bit or 128 bit.
Encryption WEP -disable
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Encryption WEP –64 bit / 128 bit
There are two options to entry WEP Key. In Create with Passphrase option,
you have to type in 5 Hex digital, then Key number will found automatically.
Apply
This button updates the driver with the four keys displayed in Key field. The
keys are also written to the registry for permanent storage.

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Encryption WEP –64 bit / 12 8bit
In Manual Entry, there are four fields can be used to manually enter 2 Hex
digital in each blanket boxes. This may be necessary if you wish this node to
match keys in different vendor’s product.
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About
About tab shows the product version including the detail of Driver,
Configuration Utility, and NIC firmware version. Users must use this version
number when reporting their problems for technical support.

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4. Technical Specifications of WLAN PC Card
Driver Supported
Microsoft Windows 98 / Windows 98 SE / Windows ME / Windows 2000 /
RedHat Linux 6.X
Standards Supported
IEEE 802.11b standard for Wireless LAN
Compliant with ETS 300-328, ETS 300-826 and EN60950.
Compliant with FCC Part 15
Radio Specifications
Frequency Range: 2.4-2.4835 GHz, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
Antenna system: Two integrated antenna
Mobility: Seamless roaming across cell boundaries with handover
Power Specifications
Operating Voltage: +3.3 / 5 Voltage DC
Continuous Transmitting: 330mA
Continuous Receiving: 280mA
Specific Features
Supported bit rates : 11Mbps, 5.5Mbps, 2Mbps and 1Mbps
Number of Channels
Europe: 1-13
US: 1-11
France: 10-13
Japan: 1-14
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Glossary
IEEE 802.11 Standard
The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulating a
standard for the industry. The objective is to enable wireless LAN hardware from
different manufacturers to enteropera.
Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks
together.
Ad Hoc
An Ad Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter,
connected as an independent wireless LAN. Ad Hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a
departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
BSSID
A specific Ad Hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must
be configured with the same BSSID.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol-a method in which IP addresses are assigned
by server dynamically to clients on the network. DHCP is used for Dynamic IP
Addressing and requires a dedicated DHCP server on the network.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
This is the method the wireless cards use to transmit data over the frequency spectrum.
The other method is frequency hopping. Direct sequence spreads the data over one
frequency range (channel) while frequency hopping jumps from one narrow frequency
band to another many times per second.
ESSID
An Infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for mobile
workers. More than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS).
Users within an ESS could roam freely between BSSs while served as a continuous
connection to the network wireless stations and Access Points within an ESS must be
configured with the same ESSID and the same radio channel.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a 10/100Mbps network that runs over dedicated home/office wiring. Users
must be wired to the network at all times to gain access.

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Gateway
A gateway is a hardware and software device that connects two dissimilar systems,
such as a LAN and a mainframe. In Internet terminology, a gateway is another name
for a router. Generally a gateway is used as a funnel for all traffic to the Internet.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Infrastructure
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration.
Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to central database,
or wireless application for mobile workers.
ISM Band
The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for
unlicensed use in the so-called ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum
in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available worldwide. This
presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high-speed wireless
capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with the appropriate network adapter
card connected by cable/air, that share applications, data, and peripherals. All
connections are made via cable or wireless media, but a LAN does not use telephone
services. It typically spans a single building or campus.
Network
A network is a system of computers that is connected. Data, files, and messages can
be transmitted over this network. Networks may be local or wide area networks.
PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. Also a PCMCIA card is
also referred to PC Card.
Protocol
Aprotocolisastandardizedsetofrulesthatspecifyhowaconversationistotakeplace,
including the format, timing, sequencing and/ or error checking.
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Roaming
In an infrastructure network, this is when a wireless PC moves out of range of the
previously connected access point and connects to a newly connected access point.
Throughout the network environment where access point are deployed, PCs can
always be connected regardless of where they are located or roam.
SSID
A Network ID unique to a network. Only clients and Access Points that share the same
SSID are able to communicate with each other. This string is case-sensitive.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
SimpleNetwork Management Protocol is thenetwork management protocol of TCP/IP.
In SNMP, agents-which can be hardware as well as software-monitor the activity in the
various devices on the network and report to the network console workstation. Control
information about each device is maintained in a structure known as a management
information block.
Static IP Addressing
A method of assigning IP addresses to clients on the network. In networks with Static
IP address, the network administrator manually assigns an IP address to each
computer. Once a Static IP address is assigned, a computer uses the same IP address
every time it reboots and logs on to the network, unless it is manually changed.
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
TCP/IP is the protocol suite developed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency
(ARPA). It is widely used in corporate Internet works, because of its superior design for
WANs. TCP governs how packet is sequenced for transmission the network. The term
“TCP/IP” is often used generically to refer to the entire suite of related protocols.
Transmit / Receive
The wireless throughput in Bytes per second averaged over two seconds.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A WAN consists of multiple LANs that are tied together via telephone services and / or
fiber optic cabling. WANs may span a city, a state, a country, or even the world.

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Wireless LAN (WLAN)
A wireless LAN does not use cable to transmit signals, but rather uses radio or infrared
to transmit packets through the air. Radio Frequency (RF) and infrared are the
commonly used types of wireless transmission. Most wireless LANs use spread
spectrum technology. It offers limited bandwidth, usually under 11Mbps, and users
share the bandwidth with other devices in the spectrum; however, users can operate a
spread spectrum device without licensing from the Federal Co mmunications
Commission (FCC)