National Datacomm Corporation InstantWave User manual

2Mbps Wireless LAN
User’s Guide
P/N: 85-506300-00
Rev. A1
March 2000
National Datacomm Corporation
4F, No. 24-2, Industry East 4th road
Science Park, Hsin-Chu
Taiwan, R.O.C.
Technical Support
E-mail: [email protected]
NDC World Wide Web
www.ndc.com.tw
PCI/PC Card

ii InstantWave PCI/PC Card
TRADEMARKS
NDC and InstantWave are trademarks of NDC Communications, Inc. All other
names mentioned in this document are trademarks/registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
NDC provides this document “as is,” without warranty of any kind, neither
expressed nor implied, including, but not limited to, the particular purpose. NDC
may make improvements and/or changes in this manual or in the product(s) and/or
the program(s) described in this manual at any time. This document could include
technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.
FCC WARNING
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 or more of the following measures:
ŸReorient or relocate the receiving antenna
ŸIncrease the separation between the equipment and receiver
ŸConnect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected
ŸConsult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate the
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

InstantWave PCI/PC Card iii
Packing List
The package contents vary depending on whether you have purchased the PnP PCI
Card, or the PC Card version:
The PCI Card package should contain the following items:
•One PCI Card
•One Antenna
•One CD ROM (Windows Driver and Utility program)
•One Diskette for Windows NT
•This User’s Guide
The PC Card package should contain the following items:
•One PC Card
•One CD ROM (Windows Driver and Utility program)
•One Diskette for Windows NT
•This User’s Guide

iv InstantWave PCI/PC Card
Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1
INSTANTWAVE FAMILY...................................................................................................1
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................................1
Hardware Platform......................................................................................................1
Software Environment................................................................................................1
GLOSSARY..........................................................................................................................2
GETTING STARTED.......................................................................................................5
HARDWARE INSTALLATION.............................................................................................5
PCI Card Installation.................................................................................................5
PC Card Installation...................................................................................................6
LEDS...................................................................................................................................6
DRIVER INSTALLATION/UNINSTALLATION...................................................................7
Installation in Windows 95........................................................................................7
Uninstalling the Adapter from Windows 95..........................................................11
Installation in Windows 98......................................................................................12
Uninstalling the Adapter from Windows 98..........................................................13
Installation in Windows NT 4.0...............................................................................14
Uninstalling the Adapter from Windows NT 4.0 ..................................................16
THE INSTANTWAVE WINDOWS UTILITY PROGRAM...............................17
INSTANTWAVE UTILITY INSTALLATION.....................................................................17
USING THE INSTANTWAVE UTILITY PROGRAM.........................................................18
Adapter Properties....................................................................................................20
Network Watcher (Infrastructure)..........................................................................23
Network Watcher (Ad-Hoc).....................................................................................23
Signal Quality Indicator...........................................................................................24
Throughput Monitor..................................................................................................24
UNINSTALLING THE UTILITY PROGRAM......................................................................24
SOFTWARE UPGRADE PROCEDURES...............................................................25
TROUBLESHOOTING.................................................................................................26
WINDOWS 95/98..............................................................................................................26
Installation Problems................................................................................................26
WINDOWS NT 4.0............................................................................................................27
Installation Problems................................................................................................27
GENERAL..........................................................................................................................28
Utility Error Messages..............................................................................................28
Operational Problems...............................................................................................28

InstantWave PCI/PC Card v
TECHNICAL SUPPORT..............................................................................................30
NDC LIMITED WARRANTY.....................................................................................31
INDEX.................................................................................................................................34

vi InstantWave PCI/PC Card
List of Figures
FIGURE 1. AN AD-HOC NETWORK..................................................................2
FIGURE 2. AN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK..................................................2
FIGURE 3. A WIRELESS CELL (GROUP)..........................................................3
FIGURE 4. ROAMING IN THE SAME DOMAIN..................................................3
FIGURE 5. INSERTING THE CARD.....................................................................5
FIGURE 6. CONNECTING THE ADAPTER CARDANTENNA............................5
FIGURE 7. INSERTING THE PC CARD...............................................................6
FIGURE 8. SYSTEM PROPERTIES.......................................................................7
FIGURE 9. NEW HARDWARE FOUND...............................................................7
FIGURE 10. INSTALL FROM DISK .......................................................................8
FIGURE 11. UPDATE DEVICE DRIVER WIZARD-1............................................8
FIGURE 12. UPDATE DEVICE DRIVER WIZARD-2............................................9
FIGURE 13. INSERT DISK.....................................................................................9
FIGURE 14. COPYING FILES................................................................................9
FIGURE 15. NETWORK IDENTIFICATION.........................................................10
FIGURE 16. NETWORK PROPERTIES.................................................................10
FIGURE 17. ADD NEW HARDWAREWIZARD-1..............................................12
FIGURE 18. ADD NEW HARDWAREWIZARD-2..............................................12
FIGURE 19. ADD NEW HARDWAREWIZARD-3..............................................13
FIGURE 20. ADD NEW HARDWAREWIZARD-4..............................................13
FIGURE 21. SELECT OEM OPTION..................................................................14
FIGURE 22. INSTANTWAVE ADAPTER SETUP ................................................14
FIGURE 23. SELECTTHE NETWORK TYPE AND CARRIER SET .....................15
FIGURE 24. SET ROAMING SWITCH.................................................................15
FIGURE 25. SET SECURITY................................................................................15
FIGURE 26. ENTER SECURITY ID.....................................................................16
FIGURE 27. CHOOSE DESTINATION LOCATION..............................................17
FIGURE 28. INSTANTWAVE UTILITY...............................................................18
FIGURE 29. TOOLBAR........................................................................................18
FIGURE 30. PREFERENCES.................................................................................19
FIGURE 31. LAMP ICON.....................................................................................19
FIGURE 32. CONFIGURATION............................................................................20
FIGURE 33. WIRELESS ADAPTER PROPERTIES...............................................21
FIGURE 34. TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................................22
FIGURE 35. NETWORKWATCHER (INFRASTRUCTURE)................................23
FIGURE 36. NETWORKWATCHER (AD-HOC).................................................23
FIGURE 37. SIGNAL QUALITY INDICATOR......................................................24
FIGURE 38. VIEW STATION THROUGHPUT .....................................................24

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 1
Introduction
Congratulations on choosing an InstantWave wireless networking family product.
InstantWave was designed with a “Maximizing the convenience of networking”
philosophy in mind. You will find InstantWave very easy to configure and use.
This User’s Guide gives comprehensive instructions on installing and using the
InstantWave PCI and PC Cards, and also explains how to install and use the
InstantWave Utility Program.
InstantWave Family
The InstantWave PCI and PC Card are part of the InstantWave family of easy to
use high performance wireless communication products. The family products
include:
•InstantWave PC Card (NW610A)
•InstantWave PCI Card (NW630A)
•InstantWave Access Point (NW660A)
System Requirements
Hardware Platform
A station must be an x86 compatible PC with a PCI bus or PCMCIA interface.
The minimum system configuration is the same as that required to run MS
Windows (Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0).
Software Environment
The stations operate in conjunction with most of the MS Windows (Windows 95,
98, NT 4.0), Novell NetWare series.

2InstantWave PCI/PC Card
Glossary
Wireless Network
In the IEEE 802.11 definition, a wireless network is classified as an Ad-Hoc
network or an Infrastructure network.
Ad-Hoc Network
An Ad-Hoc network is formed by a number of wireless stations (without an Access
Point) communicating via radio waves. For the users, the shared resources on the
wireless network appear exactly as they would on a regular wired network. The
wireless operation of the network is totally transparent. Figure 1depicts a typical
Ad-Hoc network scenario.
Figure 1. An Ad-Hoc Network
Infrastructure Network
An Infrastructure network is formed by several stations and one Access Point (AP),
with the stations within range of the AP. Figure 2depicts a typical Infrastructure
network topology.
Figure 2. An Infrastructure Network
Server
Wired Computers
Access Point
Wireless Computers (PCI/PC Card)
Wireless Stations

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 3
Group ID/BSSID
A Group ID (the 802.11 standard uses the term BSSID) is the ID of a wireless cell.
A wireless cell is usually made up of stations in an area that the radio signal can
comfortably cover. In other words, any wireless station in the cell can
communicate with any other within reach of the radio signal (Figure 3).
Figure 3. A Wireless Cell (Group)
Domain Name/ESSID
A domain is usually defined by the network administrator as a segment/subnet of a
large network and may be made up of overlapping wireless cells. Wireless nodes
can roam freely within the same domain without disconnecting from the network.
Figure 4depicts a common wireless network setup.
Figure 4. Roaming in the Same Domain
Roaming
The convenience of a mobile PC is the ability to move freely. The concept is
similar to that of a cellular phone moving from one base station to another.
InstantWave offers built-in high performance seamless roaming capabilities.
Carrier Set
InstantWave products use the unlicensed ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band
to communicate through radio waves. Different countries offer different radio
frequencies to be used as the ISM band. There are four frequency bands defined
by 802.11: Japan (2.471GHz – 2.497 GHz), USA, Canada, and Europe (2.4 GHz –
2.4835 GHz), Spain (2.445 GHz – 2.475 GHz), France (2.4465 GHz – 2.4835
GHz). If a user wants to use InstantWave in a country not listed above, he/she
needs to check with their government’s regulating body to find the correct
frequency band to use. All InstantWave products are supplied preset to the country
of sale’s frequency band.
Access Point
Server
Access Point
Wireless
Stations

4InstantWave PCI/PC Card
Access Point
An Access Point (AP) provides a transparent bridged connection between a wired
network and a wireless network and allows wireless stations to communicate with
devices attached to a wired network.
It manages the flow of data packets from the wired LAN to the Wireless LAN and
vice versa.

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 5
Getting Started
This section explains how to quickly setup a wireless station.
Hardware Installation
PCICard Installation
To install the InstantWave PCI Card into a computer, simply follow these steps:
step1. Turn off the power to your computer and all peripherals and unplug the
power cord from the wall socket
step2. Remove the computer’s cover
step3. Select a free PCI Bus expansion slot and remove the slot cover
step4. Carefully install the card in the expansion slot (Figure 5) by firmly
pressing until the card is snugly seated. Be sure the card is fully home.
Fasten the retaining bracket with the screw from the slot cover
Figure 5. Inserting the Card
step5. Replace the computer coverand reconnect the previously disconnected
cables
step6. Screw the antenna into the InstantWave card (Figure 6)
Figure 6. Connecting the Adapter Card Antenna
PCI card
PCI Expansion Slot

6InstantWave PCI/PC Card
step7. Repeat the above procedure to fit an InstantWave card into each of the
other computers to be networked
PC Card Installation
The PC Card fits into a Type II or Type III PCMCIA slot. The antenna is encased
in a plastic case, in line with the main body of the PC card, such that it extends
outside the PCMCIA slot when the card is inserted. The slot must allow for a card
extension of up to 30mm as specified in the PC Card specifications.
step1. Insert the PC Card into the Type II slot of the computer. Insert the card
with the 68-pin connector facing the slot and the label facing up
(Figure 7)
Figure 7. Inserting the PC Card
step2. Repeat the above procedure for each of the other computers to be
networked
LEDs
The PCI and PC Card each have two LEDs. Both will blink when the adapter is
initialized. In normal use the green LED blinks when the adapter transmits data,
and the orange LED blinks on data reception.

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 7
Driver Installation/Uninstallation
For Windows 95 see the following section, for Windows 98 go to page 12, for
Windows NT 4.0 go to page 14.
Installation in Windows 95
As the installation method for the Windows 95 versions is slightly different, you
should begin by identifying your version.
Right click My Computer and click Properties. The System Properties screen will
open (Figure 8).
Check the
version number
Figure 8. System Properties
On the General card you will find the Windows 95 version number:
•If the version number is 4.00.950 or 4.00.950a you are running the
original version of Windows 95. (Follow procedure A below)
•For version 4.00.950 B or later, go to procedure B on page 8
Procedure A(For Windows 95 versions 4.00.950 and 4.00.950a)
step1. Turn on the power and start Windows 95
step2. Windows 95 will detect the adapter and the New Hardware Found
dialog box will open (Figure 9)
Figure 9. New Hardware Found

8InstantWave PCI/PC Card
step3. Choose Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer, and
click OK. The Install From Disk dialog box will open (Figure 10)
Figure 10. Install From Disk
step4. Insert the InstantWave CD-ROM in the CD drive. The driver is in the
root directory of the CD-ROM. Type D:\ (or whatever your CD drive
is) and click OK. The system will copy the driver files to the Windows
95 system
step5. Go to page 10, and follow steps 7 to 13 as described inProcedure B
Procedure B(For Windows 95 4.00.950 B and 4.00.950 C)
step1. Turn on the power and start Windows 95
step2. Windows 95 will detect the adapter and the Update Device Driver
Wizard dialog box will open (Figure 11)
Figure 11. Update Device Driver Wizard-1
step3. Insert the InstantWave CD-ROM in the CD drive and click Next
step4. The Update Device Driver Wizard will indicate that Windows 95 found
the driver in the root directory of the CD-ROM (Figure 12). Click
Finish

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 9
.
Figure 12. Update Device Driver Wizard-2
step5. The installer will copy the driver files into the system. There is a
known problem with the Windows 95 OSR2 device installer. The
installer may default to the wrong source location. Typically, the
installer source path defaults to the Windows installation location. The
user should manually redirect the installer to the correct source location.
The following dialog boxes will be displayed
Figure 13. Insert Disk
Figure 14. Copying Files
step6. Click OK on each screen. After the driver files have been copied, setup
is complete

10 InstantWave PCI/PC Card
step7. After the InstantWave Utility files have been copied, the Network
Identification dialog box will open (Figure 15). Enter a unique
computer name and the Domain Name (ESSID) of the network to
which the wireless adapter will connect
Figure 15. Network Identification
step8. Click Next. The Network Properties dialog box will open (Figure 16)
Figure 16. Network Properties
step9. Select the Network Type and Carrier Set. If the station is connected to
an Access Point, Infrastructure mode must be specified. Select Ad Hoc
mode to make a peer to peer connection to other wireless stations. If
the country of operation is different from the country in which the
product was purchased, the user can change the carrier set. All wireless
stations and Access Points must use the same Carrier Set in order to
communicate. Security can be enabled to restrict unauthorized access.
When security is enabled, a Security ID is requested. The longest string
for the Security ID is eight characters. All the wireless devices must
have the same Security ID in order to communicate with each other.
Click Finish
step10. Depending on your current installation of Windows 95, the setup
program may ask you to insert the Windows 95 CD-ROM

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 11
step11. The System Settings Change dialog box will ask you if you want to
restart your computer. Remove the CD-ROM from the drive and click
Yes
step12. After rebooting, the system will automatically install the InstantWave
Utility Program and execute it. The user can monitor the wireless
LAN’s status and configure the adapter’s properties via this program
(see page 17 for details)
step13. If the TCP/IP protocols are required (necessary for Internet access), add
them by clickingStart/Control Panel/Network/Configuration
That completes the hardware and driver installation.
Uninstalling the Adapter from Windows 95
You may need to uninstall your adapter for the following reasons:
1. The installation fails or is interrupted by unknown factors. If this happens the
InstantWave Adapter will be marked with an exclamation mark “!” in Device
Manager. Uninstall the adapter using methods described below and then
restart your computer. The Windows 95 plug and play function will detect
the adapter again
2. You want to remove the device
The uninstallation process is as follows:
To completely remove the adapter and driver from your system you will need to
physically remove the adapter (with the system powered off). The removal
procedure is the reverse of the Hardware Installation procedure on page 5. Restart
the computer and then proceed as follows:
step1. In Control Panel click the Network icon
step2. Highlight the InstantWave adapter driver entry
step3. Click the Remove button to remove the old InstantWave adapter driver
step4. Click OK. The system will ask you to restart the PC. Click Yes

12 InstantWave PCI/PC Card
Installationin Windows 98
Driver installation and uninstallation in Windows 98 is basically the same as that of
Windows 95 OSR2. Complete the following procedure to install the driver
program for Windows 98.
step1. Turn on the power and start Windows 98
step2. Windows 98 will detect the adapter and the Add New Hardware Wizard
dialog box will open (Figure 17)
Figure 17. Add New Hardware Wizard-1
step3. Click Next
Figure 18. Add New Hardware Wizard-2
step4. Choose Search for the best driver for your device (Figure 18). Click
Next to open the following screen (Figure 19)

InstantWave PCI/PC Card 13
Figure 19. Add New Hardware Wizard-3
step5. Insert the InstantWave CD-ROM and click Next
step6. The Add New Hardware Wizard will indicate that Windows 98 found
the driver in the root directory of the CD-ROM (Figure 20).
Click Next
Figure 20.Add New Hardware Wizard-4
step7. Go to page 10, and follow steps 7 to 13
The default network protocol for Windows 98 is TCP/IP. If other network
protocols are required they can be added via Control Panel/Network.
Uninstalling the Adapter from Windows 98
step1. Click Start/Settings/Control Panel,and double-click the Network icon,
then highlight the InstantWave adapter driver entry
step2. Click the Remove button to remove the old InstantWave adapter driver
step3. Click OK. The system will ask you to restart the PC. Click Yes

14 InstantWave PCI/PC Card
Installationin Windows NT 4.0
Important:Before installing the driver in Windows NT 4.0, check that in the
computer’s BIOS on the PnP and PCI Settings page, “PnP OS
Installed” is set toNO.
step1. Double-click My Computer, double-click Control Panel
step2. Double-click the Network icon to open the Network window. Select the
Adapters card
step3. Click Add. The Select Network Adapter dialog box will open
step4. Click Have Disk
step5. Insert the Windows NT driver diskette into drive a (or b)and then type
a:\winnt (or b:\winnt)
step6. Click OK. The Select OEM Option dialog box will open (Figure 21)
Figure 21. Select OEM Option
step7. Select the correct adapter and click OK. IfPC Card is selected, the
dialog box for setting the Interrupt number and I/O address will be
shown. Users can specify a different Interrupt number and I/O address
for this adapter if there is a conflict with an existing card in the
computer
Figure 22. InstantWave Adapter Setup