NDC Communications CableFREE User manual

SOHOware™ Home Series—
CableCableFREE
User’s Guide
P/N: 85-501300-00
Rev: A1
January 2000
NDC Communications, Inc.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Technical Support
E-mail: [email protected]
Technical Support Call Center: [phone]
Toll-Free Customer Service (US only): [phone] ext: 828
Europe and Asia Pacific
E-mail: [email protected]
NDC Web Site
www.sohoware.com

ii SOHOware™ CableFREE
COPYRIGHT
©2000 NDC Communications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this manual
may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or
translated into any language in any form or by any means without the written
permission of NDC Communications Inc.
TRADEMARKS
NDC and SOHOware are trademarks of NDC Communications, Inc. SyGate is a
trademark of SyberGen 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 on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
•Relocate the equipment with respect to the receiver
•Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected
•Consult your 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.

SOHOware™ CableFREE iii
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
Safety Declaration
Proper operation of this product according to the instructions found in this manual
will result in user exposure to radio waves substantially below the FCC
recommended limits.
•Do not touch or move the antenna(s) while the units are transmitting or
receiving
•Do not operate a portable transmitter near unshielded blasting caps or in an
explosive environment unless it is of a type specially certified for such use
•Operation of the equipment without the antennas connected may damage the
radio
Warning for Notebook PC Users:
In order to comply with the FCC RF exposure limits, it is recommended that
antennas should not be positioned closer than 20 cm (8 in.) to your body for
extended periods of time whilst in operation. If the antennas are positioned less
than 20 cm from the user, it is recommended that the user limit exposure time.

iv SOHOware™ CableFREE
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................... 1
1.1 PREFACE.....................................................................................................1
1.2 THE CABLEFREE PRODUCT FAMILY......................................................2
CHAPTER 2: NETWORK CONFIGURATION............................................. 3
2.1 CONNECTING CABLEFREE PCS TO A CABLE/XDSL MODEM..............3
2.2 CONNECTING CABLEFREE PCS TO AN EXISTING LAN.......................4
2.3 CONNECTING CABLEFREE PCS WITHOUT A CABLEFREE
NETBLASTER............................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION...................................................................... 7
3.1 BEFORE YOU START.................................................................................7
3.1.1 System Requirements...........................................................................7
3.1.2 Prepare the Windows CD-ROM ...........................................................7
3.1.3 The NetBlaster ID (NetBlaster Users Only)..........................................7
3.1.4 LED Indicators ....................................................................................8
3.2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION...................................................................9
3.2.1 CableFREE NetBlaster Installation.......................................................9
3.2.2 CableFREE PCI Card Installation.......................................................10
3.2.3 CableFREE PC Card Installation........................................................12
3.3 CABLEFREE SOFTWARE INSTALLATION............................................ 13
3.3.1 Windows 95 Installation.....................................................................14
3.3.2 Windows 98 Installation.....................................................................18
3.3.3 Windows NT 4.0 Installation..............................................................20
3.3.4 Windows 2000 Installation.................................................................21
3.4CABLEFREE UTILITY INSTALLATION..................................................26
3.5.1 Uninstalling the CableFREE Utility....................................................28
3.5.2 Uninstalling the CableFREE Driver....................................................29
3.5.3 Removing the Hardware.....................................................................30
CHAPTER 4: CABLEFREE UTILITY USE.................................................31
4.1 CABLEFREE TASKBAR ICON FUNCTIONS...........................................32

SOHOware™ CableFREE v
4.1.1 Checking the Network Status .............................................................32
4.1.2 Alternatives to the CableFREE Toolbar..............................................33
4.1.3 CableFREE Utility Preference Settings...............................................33
4.1.4 Enabling Network Hopper..................................................................35
4.1.5 Viewing General Information.............................................................35
4.2 CABLEFREE TOOLBAR FUNCTIONS.....................................................35
4.2.1 Network Profiles................................................................................36
4.2.2 Resource Sharing............................................................................... 36
4.2.3 Connection Quality............................................................................37
4.2.4 Traffic Viewer ...................................................................................37
4.2.5 Adapter Information...........................................................................37
4.2.6 Network Watcher...............................................................................40
CHAPTER 5: NETWORK HOPPER: SWITCHING NETWORK
ENVIRONMENTS...................................................................41
5.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE NETWORK HOPPER ..................................... 42
5.2 SETTING UP DIFFERENT NETWORK ENVIRONMENTS......................42
5.3 SWITCHING BETWEEN DIFFERENT NETWORK ENVIRONMENTS ...43
CHAPTER 6: NETWORK APPLICATIONS................................................45
6.1 FILE SHARING.......................................................................................... 45
6.1.1 Sharing Files to the Network..............................................................45
6.1.2 Accessing Files on the Network..........................................................47
6.2 PRINTER SHARING..................................................................................48
6.2.1 Sharing Your Printer..........................................................................48
6.2.2 Accessing A Printer on Your Network................................................48
6.3 HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SHARING....................................................... 50
6.3.1 Broadband Internet Access Sharing....................................................50
6.3.2 Traditional Internet Access Sharing....................................................52
6.4 PLAYING MULTI–PLAYER GAMES ......................................................52
6.4.1 Types of Multi-player Games.............................................................52
6.4.2 How to Play Multi-player Games ....................................................... 54
CHAPTER 7: EXPANDING A CABLEFREE NETWORK..........................55

vi SOHOware™ CableFREE
7.1 ADDING ADDITIONAL CABLEFREE PCS TO YOUR NETWORK ........ 55
7.2 ADDING A CABLEFREE NETBLASTER TO YOUR CABLEFREE
NETWORK FOR BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS............................55
7.3 SWITCHING BETWEEN A CABLEFREE NETWORK “WITH” AND
“WITHOUT” A NETBLASTER................................................................. 56
CHAPTER 8: TROUBLESHOOTING...........................................................57
8.1 LOOK FIRST FOR THE OBVIOUS ...........................................................57
8.2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION PROBLEMS ............................................ 57
8.3 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION PROBLEMS..............................................57
8.4 CONNECTION PROBLEMS......................................................................58
8.5 INCREASING NETWORK SPEED ............................................................ 59
8.6 FILE/PRINTER SHARING PROBLEMS.................................................... 59
8.7 HIGH-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION SHARING PROBLEMS..........60
8.8 WINDOWS NT 4.0 RELATED PROBLEMS.............................................. 60
8.9 CONSIDER RECENT CHANGES..............................................................61
8.10 GETTING HELP.......................................................................................62
USA...........................................................................................................62
Europe and Asia Pacific..............................................................................62
NDC LIMITED WARRANTY.........................................................................63

SOHOware™ CableFREE vii
List of Figures
FIGURE 1. CABLEFREE INSTALLATION FLOW CHART ...........................X
FIGURE 2. CABLEFREE PC BROADBAND INTERNET CONNECTION...... 3
FIGURE 3. CONNECTING CABLEFREE PCS TO AN EXISTING LAN ........ 4
FIGURE 4. INTERNET CONNECTION USING A SINGLE IP ADDRESS...... 5
FIGURE 5. CABLEFREE HOME NETWORKING........................................... 6
FIGURE 6. NETBLASTER ID.......................................................................... 7
FIGURE 7. NETBLASTER LEDS .................................................................... 8
FIGURE 8. CABLEFREE PCI CARD LEDS..................................................... 9
FIGURE 9. CABLEFREE PC CARD LEDS...................................................... 9
FIGURE 10. CONNECT A NETBLASTER TO A CABLE/XDSL MODEM ......10
FIGURE 11. CONNECT A NETBLASTER TO A HUB.....................................10
FIGURE 12. REMOVING THE COMPUTER COVER......................................11
FIGURE 13. INSERTING THE CARD..............................................................11
FIGURE 14. REPLACING THE COMPUTER COVER.....................................12
FIGURE 15. CONNECTING THE ANTENNA..................................................12
FIGURE 16. INSERTING THE PC CARD.........................................................13
FIGURE 17. UPDATE DEVICE DRIVER WIZARD.........................................14
FIGURE 18. NEW HARDWARE FOUND.........................................................14
FIGURE 19. UPDATE DEVICE DRIVER WIZARD.........................................14
FIGURE 20. INSERT DISK...............................................................................15
FIGURE 21. COPYING FILES..........................................................................15
FIGURE 22. NETWORK...................................................................................15
FIGURE 23. NEW HARDWARE FOUND.........................................................16
FIGURE 24. INSTALL FROM DISK.................................................................16
FIGURE 25. NETWORK...................................................................................17
FIGURE 26. ADD NEW HARDWARE WIZARD-1..........................................18
FIGURE 27. ADD NEW HARDWARE WIZARD-2..........................................18
FIGURE 28. ADD NEW HARDWARE WIZARD-3..........................................19
FIGURE 29. ADD NEW HARDWARE WIZARD-4..........................................19
FIGURE 30. FOUND NEW HARDWARE WIZARD-1.....................................21
FIGURE 31. FOUND NEW HARDWARE WIZARD-2.....................................21

viii SOHOware™ CableFREE
FIGURE 32. NETWORK PROFILES.................................................................22
FIGURE 33. NETWORK MODE.......................................................................23
FIGURE 34. NETWORK IDENTIFICATION-1.................................................23
FIGURE 35. NETWORK IDENTIFICATION-2.................................................24
FIGURE 36. INSERT DISK...............................................................................24
FIGURE 37. COPYING FILES..........................................................................25
FIGURE 38. ENTER NETWORK PASSWORD ................................................26
FIGURE 39. WELCOME...................................................................................26
FIGURE 40. CHOOSE DESTINATION LOCATION ........................................27
FIGURE 41. SETUP COMPLETE .....................................................................27
FIGURE 42. FILE AND PRINTER SHARING OPTIONS .................................28
FIGURE 43. UNINSTALLING THE CABLEFREE UTILITY...........................28
FIGURE 44. PROPERTIES................................................................................29
FIGURE 45. SYSTEM PROPERTIES................................................................29
FIGURE 46. CABLEFREE TOOLBAR AND NETBLASTER ICON.................31
FIGURE 47. CABLEFREE TASKBAR MENU..................................................32
FIGURE 48. CABLEFREE TASKBAR ICON ...................................................33
FIGURE 49. TASKBAR ....................................................................................33
FIGURE 50. PREFERENCES............................................................................34
FIGURE 51. CABLEFREE TOOLBAR .............................................................35
FIGURE 52. NETWORK PROFILES.................................................................36
FIGURE 53. FILE AND PRINTER SHARING ..................................................36
FIGURE 54. SIGNAL QUALITY INDICATOR.................................................37
FIGURE 55. TRAFFIC VIEWER.......................................................................37
FIGURE 56. ADAPTER PROPERTIES/ADVANCED INFORMATION............38
FIGURE 57. ADAPTER PROPERTIES/TROUBLESHOOTING .......................39
FIGURE 58. NETWORK PROFILES.................................................................41
FIGURE 59. SELECT NAME TO SAVE SETUP INTO.....................................43
FIGURE 60. PREFERENCES............................................................................44
FIGURE 61. REBOOT REQUEST.....................................................................44
FIGURE 62. SHARING-1..................................................................................45
FIGURE 63. SHARING-2..................................................................................46
FIGURE 64. SHARED FOLDER.......................................................................46

SOHOware™ CableFREE ix
FIGURE 65. NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD....................................................47
FIGURE 66. DMQ COMPUTER........................................................................47
FIGURE 67. SHARING A PRINTER.................................................................48
FIGURE 68. ADD PRINTER WIZARD-1..........................................................49
FIGURE 69. ADD PRINTER WIZARD-2..........................................................49
FIGURE 70. ADD PRINTER WIZARD-3..........................................................49
FIGURE 71. ADD PRINTER WIZARD-4..........................................................50
FIGURE 72. INTERNET EXPLORER 4.X AND 5.X SETUP ............................51
FIGURE 73. NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR SETUP...............................................52
FIGURE 74. NETWORK PROFILES.................................................................56

xSOHOware™ CableFREE
CableFREE Installation Flow
This manual covers the whole CableFREE product family. Jump directly to the
sections relevant to you.
Figure 1. CableFREE Installation Flow Chart
Before Your Start
(Chapter 3.1)
Before You Start
(Chapter 3.1)
Installing CableFREE
Card Hardware
(Chapter 3.2.2, 3.2.3)
Installing CableFREE
Software
(Chapter 3)
YES
Installing NetBlaster
Hardware
(Chapter 3.2.1)
Install Hardware on
another Computer?
Checking Network
Connections
(Chapter 4.1.1)
Using the CableFREE
Utility
(Chapter 4)
NO
Installing CableFREE
Card Hardware
(Chapter 3.2.2, 3.2.3)
Expanding your
CableFREE Network
(Chapter 7)
CableFREE Network
with a NetBlaster CableFREE Network Without a NetBlaster
Installing CableFREE
Software
(Chapter 3)
YES
Install Hardware on
another Computer?
Checking Network
Connections
(Chapter 4.1.1)
NO
Installing SyGate on a
computer with an analog
modem (SyGate manual)
Network Applications
(Chapter 6)

SOHOware™ CableFREE xi
Packing List
Check the contents of your package to ensure that they match the packing list
below. If anything is missing or damaged, contact the store where you purchased
the product.
CableFREE NetBlaster (NCF600)
§§ One CableFREE NetBlaster Unit
§§ One External Power Adapter
§§ One Installation CD for Windows 95/98/98SE
§§ One Installation Floppy Disk for Windows NT 4.0
§§ One 25ft. Standard Ethernet Cable
§§ One User’s Guide and one Quick Guide
Desktop Starter Kit
(NCF220 in US)
(NW680SK in Europe)
Combo Starter Kit
(NCF221 in US)
(NW680CK in Europe)
§Two CableFREE PCI Cards with
external antennas
§One User’s Guide and one Quick
Guide
§One Installation CD-ROM;
includes SyGate Internet Sharing
software
§§ One Installation Floppy Disk for
Windows NT 4.0
§One CableFREE PCI Card with
an external antenna
§One PC Card
§One User’s Guide and one
Quick Guide
§One Installation CD-ROM;
includes SyGate Internet
Sharing software
§One Installation Floppy Disk
for Windows NT 4.0
CableFREE PCI Single Pack
(NCF130 in US)
(NW630A-S in Europe)
CableFREE Notebook Single Pack
(NCF110 in US)
(NW 610A-S in Europe)
§One PCI Card with an external
Antenna
§One User’s Guide and one Quick
Guide
§One Installation CD-ROM
§One Installation Floppy Disk for
Windows NT 4.0
§§ One PC Card
§§ One User’s Guide and one
Quick Guide
§§ One Installation CD-ROM
§§ One Installation Floppy Disk for
Windows NT 4.0

SOHOware™ CableFREE 1
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Preface
CableFREE uses revolutionary wireless technology to provide the easiest way to
connect your computers. Installation and use require no wiring, drilling, nor
technical knowledge. CableFREE offers a 2Mbps (megabits per second) data
transmission rate and 250ft. coverage through concrete walls, ceilings, and floors,
enabling you to share resources (printers, CD-ROMs etc.), exchange files, and play
multi-player games wirelessly.
To maintain network performance, we recommend that you don’t connect
more than sixteen computers in a CableFREE network
With the addition of a CableFREE NetBlaster to the network, each CableFREE PC
can share wireless high-speed Internet access through a single Cable/xDSL
modem. Now you can take advantage of “wireless” to move your CableFREE
connected notebook computer from room to room, even into your garden, to enjoy
the benefitsof the broadband world.
If you want to learn more about CableFREE Home Networking, visit
www.sohoware.com.

2SOHOware™ CableFREE
1.2 The CableFREE Product Family
The CableFREE product family provides a total solution for all your wireless home
networking needs. The family includes:
•CableFREE PCI Card –Fits into a desktop computer’s PCI slot to provide a
wireless network capability
•CableFREE PC Card –Fits into a notebook’s PCMCIA slot to provide a
wireless network capability
•CableFREE NetBlaster –Connects a CableFREE PC with an Ethernet
interface, such as a Cable/xDSL modem or a hub
CableFREE PCI Card CableFREE PC Card CableFREE NetBlaster

SOHOware™ CableFREE 3
Chapter 2: Network Configuration
CableFREE offers multiple network configurations to suit your needs. Typical
configurations are as follows:
•CableFREE PCs connected to a Cable/xDSL modem via NetBlaster
•CableFREE PCs connected to an existing LAN via NetBlaster
•CableFREE PCs connected to each other without a NetBlaster
The following sections explain how to setup these network configurations.
2.1 Connecting CableFREE PCs to a Cable/xDSL modem
With a connection between a NetBlaster and an external Cable/xDSL modem, each
CableFREE PC can simultaneously share high-speed Internet access as well as
printers/scanners/files etc. The following illustration shows this type of network
configuration.
Figure 2. CableFREE PC Broadband Internet Connection
In this example, the NetBlaster acts as a bridge between the CableFREE PCs and
the broadband device. To use the NetBlaster in this configuration, you need to
have:
•an external Cable/xDSL modem with an RJ-45 connector
•all networked PCs installed with a CableFREE card
•an ISP (Internet Service Provider) account (with multiple IP addresses if you
want to share the broadband service to multiple PCs)
Internet
CableFREE
PCI Card in
a Desktop
CableFREE
PC Card in a
Notebook
Cable/xDSL
Modem
NetBlaster

4SOHOware™ CableFREE
2.2 Connecting CableFREE PCs to an Existing LAN
With a connection between the NetBlaster and an Ethernet hub, each CableFREE
PC can share the resources located on both the wired and the wireless LAN. In
addition, if the existing LAN has a Cable/xDSL modem, a NetBlaster allows users
to share high-speed Internet access without wired restrictions.
There are two ways to share high-speed Internet access:
1. Apply for an IP address for each networked PC (requires no server PC)
Figure 3. Connecting CableFREE PCs to an Existing LAN
To setup this kind of network configuration, you need to have:
•an external Cable/xDSL modem with an RJ-45 connector
•an Ethernet hub with two free ports: one normal port for the NetBlaster and
one Uplink port for the Cable/xDSL modem
•all remote PCs installed with a CableFREE card
•an ISP account (with multiple IP addresses if you want to share the broadband
service to multiple PCs)
Internet
Network PC
Network PC
Cable/xDSL
Modem
NetBlaster
Hub
CableFREE
PCI Card in
aDesktop
CableFREE
PC Card in a
Notebook

SOHOware™ CableFREE 5
2. Locate a Server PC between the Cable/xDSL modem and the Ethernet hub.
Install Internet connection sharing software (such as SyGate) on the server PC.
This allows each networked PC to share Internet access using a single IP
address. The server PC must be running whenever a networked PC wishes to
access the Internet
Figure 4. Internet Connection Using a Single IP Address
In this example, the NetBlaster acts as a bridge between a CableFREE network and
an existing LAN. To use a NetBlaster in this network configuration, you need to
have:
•an external Cable/xDSL modem with an RJ-45 connector
•an Ethernet hub with two free ports: one normal port for the NetBlaster and
one Uplink port for the Cable/xDSL modem
•all remote PCs installed with a CableFREE card
•a server PC with Internet sharing software installed
Internet
CableFREE
PC Card in a
Notebook
Network PC
Server PC
Network PC
CableFREE
PCI Card in a
Desktop
Cable/xDSL
Modem
Hub
NetBlaster

6SOHOware™ CableFREE
2.3 Connecting CableFREE PCs Without a CableFREE
NetBlaster
If you are using a traditional modem such as a 28K or 56K modem, you can
connect your computers to the Internet wirelessly by installing a CableFREE
network card on each computer. The application scenario is as follows:
Figure 5. CableFREE Home Networking
To use CableFREE in this configuration, you need to have:
•all networked PCs installed with a CableFREE card
•external analog modem and an Internet account with Internet sharing software
(e.g. SyGate) installed on the Server PC is required
•SyGate is supplied on the CableFREE Starter kit (NCF220 or 221) CD-ROM
Traditional
Modem Server PC Client PC

SOHOware™ CableFREE 7
Chapter 3: Installation
This chapter gives step-by-step instructions on installing CableFREE.
3.1 Before you Start
3.1.1 System Requirements
Desktop Computer Notebook Computer
486 or better
Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 98SE, 2000,
or NT 4.0
One free PCI slot
Min. 8MB RAM
Min. 10MB free hard drive space
486 or better
Microsoft Windows 95, 98,98SE, 2000,
or NT 4.0
One free PCMCIA slot
Min. 8MB RAM
Min. 10MB free hard drive space
3.1.2 Prepare the Windows CD-ROM
Have your Windows installation CD or disks ready, or be sure you know the path
to the source files, before starting the installation. The most common reason for a
failed installation is not having the Windows source files.
Note: A search for files named *.cab will usually reveal the location of the source
files if they are on your hard drive. If you don’t have a Windows source CD
or disk and cannot find the Windows source files on your hard disk, contact
the supplier from whom you bought your PC.
3.1.3 The NetBlaster ID (NetBlaster Users Only)
You will find the NetBlaster ID on the base of the NetBlaster device. This ID
number will be needed during the installation.
Figure 6. NetBlaster ID

8SOHOware™ CableFREE
3.1.4 LED Indicators
We provide LED indicators on the NetBlaster and the CableFREE cards for you to
confirm that your CableFREE network is working properly.
NetBlaster LEDs
1. POST
(Power On Self Test )
Blinks Green when doing the diagnostic
test. If thetest is successful, the LED will
turn to a steady green, if not, it will turn to a
steady red
2. Ethernet Link Steady Green
Indicates linked with a Cable/xDSL modem
or Ethernet hub
3. Data Transmission
with an Ethernet Device
Blinking Orange
Data is being transmitted between the
NetBlaster and Cable/xDSL modem or
Ethernet hub
4. Radio Link Steady Green
Means linked with a CableFREE PC
5. Data Transmission
with CableFREE Stations Blinking Orange
Data is being transmitted between the
NetBlaster and a CableFREE PC
Figure 7. NetBlaster LEDs