Network Everywhere NWP11B User manual

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Network Everywhere. All rights reserved. Network Everywhere and
the Network Everywhere logo are registered trademarks of The Linksys Group, Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. All other companies and product names are trademarks of their respective
companies.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Network Everywhere guarantees that every Wireless Notebook Adapter will be free from
physical defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase,
when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications section of this User Guide. If the
product proves defective during this warranty period, call Network Everywhere Technical
Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR
PROOF OF PURCHASE ON HAND WHEN CALLING. When returning a product, mark
the Return Authorization number clearly on the outside of the package and include a
copy of your original proof of purchase. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED
WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. All customers located outside of the United States
of America and Canada shall be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.
IN NO EVENT SHALL NETWORK EVERYWHERE’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID
FOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSE-
QUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOM-
PANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. NETWORK EVERYWHERE OFFERS
NO REFUNDS FOR ITS PRODUCTS. Network Everywhere makes no warranty or repre-
sentation, expressed, implied, or statutory, with respect to its products or the contents or
use of this documentation and all accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its
quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Network
Everywhere reserves the right to revise or update its products, software, or documenta-
tion without obligation to notify any individual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:
Network Everywhere P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
FCC STATEMENT
The Wireless Notebook Adapter has been tested and complies with the specifications 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 according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a par-
ticular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which is found 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 or devices
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s
• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
UG-NWP11B-110602A KL

Wireless Notebook AdapterNetwork Everywhere™Series
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
The Network EverywhereTM Wireless Notebook Adapter 1
Features 1
LEDs 2
Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network 3
Network Topology 3
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode 3
Chapter 3: Using the Setup Wizard 5
Before You Start 5
Running the Setup Wizard 5
Chapter 4: Driver Installation and
Configuration for Windows XP 8
Overview 8
Driver Installation for Windows XP 8
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration 9
Chapter 5: Using the WLAN Monitor
for Windows 98, Me, and 2000 11
Overview 11
Starting the WLAN Monitor 11
Link Information 12
Site Survey 14
Profiles 15
Creating a New Profile 18
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 23
Common Problems and Solutions 23
Frequently Asked Questions 24
Appendix B: Glossary 27
Appendix C: Specifications 35
Appendix D: Warranty Information 36
Appendix E: Contact Information 37
Chapter 1:Introduction
Connect your notebook computer to a wireless network with the Network
Everywhere Wireless Notebook Adapter. The included Setup Wizard will walk
you through configuring the adapter and your network's settings, step by step.
Then just slide it into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy network access
with your notebook computer, while retaining true mobility.
Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the
Internet, and share files and other resources such as printers and network stor-
age with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. At home, you
can surf the web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out
on the patio. You'll also be able to connect with any of the growing number of
public wireless "hotspots" springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels
and convention centers.
The Network Everywhere Wireless Notebook Adapter is fully compliant with
the 802.11b wireless network standard, transferring data at up to 11Mbps in the
2.4GHz radio band. If distance or interference starts to degrade the signal, the
Adapter automatically drops down to slower speeds, to keep you connected if
at all possible. Wireless communications are protected by up to 128-bit encryp-
tion, so your data stays secure.
Get connected and stay mobile with the Network Everywhere Wireless
Notebook Adapter.
• IEEE 802.11b compliant
• Auto fallback
• RF Output 18dBm (64mW)
• 64/128-bit WEP
• Cardbus Interface
• Easy-to-use Setup Wizard and WLAN Monitor Utility
The Network Everywhere™ Wireless Notebook Adapter
Features
1

Wireless Notebook Adapter
3
Network Everywhere™Series
Power Green. The Power LED lights up when the Adapter is pow-
ered on.
Act Green. The Link LED blinks when the Adapter is receiving
and transmitting network data.
LEDs
Figure 3-1
2
Chapter 2:Planning Your
Wireless Network
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area net-
work (LAN), except that each computer in the WLAN uses a wireless device to
connect to the network. Computers in a WLAN share the same frequency
channel and SSID, which is an identification name for wireless devices.
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which
they may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configura-
tion is a WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an
access point. An ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers com-
municating directly with each other. Choosing between these two modes
depends on whether or not the wireless network needs to share data or periph-
erals with a wired network or not.
If the computers on the
wireless network need to
be accessed by a wired
network or need to share a
peripheral, such as a print-
er, with the wired network
computers, the wireless
network should be set up
in infrastructure mode.
(See Figure 2-1.) The
basis of infrastructure
mode centers around an
access point, which serves
as the main point of com-
munications in a wireless network. Access points transmit data to PCs
equipped with wireless network cards and adapters, which can roam within a
certain radial range of the access point. Multiple access points can be arranged
to work in succession to extend the roaming range, and can be set up to com-
municate with your Ethernet (wired) hardware as well.
Network Topology
Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode
Figure 2-1

Wireless Notebook Adapter
5
Chapter 3: Using the Setup
Wizard
The Network Everywhere™ Wireless Notebook Adapter comes with an auto-
mated software installation procedure for Windows 98, Me, and 2000. This
automatically installs the drivers and Configuration Utility before you insert
the Adapter into your PC, so there’s no searching for the location of drivers.
Again, this step is taken before inserting the Adapter into your PC.
1. Before installing your adapter, insert the Setup Wizard CD into your CD-
ROM drive. Unless you have deactivated the auto-run feature of Windows,
the screen shown in Figure 3-1 should appear automatically. If it does not,
this means the autorun is not functioning. Start the Setup Wizard manually
by clicking the Start button, selecting Run, and typing d:\setup.exe (where
“D” is your PD’s CD-ROM drive).
Click the Install button to run the Setup Wizard or the Exit button to close
this screen.You opened this User Guide by clicking the User Guide button.
Before You Start
Figure 3-1
Important forWindows XP users: Do NOT run the Wireless Notebook
Adapter’s Setup Wizard. See “Chapter 4: Driver Installation and
Configuration for Windows XP.” If the Setup Wizard runs automatically
after the Setup Wizard CD-ROM has been inserted, click the Exit tab..”
Running the Setup Wizard
Network Everywhere™Series
4
If the wireless network is relatively small and needs to share resources only
with the other computers on the wireless network, then the ad-hoc mode can
be used. (See Figure 2-2.)Ad-hoc mode allows computers equipped with wire-
less transmitters and receivers to communicate directly with each other, elimi-
nating the need for an access point. The drawback of this mode is that, in Ad-
Hoc mode, wireless-equipped computers are not able to communicate with
computers on a wired network. And, of course, communication between the
wireless-equipped computers is limited by the distance and interference direct-
ly between them.
Figure 2-2

Wireless Notebook Adapter
4. The Channel set-
ting that appears
on the next
screen, shown in
Figure 3-4, speci-
fies the channel
used in wireless
communication
and should be set
to the same chan-
nel as the other
points in the wire-
less network. This
setting can only
be adjusted in Ad-
Hoc mode.
Once this setting is made, click the Next button to proceed or the Back but-
ton to return to the previous screen.
5. Review your set-
tings on the fol-
lowing screen,
shown in Figure
3-5. If they are
correct, click the
Next button to
proceed or the
Back button to
change settings on
a previous screen.
6. Lastly, you will see the Congratulations screen, showing that installation of
the Adapter’s drivers and software has been installed. Click the Finish but-
ton to close the Setup Wizard.
7
2. The following
screen, shown in
Figure 3-2, will dis-
play the Network
Everywhere End-
User License
Agreement. Read
this and click the
Next button to pro-
ceed or the Cancel
button to close the
Setup Wizard.
3. When the screen shown in Figure 3-3 appears, you will choose your net-
work topology, as described in Chapter 2. Ad-Hoc mode is used for a sim-
ple peer-to-peer network and allows the sharing of local resources only
between Wireless Notebook Adapters without needing an access point or
wireless router. The Infrastructure mode allows a wireless network to be
integrated into an existed, wired network through an access point or wire-
less router
With your network topology selected, enter your wireless network’s SSID.
This is a type of network name and must be identical for all points in your
network. It is case sensitive and must not exceed 32 characters. Enter this
in the SSID field.
Once these settings
are made, click the
Next button to pro-
ceed or the Back
button to return to
the previous screen.
6
Figure 3-4
Figure 3-5
Network Everywhere™Series
Figure 3-2
Figure 3-3

Wireless Notebook Adapter
98
2. After Windows
has finished
installing the driv-
er, click the
Finish button, as
shown in Figure
4-2.
You have now completed the driver installation for
the Wireless NotebookAdapter.To configure theAdapter, proceed to
the next section, “Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration.”
1. After installing the Adapter,
the Windows XP Wireless
Zero Configuration icon
will appear in your comput-
er’s system tray (see Figure
4-3). Double-click the icon.
Figure 4-2
Network Everywhere™Series
Chapter 4:Driver Installation and
Configuration for Windows XP
After inserting the Wireless Notebook Adapter into your computer, you will
install the driver and configure the Adapter.
1. Windows XP will automatically detect the Adapter. Insert the Setup Wizard
CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. Click the radio button next to Install
the software automatically (Recommended), as shown in Figure 4-1, and
click the Next button.
Important forWindows XP users: Do NOT run the Wireless Notebook
Adapter’s Setup Wizard. If the Setup Wizard runs automatically after the
Setup Wizard CD-ROM has been inserted, click the Exit tab.
Figure 4-1
Overview
Driver Installation for Windows XP
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration
Important for Windows XP users: Windows XP has a built-in con-
figuration tool. Use the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration (in
the system tray at the bottom of your screen) to configure the Adapter.
Figure 4-3

11
Wireless Notebook Adapter
Chapter 5:Using the WLAN
Monitor for Windows 98, Me, and
2000
While the Wireless Notebook Adapter can be set up with the Setup Wizard and
Window XP’s Zero Configuration Tool, the Adapter also comes with a WLAN
(for Wireless Network) Monitor tool.The WLAN Monitor can be used to check
link information, search for available wireless networks, or make additional
configuration changes.
After installing the Adapter, the WLAN Monitor icon will
appear in your system tray (shown in Figure 5-1). Double-
click this icon to open the WLAN Monitor.
The Link Information screen, shown in Figure 5-2, will appear, displaying the
settings for your current wireless connection. To search for available wireless
networks, click the Site Survey tab. To perform configuration changes, click
the Profiles tab.
Figure 5-1
Important for Windows XP users: Windows XP has a built-in
configuration tool. Use the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration
(in the system tray at the bottom of your screen) to configure the
Adapter. See “Chapter 4: Driver Installation and Configuration for
Windows XP.”
Starting the WLAN Monitor
Overview
10
Network Everywhere™Series
2. The screen that
appears (Figure 4-
4) will show any
available wireless
network. Select a
network, and then
click the Connect
button.
To find the WEP encryption key settings of the other wireless devices in
your network, such as an Access Point, you may use any device’s web-based
utility to check the WEP encryption screen for the correct key entries. If
you are using other manufacturers’access points, refer to their documenta-
tion for more information about WEP encryption.
3. The screen in Figure 4-5 will
appear if your connection is
active.
For more information about WEP, refer to your access point’s user guide, or
visit www.networkeverywhere.com.
For more information about wireless networking on a Windows XP computer,
click Start and then Help and Support. Enter the keyword wireless in the
field provided, and press the Enter key.
The installation of the Wireless NotebookAdapter is complete.
Figure 4-4
Note: Windows XP does not support the use of a passphrase. Enter the
exact WEP key used by your access point.
Figure 4-5

1312
Wireless Notebook Adapter
Wireless Network Status
State - This shows the status of the wireless network connection.
SSID - This is the SSID of the wireless network.
Network Type - This is the wireless mode currently in use.
Transfer Rate - The data transfer rate of the current connection is displayed
here.
Channel - The channel to which the wireless network devices are set is dis-
played here.
WEP - This displays the status of the WEP encryption security feature.
MAC - This is the MAC address of the wireless network’s access point.
Signal Strength - The Signal Strength bar indicates signal strength, from 0 to
100%.
Link Quality - The Link Quality bar indicates the quality of the wireless net-
work connection, from 0 to 100%.
Click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the WLAN Monitor.
Figure 5-3
Network Everywhere™Series
The Link Information screen graphically displays the Adapter’s current status,
such as the strength of the wireless signal and quality of the wireless connec-
tion. Furthermore, the type of network to which you’re connected is displayed
(Figure 5-2 shows a connection to an Infrastructure network). For more detailed
information about theAdapter’s performance, click the More Information but-
ton.
This will display the following information (shown in Figure 5-3):
TCP/IP Setting
IP Address - This displays the Adapter’s IP Address.
Subnet Mask - This displays the Adapter’s Subnet Mask.
Default Gateway - This displays the Adapter’s Default Gateway address.
DNS - This displays the Adapter’s DNS address.
DHCP - This displays the status of the DHCP client.
Figure 5-2
Link Information

1514
Wireless Notebook Adapter
In the WEP drop-down
box, select the type of
WEP encryption used
by the wireless net-
work: 64-bit or 128-bit
WEP.
If the wireless network
uses a passphrase, enter
the passphrase in the
Passphrase field. If the
wireless network uses a
WEP key, enter the
WEP key in the Key 1
field.
Click the OK button to complete the network connection and return to the Site
Survey screen, or click the Cancel button to cancel the network connection and
return to the Site Survey screen.
On the Site Survey screen, click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner
to exit the WLAN Monitor.
The Profiles screen, shown in Figure 5-6, lets you save different configuration
profiles for different network setups. You can also import or export profiles.
The default profile holds the initial configuration saved when you installed the
Adapter.
Profile - This shows the name of the connection profile.
SSID - The wireless network’s SSID, as set in the connection profile, is dis-
played here.
Profile Information
Network Type - This shows the wireless mode currently in use.
Transfer Rate - The data transfer rate of the current connection: 1Mbps,
2Mbps, 1 or 2Mbps, 5.5Mbps, 11Mbps, or Auto (in Auto mode, the Adapter
dynamically shifts to the fastest data transfer rate possible at any given time).
Channel - The channel to which the wireless network devices are set is shown
here.
WEP - The status of the WEP encryption security feature is displayed here.
Figure 5-5
Profiles
Network Everywhere™Series
The Site Survey screen, shown in Figure 5-4, displays a list of infrastructure and
ad-hoc networks available for connection.
SSID - The SSID of the wireless network is displayed here.
Site Information
Network Type - This shows the wireless mode currently in use.
Channel - The channel to which the wireless network devices are set is shown
here.
WEP - The status of the WEP encryption security feature is shown here.
MAC - This is the MAC address of the wireless network’s access point.
Surveyed at - This displays the time at which the wireless network was
scanned.
Refresh - Click the Refresh button to perform a new search for wireless
devices.
Connect - To connect to one of the networks on the list, select the wireless net-
work,and click the Connect button to connect. If the wireless network has
WEP encryption enabled, you will see the screen shown in Figure 5-5.
Figure 5-4
Site Survey

1716
Wireless Notebook Adapter
• Edit - Select a profile, and click the Edit button to change an existing pro-
file.
•New- Click the New button to create a new profile. See the next section,
“Creating a New Profile.”
• Import - (Shown in
Figure 5-8.) Click
the Import button
to import a profile
that has been saved
in another location.
Select the appropri-
ate file, and click
the Open button.
• Export - (Shown in
Figure 5-9.) Select the
profile you want to save
in a different location,
and click the Export
button. Direct Windows
to the appropriate fold-
er, and click the OK
button.
• Delete - Click the Delete button to delete a profile.
Click the X (Close) button in the upper right corner to exit the WLAN Monitor.
Figure 5-8
Figure 5-9
Note: If you want to export more than one profile, you have to export
them one at a time.
Network Everywhere™Series
• Connect - To connect to a wireless network using a specific profile, select
the profile,and click the Connect button. If the wireless network has WEP
encryption enabled, you will see the screen shown in Figure 5-7.
In the WEP drop-down box, select the type of WEP encryption used by the
wireless network: 64-bit or 128-bit WEP.
If the wireless network uses a passphrase, enter the passphrase in the
Passphrase field. If the wireless network uses a WEP key, enter the WEP
key in the Key 1
field.
Click the OK but-
ton to complete the
network connection
and return to the
Profiles screen, or
click the Cancel
button to cancel the
network connection
and return to the
Profiles screen.
Figure 5-6
Figure 5-7

1918
Wireless Notebook Adapter
Infrastructure Mode - This mode allows wireless and wired networks to
communicate through an access point.
Ad-Hoc Mode - This mode allows wireless-equipped computers to com-
municate directly with each other. No access point is used.
SSID -The SSID is the unique name shared by all devices in a wireless net-
work. The SSID must be identical for all devices in the wireless network. It
is case-sensitive and must not exceed 32 characters (use any of the charac-
ters on the keyboard). Make sure this setting is the same for all devices in
your wireless network.
4. The Network Settings screen, shown in Figure 5-12, will appear next. If
your network has a DHCP server, click the radio button next to Obtain an
IP address automatically (DHCP). Click the Next button to continue or
the Back button to return to the previous screen.
If your network does not have a DHCP server, click the radio button next to
Specify the IP address. Then, enter the following information:
IP Address -This IP Address must be unique to your network. Enter the IP
Address in this format: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (the x’s represent your actual IP
Address).
Figure 5-12
Network Everywhere™Series
New profiles can be created in the following manner:
1. On the Profiles screen (Figure 5-6), click the New button to create a new
profile.
2. Enter a name for the new profile on
the screen shown in Figure 5-10.
3. The Choose a network type screen, shown in Figure 5-11, shows a choice
of two wireless modes. Click the Infrastructure Mode radio button if you
want your wireless computers to communicate with computers on your
wired network via a wireless access point. Click the Ad-Hoc Mode radio
button if you want multiple wireless computers to communicate directly
with each other. Then, enter your wireless network’s SSID. Click the Next
button to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Creating a New Profile
Figure 5-10
Figure 5-11

Wireless Notebook Adapter
21
To use WEP encryption, select 64-bit or 128-bitWEP from the drop-down
menu (recommended).
If you select 64-bit or 128-bit WEP, you have two choices. Enter the
passphrase of your wireless network in the Passphrase field, or enter the
WEP key of your wireless network in the Key 1 field. Click the Next but-
ton to continue or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Passphrase - This passphrase must match the passphrase of your wireless
network. This is the code used when logging a wireless device onto the
wireless network. The passphrase is case-sensitive and should not be longer
than 16 alphanumeric characters. Based upon the passphrase created by
you, WEP key settings are automatically generated. This passphrase is
compatible only with other Linksys wireless products.
Key 1 - This WEP key must match the WEP key of your wireless network.
If you are using 64-bit WEP encryption, then the key must consist of exact-
ly 10 hexadecimal characters in length. If you are using 128-bit WEP
encryption, then the key must consist of exactly 26 hexadecimal characters
in length. Valid hexadecimal characters are “0” to “9” and “A” to “F”.
6. The Confirm New Settings screen, shown in Figure 5-14, will appear next.
To save the new settings, click the Yes button. To cancel the settings and
return to the Profiles screen, click the No button. To edit the new settings,
click the Back button.
Figure 5-14
20
Network Everywhere™Series
Subnet Mask -TheAdapter’s Subnet Mask must be the same as your wired
network’s Subnet Mask. Enter the Subnet Mask in this format:
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (the x’s represent your actual Subnet Mask).
Default Gateway - Enter the IP address of your network’s Gateway here.
Enter the Default Gateway in this format: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (the x’s repre-
sent your actual Default Gateway).
DNS - Enter the DNS address of your Ethernet (wired) network here. Enter
the DNS address in this format: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (the x’s represent your
actual DNS address).
Click the Next button to continue or the Back button to return to the previ-
ous screen.
5. The Security Settings screen, shown in Figure 5-13, will appear next. Set
the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption for your wireless network
by selecting a WEP configuration method.
WEP (Disabled/64-bit WEP/128-bit WEP) - If you do not want to use
WEP encryption, choose Disabled. Then click the Next button to continue
or the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Figure 5-13

Network Everywhere™Series
22 23
Wireless Notebook Adapter
Appendix A: Troubleshooting
This chapter provides solutions to problems usually occurring during the instal-
lation and operation of the Wireless Notebook Adapter. Read the description
below to solve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the
Linksys website at www.linksys.com.
1.My computer does not recognize the Wireless NotebookAdapter.
Make sure that the Wireless Notebook Adapter is properly inserted into the
Cardbus slot. You can try inserting the Adapter both ways if you’re unsure if
it’s inserted correctly. The Adapter will slide in further when it is correct.
2.The Wireless NotebookAdapter does not work properly.
• Reinsert the Wireless Notebook Adapter into your notebook’s Cardbus slot.
A beep should be heard if the Adapter is properly inserted.
• For non-Windows environments, make sure that a PCMCIA card service
driver is installed on your PC.
• Open the Control Panel and click on the PC Card. Check whether it has a
PCMCIA card in one of the sockets or not. If you find the Wireless Notebook
Adapter in one of the sockets, it means the Adapter has been detected prop-
erly. If you see a yellow question mark, the resources are conflicting.
• Right-click on My Computer and select Properties. Select the device man-
ager and click the Network Adapter. You will find the Wireless Notebook
Adapter if it is installed successfully. If you see the yellow exclamation mark,
the resources are conflicting. Click PCMCIA card and then click PCMCIA
card service. You will see the status of the Wireless Notebook Adapter. If
there is a yellow question mark, please check the following:
• Make sure that your notebook has a free IRQ.
• Make sure that you have inserted the Adapter and installed the prop-
er driver.
If the Wireless Notebook Adapter does not function after attempting the
above steps, remove the Adapter and do the following:
• Uninstall the driver software from your PC.
• Restart your PC and repeat the hardware and software installation as
specified in this User Guide.
Common Problems and Solutions
7. The Congratulations screen will appear next. Click Activate new settings
now to implement the new settings immediately and return to the Link
Information screen. Click Activate new settings later to keep the current
settings active and return to the Profiles screen.
You have successfully created a connection profile. Click the X (Close)
button in the upper right corner to exit the WLAN Monitor.
Figure 5-13

What is Roaming?
Roaming is the ability of a portable computer user to communicate continu-
ously while moving freely throughout an area greater than that covered by a sin-
gle Wireless Network Access Point.
To achieve true seamless connectivity, the wireless LAN must incorporate a
number of different functions. Each node and Wireless Network Access Point,
for example, must always acknowledge receipt of each message. Each node
must maintain contact with the wireless network even when not actually trans-
mitting data. Achieving these functions simultaneously requires a dynamic RF
networking technology that links Wireless Network Access Points and nodes.
In such a system, the user’s end node undertakes a search for the best possible
access to the system. First, it evaluates such factors as signal strength and qual-
ity, as well as the message load currently being carried by each Wireless
Network Access Point and the distance of each Wireless Network Access Point
to the wired backbone. Based on that information, the node next selects the
right Wireless NetworkAccess Point and registers its address. Communications
between end node and host computer can then be transmitted up and down the
backbone.
As the user moves on, the end node’s RF transmitter regularly checks the sys-
tem to determine whether it is in touch with the original Wireless Network
Access Point or whether it should seek a new one. When a node no longer
receives acknowledgment from its original Wireless Network Access Point, it
undertakes a new search. Upon finding a new Wireless Network Access Point,
it then re-registers, and the communication process continues.
What is BSS ID?
A specific Ad-hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a
BSS must be configured with the same BSS ID.
What is 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 main-
taining a continuous connection to the wireless network stations and Wireless
Network Access Points.
What is ISM band?
The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth
for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band.
Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available
25
3.I cannot communicate with the other computers linked via the Ethernet
in the Infrastructure configuration.
• Make sure that the notebook PC to which the Wireless Notebook Adapter is
associated is powered on.
• Make sure that your Wireless Notebook Adapter is configured on the same
channel and with the same security options as the other computers in the
Infrastructure configuration.
Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless net-
work?
This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a
network. Consult the application’s documentation to determine if it supports
operation over a network.
Can I play multiplayer games with other users of the wireless network?
Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area net-
work). Refer to the game’s documentation for more information.
What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?
The IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN standards subcommittee formulates standards
for the industry. The objective is to enable wireless LAN hardware from different
manufacturers to communicate.
What IEEE 802.11 features are supported?
The product supports the following IEEE 802.11 functions:
• CSMA/CA plus Acknowledge protocol
• Multi-Channel Roaming
• Automatic Rate Selection
• RTS/CTS feature
• Fragmentation
• Power Management
What isAd-hoc?
An Ad-hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a Wireless
NotebookAdapter, connected as an independent wireless LAN. AnAd-hoc wire-
less LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
What is Infrastructure?
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration.
Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to a central
database, or wireless application for mobile workers.
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Wireless Notebook AdapterNetwork Everywhere™Series
Frequently Asked Questions

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Appendix B: Glossary
802.11b - One of the IEEE standards for wireless networking hardware.
Products that adhere to a specific IEEE standard will work with each other,
even if they are manufactured by different companies. The 802.11b standard
specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps, an operating frequency of
2.4GHz, and WEP encryption for security. 802.11b networks are also referred
to as Wi-Fi networks.
Adapter - Printed circuit board that plugs into a PC to add to capabilities or
connectivity to a PC. In a networked environment, a network interface card
(NIC) is the typical adapter that allows the PC or server to connect to the
intranet and/or Internet.
Ad-hoc Network - An ad-hoc network is a group of computers, each with a
wireless adapter, connected as an independent 802.11 wireless LAN. Ad-hoc
wireless computers operate on a peer-to-peer basis, communicating directly
with each other without the use of an access point. Ad-hoc mode is also
referred to as an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) or as peer-to-peer
mode, and is useful at a departmental scale or SOHO operation.
Auto fall-back - A feature provided by some wireless products to increase con-
nection reliability. Automatic fall-back enables a device to dynamically shift
between various data transfer rates. It works by decreasing the data transfer rate
when interference increases, distance increases, and other factors undermine
signal strength and quality.
Backbone - The part of a network that connects most of the systems and net-
works together and handles the most data.
Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of a given facility, in terms of how
much data the facility can transmit in a fixed amount of time; expressed in bits
per second (bps).
Bit - A binary digit. The value - 0 or 1-used in the binary numbering system.
Also, the smallest form of data.
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worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient
high speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.
What is Spread Spectrum?
Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique devel-
oped by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communica-
tions systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability,
integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is consumed than in the
case of narrowband transmission, but the trade-off produces a signal that is, in
effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the receiver knows the
parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast. If a receiver is not
tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks like background
noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
(DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).
What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences?
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) uses a narrowband carrier that
changes frequency in a pattern that is known to both transmitter and receiver.
Properly synchronized, the net effect is to maintain a single logical channel. To
an unintended receiver, FHSS appears to be short-duration impulse noise.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) generates a redundant bit pattern for
each bit to be transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping code).
The longer the chip, the greater the probability that the original data can be
recovered. Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmis-
sion, statistical techniques embedded in the radio can recover the original data
without the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appears
as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowband
receivers.
Would information be intercepted while transmitting on air?
WLAN features two-fold protection in security. On the hardware side, as with
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security fea-
ture of scrambling. On the software side, the WLAN series offers the encryp-
tion function (WEP) to enhance security and access control. Users can set it up
depending upon their needs.
Can Instant WirelessTM products support file and printer sharing?
Instant WirelessTM products perform the same function as LAN products.
Therefore, Instant WirelessTM products can work with Netware, Windows
NT/2000, or other LAN operating systems to support printer or file sharing.
What is WEP?
WEP is Wired Equivalent Privacy, a data privacy mechanism based on a 40 bit
shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

cially useful in education and other environments where users change fre-
quently. Using very short leases, DHCP can dynamically reconfigure networks
in which there are more computers than there are available IP addresses.
DHCP supports static addresses for computers containing Web servers that
need a permanent IP address.
DNS - The domain name system (DNS) is the way that Internet domain name
are located and translated into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. A domain name
is a meaningful and easy-to-remember "handle" for an Internet address.
Driver - A workstation or server software module that provides an interface
between a network interface card and the upper-layer protocol software running
in the computer; it is designed for a specific NIC, and is installed during the
initial installation of a network-compatible client or server operating system.
DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum) - DSSS generates a redundant bit
pattern for all data transmitted. This bit pattern is called a chip (or chipping
code). Even if one or more bits in the chip are damaged during transmission,
statistical techniques embedded in the receiver can recover the original data
without the need for retransmission. To an unintended receiver, DSSS appears
as low power wideband noise and is rejected (ignored) by most narrowband
receivers. However, to an intended receiver (i.e. another wireless LAN end-
point), the DSSS signal is recognized as the only valid signal, and interference
is inherently rejected (ignored).
Encryption - A security method that applies a specific algorithm to data in
order to alter the data's appearance and prevent other devices from reading the
information.
Ethernet - IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed
on and retrieved from a common transmission medium. Has a transfer rate of
10 Mbps. Forms the underlying transport vehicle used by several upper-level
protocols, including TCP/IP and XNS.
FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) - FHSS continuously changes
(hops) the carrier frequency of a conventional carrier several times per second
according to a pseudo-random set of channels. Because a fixed frequency is not
used, and only the transmitter and receiver know the hop patterns, interception
of FHSS is extremely difficult.
29
Boot - To cause the computer to start executing instructions. Personal comput-
ers contain built-in instructions in a ROM chip that are automatically executed
on startup. These instructions search for the operating system, load it and pass
control to it.
BSS (Basic Service Set) - An infrastructure network connecting wireless
devices to a wired network using a single access point.
Cardbus - A high-speed peripherals interface for notebook PCs that delivers
32-bit performance based on PCI bus architecture.
CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance) - In local
area networking, this is the CSMA technique that combines slotted time-divi-
sion multiplexing with carrier sense multiple access/collision detection
(CSMA/CD) to avoid having collisions occur a second time. This works best if
the time allocated is short compared to packet length and if the number of sit-
uations is small.
CTS (Clear To Send) - An RS-232 signal sent from the receiving station to the
transmitting station that indicates it is ready to accept data.
Database - A database is a collection of data that is organized so that its con-
tents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.
Default Gateway - The routing device used to forward all traffic that is not
addressed to a station within the local subnet.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A protocol that lets network
administrators manage centrally and automate the assignment of Internet
Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network. Using the Internet's set of
protocol (TCP/IP), each machine that can connect to the Internet needs a
unique IP address. When an organization sets up its computer users with a con-
nection to the Internet, an IP address must be assigned to each machine.
Without DHCP, the IP address must be entered manually at each computer and,
if computers move to another location in another part of the network, a new IP
address must be entered. DHCP lets a network administrator supervise and dis-
tribute IP addresses from a central point and automatically sends a new IP
address when a computer is plugged into a different place in the network.
DHCP uses the concept of a "lease" or amount of time that a given IP address
will be valid for a computer. The lease time can vary depending on how long a
user is likely to require the Internet connection at a particular location. It's espe-
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Wireless Notebook Adapter
than one is required) and sends it to the IP address that is obtained by looking
up the domain name in the Uniform Resource Locator you requested or in the
e-mail address you're sending a note to. At the other end, the recipient can see
the IP address of the Web page requestor or the e-mail sender and can respond
by sending another message using the IP address it received.
IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest) - A hardware interrupt on a PC. There are 16 IRQ
lines used to signal the CPU that a peripheral event has started or terminated.
Except for PCI devices, two devices cannot use the same line.
ISM band - The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside
bandwidth for unlicensed use in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical)
band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made avail-
able worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place con-
venient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe.
LAN (Local Area Network) -A group of computers and associated devices that
share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a
single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within
an office building).
MAC (Media Access Control) Address - A unique number assigned by the
manufacturer to any Ethernet networking device, such as a network adapter,
that allows the network to identify it at the hardware level.
Mbps (Megabits per second) - One million bits per second; unit of measure-
ment for data transmission.
Network - A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data
between users.
NIC (Network Interface Card) - A board installed in a computer system, usu-
ally a PC, to provide network communication capabilities to and from that com-
puter system. Also called an adapter.
Node - A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work
station.
Notebook -A notebook computer is a battery-powered personal computer gen-
erally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently
used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices,
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Fragmentation - Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over
a network medium that cannot support the original size of the packet.
Hardware - Hardware is the physical aspect of computers, telecommunica-
tions, and other information technology devices.The term arose as a way to dis-
tinguish the "box" and the electronic circuitry and components of a computer
from the program you put in it to make it do things. The program came to be
known as the software.
Hop - The link between two network nodes.
IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - The IEEE
describes itself as "the world's largest technical professional society, promoting
the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences for
the benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well-being
of our members."
The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and
international standards. The organization publishes a number of journals, has
many local chapters, and several large societies in special areas, such as the
IEEE Computer Society.
Infrastructure Network - An infrastructure network is a group of computers
or other devices, each with a wireless adapter, connected as an 802.11 wireless
LAN. In infrastructure mode, the wireless devices communicate with each
other and to a wired network by first going through an access point. An infra-
structure wireless network connected to a wired network is referred to as a
Basic Service Set (BSS). A set of two or more BSS in a single network is
referred to as an Extended Service Set (ESS). Infrastructure mode is useful at
a corporation scale, or when it is necessary to connect the wired and wireless
networks.
IP (Internet Protocol) - The method or protocol by which data is sent from one
computer to another on the Internet. It is a standard set of rules, procedures, or
conventions relating to the format and timing of data transmission between two
computers that they must accept and use to be able to understand each other.
IP Address - In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol (IP)
today, an IP address is a 32-binary digit number that identifies each sender or
receiver of information that is sent in packet across the Internet. When you
request an HTML page or send e-mail, the Internet Protocol part of TCP/IP
includes your IP address in the message (actually, in each of the packets if more

Router - Protocol-dependent device that connects subnetworks together.
Routers are useful in breaking down a very large network into smaller subnet-
works; they introduce longer delays and typically have much lower throughput
rates than bridges.
RTS (Request To Send) - An RS-232 signal sent from the transmitting station
to the receiving station requesting permission to transmit.
Server - Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access
to files, printing, communications, and other services.
Software - Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs
a particular task is called a "program."The two major categories of software are
"system software" and "application software." System software is made up of
control programs such as the operating system and database management sys-
tem (DBMS). Application software is any program that processes data for the
user.
A common misconception is that software is data. It is not. Software tells the
hardware how to process the data.
SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) - Market segment of professionals who
work at home or in small offices.
Spread Spectrum - Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequen-
cy technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-crit-
ical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency
for reliability, integrity, and security. In other words, more bandwidth is con-
sumed than in the case of narrowband transmission, but the trade off produces
a signal that is, in effect, louder and thus easier to detect, provided that the
receiver knows the parameters of the spread-spectrum signal being broadcast.
If a receiver is not tuned to the right frequency, a spread-spectrum signal looks
like background noise. There are two main alternatives, Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).
SSID (Service Set IDentifier) - A unique name shared among all points in a
wireless network.The SSID must be identical for each point in the wireless net-
work and is case-sensitive.
Storage - The semi-permanent or permanent holding place for digital data.
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Wireless Notebook AdapterNetwork Everywhere™Series
and at meetings. A notebook computer, sometimes called a laptop computer,
typically weighs less than five pounds and is three inches or less in thickness.
Packet -A unit of data routed between an origin and a destination in a network.
Passphrase - Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP
encryption process by automatically generating the WEP encryption keys for
Linksys products.
PC Card - A credit-card sized removable module that contains memory, I/O,
or a hard disk.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) - A peripheral bus commonly used
in PCs, Macintoshes and workstations. It was designed primarily by Intel and
first appeared on PCs in late 1993. PCI provides a high-speed data path
between the CPU and peripheral devices (video, disk, network, etc.). There are
typically three or four PCI slots on the motherboard. In a Pentium PC, there is
generally a mix of PCI and ISA slots or PCI and EISA slots. Early on, the PCI
bus was known as a "local bus."
PCI provides "plug and play" capability, automatically configuring the PCI
cards at startup. When PCI is used with the ISA bus, the only thing that is gen-
erally required is to indicate in the CMOS memory which IRQs are already in
use by ISA cards. PCI takes care of the rest.
PCI allows IRQs to be shared, which helps to solve the problem of limited IRQs
available on a PC. For example, if there were only one IRQ left over after ISA
devices were given their required IRQs, all PCI devices could share it. In a PCI-
only machine, there cannot be insufficient IRQs, as all can be shared.
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) - An
industry group organized in 1989 to promote standards for a credit card-size
memory or I/O device that would fit into a personal computer, usually a note-
book or laptop computer.
Roaming - In an infrastructure mode wireless network, this refers to the abili-
ty to move out of one access point's range and into another and transparently
reassociate and reauthenticate to the new access point. This reassociation and
reauthentication should occur without user intervention and ideally without
interruption to network connectivity. A typical scenario would be a location
with multiple access points, where users can physically relocate from one area
to another and easily maintain connectivity.

35
Subnet Mask - The method used for splitting IP networks into a series of sub-
groups, or subnets. The mask is a binary pattern that is matched up with the IP
address to turn part of the host ID address field into a field for subnets.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - A method (protocol) used along with
the IP (Internet Protocol) to send data in the form of message units (datagram)
between network devices over a LAN or WAN. While IP takes care of handling
the actual delivery of the data (routing), TCP takes care of keeping track of the
individual units of data (called packets) that a message is divided into for effi-
cient delivery over the network. TCP is known as a "connection oriented" pro-
tocol due to requiring the receiver of a packet to return an acknowledgment of
receipt to the sender of the packet resulting in transmission control.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - The basic com-
munication language or set of protocols for communications over a network
(developed specifically for the Internet). TCP/IP defines a suite or group of
protocols and not only TCP and IP.
Throughput - The amount of data moved successfully from one place to
another in a given time period.
Topology - A network's topology is a logical characterization of how the
devices on the network are connected and the distances between them. The
most common network devices include hubs, switches, routers, and gateways.
Most large networks contain several levels of interconnection, the most impor-
tant of which include edge connections, backbone connections, and wide-area
connections.
WAN (Wide Area Network)- A communications network that covers a rela-
tively large geographic area, consisting of two or more LANs. Broadband com-
munication over the WAN is often through public networks such as the tele-
phone (DSL) or cable systems, or through leased lines or satellites. In its most
basic definition, the Internet could be considered a WAN.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) - A data privacy mechanism based on a 64-
bit or 128-bit shared key algorithm, as described in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) - A group of computers and associat-
ed devices that communicate with each other wirelessly.
.
34
Wireless Notebook Adapter
Appendix C:Specifications
Standards IEEE 802.11b
Channels 11 Channels (USA)
13 Channels (Europe)
14 Channels (Japan)
Transmit 18 dBm
Receive Sensitivity -82 dBm
Modulation BPSK, QPSK, CCK
LEDs Power,ACT
Dimensions 2.13" x .20" x 4.13"
(54 mm x 5 mm x 105 mm)
Unit Weight 1.52 oz. (0.04 kg)
Power 3.3V DC
Certifications FCC Part 15, Class B & Class C, Wi-Fi,WHQL XP
Operating Temp. 32ºF to 104ºF (0ºC to 40ºC)
Storage Temp. -4ºF to 158ºF (-20ºC to 70ºC)
Operating Humidity 10% to 85%, Non-Condensing
Storage Humidity 5% to 90%, Non-Condensing
Environmental
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