Planet WL-U356A User manual

802.11g Wireless LAN USB Adapter w/SMAconnector
WL-U356A
User Manual

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Copyright
Copyright ã2004 by PLANETTechnology Corp. All rightsreserved. Nopartof this publication may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in aretrieval system, or translated into any language or computer
language,in any formor by any means,electronic, mechanical,magnetic,optical, chemical, manual or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of PLANET.
PLANETmakes no representations orwarranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents
hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.Any
software described in this manual is sold or licensed "as is". Should the programs prove defective following their
purchase, the buyer(and notPLANET,itsdistributor,or itsdealer) assumes the entirecost of all necessary
servicing, repair,and any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software. Further,
PLANETreserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the contents
hereof without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes.
All brand and product names mentioned in this manual aretrademarks and/or registered trademarks oftheir
respective holders.
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found tocomply with the limits fora Class Bdigital device, pursuantto Part
15 of FCC Rules.These limitsare designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipmentgenerates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference toradio communications.
However,there is no guarantee that interference will notoccur in aparticular installation.Ifthis equipmentdoes
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 ormore ofthe following measures:
1. Reorientor relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipmentand receiver.
3. Connect the equipmentinto an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio technician forhelp.
FCC Caution
Toassure continued compliance. (example-use only shielded interface cables when connecting to computer or
peripheral devices). Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user s authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part15 ofthe FCC Rules.Operation is subject to the Following twoconditions:(1)
This device maynotcause harmful interference,and (2)this Device must acceptanyinterference received,
including interference that maycause undesired operation.
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposureset forth for an uncontrolled environment. In order to
avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio frequency exposurelimits, human proximity to the antenna shall
not be less than 20 cm (8 inches) during normal operation.
R&TTE Compliance Statement
This equipment complies with all the requirementsofDIRECTIVE1999/5/CE OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENTAND THE COUNCILOF 9March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunication terminal
Equipmentand the mutual recognition of their conformity (R&TTE)
The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC (Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
and Satellite Earth Station Equipment) As ofApril 8,2000.
Safety
This equipmentis designed with the utmost care forthe safety of those who install and use it. However,special
attention must be paid to the dangersofelectric shock and static electricity when working with electrical
equipment.All guidelines of this and of the computer manufacture must thereforebe allowed at all times to
ensure the safe use of the equipment.
EU Countries Not Intended for Use
The ETSI version of this device is intended forhome and office use in Austria Belgium,Denmark,Finland,
France (with Frequency channel restrictions). Germany,Greece, Ireland, Italy,Luxembourg .The Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
The ETSI version of this device is also authorized for use in EFTAmember states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
and Switzerland.

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Potential restrictive use
France: Only channels 10,11,12 and 13
Revision
User s Manual for PLANET802.11g Wireless LAN USB Adapter
Model: WL-U356A
Rev: 1.0 (October,2004)
Part No. EM-WLU356A

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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 FEATURES 1
1.2 PACKAGE CONTENTS 1
CHAPTER 2 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES 2
2.1 INSTALL UTILITY SOFTWARE 2
2.2 INSTALL DRIVER 4
CHAPTER 3 WIRELESS CLIENT MODE CONFIGURATION 7
3.1 WIRELESS CONNECTION STATUS 8
3.2 CONFIGURING GENERAL SETTINGS 10
3.3 CONFIGURING ENCRYPTION SECURITY 11
3.3.1 WEPConfiguration 11
3.3.2 WPA-PSK Configuration 13
3.3.3 WPAConfiguration 14
3.4 CONFIGURING PROFILE 16
3.5 ADVANCED SETTINGS 17
3.6 INFORMATION 19
CHAPTER 4 ACCESS POINT MODE CONFIGURATION 20
4.1 CONFIGURING ACCESS POINT 20
4.2 CONFIGURING ENCRYPTION SECURITY 22
4.3 CONFIGURING MAC ADDRESS FILTER 23
SPECIFICATION 24
APPENDIX 25
GLOSSARY27

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Chapter 1 Introduction
The PLANET802.11gWireless USB 2.0 Adapter, WL-U356A, isahigh-efficiency
wireless adapter for wireless networking at home, in office, or in public places.This
USB adapter connects directlyto anyUSB-readydesktop/notebook computers, so
that you can sharefiles, printers, and high-speed accessto the Internet over your
existing wireless network easily,without disassembling your computer.
The WL-U356A has support data rate up to 54Mbps,and can auto-negotiate to be
compatible with anyIEEE 802.11b/g device. Support of 64, 128 and 256bit WEP
encryption plusWPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) high-level encryption preventsyour
wireless communications from unauthorized access and ensures secure data
transfer.
The WL-U356Acan operate in either Ad-Hocmode (Point to Point/Pointto
Multipoint without AccessPoint)orInfrastructure mode (Point to Point/Point
to MultipointwithAccess Point). It also supports Software APfunction to provide
the convenience for users to establish theirwireless connection. With the provided
external antenna connector, users can change the antenna freelyto increase wireless
performance.
1.1 Features
l Compliant with the IEEE 802.11g 2.4GHz(OFDM) standard
l High data transfer rate - up to 54Mbps
l Supports WEP 64/128/256 bits, WPA protection
l Supports Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc mode
l Software AP function support
l Data rate automatic fallback increases reliability
l Supports the most popular operating systems:Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
l Detachable antenna design
l USB 2.0 interface
1.2 Package Contents
Before you begin the installation, please check the itemsofyour package. The
package should include the following items:
1 x WL-U356A
1 xDriver and User's manual CD
1 xQuick Installation Guide
1 xExternal Antenna
1 x Wall-mount Accessorypack
If any of the above items is missing, contact your supplier as soon as possible.

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Chapter 2 InstallationProcedures
2.1 Install Utility Software
Before installing the utilitysoftware, DO NOT insert WL-U356A
into your PC.
If the WL-U356A is inserted already,Windowswill detect the WL-U356A
and
request for a driver. Click Cancel
to quit the wizard and remove the adapter
from your PC.
If you have installed the WL-U356A or other wireless card driver & utility
already, please uninstall them firstly.
Step 1: Insert the provided Drivers and User sManual CD into your CD driveto initiate
the autorun program. Once completed a menu screen will appear.
Step 2: Click on “Configuration Utility”hyper link in WL-U356A field to initiate the
installation. If the menu screen is not shown, you can click “Start”button and
choose “Run”.When the dialog boxappears, enter “E:\Utility\setup.exe”
(Suppose “E”is your CD-ROM drive) and click “OK”to continue.
Step 3: When the welcome screen appears, click “Next .

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Step 4: Click “Next”to accept the default destination folder for the software orclick
“Browse”to manuallyselect a destination folder.
Step 5: For WindowsXP, click “Continue Anyway”at the WindowsLogo Compatibility
screen.

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For Windows 2000, click “Yes”at the Digital Signature screen.
Step 6: Remove the Driver & UtilityCD from your CD drive and then restart your PC.
2.2 Install Driver
In most cases,Windowswill automaticallyinstall the driver
after the PC is
restarted. Ifthe Found NewHardware Wizard appears, followthe
instructions below.The Found NewHardware Wizard will look different
depending on your operating system. Follow the on-
screen instructions to
complete the installation. For Wi
ndows98SE and Me users, you maybe
prompted to insert the Windows98SE or Me CD during the driver
installation. Be sure to have your Windows 98SE or Me CD ready.
Step 1: After the PC restart, insert WL-U356Ainto the USB port of the PC.
Step 2: Select “Install the software automatically”and click “Next”.

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Step 3: For WindowsXP, click “Continue Anyway”at the WindowsLogo
Compatibilityscreen.
For Windows 2000, click “Yes”at the Digital Signature screen.

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For Windows98SE or Me, insert the Windows98SE or Me CD ifprompted to do so and
click “OK”.
Step 4: Click “Finish”. Restart the PC ifyou are prompted to do so.

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Chapter 3 Wireless Client Mode
Configuration
The USB adapter can be set to either Station or Access Point Mode from the Mode
drop-downmenu. Station mode is the default selection and should be selected ifyou
want to connect to a wireless router/access point or conduct peer-to-peer networking.
The configuration utilitywill be initiated automaticallyafter PCrestarts. It is a powerful
application that helps you to configure the WL-U356Aand monitor the status ofthe
communication process. Bydoubleclick the icon on the system tray,you can see
the configuration utilityappear.Ifconfiguration utilitydoesn tstart automatically,
please go to Start => Programs =>PLANET WL-U356A=>PLANET WL-U356A
Utility to run the configure utility.
WindowsXP system has abuilt-in wireless configuration
interface.
You mayuse this interface to configure your WL-
U356A. You
cannot useWL-U356A utilityto configure your WL-
U356A unless
you disable the windowsbuilt-
in utilityfirst. For disabling windows
built-in utility,please clear the checkboxof “
Use Windowsto
configure mywireless settings”
in the screen below.Then you can
use WL-U356A utilityto configure

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3.1 Wireless Connection Status
When the configuration utilityis activated, it will scan all channels to locate available
access points. This screen displays all information ofcurrent wireless connection.

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Parameters Description
Mode
Select from “Station”or “Access Point”.For more information
regarding Access Point Mode configuration
,please refer to the
Chapter 4.
Network Adapter Displays the name ofthe USB adapter.
Available Network
Lists all the available wirel
ess router/accesspoint in your area.
You can click on the “Refresh”button to update the list.
Current Network
Information
Displaysthe selected wireless device information of
the
Available Network option. (An SSID must be highlighted first).
Link Status Displays the link status.
Signal Strength Displays the current signal strength.
Link Quality Displays the current link quality.
Tx Frame Displays the number of frames transmitted.
Rx Frame Displays the number of frames received.
Connect this site Connect to the wireless router/access point you have selected.
After connect to a wireless router/accesspoint, the button name “Connect this site”
will become “More settings…”.You can click this button and refer to the section below
to change the settings.

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3.2 Configuring General Settings
Click “Change”to configure the adapter s General Connection Setting.
Parameters Description
Channel This setting is for Access Point Mode only.
Tx Rate
Select the desired transmission rate, or leavethe defaul
t setting
of “Auto”to allowthe adapter to automaticallyselect the
optimum rate.
When WL-U356Aconnectsto an USB1.1
port, TxRate will be
fixed to 802.11b standard. The Max.transfer rate will be
11Mbps.
SSID You can enter the SSID of the wireless ro
uter/access point you
wish to connect to.
Any
Check this boxto a
llowyou connect to anyavailable wireless
router/access point.
(Check this boxifyou re trying to connect
to a public hot spot and don t knowthe SSID).
Network Type
Choose from “Infrastr
ucture”(forconnecting to awireless
router/access point)or “Ad-Hoc”(forcomputer-to-
computer
networking, bypassing the wireless router/access point).
Encryption
Choose from “Disable”or “Enable”.When “Enable”
selected,
you should refer to nextsectio
nto configure encryption
settings.,
Authentication
Mode
Choose from “Auto”(recommended), “Open System”,or
“Shared Key”.
Open System:
With the same WEP keybetween the stations,
the stations don
tneed to be authenticated. This is the default
option.

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Shared Key:
With the same WEPkeybetween the stations in
this Authentication algorithm, this type will
use packets with
encryption bytransferring achallenge text
which will be
acknowledge byboth side ofthe stations
.In order to choose
which authenticati
on algorithm will be used, you must know
which one the station supports this algorithm first.
Apply After click “Change”
button, the button name will turn into
“Apply”. Please click “Apply”to save the configuration.
3.3 Configuring Encryption Security
3.3.1 WEP Configuration
Click “WEPEncryption KeySetting”button to configure the WEPsettings.
The WEPKeysettings must be identicalto the WEPsettings of the wireless
router/access point you wish to connect to.
Please click “Change”button to start configure the WEPSetting. After click, the button
name will turn into “Apply .

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Parameters Description
KeyLength Select the appropriate encryption keylength.
Default KeyID Select which of the four KeyValuesyou want to use.
KeyFormat Select either Hexadecimal(0-9, A-
F) or ASCII (anynumberor
letter).
KeyValue
Enter the applicable keyvalues. Up to four keyvalues maybe
entered. Note the following rules when entering Keyvalues:
64-bit keylength requires 10 Hexadecimalcharacters (0-
9,
A-F) or 5ASCII characters (anynumber or letter).
128-bit keylength requires 26 Hexadecimal characters (0-
9,
A-F) or 13 ASCII characters (anynumber or letter).
256-bit keylength requires 58 Hexadecimal characters (0-
9,
A-F) or 19 ASCII characters (anynumber ofletter).
Apply Save settings.
After you haveapplied the changes, return to the utility smain screen and select the
wireless router/accesspoint you wish to connect to. Click “Yes”in belowdialog boxto
connect to the encrypted wireless device.

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3.3.2 WPA-PSK Configuration
Step1: Please click on “Change”in the General Connection Setting.
Step 2:Select “TKIP”or “AES”for Encryption, “WPA PSK”for Authentication Mode,
and click “Apply”.
The encryption method and authentication mode
must be identical to the
settings ofthe wirelessrouter/access point you wish to connect to.

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Step 3:Click on “WPA Encryption Setting”and click “Change”in the appeared
dialog box.
Step 4:Enter the appropriate passphrasein the “Passphrase”fieldunder the
“Pre-shared Key”section and click “Apply”.(The passphrase must be
identical to the passphrase set on your wireless router/access point and it
has to be a string between 8 to 63 ASCII characters long).
3.3.3 WPA Configuration
Step1: Please click on “Change”in the General Connection Setting.

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Step 2:Select “TKIP”or “AES”forEncryption, “WPA”for Authentication Mode, and
click “Apply”.
The encryption method and authentication mode
must be identical to the
settings ofthe wirelessrouter/access point you wish to connect to.
Step 3:Click on “WPA Encryption Setting”and click “Change”in the appeared
dialog box.
Step 4:Select the appropriate protocol in the “Protocol”field. There are twokinds
ofprotocols for WPAuser authentication- TLS and PEAP.TLS and PEAP
require aRadius server and the Certificate Authority.The maindifference
between the 2protocols is TLS requires both the radius server sand the
client scertificates, while PEAPrequires onlythe server scertificate.
Moreover,PEAPrequires aset of user name of password, which is
supposed to be pre-configured bythe network administrator.Ifyou are
using PEAPprotocol,please fill inthe following “User Name”and
“Password”fields.

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Step 5:All available certificates for TLS or PEAPwill be displayed in the
“Certificate”drop-down list. Please select aproper one for user orserver
authentication.
Step 6:Click “Apply”to finish the configuration.
3.4 Configuring Profile