Planet WL-3553 User manual

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Wireless LAN PCMCIA Card
WL-3553
User s Manual

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Copyright
Copyright 2004 by PLANETTechnology Corp. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in aretrieval system, or translated into any language or
computerlanguage, in any formor by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic,optical, chemical,
manual orotherwise, without the prior written permission of PLANET.
PLANETmakes no representations orwarranties, eitherexpressed or implied, with respect to the
contentshereofand specifically disclaims any warranties, merchantability or fitness forany 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 totime in the contentshereof without obligation to notify any person of such
revision or changes.
Allbrand and product names mentioned inthis manualare trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of their respective holders.
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limitsforaClass Bdigital device,
pursuant toPart15 of FCC Rules. These limitsaredesigned to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in aresidential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiateradio
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
aparticularinstallation. Ifthis equipment does cause harmful interference toradio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,the user is encouraged to try
to correctthe interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorientor relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipmentand receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outleton acircuit 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 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 mustaccept any
interference received, including interference thatmay cause undesired operation.

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Federal Communication Commission(FCC) Radiation Exposure
Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure set forth for an uncontrolled environment. In
order to avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio frequency exposure limits, 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 requirementsof DIRECTIVE 1999/5/CE OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENTAND THE COUNCILOF 9March 1999 on radio equipmentand telecommunication
terminal Equipment and the mutual recognition of theirconformity (R&TTE)
The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC (Telecommunications Terminal
Equipmentand Satellite EarthStation Equipment) As of April 8,2000.
Safety
This equipment is designed with the utmost care for the safetyof 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 ofthis and ofthe computer manufacture mustthereforebe 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 for home 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 ofthis device is also authorized foruse in EFTAmember states Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Potential restrictive use
France: Only channels 10,11,12 and 13
Revision
User s Manual for PLANET Wireless LAN PCMCIA Adapter
Model: WL-3553
Rev: 2.0 (March, 2004)
Part No. EM-WL3553V2

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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................1
1.1 FEATURES ...............................................................................................................................1
1.2 APPLICATIONS ..........................................................................................................................2
1.3 SPECIFICATION.........................................................................................................................4
1.4 PACKAGE CONTENTS ................................................................................................................4
1.5 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................................5
1.6 INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS.................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2 INSTALLATION PROCEDURE...................6
2.1 WINDOWS 98/ME/2000 DRIVER INSTALLATION............................................................................6
2.2 WINDOWS XP/SERVER 2003 DRIVER INSTALLATION .....................................................................9
2.3 CONFIGURATION UTILITY INSTALLATION.....................................................................................11
CHAPTER 3 CONFIGURATION UTILITY........................12
CHAPTER 4 STATION MODE..............................................................13
4.1 GENERAL...............................................................................................................................13
4.2 PROFILE ................................................................................................................................13
4.3 AVAILABLE NETWORK..............................................................................................................15
4.4 ADVANCED.............................................................................................................................16
4.5 STATUS .................................................................................................................................17
4.6 STATISTICS ............................................................................................................................18
CHAPTER 5 APMODE.....................................................................................19
5.1 GENERAL...............................................................................................................................19
5.2 ADVANCED.............................................................................................................................20
5.3 STATISTICS ............................................................................................................................21
CHAPTER 6 FREQUENTLYASK QUESTION.............22
APPENDIX...........................................................................................................................23

Chapter 1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing PLANETWL-3553. This device is an IEEE 802.11b Wireless CardBus
PCMCIAAdapter.It can operate in either Ad-Hoc mode (Point toPoint/Point to Multipoint without
Access Point) or Infrastructuremode (Point to Point/Point toMultipoint with Access Point). For new
advance function,APmode,it can work as asoftware APwhen thereis no Access Point in your
Wireless LAN. It can be an AP for you to establish the Network with the clientsin Infrastructure mode. It
operates in 2.4GHz unlicensed ISMband in the home or office environment.
The WL-3553 is compatible with Windows98, Me, 2000, XP,Server 2003 and Linux.It supports
64/128-bitWEP(Wired EquivalentPrivacy)Encryption.Itsdatarate support 11,5.5, 2and 1Mbps.
Withitsauto-fallback function,the dataratecan be move tolower speed if signal quality is not good
enough.
WL-3553 provided with abuilt-in dipole antenna and is connected to PC PCMCIAslot.Thus, it is
capable of being placed practically anywhere on or around your computer toget bettersignal quality
and longerconnection distance. The WL-3553 has supportfull mobility and seamless roaming feature
for mobile users tokeep network connection across Access Points. Its range of coverage is up to 350
feet indoor and 1100 feetoutdoors.
1.1 Features
l Wireless connection without the hassles and cost ofcabling
l Wireless LAN IEEE802.11b compliant
l Up to 11 Mbps high-speed Transfer Rate
l Base on the 2.4GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Technology
l Supports 64/128-bitWEP (Wired EquivalentPrivacy) encryption
l SupportsAd-Hoc (Peer to Peer) communication and Infrastructure mode with Access Point
l Supportssoftware AP mode
l Seamless integration with IEEE802.3LAN through WAP-1965, WAP-1960 or otherIEEE 802.11b
compliant Access Point
l Support IEEE802.1xclient
l Supportsmost popular operating systems including Windows98/Me/2000/XP/Server 2003 and
Linux
l Build-in Diversity Patch Antenna
l LowInterference and High Susceptibility Guarantee Reliable Performance
l Plug-and -Play installation
l Supports Power Save mode
l Automatic rate fallback enables data security and reliability
l Supports 32-bit CardBus interface

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1.2 Applications
1.2.1AccessPoint
WL-3553 provides software Access Pointfunction for users can createthe wireless network easily,
as they knew.In this function,it is not just aclient anymore.All the wireless clientscan connect to
each other via the APmode WL-3553. For SOHO and SMB users,they can save the moneyfor buy
aWL-3553 to instead Access Point to work.
Software
Access Point
1.2.2Infrastructure
The WL-3553 provides access to awired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wireless and
wired LAN is called an Infrastructureconfiguration.Agroup of WL-3553 PC usersand an Access
Point compose aBasic Service Set (BSS). Each WL-3553 PCin aBSS can talk to any computer in
the wired LAN infrastructure via the Access Point.
An Infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a WL-3553 equipped PCto awired LAN,
and doubles the effective wireless transmission range for 2WL-3553 PCs. Since the Access Point is
able to forward datawithin itsBSS, the effective transmission range in an infrastructureLAN is
doubled.
The use of aunique ID in aBSSis essential. All WL-3553 equipped PCsconfigured without roaming
options in an independentBSSmustbe configured with aBSS ID corresponding tothe WL-3553
used in the BSS.Check your WL-3553 for itsBSS IDor use the Site Survey function on
Configuration Utility program to determine the BSS ID.
The Infrastructure Wireless LANconfiguration is appropriatefor enterprise-scale wireless access to
a central database, or as a wireless application for mobile users.
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. More than one BSS can be
configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS).The continuous network allowsusersto roam freely
within an ESS. All WL-3553 PCs or other IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless adapterwithin one ESS
mustbe configured with the same ESS ID and use the same radio channel.
Before enabling an ESS with roaming capability,choosing afeasible radio channel and optimum
Access Point position is recommended. Proper Access Point positioning combined with aclear radio
signal will greatly enhance performance.

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1.2.3Ad-Hoc
An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is agroup of computers, each equipped with one WL-3553 adapteror other
wireless adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in aspecific Ad-Hoc
wireless LAN must be configured to share the same radio channel.
Ad-Hoc wireless LAN configurations are appropriate forbranch level departmentsor SOHO
operations.
(WL-3553)
(WL-3553)
WL-8303WL-8303
1.2.4General Application
WL-3553 offers afast, reliable, cost-effective solution for wireless client access to the network in
applications like these:
1. Remote access to corporate network information
E-mail, file transfer and terminal emulation.
2. Difficult-to-wire environments
Historical or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open area where wiring is difficultto
employ.
3. Frequentlychanging environments
Retailers,manufacturers and banks who frequently rearrange the workplace and change
location.
4. TemporaryLANs for special projects or peak time
Trade shows, exhibitions and construction sites need temporary setup forashort time period.
Retailers,airline and shipping companies need additional workstations for apeak period.
Auditors require workgroups atcustomer sites.
5. Access to database for mobile workers

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Doctors, nurses, retailers, white-collar workers need access todatabase while being mobile in
the hospital, retail store or office campus.
6. SOHO (Small Office and Home Office)users
SOHO users need easy and quick installation of a small computer network.
7. High securityconnection
The wireless security network installs quickly and provides the flexibility to reconfigure easily.
1.3 Specification
Product Wire Free –11Mbps Wireless LAN PCMCIAAdapter
Model Name WL-3553
Attach Interface PCMCIA Type II, CardBus
LED Indicators ACT, LNK
Operating Frequency / Channel 2.412~2.462GHz (FCC, Canada) / 11 Channels
2.412~2.4835GHz (TELEC, Japan) / 14 Channels
2.412~2.472GHz (ETSI, Europe) / 13 Channels
RF Modulation Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Technology
(CCK, DQPSK, DBPSK)
RF Output Power 16dBm
Sensitivity -83dBm (@ PER<8%)
Data Rate 11, 5.5, 2,1 Mbps with auto-rate fallback
Media Access Protocol CSMA/CA + ACK
Standard Antenna Build-in patch antenna
Range Up to 1100 feet outdoor and 350 feet indoor
Working Mode Ad-Hoc, Infrastructure, Access Point
Power Consumption TX: 3.3V, 340mA
RX: 3.3V, 160mA
Stand by / sleep mode: 3.3V, 20mA
Dimension (mm) 114*54*5 (L*W*H)
Humidity 0 ~ 90%, non-condensing (Operating and storage)
Temperature0 ~ 55 degree C (Operating), -10~70 degree C(Storage)
Compatibility Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, Server 2003 and Linux
Management Utility or Windows XP built-in management interface
STANDARDS COMPLIANCE
Electromagnetic Compatibility FCC Part 15 class B, CE Mark, ETSI 300 328
1.4 Package Contents
Before installation,please check the items ofyour package. The package should include the

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following items:
WL-3553 x1
Quick Installation Guide x1
Drivers and User s Manual CDx1
If any ofthe above items are missing, contact your supplier as soon as possible.
1.5 Minimum System Requirements
Before installation, please check the following requirementswith your equipment.
• Operating System: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Server 2003 or Linux
• PC with CD-ROMdrive
• One CardBus PCMCIA slot
1.6 Installation Considerations
l Please keep the numberof walls and ceilings between the Access Point and clients.Each wall or
ceiling can reduce your wireless cover range form3-90 feet. Position your Access points,
Residential Gateways, and computers so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
l Building materials make adifference –A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have anegative
effect on range. Try to position Access Points,and computerswith wireless adaptersso that the
signal passes through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
l Keep the wireless product away form electrical devices or appliances at least 3-6 foot, which may
generate extreme RF noise.

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Chapter 2 Installation Procedure
Before you proceed with the installation, it is necessary that you have enough information about the
Wireless PCMCIACard. Use the Procedure described in below in this chapter to install under Windows
98/Me/2000/XP/Server 2003.
Note: If you ever install the other Wireless Card before, please uninstall the existed driver and
utility first. If this is the first time to install thisdevice, please refer to the following steps to
complete the installation.
2.1 Windows 98/Me/2000 Driver Installation
Note: The following installation operates under Window 2000.Procedures will be similar to
Windows 98/Me. About Windows XP/Server 2003 driver installation, please referto next
section.
1. Plug WL-3553 into your PC sPCMCIAslot.
2. Power on the PC and insert Drivers and User smanual CD into CD-ROMdrive.
3. Windowswill automatically detect this wireless cardand ask the user to install driver.Please click
“Next”.

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4. Please select the first option and click “Next”to continue.
5. Select “Specify a location”and click “Next”.
6. You can click “Browse”to find the driver location. (Assume "E" is yourCD-ROMdrive, the driver
can be found in E:\Drivers\WL-3553\Win2000).Please click “OK”to continue.

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7. Windowswill show this screen to prompt you that it found adriver for the device you are installing,
please click “Next”to continue.
8. Windows2000 may tell you this driver doesn tcontain Microsoftdigital signature. Don tworry
about this; Pleaser click “Yes”to continue the installation.

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9. Please click “Finish”to complete the driver installation.
(For Win98/Me, Windows will ask you to restart your PC when driver installation finished.)
2.2 Windows XP/Server 2003 driver installation
Note: The following installation operates under Window XP. Procedures will be similar to
Window Server 2003.
1. Plug WL-3553 into your PC sPCMCIAslot.
2. Power on the PC and insert Drivers and User smanual CD into CD-ROMdrive.
3. WindowsXP will detect WL-3553 and ask you to install driver.Please select the second option
and click “Next”.
4. Please select “Include this location in the search”and then click “Browse”to find out WL-3553
driver location toinstall driver.(Assume "E" is yourCD-ROMdrive, you can find outWL-3553

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driver in E:\Drivers\WL-3553\WinXP). Please click “Next”to continue.
5. WinXPwill showyou this dialog boxto promptyou the driver has not passed Windowslogo
testing, please press “Continue Anyway”to continue.
6. Please click “Finish”to complete the driver installation.

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2.3 Configuration UtilityInstallation
1. Run “setup.exe”under “E:\Utility\WL-3553\”directory, orclick the “Start”button and choose “Run”.
When the dialog box appears, enter “E:\Utility\WL-3553\setup.exe”(Assume “E”is your CD-ROM
drive). You will see the dialog boxas the picture. Please click “Next”to continue.
2. Then the utility will copy to your PC.
Note: After the utility installed, it will auto start. If the card is notworking properly, you may
restart your PC. If the situation still exist after computer reboot, you should make sure that
your system has free resources.

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Chapter 3 Configuration Utility
The configuration utility is apowerful application that helps you configure the Wireless LAN Adapter
and monitor the link status and the statistics during the communication process.
After configuration utility installation finished, the configuration utility will automatically start. You can
find the icon in the system tray,please double click the icon to make further configuration. When
you are in Windows XP/Server 2003,you may see the dialog boxas below. Please click “OK”.
Then you will see the configuration utility main screen.In order to use this utility to configureWL-3553,
please clear the “WindowsZero Config”option in the bottom of the screen. WindowsXP and Server
2003 have provided awireless configuration program for users to configuretheir wireless card without
install manufacturer sutility.When wireless card installed,this program will auto start. If you want to use
our configuration utility to configureWL-3553, you have todisable the Windowsbuilt-in wireless
program (Windows Zero Config Service)firstly.Then you can use our utility to configure.
u Refresh: When you install twoWL-3553s in yourPC, you just need to install the utility once. If
you cannot see those cards, please click “Refresh”.
u Modes: WL-3553 has support Station Mode and Access Point Mode. Pleaser refers to Chapter 4
Station Mode and Chapter 5 Access Point Mode to knowthe detail settings.
u View: This option is use to enable/disable Status Bar.
u Help: This will showyou the configuration utility version.
u ShowTrayIcon: If you don twant to see the icon in system tray, you may clear this option.
u Radio Off:When enable, WL-3553 willstop working.
u Windows Zero Config: Enable/disable Windows Zero Config Service.
u Close: Close configure screen. When click the icon in system tray, this screen will appear again.

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Chapter 4 Station Mode
4.1 General
In this option, you can check the current settings and the Signal Strength of the WL-3553.
4.2 Profile
In this option, you can check and modify the profiles.
u Add: When you want to add aprofile manually,please click this bottom. Then you can see
the dialog boxas below. Enter the settings as you want and click “OK”to save as a profile.

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Ø Profile Name: The name of this profile.
Ø Network Name (SSID): Showsand can be configured the SSID ofthe BSS that
willing to join.
Ø This is acomputer –to-computer (ad hoc) network;wireless access pointsare
not use.: When you want this card to be a Ad-Hoc node. Please tick this option.
Ø Channel: Showsthe numberof the radio channel used for the networking.This
parameter is not active in the infrastructure operation mode.
Ø Dataencryption (WEPenabled): You can tick this option for enabling WEP
function.
Ø Network Authentication (Shared mode): With this setting, allowscommunication
only with otherdevices with identical WEP settings.
Ø ASCII: When this option is selected. The WEP key formatwill be ASCII (American
Standard Code for Information Interchange,0-9,a-z, A-Z). Otherwise, the WEPkey
formatwill be HEX (Hexadecimal code, 0-9,a-f,A-F).
Ø Passphrase: You can enter the charters into the field. It will create the WEP keys
automatically.
Ø KeyLength: Please select the WEP key Length.This option will function when the
Passphrase selected. You can decide the WEP key to 64bitor 128bit.
Ø Network Key: You can define the WEP (Wired EquivalentPrivacy) Key values by
yourself.
Ø Confirm network key: Please enter the WEPkey values again here.
Ø Keyindex (advanced): Thereare 4keys available for the WEPfunction. Please
select one of them for WEPto operate.

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u Remove: Selectaprofile of the listand click this button, then the selected profile will be
deleted.
u Edit: Select the profile which you want tomodify and click this button. Then you can change
the settings of the profile. Aftermodification, please click “OK”to save.
u Duplicate: Select the profile which you want to copy and click this button. Configuration
utility will copy the profile and ask you to give a name for this profile.
u Set Default: If you want to set one of the profiles tobe the first option which WL-3553 will
connected when your PC bootup. Please select the profile and click this button.
4.3 Available Network
This screen showsthe APsor Adapterswhich available forWL-3553 to connect.When operating in
work mode “Any”, it will showthe available APs and Adapters at the same time.
Click “Refresh “to collect the BSSID and Channel information of all the wireless devices around you.
If you wish to connect to any device on the “Available Network (s)”list, selectthe device on the listand
click “Add to Profile”, then you can see adialog box as below,please click “OK”.WL-3553 will connect
to the selected device and create a profile for the selected device automatically.

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4.4 Advanced
In this option, you can have some advanced settings for WL-3553 working.
u Power Save: ShowsPower Management modes.There are twooptional selections forthis
mode.
Ø None: Disable Power Save mode.
Ø Min: Enable the adapter in the power saving mode when it is idle, but some
components of the adapter is still alive. Inthis mode, the power consumption is larger
than “Max“mode.
Ø Max: Adapter will enter power saving mode when it is idle.