Pretec Version 3.20 User manual

retec CompactWLAN Card-802.11b
PDA User Manual
Version 3.20

CompactWLANTM User’s Manual
2
August 28, 2002

CompactWLANTM User’s Manual
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy. If this equipment is
not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by during 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 and receiver.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with
FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
Manufacturer's Disclaimer Statement
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of
the vendor. No warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, is made with respect to the quality, accuracy
or fitness for any particular purpose of this document. The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the
content of this document and/or the products associated with it at any time without obligation to notify any person or
organization of such changes. In no event will the manufacturer be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or
consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use this product or documentation, even if advised of the
possibility of such damages. This document contains materials protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No
part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means or for any purpose without expressed
written consent of its authors. Product names appearing in this document are mentioned for identification purchases
only. All trademarks, product names or brand names appearing in this document are registered property of their
respective owners.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................... 1
1-1 Features and Benefits............................................................................ 1
1-2 Applications.......................................................................................... 2
1-3 System Requirements............................................................................. 2
Chapter 2: Installing the CompactWLAN Card............................................. 3
2-1 Install the Setup Utility.......................................................................... 3
2-2 Install Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b Card......................................... 3
Chapter 3: Using Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b Card................................ 6
3-1 Using the Wireless LAN Configuration Utility........................................ 6
3-2 Setup Notes for Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Users ..................................... 11
Caveat............................................................................................................ 11
Appendix A: Network Configuration .......................................................... 12
Appendix B: Network Topology................................................................. 12

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Chapter 1: Introduction
The Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b is a standard CompactFlash Type I card using wireless LAN
technology. It provides you the easiest and fastest way to access your wireless and wired network.
Its compact size and ease-of-use make the Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b ideal for use in any
network environment in which available space is limited. A data rate of 11 Mbps gives fast-speed
access to a corporate network or the Internet in a wireless environment. Once active, the Pretec
CompactWLAN 802.11b card is able to communicate with any 802.11 and 802.11b compliant
devices.
1-1 Features and Benefits
1. Supports 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps data rate.
2. Working range up to 100 m (328 ft) in an open environment.
3. Supports point-to-point and point-to-multipoint access.
4. Seamless connectivity to wired Ethernet and PC network LAN’s augments existing networks
quickly and easily.
5. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology provides robust, interference-resistant
and secure wireless connection.
6. Wireless connection without the cost of cabling.
7. Supports major Windows CE-based PDAs such as Handheld PC, Pocket PC, Pocket PC
2002, and BE-300/500.
8. Native support in the Linux-based Sharp Zaurus SL-5500
9. Support high security WEP encryption (64-bit and 128-bit)
10. Supports Plug and Play.
11. Easy installation.

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1-2 Applications
Pretec CompactWLAN offers a fast, reliable, cost-effective solution for wireless client access to the
network in applications such as:
1. Remote access to corporate network information
E-mail, file transfer and terminal emulation.
2. Difficult-to-wireenvironments
Historical or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open area where wiring is difficult to
deploy.
3. Frequently changing environments
Retailers, manufacturers, and those who frequently rearrange the workplace and change
location.
4. Temporary LANs for special projects or peak time
Trade shows, exhibitions, and construction sites where a temporary network will be practical.
Retailers, airline, and shipping companies need additional workstations during peak period,
such as auditors requiring workgroups at customer sites.
5. Database access for mobile workers
Doctors, nurses, retailers, accessing their database 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 security connection
The secure wireless network can be installed quickly and provide flexibility.
1-3 System Requirements
The Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b card has been confirmed to support the following PDAs:
nCasio:E-115/125, E-200, EG-800, BE-300, BE-500
nCompaq:iPaq 3600/3700/3800/3900, Aero
nHP:Jornada 540 and 560-Series (PPC) and 720 (HPC)
nSharp: Zaurus SL-5500 (Linux/Embedix)
For the latest compatibility data, please visit website at http://www.pretec.com.

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Chapter 2:Installing the CompactWLAN Card
This chapter describes the installation of the Pretec CompactWLAN Card-802.11b driver for the
Handheld/Pocket PC.
2-1Install the Setup Utility
1. Establish a connection between host PC and PDA using Microsoft Active Sync.
2. Insert Pretec Wireless Installation CD. Run “Setup.exe”
3. Setup will start automatically.
4. An InstallShield Wizard window appears. Click Next to proceed.
5. Follow on-screen instructions to install the Setup Utility. Click Finish to complete the installation.
Restart your PDA.
2-2Install Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b Card
1. Insert the CompactWLAN into your PDA. The PDA will auto-detect the CompactWLAN and
bring up the configuration utility (Fig. 1).
2. Check the IP settings of your CompactWLAN. You may either set it to obtain an IP address from
your DHCP server or assign it a fixed IP address. Click the IP Status button to check your
current IP settings (Fig. 2).
Fig. 1 Fig. 2

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3. Once the CompactWLAN Configure Utility is set up properly, the card will scan for a LAN
Access Point, signified by a green,blinking LED. The LED will stay steady once the
CompactWLAN has successfully linked with an LAN Access Point. To configure the
CompactWLAN,proceed to the next chapter “Using Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b Card”.

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Chapter 3: Using Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b Card
This chapter gives you adetailed description about setting up the CompactWLAN using the
Configuration Utility in a Pocket/Handheld PC.
3-1Using the Wireless LAN Configuration Utility
The CompactWLAN is ready-to-use within any network that has a LAN Access Point. By default, it
is set to operate within atypical Infrastructure Wireless LAN. The Configure Utility provides you
with an easy interface to make changes and perform user-level diagnostics on your CompactWLAN.
1. Once the CompactWLAN is inserted into your PDA, the Configuration Utility will automatically
appear (Fig. 3)
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
2. If the Configuration Utility does not appear, you may manually start it by going to the Program
group and clicking the “CompactWLAN”icon (Fig. 4).
3. When the Configuration Utility window appears, it will provide the following selection items for you
to configure and monitor the CompactWLAN

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Status
The Status tab displays the detected settings of
the Wireless LAN CF Card (Fig. 5).
Connected to -Displays the name of the
Wireless Access Point.
AP MAC Addr -Displays the MAC Address of
your Wireless Access Point.
Mode – Displays the selected network mode
(Infrastructure, Ad-Hoc, or802.11 Ad-Hoc)
Channel -Displays the current channel that the
CompactWLAN is using
Link Rate -Displays the data transmission speed
between the CompactWLAN and an Access
Point.
Fig. 5
Encryption – Displays the Security mode being used
Configuration
The Configuration tab contains several
adjustable parameters for the operation of
the CompactWLAN. Click the Apply
button to allow the changes take effect (Fig.
6)
Network Mode
The CompactWLAN can operate in 3
network modes. If you need to access a
company network or Internet via an Access
Point, select “Infrastructure”. To set up
a group of wireless stations for file and
printer sharing, select “Ad-Hoc”or
“802.11 Ad-Hoc”
(without Access Point).
If Ad-Hoc is selected, you need
Fig. 6
to set each wireless station to the same channel. For 802.11 Ad-Hoc,the same ESSID are required
to the wireless stations.

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Network SSID
The SSID is aunique ID given to the Access Point. Wireless clients associating to Access Points must
have the same SSID. The default value Auto Detect will cause the CompactWLAN to associate
with any Access Point that gives the fastest response. You may also specify and SSID (Access Point)
with which you desire to connect. Specifying an SSID for your CompactWLAN is recommended
because it will prevent you PDA from unintentionally connecting to a different wireless network. The
SSID can be set up to 32 characters and is case sensitive.
Link Rate
The CompactWLAN provides various data rate options for you to select. Data rate options
include Auto, 1, 2, 1 or 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps. In most networking scenarios, the default Fully
Auto setting will prove to be the most efficient. This setting will allow your CompactWLAN to
operateat the maximum possible data rate under any condition. When the signal strength drops
below a certain level, the CompactWLAN will automatically switch to a lower data rate. When the
signal strength improves, the CompactWLAN will automatically readjust the data rate until it has
reached the optimal speed. Linking at a lower data rate trades off speed for connection reliability.
Packet Fragmentation
Packet sizes larger than the specified value will be split into fragments before transmission.
Power Management
When Power Management is enabled, the CompactWLAN will go into Power Management mode to
minimize power consumption.
(NOTE: When Power Management is enabled, the Access Point must also support Power
Management for the link to be maintained.)
RTS/CTS Medium Access
Turn on only if your Access Point supports RTS/CTS Medium Access.

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Ping
This tool allows you to ping any IP address and specify data size, timeout length, and attempt count.
It is a useful diagnostics utility to check connections (Fig. 7 below)
Fig. 7 Fig. 8
Security
To prevent unauthorized wireless stations from accessing data transmitted over the network, the
CompactWLAN offers highly secure data encryption, known as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). If
you desire to use WEP encryption to secure your data, select encryption level, 64 or 128-bit, from the
selection list and enter your own encryption key data (Fig. 8 above).
The two levels of WEP encryption are described as follows:
64 Bits:Requires wireless stations to use data encryption with a 64-bit algorithmwhen communicating
with the Access Point, which must also have WEP 64 enabled.
128 Bits: A higher level of encryption that, again, must match the Access Point setting.
For either encryption level, enter a Passphrase, from which a set of keys are automatically generated,
or enter the key data manually. The key data can be anything you choose, but must match the keys
set on the Access Point. Tap the Apply button to make the setting take effect.

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AP Browser
The AP Browsertab displays all Access Points within range (Fig. 9)
About
The About tab displays version information (Fig. 10)
Fig. 9 Fig. 10

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3-2 Setup Notes for Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Users
The CompactWLAN has been tested to be natively compatible with the Linux/Embedix-based Sharp
Zaurus SL-5500. No software installation is needed, simply follow the instructions given at the
following links from the MyZaurus.com website (www.myzaurus.com).
Setting up the Wireless LAN:http://www.myzaurus.com/tips_wirelessLAN.asp
(followed by)
Setting up the Network: http://www.myzaurus.com/tips_Network.asp
Caveat
nIn the event that your PDA powers off while the CompactWLAN is active: remove the card,
perform a soft reset on the PDA, re-insert the card, and re-establish the link.
nIf your connection to an Access Point is lost, you can reset and force a connection request by
going to the Configure Utility program, the Configuration tab, checking the parameters, and then
tapping the Connect button to force a re-scan.
nIf your device roamsto a new AP that is in a different subnet, you may need to remove and
re-insert the CompactWLAN to release the previous IP address and force a new one to be
assigned, in a DHCP Access Point environment.

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Appendix A: Network Configuration
The Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b card supports the same network configuration options of the
legacy Ethernet LANs as defined by IEEE 802 standard committee.
The Pretec CompactWLAN 802.11b card can be configured as:
uAd-Hoc for departmental or SOHO LANs
uInfrastructure for enterprise LANs
uLAN interconnection for point-to-point link as a campus backbone.
Appendix B: Network Topology
uAd-Hoc
Example of Ad-Hoc Wireless LAN
An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter,
connected as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in a specific Ad-Hoc wireless LAN must be
configured at the same radio channel.
Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.

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uInfrastructure
Example of Infrastructure Wireless LAN
The Pretec CompactWLAN provides access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An
integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A group of wireless LAN
PC users and anAccess Point construct a Basic Service Set (BSS). Each wireless-equipped PC in
this BSS can talk to any computer in the wired LAN infrastructure via the Access Point.
Infrastructure configuration will extend the accessibility of a wireless station to the wired LAN.
Multiple Access Points will allow roaming and it will increase the transmission range. The Access
Point is also able to forward data within its BSS. The effective transmission range in an infrastructure
LAN is doubled.

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The Effective Transmission Range