Proxim RangeLAN2 7110 User manual

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Copyright
© 2000 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. This manual and the
software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system or translated into any language in any form by any means without the
written permission of Proxim, Incorporated.
Trademarks
RangeLAN, the RangeLAN logo, RangeLAN2, ProxLink, and Proxim are
trademarks of Proxim, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, Limitation Of Liability
For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the retail customer,
Proxim warrants the RangeLAN2 LAN Adapter against defects in materials and
workmanship. Proximwillnothonorthiswarrantyiftherehasbeenanyattempt
to tamper with or remove the Adapter's external foil label.
This warranty does not cover and Proxim will not be liable for any damage or
failure caused by misuse, abuse, acts of God, accidents, or other causes
beyond Proxim's control, or claim by other than the original purchaser.
If, after inspection, Proxim determines there is a defect, Proxim will repair or
replace the Adapter at no cost to you. To return defective merchandise to
Proxim please call Proxim Technical Support at: [phone] to obtain a
Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Number.
InnoeventshallProxim,Incorporatedberesponsibleorliableforanydamages
arising:
❑ From the use of the product;
❑ From the loss of use, revenue or profit of the product; or
❑ As a result of any event, circumstance, action, or abuse beyond the control
ofProxim,Incorporated;
Whether such damages be direct, indirect, consequential, special or otherwise
and whether such damages are incurred by the person to whom this warranty
extends or a third party.
Part # 7360.0118
Rev. B

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Warranty Return Policy
If you have a problem with your RangeLAN2 product, please call Proxim
Technical Support at [phone]. Proxim Technical Support will assist with
resolving any technical difficulties you may have with your Proxim product.
After calling Proxim Technical Support, if your product is found to be defective,
you may return the product to Proxim after obtaining an RMA (Return Materials
Authorization) number from Proxim Customer Service. The product must be
returned in its original packaging. The RMA number should be clearly marked
on the outside of the box. Proxim cannot be held responsible for any product
returned without an RMA number, and no product will be accepted without an
RMA number.
FCC WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
Bdigitaldevice,pursuanttoPart15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsaredesigned
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment 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 the receiver.
❑Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
which the receiver is connected.
❑Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
EUROPEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS INSTITUTE
Statement of Compliance
Information to User
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the European
Telecommunication Standard ETS 300.328. This standard covers Wideband
Data Transmission Systems referred to in the CEPT recommendation T/R
10.01. This type of accepted equipment is designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

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Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................5
The RangeLAN2 Family .......................................................................... 6
The Product Package................................................................................ 7
System Requirements............................................................................... 7
2. Installing the RangeLAN2 7110 Card.........................9
Installing the Card and Antenna .............................................................. 9
3. Windows 95/98 Installation .......................................11
Reinstalling the Windows 95/98 Driver ................................................ 19
4. Windows 2000 Installation ........................................21
Reinstalling the Windows 2000 Driver ................................................. 26
5. Windows NT 4.0 Installation......................................27
Reinstalling the Windows NT 4.0 Driver .............................................. 33
6. Wireless Topologies..................................................35
Ad Hoc.................................................................................................... 35
Infrastructure .......................................................................................... 36
Guidelines for Roaming ...................................................................... 40
7. Understanding RangeLAN2 .....................................41
RangeLAN2SoftwareParameters .......................................................... 41
Station Type ........................................................................................ 41
Domain................................................................................................. 42
Channel................................................................................................ 43
Subchannel .......................................................................................... 43
MasterName ........................................................................................ 44
SecurityID ........................................................................................... 44
MAC Optimize..................................................................................... 45
Roam Config........................................................................................ 45
Peer to Peer........................................................................................... 46
Inactivity Timeout ............................................................................... 47
Node Override...................................................................................... 47

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8. Performance Hints.....................................................49
Designating Devices as Masters and Alternate Masters ........................ 49
Microwave Ovens .................................................................................. 51
Range ..................................................................................................... 51
9. Troubleshooting ........................................................53
How to Obtain Help with Your LAN Installation .................................. 53
Windows 95/98 Installation Problems................................................... 53
Windows NT 4.0 Installation Problems ................................................. 58
Windows 2000 Installation Problems .................................................... 59
Commonly Asked Technical Support Questions .................................. 62
Other ....................................................................................................... 63
A. RangeLAN2 Utilities .................................................64
RangeLAN2 Site Survey & Configuration Tool ................................... 64
Diagnostics .......................................................................................... 64
Site Survey ........................................................................................... 65
Point to Point Site Survey ................................................................... 66
Master Search....................................................................................... 68
Snoop ................................................................................................... 69
Configuration Changes ....................................................................... 70
Setting the RangeLAN2 Security ID ................................................... 71
RangeLAN2 Status Monitor .................................................................. 71
B. Glossary ....................................................................74
C. Parameters ................................................................75
D. Specifications............................................................76
E. How to Reach Technical Support ............................77
Index...............................................................................78

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1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of RangeLAN2 7110, a
PCI-bus wireless LAN adapter. As with all members of the
RangeLAN2 family, RangeLAN2 7110 is a long range, high
performance, wireless LAN adapter card that allows your
computer to communicate with other computers on the network
withoutwires.
The RangeLAN2 7110 was designed to be a “plug-and-play”
product. Simply install the adapter board into an available PCI
expansion slot in your computer and load the driver. Then you’re
connectedwithout wiresto yournetwork’sexisting electronic
mail,printers,softwareapplications,andothernetworkresources.
That’s how simple it is!
The RangeLAN2 7110 may be placed in Windows 95, Windows
98, Windows 2000, or Windows NT computers. Your
RangeLAN2 7110 wireless clients “look” like standard network
nodestothe operating system.
Today, Proxim is the leading supplier of spread spectrum radio
networkingtechnology forlocal areaenvironments. Proxim’s
unmatchedspread spectrumnetworking expertiseand the
company’sextensiveexperienceservingthecommunications
needs of the mobile computing user are some of the reasons why
RangeLAN2 is a market leader and why it has been chosen by
moreOEMintegratorsthan allotheralternativescombined.

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The RangeLAN2 Family
The RangeLAN2 7110 is part of a family of high-performance
productsthatprovidesacompletewireless networkingsolution.
❑RangeLAN2 7100 is a wireless LAN adapter that fits
into a standard PC/AT ISA bus slot.
❑RangeLAN2 7400 is a high performance wireless LAN
adapter which fits into a PCMCIA Type II slot in a
notebook,laptop,or pen-based computer.
❑RangeLAN2 7510/752x Access Points allow easy
expandibility of a wireless network by increasing range
andfacilitatingmobilityapplications. Operatingatthe
Data Link Layer (layer 2) of the OSI model, the Access
Pointprovidesprotocol-independentaccessfor
RangeLAN2 devices into existing wired Ethernet LANs.
❑RangeLAN2 753x Access Point allows seamless access
for RangeLAN2 devices into existing wired Token Ring
network.
❑RangeLAN2 754x Extension Point extends the cover-
age area of an existing RangeLAN2 network.
❑RangeLAN2 791x Serial Adapter is a wireless serial
device which replaces an RS-232 cable.
❑RangeLAN2 792x Ethernet Adapter converts any
Ethernet-ready device into a wireless node on a
RangeLAN2 network.

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The Product Package
Each RangeLAN2 7110 PCI Adapter package comes with:
❑One RangeLAN2 wireless LAN adapter.
❑Three 3 1/2" disks -- one containing Windows 95 & 98
driversandutilities, onecontainingWindows 2000
drivers and utilities, and one containing Windows NT
driversandutilities.
❑ One antenna.
❑One RangeLAN2 User’s Guide.
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact your
resellerorProximTechnicalSupport.
System Requirements
To begin using the RangeLAN2 7110 adapter, you need the
followingminimumsystemrequirements:
❑A computer with an available PCI expansion slot that has
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows
NTinstalled.
❑At least one other RangeLAN2 product installed on the
network.

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2. Installing the RangeLAN2 7110 Card
The RangeLAN2 7110 has two hardware components: the PCI
card and the antenna, as shown in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1
RangeLAN2 7110 Card
Installing the Card and Antenna
The RangeLAN2 7110 PCI Card fits into a PCI (Peripheral
Components Interconnect) expansion slot in your computer. The
PCI slot is typically a beige or off-white plastic casing surround-
ing two rows of gold connectors on the computer’s motherboard.

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If you cannot identify the PCI slot, refer to your PC’s manual for
assistance. Follow these steps to install the RangeLAN2 PCI
Card and antenna:
1. Turn off your computer and unplug its power cord from the
walloutlet forsafety purposes.
2. Remove the computer cover.
3. Locate an unused PCI slot and refer to your PC’s manual
for instructions on how to remove the plate that covers the
slot,if one exists.
4. Align the RangeLAN2 PCI Card over the empty slot.
Firmlyinsert the cardinto theslot.
5. Securethecard’s metal bracketto the computerfollowing
the directions provided in your PC’s manual.
6. Replacethecomputer cover.
7. Plug the computer’s power cord back into the wall outlet.
8. Locate the RangeLAN2 7110 antenna connector at the back
ofyourcomputer.
9. Snap on the end of the antenna cable to the connector on the
back of the card. Place the antenna on top of your desk,
computer,ormonitor.
Note:
FCC regulations mandate that the RangeLAN2 7110
antenna not be alterable. Therefore, the RangeLAN2
7110 Card uses a custom antenna connector. Do not
attemptto usea differentantennaoryoumay damage
the connector and the card.

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3. Windows 95/98 Installation
Thischapterdescribes the installationof the Windows 95/98
softwaredrivers andutilities. Installthe softwaredriveronlyafter
you have installed the hardware as described in Chapter 2. The
RangeLAN2 Windows 95/98 driver installs just like any other
network card driver under Windows 95 or Windows 98.
Note:
During the installation of the RangeLAN2 7110 PCI
Card,youmaybepromptedtoinsertaWindows95or
98CD-ROM,depending onthecomputer’soperating
system, in order to complete the installation. Please
confirmthatyouhaveeithertheWindows95or98CD,
diskettes,orCabinetfilesavailablebeforeproceeding
withthisinstallation.
If the computer has Windows 98 installed, the “Add New Hard-
ware Wizard” will appear, as shown below, the first time you turn
on the computer after you have inserted the card into a PCI slot.

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Insert the RangeLAN2 Windows 95/98 driver diskette into the
disk drive and click <Next>.
When prompted, direct the Add New Hardware Wizard to search
for the best driver for this device, as shown below. Click <Next>
tocontinue.
When prompted, check the box labeled “Floppy disk drives” so
that the wizard will search the disk drive for the RangeLAN2
driver, as shown below.

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Click <Next> to continue and follow the on-screen instructions to
complete the installation of the RangeLAN2 7110 Adapter.
If you are using Windows 95, either the “New Hardware Found”
wizard or the “Update Device Driver Wizard,” depending on
which version of Windows 95 the computer has installed, will
appear the first time you turn on the computer after you have
inserted the card into a PCI slot.
If you have the standard version of Windows 95 installed, the
New Hardware Found wizard will appear, as shown below.

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Choose “Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer”
and click <Next>. Insert the RangeLAN2 Windows 95/98 driver
disketteinto the diskdrive andfollow the on-screeninstructions.
If you have the B version of Windows 95, the Update Device
Driver Wizard will appear, as shown below.

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Insert the RangeLAN2 Windows 95/98 driver diskette into the
disk drive and click <Next>. Follow the on-screen instructions to
complete the installation of the RangeLAN2 7110 PCI Adapter.
Note that during the installation, you may be prompted to insert
the Windows 95 or 98 CD-ROM so that the installation wizard
can copy certain Windows networking files, as shown below.
If you have the CD available, insert it into the CD-ROM drive
when prompted.
If you do not have a CD-ROM drive or do not have the Windows
95 or 98 CD available, it is possible that the computer has Win-
dowscabinetfiles (CABS) alreadyinstalled.
If the computer has the Windows CABS files on its hard drive,
point the installation wizard to the Windows CABS directory
which is typically located in “C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS,”
as shown in the example below.

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The computer will copy all of the Windows files required to
complete the installation of the RangeLAN2 7110 PCI Adapter.
If the computer prompts you that a file you are copying is older
than the one currently on the system, keep the existing file by
clicking the <Yes> button, as shown below.
Note that you may be prompted to enter the location of the file
“RL2API.INF” during installation. This file is located on the
RangeLAN2 Windows 95/98 driver diskette. Direct the installa-
tion wizard to search the floppy disk drive if you are prompted for
thisfile.
Restart the computer when prompted to do so by the Add New
Hardware Wizard or Update Device Driver Wizard.
The RangeLAN2 7110 PCI Card Adapter should now be suc-
cessfully installed. To confirm that the adapter has been success-
fully installed, open the Device Manager, located within the
Control Panel’s System icon. Expand the Device Manager’s
Network adapters category and highlight the RangeLAN2 PCI
Adapter entry, as shown below.

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Clickthe <Properties>buttontodisplaythe adapter’sProperties
screen. The Device status should read “This device is working
properly.”
If the card is not listed within the Device Manager, then the card
has not been properly installed. If the card’s Device Manager
entry has a yellow “!” next to it or the Device status field reports
that the card is not working properly, then either the card has not

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beeninstalledproperly orthecomputer hasa system conflict.
You may also receive a RangeLAN2 Status Monitor error mes-
sage if the card is not working properly. Refer to the trouble-
shooting suggestions in Chapter 9 for information on how to solve
thesetypesofinstallationproblems.
If you already have existing network components installed when
loading the RangeLAN2 Windows 95/98 driver, the 7110 adapter
will bind to the existing networking client and protocols and add
Client for Microsoft Networks and the TCP/IP protocol, if they
are not already loaded. If no network components exist before the
RangeLAN2 driver is installed, the driver will add Client for
Microsoft Networks and the TCP/IP protocol, as shown below.

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The installation procedure will also install the RangeLAN2
Utilities and a protocol called the RangeLAN2 Driver API. This
protocol must be installed in order for the RangeLAN2 Utilities to
run under Windows 95 and 98. The utilities are added to a new
folder under the Start Menu’s Programs group called
RangeLAN2 Utilities. This folder contains the RangeLAN2 Site
Survey & Configuration Tool and the RangeLAN2 Status Moni-
tor. The RangeLAN2 Status Monitor is also added to the StartUp
folder and will be launched each time the operating system starts.
See Appendix A for more information on the RangeLAN2
Utilities.
Reinstalling the Windows 95/98 Driver
If at any time you need to reinstall the Windows 95/98 driver,
followthesesteps:
❑Remove the “Proxim RangeLAN2 PCI Adapter” entry
from the Control Panel’s Network icon.
❑Remove the following RangeLAN2 files, if present:
C:\WINDOWS\INF\NETPROXM.INF
C:\WINDOWS\INF\RL2API.INF
C:\WINDOWS\INF\OTHER\RangeLAN2NETPROXM.INF
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RL2API.VXD
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RL2WIN95.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\STARTMENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP\STATMON.LNK
C:\PROGRAM FILES\RL2\*.* (Remove all files and directory)
C:\START MENU\PROGRAMS\RL2\*.* (Remove all files and directory)

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Note:
Bydefault,Windows95/98 willhidesomeofthese file
types. ConfirmthatyouhaveconfiguredWindows95/
98toshowallfilesbeforeassumingthatthesefilesare
not present. The “Hidden Files” option is available
under the Folder Options heading of the Windows
Explorer’s View Menu.
❑Restartthecomputer.
❑Reinstallthedriverfollowingtheinstructionsgiven
earlierthischapter.
❑Resettherequirednetworkingparametersfrom within
the Control Panel’s Network icon (such as an IP Ad-
dress).
❑Resetthe RangeLAN2 configurationparameters from
within the Control Panel’s Network icon or from within
the RangeLAN2 Site Survey & Configuration Tool.