Quanta Computer ZI3RM8 User manual

WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module
User Manual
Version: 1.0
Sep.2003

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Copyright Statement
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior writing of the publisher.
Windows™98SE/2000/ME/XP are trademarks of Microsoft®Corp.
Pentium is trademark of Intel.
All copyright reserved.

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Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
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 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 toradio 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 of the
following measures:
-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
-Connect the equipment into 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.
FCC Caution: To assure 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 this 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 must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter.

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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 4
1.1 THE WLAN 802.11G MINI-PCI MODULE..............................................................4
1.2 FEATURES ................................................................................................................4
2. PLANNING YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK 5
2.1 NETWORK TOPOLOGY.............................................................................................5
2.2 AD-HOC VERSUS INFRASTRUCTURE MODE............................................................5
3. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND UNINSTALLATION 7
3.1 SETUP WIZARD INSTALLATION.......................................................................7
3.2 ADDITIONAL SETUP PROCESSES .............................................................................9
3.3 DISABLE WINDOWS XP ZERO-CONFIGURATION .................................................11
3.4 UNINSTALLATION...................................................................................................12
4. USING THE CONFIGURATION UTILITY 14
4.1 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................14
4.2 ACCESSING THE CONFIGURATION UTILITY .........................................................14
4.3 LINK STATUS..........................................................................................................18
4.4 SITE MONITOR.......................................................................................................19
4.5 STATISTICS.............................................................................................................20
4.6 DIAGNOSTICS.........................................................................................................21
4.7 INFORMATION........................................................................................................22
APPENDIX A: TROUBLESHOOTING23
APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY 26
APPENDIX C: SPECIFICATION 31

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1. Introduction
1.1 The WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module
802.11g is the 54Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster
than the widely deployed 802.11b products found in homes, businesses, and public
wireless hotspots around the country — but since they share the same 2.4GHz radio
band, 802.11g devices can also work with existing 11Mbps 802.11b equipment. The
new 802.11g mini-PCI Module has both standards built in, so you can connect your
notebook to existing 802.11b infrastructure, and also the new screaming
fast 802.11g networks. The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring
the module to your network's settings, step by step.
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 storage 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. And as those
hotspots upgrade to the new high-speed 802.11g standard, you'll be ready to take
advantage of the increased speeds. Get connected to current-standard 802.11b
networks today, and be prepared for the future with the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI
Module.
1.2 Features
lHigh-speed 802.11g networking for your notebook computer
lData rates up to 54Mbps -- 5 times faster than 802.11b
lAlso interoperates with 802.11b networks (at 11Mbps)
lWireless security -- up to 128-bit WEP encryption

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2. Planning Your Wireless Network
2.1 Network Topology
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is exactly like a regular local area network
(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.
2.2Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks have two different modes in which they
may be set up: infrastructure and ad-hoc. An infrastructure configuration is a
WLAN and wired LAN communicating to each other through an access point. An
ad-hoc configuration is wireless-equipped computers communicating directly with
each other. Choosing between these two modes depends on whether or not the
wireless network needs to share data or peripherals 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 printer, 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 communications in a wireless network. Access points transmit data to PCs
equipped with wireless network cards, 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 communicate with your Ethernet
(wired) hardware as well.
Figure 2-1

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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 wireless transmitters and
receivers to communicate directly with each other, eliminating 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 directly between them.
Figure 2-2

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3. Software Installation and Uninstallation
Note! The Installation Section in this User Manual describes the first-time installation
for Windows. To re-install the driver, please first uninstall the previously
installed driver. See Chapter 3.2 “Uninstallation” section in this User Manual.
3.1 Setup Wizard Installation
Follow the steps below to complete the driver/utility installation:
1. Insert the Installation Software CD into the CD-Rom Drive.
2. Click “Next”.
Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for WLAN
802.11g mini-PCI Module
The InstallShieldR Wizard will install WLAN 802.11g
mini-PCI Module on your computer. To continue, click Next.

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3. Read the License Agreement and click “Yes”.
4. Click “Next” to continue or click “Browse”to choose a destination folder.
Setup will install WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module in the following folder.
To install to this folder, click Next. To install to a different folder, click Browse
and select another folder.
C:\Program Files\WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module\
5. Click “Next”.
WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module

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6. Click “Finish”.
Setup has finished installing WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI
Module on your computer.
7. The Windows Operating System will find the new hardware and automatically
install it. (For Windows 98SE or Windows Me, please restart your computer
before inserting the Adatper).
8. You may now see the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module shortcut on
windows system tray.
3.2Additional Setup Processes
During software installation procedure, each operating system may prompt different
specific options. Mostly, you will be asked to add some necessary protocols and to
edit some networking settings.
1. Windows 98SE: The system may request the original Windows CD during
the installation process. Please check with the network administrator for

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the values of the settings. When the installation is finished, you’ll have to
restart your computer.
2. Windows Me:Please check with the network administrator for the values
of the settings. Please restart your computer when the installation is
finished.
3. Windows 2000: Please check with the network administrator for the values
of the settings. Select “Install the software automatically” when the
window with this option appears, and then click “Next” to continue
installation.
4. Windows XP: Select “Install the software automatically” when the window
with this option appears, and then click “Next” to continue installation.
Note that before using the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module Utility, please
disable the Windows XP Zero-Configuration first.

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3.3 Disable Windows XP Zero-Configuration
In Windows XP, it is recommended that you use the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI
Module Utility. Right after the installation, before opening the Utility, please follow
the steps below to disable the Windows XP Zero Configuration:
1 Go to “Control Panel” and double click “Network Connections”.
2 Right-click “Wireless Network Connection” of WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI
Module, and select “Properties”.
3 Select “Wireless Networks” tab, and uncheck the check box of “Use Windows to
configure my wireless network settings”, and then click “OK”.

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3.4 Uninstallation
Note! Before uninstallation, please close all running programs.
1. Click Start>Programs>WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module>Uninstall WLAN
802.11g mini-PCI Module.
2. Choose “Remove”. Click “Next”.
Welcome to the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module Setup Maintenance program. This
program lets you modify the current installation. Click one of the options below.
3. Click “OK” to start Uninstall.

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4. Click “Finish”. Uninstall is now completed.
InstallShield Wizard has finished performing maintenance
operations on WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module.

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4. Using the Configuration Utility
4.1 Overview
Use the Configuration Utility to search for available wireless networks, connect to
wireless network, or check the link status.
4.2 Accessing the Configuration Utility
1. After software installation, the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module
Configuration Utility icon will appear in your system tray. In Windows XP,
please first close the XP Zero Configuration function. (Please refer to chapter
3.3) Doubleclick the icon .
2. This Tab will appear with listing the available network. Please select the
appropriate network and click “Connect”to connect to the wireless network.
You may click “Advanced”to have advanced setting as next page.
Fig. 4-1
Note:If the network you choose is WEP enable, please contact with the Network
Administrator for Network Key.
Note: Once connected, the WLAN 802.11g mini-PCI Module shortcut will
become

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3. Select “Advanced”in previous page, and you will enter this window.
In Wireless Networks Tab:
-Enable Radio: Choose “Enable Radio”to enable radio. You usually are
requested to uncheck Enable Radio while in the airplane or in the hospital.
User can also find this function on system tray menu.
-Available networks: List all the available networks, and you can choose
the appropriated network and click “Configure”. The selected network will
be listed in Preferred networks. Click “OK”to connect to the wireless
network.
Fig. 4-2
4. Click “Advanced”button in Fig. 4-2.
5. You may select “Automatically connect to non-preferred network”in Fig.
4-3 to activate this function, if needed. It will connect to the available
network automatically. Click “Close”.

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Fig. 4-3
6. Click “Properties”in Fig. 4-2.
7. If the selected Network is WEP enabled, you need to enter Network Keyin
Fig. 4-4. Contact with the Network Administrator for Network Key.
Fig. 4-4

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8. Select the chosen item in Fig. 4-5 to switch the network to ad hoc mode.
Fig. 4-5

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4.3 Link Status
The Link Status tab shows information of Linked Network Name, Current
Channel, Current TransmissionRate, Own MAC Address, Current Connection
State, Wireless Network Adapter IP Address, Network Connection Type and
Signal Strength.

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4.4 Site Monitor
This tab gives you the information of all the available Access Points in the
network, such as their signal strength and WEP status, so that you can select the
Access Point with the strongest signal for better performance.
You may select the appropriated “Network Name”and click”Advanced”to see
the detailed information.