RadioLAN CardLINK 150 User manual

PCI CardLINK™Model 150
USER’SMANUAL
890-021 02/00

TABLE OFCONTENTS
SECTION 1: WHAT TO KNOW FIRST
FCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
DISCLAIMER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
TRADEMARK DISCLOSURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
RANGE OF OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ROAMING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PERFORMING A SITE SURVEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
MAPPING THE SITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PERFORMING THE TEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SECTION 2: RADIONET MANAGER
INSTALLING RADIONET MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
USING RADIONET MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
COMMON BUTTONS FOUND ON SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
RADIONET MANAGER MENU ITEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
HELP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
RADIONET™MANAGER VIEW ICONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
LOCAL STATION CONFIGURATION VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
NETWORK INFORMATION AND STATISTICS VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
STATION INFO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
CONNECTIVITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
STATISTICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 3: INSTALLING THE PCI CARDLINK™150 AND TRANSCEIVER
PREPARING THE TRANSCEIVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
INSTALLING THE PCI CARDLINK MODEL 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CONNECTING THE TRANSCEIVER CABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PLACING THE RADIO TRANSCEIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 4: DRIVER INSTALLATION
WINDOWS 95 OR LATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
WINDOWS NT 4.0 OR LATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
WINDOWS 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
WINDOWS 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
DRIVER REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SECTION 5: TROUBLE-SHOOTING
WINDOWS 95 OR LATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
WINDOWS 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
WINDOWS NT 4.0 OR LATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
WINDOWS 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
OPERATING INDICATORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
APPENDIX A:
GLOSSARY OF TERMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
APPENDIX B:
PCI CARDLINK 150 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

FCC
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are 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.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to correct interference at his own expense.
FCC Registration Number: MCIP101, PCIPC
DISCLAIMER
The instructions in this document have been carefully checked for accuracy and are presumed to be
reliable. RadioLAN and its writers assume no responsibility for inaccuracies and reserves the right
to modify and revise this document without notice. It is our goal at RadioLAN to always supply accu-
rate and reliable documentation. If you discover a discrepancy in this document, please e-mail your
comments or suggested corrections to: [email protected].
No part of this publication may be placed in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any
way, including but not limited to photograph, photocopy, computer disk or other record, without
prior agreement and written permission from:
RadioLAN, Inc.
455 DeGuigne Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
TRADEMARK DISCLOSURES
RadioLAN has made every effort to provide disclosures when using trademarks owned by other
companies.
Trademarked designations appear throughout this publication. The publisher states that it is using
the designations only for editorial purposes, and to the benefit of the trademark owner with no
intent to infringe upon that trademark. The following trademarks are found in this manual:
Microsoft™, and Windows 98™, and Windows 95™, and Windows NT™, and Windows 2000™are
trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.
Xerox™is a trademark of the Xerox Corporation.
IBM™is a trademark of International Business Machines.
10BaseRadio™, RadioLAN/10™, RadioNET™and PCI CardLINK™are trademarks of RadioLAN, Inc.
Velcro™is a trademark of VELCRO USA, Inc.
WHAT TOKNOW FIRST
SECTION 1:
1

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to wireless networking. The RadioLAN PCI CardLINK™adapter allows you to connect a PC
with a 32-bit PCI slot to a RadioLAN wireless network. RadioLAN wireless networks allow network
stations to access shared network resources using a full 10Mbps connection, without typical
cabling requirements.
The RadioLAN PCI CardLINK comes with NDIS 4 and NDIS 5 drivers to support the following
Microsoft Operating Systems:
• Windows 95™B or later
• Windows NT™4.0 SP3 or later
• Windows 98™
• Windows 2000™
Installation procedures for each of the above operating systems are explained later.
The PCI CardLINK also comes with RadioNET™Manager, RadioLAN’s powerful network connection
application.
RadioNET Manager manages network stations, enabling them to function at an optimum level. You
can also track and test the quality of communications within a network. With RadioNET Manager
you can:
• View detailed information for a specific station
• View several stations at once
• Modify station name
• Modify station Subnet ID
• Enable optional features, like encryption
• Identify access type for each station
• Test individual stations to determine success/failure rate of transmissions
• Test the communication connection between stations
CAUTIONS
•This adapter requires PCI 2.2 BIOS support. Many of the latest PCI 2.1 BIOS PCs support PCI 2.2
functions. If the adapter is not working, you may need a BIOS update from your PC
Manufacturer.
• Do not try to use this adapter across a PCI to PCI Bridge. This is not supported and will not
work. Only use the PCI CardLINK in a primary bus PCI slot. Consult your PC’s documentation to
determine if any slots are across a bridge. Generally, if there are 4 PCI slots or less, then all are
primary slots.
• Do not remove the PCMCIA card from the PCI CardLINK adapter and try to use it in a laptop. This
configuration is not supported and voids the warranty.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
To use RadioNET Manager on a station, computers must meet or exceed the following requirements:
• IBM™-compatible 486 or greater
• 16Mb of RAM
• CD-ROM drive
• Hard disk drive with 2Mb of available space
WHAT TOKNOW FIRST
SECTION 1:
2

RANGE OF OPERATION
Within the data range, a station can exchange information at full Ethernet speeds. For best opera-
tion, RadioLAN recommends that you locate all stations within a 120-foot circular area (see Figure
1). This ensures proper operation of the network’s CSMA/CA feature, which overcomes network
communication collisions.
Figure 1: Range of Operation
Obstructions can decrease the data range: RadioLAN products are designed to operate in a semi-open
office environment. Listed below are some obstructions that may reduce your data range:
• Walls made of a metallic substance
• Thick concrete walls
• Walls reinforced with metallic studs
• Foil-backed insulation installed within walls
• Desktop objects that surround your RadioLAN transceiver
Roaming
RadioLAN networks provide an automatic ability to select the Access Point with the best signal.
(Note: The term Access Point in this manual refers to RadioLAN’s BackboneLINK™). This allows the
stations to move from one Access Point to another without user intervention. For instance, a
portable computer using a RadioLAN PCMCIA card may easily move from one area of the building to
another area served by a separate Access Point, while receiving constant 10Mbps service. This
allows the user to take the computer from the office area to a conference room and continue to
work on the network. The station’s software manages the relationship to the nearest Access Point,
and when conditions change, the station will notify the new Access Point that it is selected to pro-
vide service for that station, and the old Access Point to discontinue service. This is done automati-
cally and seamlessly.
Performing a Site Survey
Performing a site survey allows you to map out your signal quality ratings throughout the office
area. To perform the survey, you need a laptop and an Access Point. For example, a RadioLAN
BackboneLINK™and a wireless notebook station using the RadioLAN MOBILINK™. While testing,
each station is monitoring the other for connectivity quality.
Mapping the Site
Create a map of the wireless site. On the map, mark the locations of each stationary station; for
example, mark each office where a wireless station will be located. Also specify and mark the sta-
tion that will connect to the hard-wired 10BaseT local area network. In this example, the Access
Point is the center point of the wireless network. From the Access Point, measure the distance to
each office where a wireless station is located. Note the distance at each station on the map.
WHAT TOKNOW FIRST
SECTION 1:
3
300 feet
radio carrier
range
120 feet
data range

Performing the Test
To perform the test, you must first setup the laptop station to monitor the Access Point. To configure
the station, see Monitor on page 6 for more information.
1. Install and run RadioNET Manager on the laptop. See Section 2: RadioNET Manager
2. View the INFO – CONNECTIVITY screen at the laptop station to monitor the connectivity quality
of the Access Point. See Connectivity on page 7 for more information.
3. Raise and locate the Access Point’s transceiver to the highest possible location, clear from
obstructions on any side.
4. With the portable notebook station, move to the location where each wireless station will be
located. Locate the notebook so that you can position its transceiver as close to the location
where the proposed station’s transmitter will be located. Place the transceiver, then call up the
NETWORK INFORMATION AND CONNECTIVITY screen onto the notebook’s screen. Read the rat-
ing for the Access Point. If the Access Point does not have a rating of 5, attempt to raise the
value to 5 by relocating the transceiver. Note the highest rating that you attain during the test on
the map. Also note the location of the transceiver where this rating was a 5.
Next, move to the next designated station location. Repeat the steps above until you note each
location’s connectivity quality rating from the notebook.
When you have completed your mapping, you will have an illustrated view of the best connectivity
quality that can be attained between the Access Point and each station in the network. You will also
be familiar with the best locations to position transceivers throughout the network.
WHAT TOKNOW FIRST
SECTION 1:
4

IN S T ALLING RADIONET™MANAGER
Installing RadioNET Manager:
1. Insert the CD-Rom into the appropriate drive.
2. Click on Start, then click on Run.
3. Enter D:\rnetmgr\setup.exe (If your CD-Rom drive letter is different, substitute you CD-Rom
drive letter for D). Click on OK.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
USING RADIONET MANAGER
The RadioNET Manager program allows you to use your computer to configure and manage the
wireless local area network. There are three main screens that allow you to make selections that
identify your computer as a network station, and to run tests for quality communication.
On program screens there are several items to interact with:
• Entry Fields
• Drop-down List Boxes
• Buttons
• Check Boxes
Figure 2: Local Station Configuration Screen, Network Parameters
Common Buttons Found on Screens
While using RadioNET Manager, you will see navigation buttons.
These buttons may appear on one or more screens in the program.
Familiarize yourself with these buttons, shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Buttons Commonly Used in the Program
This Button Causes This Action
Close This button allows you to close the particular operation you are
performing without exiting from RadioNET Manager.
Ok This button allows you to accept any changes and /or move on to
another function within the program.
Cancel The program stops the operation. In some cases, it may also
cause the program to move to the previous screen.
RADIONET MANAGER
SECTION 2:
5

RadioNET Manager Menu Items
The menu items are located across the top of the screen just below the RadioNET Manager title line.
The functions available to you are listed below.
• File
• Monitor
• Help
You can use these options in conjunction with various screens in the program, but not all options
are available at all times. The menu items make it easy for you to exit the program, change the mon-
itor station, and receive assistance.
File
The file menu allows you to exit the application.
Exit
This selection permits you to exit the program and return to the primary operating screen.
Monitor
The Monitor Menu gives you the option to view information about a wireless station in your subnet
that you chose to track for signal quality. The menu also allows you to change the station that you
are reviewing by clicking on the Select option. The options give you the ability to move quickly and
easily through a large list of stations.
Monitoring Another Station
It may be important to monitor a station, especially if you are roaming about the office, working
with a portable notebook computer. For example, if you need to ensure communication with a
resource on the hard-wired network, you would monitor your Access Point to that network for signal
quality. If, while monitoring, you notice that the signal quality indicator (connectivity) displays a
level of 2 or lower, you might re-orient your transceiver for better signal quality.
You can also view statistics related to the communication between your station and the one that
you are monitoring. See Statistics on page 12 for more information about statistics.
Details
The Details menu option opens the MONITOR STATION DETAILS screen.
Monitor Station Details
This screen displays read-only information about a specific station within the network. It lists the
station name and its communication quality or connectivity.
Monitoring Remote Stations from the Task Bar
While RadioNET Manager is operating, the Task Bar (usually located on the bottom of the Windows
Desktop) displays a button, which indicates the connectivity of the remote station.
The lightning bolt on the left side of the button changes color, indicating the connectivity quality of
the remote station. The bolt’s color indicates connectivity. By default, this button monitors the
Access Point in use. If you change the Station monitored field, RadioNET Manager stores the selec-
tion until again changed.
Figure 3: Monitor Station Details Screen
RADIONET MANAGER
SECTION 2:
6

Connectivity
This read-only field measures the Connectivity (quality) of a remote station’s communication with
other stations in the group. The connectivity is rated with a number between 0 and 5 that repre-
sents the readability of the radio signal for the station indicated. A score of 5, the highest, indicated
optimum performance of the station’s radio signal. Scores of 3 or 4 indicate satisfactory signal
transmission from the station. A score of 2 or lower indicates a need to make a change in the posi-
tion of the transceivers used to send and receive the signal.
Change
The Change button leads you to the MONITOR STATION SELECTION screen, where you can select a
different station to monitor for connectivity quality (see Select for more information).
Close
When you have finished reviewing the information provided in the MONITOR STATION DETAILS
screen, you may return to the main screen by clicking on Close.
Select
The Select menu item leads you to the MONITOR STATION SELECTION screen, where you can select
a different station to monitor for connectivity quality.
Track Access Point
This checkbox must be cleared to select a station other than your current Access Point. When
checked, the current Access Point is being monitored.
Station to Monitor
This item allows you to specify another station on the wireless network, which you can monitor for
communication quality (connectivity). A listing of choices is provided in the drop-down box. Choose
a station and click OK to view the station details, as displayed in the MONITOR STATION DETAILS
screen.
Exiting the Screen
To exit the MONITOR STATION SELECTION screen and save the change, click on OK. To exit and keep
the old settings, click on cancel. You will return to the main screen or to the MONITOR STATION
DETAILS screen (depending on how you entered).
Figure 4: Monitor Station Selection
Help
If you encounter difficulties while using RadioNET Manager, you will need specific information about
the program you are using to receive assistance from the RadioLAN Technical Support Staff. This
information is contained in the ABOUT RADIONET MANAGER screen. The screen can be accessed
through the Help menu option at the top of the screen.
About RadioNET Manager
This screen contains information about the version of the software. This information is needed by
the RadioLAN Technical Support Staff to assist you with any difficulties you may encounter while
operating the program
OK
Once the necessary information has been attained, exit the screen by clicking OK.
RADIONET MANAGER
SECTION 2:
7

Figure 5: RadioNET Manager Version Information Screen
RADIONET MANAGER VIEW ICONS
RadioNET Manager displays three viewing options. These options are displayed as icons on the left
side of the screen. From top to bottom, the view options are:
• Local Station Configuration View (default view)
• Information View
• Diagnostic View
Figure 6, 7, 8: Shots of buttons
Local Station Configuration View
Network Parameters
Network Parameters are settings that identify your computer to the network. These settings also
give you access to the hard-wired network by way of an Access Point.
The LOCAL STATION CONFIGURATION screen gives the network parameters of the station. It pro-
vides the following read-only information:
• Station Name
• Subnet ID
• ACP Select Mode
• Current Access Point
Click on Modify to display the MODIFY NETWORK PARAMETERS screen, allowing you to change
information on the screen.
Figure 9: Local Station Configuration Screen
RADIONET MANAGER
SECTION 2:
8