SMC Networks SMCWCB-G User manual

38 Tesla
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: [phone]
EZ Connect
TM
g WLAN Cardbus
User Guide
From SMC’s EZ line of low-cost workgroup LAN solutions
March 2005
Revision #: R01, F1.0

Copyright
Information furnished by SMC Networks, Inc. (SMC) is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by SMC for its use, nor for any infringements of patents
or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by
implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of SMC. SMC reserves the right to
change specifications at any time without notice.
Copyright © 2005 by
SMC Networks, Inc.
38 Tesla
Irvine, CA 92618
All rights reserved.
Trademarks:
SMC is a registered trademark; and EZ Connect is a trademark of SMC Networks, Inc. Other
product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.

i
Compliances
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 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 distance 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
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any
other antenna or transmitter.
CSA Statement (Canada)
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radio-électriques dépassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe B prescrites dans le Règlement
sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par l’Industrie.

Compliances
ii
CE Mark Declaration of Conformance for EMI and Safety (EEC)
This information technology equipment complies with the requirements of the Council
Directive 89/336/EEC on the Approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
Electromagnetic Compatibility and 73/23/EEC for electrical equipment used within certain
voltage limits and the Amendment Directive 93/68/EEC. For the evaluation of the
compliance with these Directives, the following standards were applied:
RFI
Emission:
• Limit class B according to EN 55022:1998
• Limit class B for harmonic current emission according to
EN 61000-3-2/1995
• Limitation of voltage fluctuation and flicker in low-voltage
supply system according to EN 61000-3-3/1995
Immunity: • Product family standard according to EN 55024:1998
• Electrostatic Discharge according to EN 61000-4-2:1995
(Contact Discharge: ±4 kV, Air Discharge: ±8 kV)
• Radio-frequency electromagnetic field according to
EN 61000-4-3:1996 (80 - 1000 MHz with 1 kHz AM 80%
Modulation: 3 V/m)
• Electrical fast transient/burst according to EN 61000-4-4:1995
(AC/DC power supply: ±1 kV, Data/Signal lines: ±0.5 kV)
• Surge immunity test according to EN 61000-4-5:1995
(AC/DC Line to Line: ±1 kV, AC/DC Line to Earth: ±2 kV)
• Immunity to conducted disturbances, Induced by
radio-frequency fields: EN 61000-4-6:1996 (0.15 - 80 MHz
with 1 kHz AM 80% Modulation: 3 V/m)
• Power frequency magnetic field immunity test according to
EN 61000-4-8:1993 (1 A/m at frequency 50 Hz)
• Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations
immunity test according to EN 61000-4-11:1994
(>95% Reduction @10 ms, 30% Reduction @500 ms, >95%
Reduction @5000 ms)
LVD: • EN 60950 (A1/1992; A2/1993; A3/1993; A4/1995; A11/1997)

iii
Contents
Compliances i
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement i
CSA Statement (Canada) i
CE Mark Declaration of Conformance for EMI and Safety (EEC) ii
Introduction 1
Features 1
Applications 2
System Requirements 2
Package Checklist 2
Hardware Description 3
LED Indicators 3
Hardware Installation 4
Driver and Utility Installation 5
Utility Configuration 9
Wireless Network Manager 9
Configuration 10
Link Information 13
IP Information 15
Site Survey 16
Version Information 17
Network Configuration and Planning 18
Network Topologies 18
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN 18
Infrastructure Wireless LAN 19
Setting the Communication Domain 20
Troubleshooting 21
Adapter Installation Problems 21
Network Connection Problems 21
Specifications 23
General Specifications 23
Data Rate and Transmission Power 25
Typical Receiver Sensitivity Range 25

Contents
iv

1
EZ C ONNECT
™
G
WLAN C ARDBUS
Introduction
The WLAN Cardbus is a 54 Mbps wireless network adapter that seamlessly integrates
with existing Ethernet networks to support applications such as mobile users or temporary
conferences. This solution offers a high data rate and reliable wireless connectivity with
considerable cost savings over wired LANs (which include long-term maintenance
overhead for cabling.) Just install enough wireless access points to cover your network
area, plug wireless cards into your notebooks, and start networking.
Using this card in conjunction with a wireless access point, you can create an instant
network that integrates seamlessly with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs. Moreover, moving
or expanding your network is as easy as moving or installing additional access points – no
wires!
Features
•Wireless connection without the hassles and cost of cabling
•Greater flexibility to locate or move networked PCs
•Integrates with or replaces wired LANs at dramatically lower cost than wired
alternatives
•Seamless connectivity to wired Ethernet LANs augments existing networks quickly and
easily
•Easy installation
•Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) technology provides robust,
interference-resistant and secure wireless connection
•Complemetary Code Keying (CCK) ensures backward compatibility to the existing
IEEE 802.11b WLAN infrastructure
•Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) provides the speed required for
today’s high-bandwidth application
•Supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
•Supports WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) security
•Provides a user-friendly interface for configuration
•Extended range feature supported

EZ Connect™ g WLAN Cardbus
2
Applications
Offers a fast, reliable, cost-effective solution for wireless client access to the network in
applications like these:
•Remote access to corporate network information
E-mail, file transfer, and terminal emulation
•Difficult-to-wire environments
Historic or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open areas where wiring is difficult
to employ
•Frequently changing environments
Retailers, manufacturers, and banks who frequently rearrange the workplace and
change location
•Temporary LANs for special projects or peak times
Trade shows, exhibitions, and construction sites that need a temporary setup for a
short time period. Retailers, airline, and shipping companies that need additional
workstations for peak periods. Auditors who require workgroups at customer sites
•Access to database for mobile workers
Doctors, nurses, retailers, office workers who need access to databases while being
mobile in the hospital, retail store or office campus
•SOHO users
SOHO (Small Office and Home Office) users who need easy and quick installation of a
small computer network
System Requirements
Before you install the WLAN Cardbus, check your system for the following:
•A laptop with a PCMCIA Type II or Type III slot
•Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP (Prepare the Windows OS CD for use during installation)
•A minimum of 1500 Kbytes of free disk space for installing the driver and utility program
•300 MHz processor or higher
•Other IEEE 802.11b/g-compliant devices installed in your area
Package Checklist
The WLAN Cardbus package includes:
•1 WLAN Cardbus
•1 driver/utility installation program, and documentation CD
•Quick Installation Guide
Please inform your dealer if there are any incorrect, missing, or damaged parts. If
possible, retain the carton, including the original packing materials. Use them again to
repack the product if there is a need to return it for repair.

3
Hardware Description
The WLAN Cardbus supports 54 Mbps connections to Ethernet networks. This card is
fully compliant with specifications defined in IEEE 802.11b standard and IEEE 802.11g
standard. It can be installed in any notebook with a Type II or TYPE III PCMCIA slot. It
supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP.
LED Indicators
The WLAN Cardbus includes two status LED indicators, as described in the following
table.
LED Status Description
Link On Indicates a valid connection with an access point.
Flashing Indicates that the WLAN Cardbus is scanning for available
networks.
Activity Flashing Indicates that the WLAN Cardbus is transmitting/receiving
data.

4
Hardware Installation
Warnings: Network cards are sensitive to static electricity. To protect the card, always
touch the metal chassis of your notebook or the ground before handling the card.
1. Turn on your notebook.
2. Find an available Type II or Type III PCMCIA slot in your notebook.
3. With the PC Card’s 68-pin connector facing the PCMCIA slot, label side up, slide the
card completely into the slot as shown below.
Note: The PCMCIA slot allows you to “hot swap” PC Cards any time.
4. Install the appropriate driver into your system. Drivers can be found on the driver CD
that comes with the package. See the following section for instructions.

5
Driver and Utility Installation
The CD labeled “Driver and Utility CD” that comes with the package contains the software
drivers and utilities available for the Wireless PC Card.
Note: You may find that the instructions here do not exactly match your version of
Windows. This is because these steps and screenshots were created from
Windows XP. Windows 98SE, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 2000
are similar, but not identical, to Windows XP.
1. Place the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. The program will auto-run.
2. Windows XP will automatically install the driver.
3. Insert the adapter into your computer when you see the following message.

EZ Connect™ g WLAN Cardbus
6
4. Once the utility has been installed into your system, the Found New Hardware
Wizard window will appears.
5. Select Yes, this time only and click Next.
6. Choose the Install the software automatically option, and click Next.

Driver and Utility Installation
7
7. Click Continue Anyway to proceed with the installation.
Note: Do not select STOP Installation, as this will cancel the installation process, and the
drivers will not be installed properly.

EZ Connect™ g WLAN Cardbus
8
8. Click Finish to exit the wizard.
9. When the wizard has finished installing the driver, the following screen will appear.
Select Yes, I want to restart my computer now. Click Finish and your PC will
restart.
The driver and utility installation is completed. Your adapter is now ready for use.

9
Utility Configuration
Wireless Network Manager
Double-click the shortcut icon on the desktop, or from the task bar to launch the utility.
You can also access the utility program from the Start menu.
The configuration utility includes the following five tabs:
Configuration — Allows you to monitor network status, configure wireless adapter
parameters, and access security control.
Link Information — Shows wireless adapter statistics.
IP Information — Shows Network connection information.
Site Survey — Scans/Shows all the wireless devices in range.
Version Information — Shows software version information.
At the bottom of the screen, there are three boxes that can be selected:
Wireless On/Off — Click this button to turn on/turn off the radio signal of the adapter.
Help — Click this button to view the help file.
Close — Click this button to exit the utility.

EZ Connect™ g WLAN Cardbus
10
Configuration
This utility allows you to set the parameters for the wireless adapter.
Select Profile — To specify a profile for a specific configuration of parameters.
New — Click this button to create a new profile.
Save — Click this button to save a profile after configuring the settings.
Delete — Select the profile from the drop-down menu, and click this button to delete
the profile.
Auto Profile On/Off — Click this button to turn on/off the Auto Profile feature.
Active Profile — The profile settings that you are using for the current connection.
Common Tab
Network Name (SSID) — This is the Service Set ID (SSID) for the wireless network
to which you want to connect.
Network Type — Set the station operation mode to Ad Hoc for network
configurations that do not have an access point, or to Infrastructure for configurations
with an access point.
Transmit Rate — Set the transmit rate you want from the pull-down menu. Click
Apply Changes after you have made your selection. Lower settings may improve
throughput in environments hostile to radio transmission.

Utility Configuration
11
Power Save — Enable or disable the power saving feature.
Operating Mode — The adapter supports 802.11b and 802.11g mode. Check the
type of network that you want to use for your wireless connection.
Security Tab
Go to the security tab to set the security features for your adapter.
Click on this security button to turn on/turn off the security
function.
Turn on the security function, and set detail parameters for your adapter.
To prevent unauthorized access, this adapter supports WEP (Wired Equivalent
Privacy), and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).
WEP
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) implemented in the Wireless PC Card is based on
the RC4 encryption algorithm. The security keys provided to ensure data
confidentiality are four 10-bit keys for the 64-bit WEP setting and one 26-bit key for
the 128-bit WEP setting. WEP security protects your wireless LAN against
eavesdropping and unauthorized access by intruders.
Security Type — WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is supported by the adapter to
prevent unauthorized access.

EZ Connect™ g WLAN Cardbus
12
Key Type — Choose the Key Type (ASCII or Hex) from the drop-down list.
ASCII: 13 regular text characters. Hex: 26 digits (0~9, A~F) hexadecimal characters.
Authentication Mode — Choose Open or Shared.
Default Key — Choose the Key Number that has the encryption string you prefer. If
you are using a key generated from a passphrase, you must use the same
passphrase and key on each station.
Use Passphrase — Check this box to auto-generate security keys for WEP
encryption. Please note that you must use the same passphrase on all the stations in
your network.
WPA-PSK Encryption Type
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a stronger wireless security solution than WEP. It
uses a combination of authentication and broadcast/session keys.
Pre-Shared Key (PSK) — If there is no authentication server on your SOHO
network, you can issue the Pre-Shared Passphrase to the WLAN Cardbus. Please
note that you must use the same passphrase on all the stations in your network.
Key Type — Choose the Key Type (ASCII or Hex) from the drop-down list.
Notes: 1. Manual Pre-Shared Key supports up to 64-Hex characters.
2. Type 8 - 63 Hex characters for the Pre-Shared Passphrase.