SMC Networks EZ Connect SMC2642W User manual

Wireless Compact Flash Card
Allows PDAs and Laptops to easily connect to an
existing wireless network
Ultra-Compact Type II Form Factor
802.11b High Speed Wireless LAN connection
Supports both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure Modes
Plug and Play Configuration - Easy to Install and
Simple to use
User Guide
SMC2642W / SMC2645W
EZ Connect
TM

EZ Connect
Wireless CF Card
User Guide
The easy way to make all your network connections
TM
38 Tesla
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 1-800-SMC-4-YOU Part No. : 01-111340-006

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.
Complete warranty information for all SMC
products is available on SMC's Web site at
www.smc.com.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
SMC is a registered trademark; and EZ Connect
and EZ Hub are trademarks of SMC Networks, Inc.
Other product and company names are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Trademarks
Copyright 2002 by
SMC Networks, Inc.
38 Tesla
Irvine, California 92618
All rights reserved.
Printed in Taiwan.
C

Technical Support
You can download and upgrade to the latest version of software from SMC’s
web site, http://www.smc.com. For more technical information, please refer to
the link listed below or contact SMC Technical Support Department at
1-800-SMC-4YOU.
http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=tech_support_support_tools
About This Manual
This manual includes procedures for the setup of SMC2642W Wireless
Compact Flash Card under Windows CE 3.0 or later Pocket/Handheld PC and
Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP for your Laptops.Please take a moment to
read through this manual and familiarize yourself with wireless technology.
Software Information
The software package works only on SMC2642W Wireless Compact Flash Card
and contains the Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/XP/CE driver and utility programs
For Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
ØDriver -- Version 1.07.29
ØUtility -- Version 1.07.29
For Windows CE
ØDriver -- Version 1.0.0
ØUtility -- Version 1.0.0

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction.............................................................................1
1-1Features and Benefits..............................................................1
1-2Applications.............................................................................2
1-3Product Kit..............................................................................3
1-4System Requirement.................................................................3
Chapter 2 Installing Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card............................4
2-1Install the Setup Utility ............................................................4
2-2Install the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card .........................6
Chapter 3 Using Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card.................................7
3-1Using the Wireless LAN Utility Under Pocket PC.....................7
3-2Using the Wireless LAN Utility Under Handheld....................14
Chapter 4 Installing Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card Under
Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP………………………………..... 18
4-1System Requirements………………………………………....... 18
4-2Setting Up the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless CF Card
for Windows 98/ME…………………………………………..... 18
4-3Setting Up the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless CF Card
for Windows NT 4.0……………………………………….….. ..23
4-4Setting Up the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless CF Card
for Windows 2000…………………………………………….... 26
4-5Setting Up the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless CF Card
for Windows XP……………………………………………....... 30
Appendix A Network Configuration......................................................... 42
A-1Network Topology................................................................ 42
Appendix B Specifications....................................................................... 45

-1-
Chapter 1 Introduction
The SMC2642W EZ Connect11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card is a
standard CF interface adapter integrated with wireless LAN technology. It
provides you an easy and fast way to access your wireless and wired network.
The Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card, which utilizesthe latest advancement of
PC industry –Compact Flash technology, allows you to install and use the card on
Pocket/Handheld PC or Laptop easier than ever before. With the ability to provide
an 11Mbps connection, the SMC Wireless CF Card gives you the equivalent of a
10Mbps Ethernet connection to access corporate network or the Internet in a
wireless environment. SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card is
able to communicate with any 802.11 and 802.11b compliant products.
1-1 Features and Benefits
1. Supports 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps data rate.
2. Working range up to 700ft. 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 expensive cabling.
7. Supports Windows CE 3.0 or later Handheld/Pocket PC and Windows
98/Me/NT/2000/XP for your Laptop (with the use of SMCCF-CVT CF to
PCMCIA Converter).
8. Support high security WEP encryption (64-bit and 128-bit WEP)
9. Supports Plug and Play.
10. Easy installation.

-2-
1-2 Applications
11Mbps Wireless LAN products offer a fast, reliable, cost-effective solution for
wireless client access to the network in applications like the following:
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
is practical.
5. Access to database 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.
(Please refer to page 12 for encryption configuration.)

-3-
1-3 Product Kit
SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card comes with the following
items. Please go through each item below. If any listed item is not included or
found damaged, please contact your local dealer.
SMC2642W Wireless Compact Flash Card Includes:
l1 SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card
l1 Driver/Utility CD ROM
lThis User Guide
SMC2645W Wireless Compact Flash Card Kit Includes:
l1 SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card
l1 SMCCF-CVT CF to PCMCIA Converter
l1 Driver/Utility CD ROM
lThis User Guide
1-4System Requirements
SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card supports all Windows CE
Handheld/Pocket PC devices with Compact Flash Type II host interface as well as
all Windows-based devices with PCMCIA Type II host interface (with the use of
SMCCF-CVT CF to PCMCIA Converter).

-4-
Chapter 2 Installing SMC2642W Wireless Compact Flash
Card
This chapter describes the installation of the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless
Compact Flash Card driver for the CE 3.0 Handheld/Pocket PC.
2-1Install the Setup Utility
1. Establish a connection between host PC and PDA device by Microsoft Active Sync.
2. Execute SMC2642W.exe to install the driver and utility.
3. An Install Shield Wizard window appears. Click Next to proceed.

-5-
4. Follow on-screen instructions to install the Setup Utility. Click Finish to
complete the installation.

-6-
2-2Install the SMC2642W Wireless Compact Flash Card
1. Connect the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card to your PDA.
The PDA will auto-detect the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card and
automatically install the corresponding driver.
2. Assign an IP address to your Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card. You may
either set the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card to obtain an IP address from
your DHCP server, or to be assigned with a fixed IP address.
3. Reset your PDA.
Upon completion of installation, the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card will start
to look for an Access Point with Green LED blinking. The Green LED will stay
steady once the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card successfully associates with
an Access Point. To configure the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card,please
proceed to the next chapter “Using SMC2642W Wireless Compact Flash Card”.

-7-
Chapter 3Using SMC2642W Wireless Compact Flash
Card
This chapter gives you assistance with detailed description of setting the 11Mbps
Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card with the Wireless LAN Utility under
Pocket/Handheld PC.
3-1Using the Wireless LAN Utility Under Pocket PC
The SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card is a ready-to-use device.
Its default settings perform for a typical Infrastructure Wireless LAN. Simply
install the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card onto your computer and it is ready
to use.In special situations,however, you may adjust configuration settings
depending on how you would like to manage your wireless network. The
Wireless LAN Utility provides you an easy interface to make configuration changes
and perform user-level diagnostics on your Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card.
1.Go to Start -->Settings. Go to the System tab, and click the “Wireless
LAN Setting”icon.
2.A configuration window appears. The Wireless LAN Utility provides the 5
following items for you to configure and monitor the 11Mbps Wireless LAN
Compact Flash Card.

-8-
Status
3.The Status tab displays the current status of the Wireless LAN Compact Flash
Card.
Adapter -Displays name of the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card.
Firmware -Displays the firmware version of your Wireless LAN Compact Flash
Card.
Domain -The regulated operating frequency per country.
Channel -Displays the current channel that the Wireless LAN Compact Flash
Card is using.
MAC Address -It is a hardware identification number that distinguishes the unit
from others.
Sync to AP -Displays the ESSID of the Access Point that the Wireless LAN
Compact Flash Card associates with.
BSSID -Shows MAC Address of the Access Point that the Wireless LAN
Compact Flash Card associates with.
Link Quality -Link quality monitors the quality of the data transmission between
the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card and an Access Point.
Signal Level -This bar graph displays signal strength as reported by the radio,
averaged over all frames that are received from the Access Point.

-9-
Configuration
The Configuration tab contains several fields where the current parameters of the
Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card can be viewed and changed. You will see
current configuration information in terms of ESSID, Network Type, Power Saving
Mode and Tx Rate. Upon modification of parameters for the Wireless LAN
Compact Flash Card, click the Apply button to make the changes take effect.
ESSID
The ESSID is aunique ID given to the Access Point. Wireless clients associating
to Access Points must have the same ESSID. The default value Auto Detect
means when the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card starts to work, it will associate
with any Access Point that gives the fastest response. You may also enter a
specific ESSID (Access Point) you desire to connect with. It is recommended
you specify an ESSID for your Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card. This will
prevent your computer from unintentionally connecting to a different wireless
network.

-10-
Network Type
To connect your wireless station to a local network infrastructure as described in
Appendix A “Network Configuration”on page 18, set the station operation
mode to Infrastructure (with Access Point, default setting). In case you do
not wish to connect to a network infrastructure, but prefer to setup a small wireless
workgroup (without Access Point) also described on page 18, you can enable the
Ad-Hoc (only compatible with the same series wireless PC Card) or 802.11
Ad-Hoc tick box. When the Ad-Hoc mode is selected, be sure to set your
wireless stations with the same channel. To use the 802.11 Ad-Hoc mode, the
same channel and ESSID among wireless stations are required.
Power Saving Mode
The Power Saving Mode option is designed to conserve battery life of you
computer. Selecting the “Enable” button activates the Power Save mode and your
SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card will go into sleep mode to
minimize power consumption.
NOTE:When power saving mode is enabled, the Access Points you use need to
support power saving as well so that the communication can be
established.
TX Rate
The 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card provides various data rate options for
you to select. Data rates options include Fully Auto, Fixed 1Mb/s, Fixed
2Mb/s, Auto Select 1M or 2M, Fixed 5.5Mb/s, and Fixed 11Mb/s. In most
networking scenarios, you will see that the factory-set default “Fully Auto”will
prove the most efficient. This setting will allow your 11Mbps Wireless LAN
Compact Flash Card to operateat the maximum data rate. When the
communications quality dropsbelow a certain level, the Wireless LAN Compact
Flash Card will automatically switch to a lower data rate. Transmission at lower
data speed is usually more reliable. However, when the communications quality
improves again, the Wireless LAN Compact Flash Card will gradually increase the
data rate again, until it has reached the highest available transmit rate.

-11-
Link
Similar to the TCP/IP Ping Command, this tool allows you to monitor
point-to-point data transmission quality between two stations. By entering the IP
address of another station and setting the timeout and packet size, you may check
whether or not communication has been established successfully.

-12-
Security
To prevent unauthorized wireless stations from accessing data transmitted over the
network, the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless Compact Flash Card offers highly
secure data encryption, known as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). If you desire
to use WEP encryption to secure your data, please select the Enable check box
and set the following values.
There are two types of WEP Key Length described as follows:
64-Bit –Requires wireless stations to use data encryption with 64-Bit algorithm
when communicating with the Access Point.
128-Bit –Requires wireless stations to use data encryption with 128-Bit algorithm
when communicating with the Access Point
WEP Key Type offers two key value options: Character (Char.) and
Hexadecimal numbers (Hex.). Moreover, you may choose the Authentication
Type, either Open System or Shared Key for authentication among wireless
devices. You may identify up to 4 different encryption keys and select one of
them to encrypt your transmission data. The key value of your choice may either
be:

-13-
For 64-bit encryption:
n5 characters in the range of “A-Z”, “a-z”and “0-9” (e.g. MyKey, shown as
above figure).
n10 digit hexadecimal values in the range of “A-F”, “a-f”and “0-9” (e.g.
11AA22BB33).
For 128-bit encryption:
n13 characters in the range of “A-Z”, “a-z”and “0-9”, preceded by the
characters values (e.g. MyKey12345678)
n26 digit hexadecimal values in the range of “A-F”, “a-f”and “0-9”, preceded
by the characters values (e.g. 12345678901234567890123456, shown as
below)

-14-
About
The “About”tab shows driver and utility version of the SMC2642W Wireless
Compact Flash Card.

-15-
3-2Using the Wireless LAN Utility Under Handheld PC
The usage of Wireless LAN Utility under Handheld PC is exactly the same with
that under Pocket PC. The only difference is the window size. The following is
brief description on the Wireless LAN Utility. For more details please refer to 3-1
Using the Wireless LAN Utility Under Pocket PC.
1. Go to Start --> Settings. Click the “Wireless LAN Settings”icon. A
configuration window shows up. When you minimize the window by clicking
the OK button on the upper right corner of the utility window, a system tray
icon will be loaded on the toolbar. Clicking on the icon will open the
configuration window again. The description of each item is as follows:
Status:
This item shows the current information on the SMC2642W 11Mbps Wireless
Compact Flash Card such as Adapter Name, Firmware, Domain, Channel, Tx Rate,
MAC Address, Sync to AP, BSSID, Link Quality and Signal Level.