Socket Low Power Wireless LAN Card User manual

Quick Start Guide
for
Low Power Wireless LAN Card

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE 6
INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000 11
INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP 16
CONFIGURE AND CONNECT TO WLAN 22
WLAN Tools: Create a WLAN Profile 23
WLAN Tools: Connect to Your WLAN Profile 28
PPC 2003: Use Microsoft’s Connection Manager 29
WINDOWS XP: Use Microsoft’s WZC 32
Support Resources 34
Safety and Usage Tips 34
Limited Warranty 35
Regulatory Compliance 38

3
INTRODUCTION
Overview
If you’re a mobile professional using a Pocket PC
2002/2003 or Windows 2000/XP notebook,
Socket’s Low Power Wireless LAN Card is the
perfect tool to connect to enterprise and public
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) Wireless LAN systems to
access the Internet, email, and corporate servers.
Plus, you can use Ad Hoc Mode to communicate
directly with other Wi-Fi users.
The Socket Low Power Wireless LAN Card uses Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) technology operating at 2.4 -2.5 GHz. The card conforms
to IEEE 802.11b specifications and is Wi-Fi compatible for interoperability
with Wi-Fi Certified products. Spread-spectrum communication provides a
high-capacity network within large or small environments. The card works
with an open system or WEP encryption with 40/64-bit WEP keys or 128-
bit WEP keys. The card is also compatible with 802.1x networks with EAP-
TLS or PEAP, so you can connect securely and avoid eavesdropping.
The Low Power Wireless LAN Card can be used in two operating modes.
In Infrastructure mode (default), the adapter transmits and receives data
with an associated access point (AP) or an infrastructure of networked APs.
Ad Hoc mode lets you create one-to-one or one-to-many peer-to-peer
networks without APs connecting directly with other 802.11b cards.

4
About the Software
Socket WLAN Tools make it easy to search for WLAN
networks and enter their settings. You can create a
unique profile for each network, so you don’t need to
enter settings every time you switch networks. While
connected, use status screens to quickly check signal
status, IP addresses, etc. WLAN Tools support 802.1x for Pocket PC 2002
only. Software updates: www.socketcom.com/support/support_wlan.asp
Socket Cert Manage for Pocket PC 2002 and Cert Enroll for
Pocket PC 2003 make it easy to install a user certificate for
802.1x networks with EAP-TLS. See User’s Guide for details.
Pocket PC 2003 users: Use your device’s Connection Manager, which
supports WLAN (including 802.1x). Socket’s software for Pocket PC 2003
includes card drivers and Cert Enroll, but no WLAN Tools at this time.
Windows XP users: You have two software options.
• For a user interface like that of Socket WLAN Tools for Windows CE,
install WLAN Tools for Windows 2000/XP. However, WLAN Tools for
Windows 2000/XP do NOT support 802.1x. If you install WLAN Tools
on Windows XP, you will disable Wireless Zero Configuration.
• Microsoft’s Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service is a utility built
into Windows XP that manages and automates WLAN connections. If
you want to use the WLAN card with WZC, install only Socket’s card
driver. Windows XP with Service Pack 1 supports 802.1x.

5
About This Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide briefly shows how to install the Low Power
Wireless LAN Card and connect to a WLAN network with an
Open system, 40/64-bit WEP keys or 128-bit WEP keys.
For complete installation and usage instructions, please refer to the User’s
Guide on the installation CD. The User’s Guide includes information on
advanced features, WEP encryption, Cert Enroll, and connecting to 802.1x
networks.
To use the WLAN card with a Pocket PC 2000/HPC 2000, obtain version
124B of Socket’s software:
www.socketcom.com/support/support_wlan.asp.
About the Link Indicator
LED Status Meaning
Off Radio disabled or incapable of transmission.
Slow Flash Radio transmitter on. Card is trying to connect.
Rapid Flash Card has connected to an access point. LED flashes faster
with greater network activity.
Link
Indicator

6
INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS CE
Installation Steps Summary
STEP 1: Register the card.
STEP 2: Prepare network information.
STEP 3: Install the software
STEP 4: Insert the card.
After installing the card, see the “Configure and Connect to WLANs”
section later in this Quick Start Guide to learn how to use Socket’s WLAN
Tools software to create a profile and connect to a WLAN.
Important! For 802.1x, refer to the User’s Guide for setup instructions!!!

7
STEP 1: Register the Card
Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register your Socket
Low Power Wireless LAN Card online at www.socketcom.com/prodreg
STEP 2: Prepare Network Information
Before you can connect to a WLAN, you need to find out what settings it
uses. If you are trying to connect to a WLAN at your office, ask your
network administrator for help. The settings that you may need include:
• ESSID
• Security settings, e.g., encryption keys, encryption key format,
authentication type, user name, password, etc.
• DHCP support or IP addresses
• Range of legitimate local IP addresses for your network
For a Network Information Form that you can email to your network
administrator, go to the Docs folder on the installation CD or visit:
ftp://ftp.socketcom.com/wlan/WLAN_NetworkForm.txt

8
STEP 3: Install the Software
1. Make an active connection between your device and a host PC. Use
ActiveSync and a serial/USB/Ethernet connection cable or cradle.
2. Insert the Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD.
3. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.
In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.
4. Follow the instructions on your screen to install the software. When
software installation is complete, do the following:
Pocket PC 2003: A prompt will explain how to access Help on 802.1x.
Tap ok. The next screen will tell you to reset your device. Tap ok. Soft
reset your device by pressing the reset button.
Pocket PC 2002:
• If you are not using an 802.1x network, disconnect the Pocket PC
from the host PC. Soft reset the device by pressing the reset button.
• If you are using an 802.1x network, you must install certificate(s) onto
the Pocket PC. Please refer to the User’s Guide for instructions.

9
STEP 4: Insert the Card
Important!
Make sure the card is positioned correctly in the slot. Do NOT insert the
card upside down or shove the card in too hard.
Make sure you have soft reset your device after software installation
before you insert the card. Press the reset button.
Pocket PC 2003: Do not soft reset the device when a Socket card is
inserted, or errors may occur in application(s) using the card. If errors
occur, remove the card and soft reset the device. Wait for the device reset
to finish before you re-insert the card.
Insert the card into your mobile computer’s CompactFlash I/O or PC Card
slot. If using a PC Card slot, first plug the card into a PC Card adapter.
OR

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Pocket PC 2002 only:
Whenever the WLAN card is inserted into your Pocket PC, the following
icons will appear:
• Socket status icon: Visible only from the Today screen, the card icon
varies to indicate network status; the column indicates signal strength.
• Signal strength icon: Visible from the top of every screen, shows signal
strength. Tap on the icon to view the WLAN card status bubble. The
bubble will not auto-update as the status changes. Close and reopen the
bubble to verify a status update.
N
ot
connecte
d
Connected,
Excellent
signal
strength
Signal
strength
icon.
Socket
status
icon.
Signal strength:
Green: good signal
Yellow: trying to
connect
R
ed: critically low
White: no activity

11
INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 2000
Installation Steps Summary
STEP 1: Register the card.
STEP 2: Prepare network information.
STEP 3: Install the software.
STEP 4: Insert the card.
STEP 5: Complete the new hardware wizard.
After installing the card, see the “Configure and Connect to WLANs”
section later in this Quick Start Guide to learn how to use Socket’s WLAN
Tools software to create a profile and connect to a WLAN.
Note: WLAN Tools for Windows 2000/XP does not support 802.1x.

12
STEP 1: Register the Card
Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register your Socket
Low Power Wireless LAN Card online at www.socketcom.com/prodreg
STEP 2: Prepare Network Information
Before you can connect to a WLAN, you need to find out what settings it
uses. If you are trying to connect to a WLAN at your office, ask your
network administrator for help. The settings that you may need include
(only some will apply):
• ESSID
• Encryption type, WEP keys, WEP key format (ASCII/Hex/Decimal)
• Authentication type, user name, password
• DHCP support or IP addresses
• Range of legitimate local IP addresses for your network
For a detailed Network Information Form that you can forward to your
network administrator, go to the Docs folder on the installation CD or
visit: ftp://ftp.socketcom.com/wlan/WLAN_NetworkForm.txt

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STEP 3: Install the Software
1. Insert the Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD.
2. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.
In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.
3. The Setup Center will start. Follow the instructions on your screen to
install the software for Windows 2000.
4. The Preinstaller will start. Follow the instructions on your screen.
5. After reading the new hardware wizard instructions in the last screen,
click OK. Leave the CD in your computer.
STEP 4: Insert the Card
Warning! Damage may occur! Do NOT insert the
card upside down or shove the card in too hard.
Insert the card into a CompactFlash-to-PC Card
adapter, then plug into your computer’s PC Card slot.
Make sure the card is right-side up, with the orange
label on top.

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STEP 5: Complete the New Hardware Wizard
1. The first time you insert the card, the Found New Hardware Wizard will
start. Make sure the installation CD is in the computer.
2. Follow the wizard to install the card driver. When the wizard asks what
you want it to do, select Search for a suitable driver for my device. In the
next screen, check CD-ROM drives.
3. A Digital Signature Not Found screen will appear. Click Yes.
4. The wizard will search for and install the driver. In the last screen, click
Finish.
5. Wait for the Socket status icon to appear in the task tray. It may
take approximately 30 seconds. Do not click on any other
icons or messages that may appear.
WARNING!
A series of icon(s) and/or messages may appear in the task tray while you
wait for the Socket icon to appear. For example, icons/messages may report
new network connections and/or request that you run a network setup
wizard. DO NOT CLICK ON ANY OF THE ICONS OR MESSAGES. DO
NOT RUN ANY MORE WIZARDS.

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About the Socket Status Icon
After you install the card driver, whenever the card is inserted into your
computer, the Socket status icon will appear. The card icon varies to
indicate network status; the column indicates signal strength.
Signal strength column —
Color designations:
Green: good signal
Yellow: trying to connect
R
ed: critically low
White: no activity
N
ot
connecte
d
Connected,
Excellent signal strength

16
INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS XP
Installation Steps Summary
STEP 1: Register the card.
STEP 2: Prepare network information.
STEP 3: Install the software.
STEP 4: Insert the card.
STEP 5: Complete the new hardware wizard.
OPTIONAL: Enable Socket WLAN Tools.
After installing the card, see the “Configure and Connect to WLANs”
section later in this Quick Start Guide to learn how to use either Socket’s
WLAN Tools software or Microsoft’s Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC)
service to configure and connect to your WLAN.
Important! For 802.1x, refer to the User’s Guide for setup instructions!!!

17
STEP 1: Register the Card
Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register your Socket
Low Power Wireless LAN Card online at www.socketcom.com/prodreg
STEP 2: Prepare Network Information
Before you can connect to a WLAN, you need to find out what settings it
uses. If you are trying to connect to a WLAN at your office, ask your
network administrator for help. The settings that you may need include:
• ESSID
• Security settings, e.g., encryption keys, encryption key format,
authentication type, user name, password, etc.
• DHCP support or IP addresses
• Range of legitimate local IP addresses for your network
For a Network Information Form that you can email to your network
administrator, go to the Docs folder on the installation CD or visit:
ftp://ftp.socketcom.com/wlan/WLAN_NetworkForm.txt

18
STEP 3: Install the Software
1. Insert the Socket Low Power WLAN Installation CD.
2. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.
In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.
3. The Setup Center will start. Follow the instructions on your screen to
install the software for Windows XP.
4. The Preinstaller will start. Follow the instructions on your screen.
5. After reading the instructions in the last screen, click OK. Leave the CD
in your computer. Now you are ready to insert the WLAN card.
STEP 4: Insert the Card
Warning! Damage may occur! Do NOT insert the card
upside down or shove the card in too hard.
Insert the card into a CompactFlash-to-PC Card adapter,
then plug into your computer’s PC Card slot.
Make sure the card is right-side up, with the orange
label on top.

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STEP 5: Complete the New Hardware Wizard
1. The first time you insert the card into your notebook computer, the
Found New Hardware Wizard will automatically launch. Make sure that
the installation CD is still inside your computer.
2. In the welcome screen, select Install from a list or specific location
(Advanced). Click Next>.
3. In the next screen, make sure Search for the best driver in these locations
and Search removable media are selected. Click Next>. The wizard will
search for the driver.
4. A screen will warn that the software has not passed Windows Logo
testing. Click Continue Anyway.

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5. The wizard will install the drivers. After the drivers are installed, a
series of icon(s) and bubble(s) may appear in the task tray.
Warning! Do not click on the wrong icon or bubble!
• If you want to use Socket’s WLAN Tools, you must enable the
software. Do not click on any icons or bubbles that appear. Proceed to
OPTIONAL: Enable Socket WLAN Tools.
• If you want to use Microsoft’s Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC)
service, do not click on anything yet. You are now ready to enter
network settings and connect to your WLAN. Refer to the section,
“Windows XP: Use Microsoft’s WZC,” later in this Quick Start
Guide.
WARNING!
A series of Windows icon(s) and/or bubbles may appear in the task tray
after you install the driver. For example, icons/bubbles may report new
network connections and/or request that you run a network setup wizard.
DO NOT CLICK ON ANY OF THE WINDOWS ICONS OR BUBBLES.
DO NOT RUN ANY MORE WIZARDS.