Sonnet Aria extreme 54 Mbps Wireless LAN User manual

Aria™extreme 54 Mbps Wireless LAN
CardBus Card or PCI Card
Windows User’s Manual

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2004 Sonnet Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Sonnet, the Sonnet logotype, Simply
Fast, the Simply Fast logotype, and Aria are trademarks of Sonnet Technologies, Inc.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product
names are trademarks of their respective owners. No part of this document may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose,
without the express written permission of Sonnet.
Disclaimer
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The material contained
herein is supplied without representation or warranty of any kind. Sonnet therefore assumes no
responsibility and shall have no liability of any kind arising from the supply or use of this
document or the material contained herein.

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About This Manual
The following terms and abbreviations are used interchangeably:
•Access Point – AP
•Peer-to-Peer (Computer-to-Computer) – Ad-Hoc
•Wireless LAN – WLAN
•Ethernet network – LAN – network
This User’s Manual contains information on how to install and configure your Aria extreme
CardBus card or Aria extreme PCI card. From this point forward, you will be guided through
the correct configuration steps to get your device up and running.
802.11g Compliance Notice
This wireless device supports the final draft 802.11g specification, which has been ratified by
the IEEE.

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Contents
Chapter 1—Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Wireless LAN Basics.............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Local Area Network (LAN).................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Ad-Hoc Mode....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Infrastructure Mode ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Roaming (Aria extreme CardBus) ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 2—Installing the Aria extreme Card and Software........................................................................................... 7
System Requirements............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Installing the Aria extreme PCI Adapter Card......................................................................................................................... 9
Basic Installation Procedure .................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Installing the Wireless LAN Driver and Software..................................................................................................................11
Basic Installation Procedures ................................................................................................................................................11
General Guidelines for OS-Specific Situations ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Chapter 3—Using the Wireless LAN Utility ...................................................................................................................17
Launching the Wireless LAN Utility......................................................................................................................................18
Note About Using the Wireless LAN Utility Under Windows XP ......................................................................................................... 19
Chapter 4—Using Wireless Tray Icon Functions............................................................................................................35
Viewing Signal Strength Information...................................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 5—Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Utility....................................................................................39

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Connecting to an Access Point or Wireless LAN Card.........................................................................................................39
Viewing the Wireless Connection Status ..............................................................................................................................42
Configuring the Wireless Connection Properties..................................................................................................................43
Chapter 6—Uninstalling the Aria extreme......................................................................................................................49
Uninstalling the Wireless LAN Card Software ...................................................................................................................... 49
Removing the Aria extreme Card.........................................................................................................................................52
Chapter 7—Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................................53
Verify the Aria extreme is functioning properly .................................................................................................................... 53
Cannot Install under Windows 2000 ....................................................................................................................................54
Radio Interference ...............................................................................................................................................................54
Appendix A—Limited Warranty.......................................................................................................................................59
Wireless LAN Hardware .....................................................................................................................................................59
Appendix B—Regulatory Compliance .............................................................................................................................. 61
FCC Part 15 Declaration of Conformity (DoC) ....................................................................................................................61
FCC Rules and Regulations - Part 15 ....................................................................................................................................62
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement......................................................................................................................................63
Appendix C—Setting Up TCP/IP ......................................................................................................................................65
For Windows 2000/XP ........................................................................................................................................................ 68
Appendix D Specifications..................................................................................................................................................71

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Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................................74

VII
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 Ad-Hoc Mode..........................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Figure 1-2 Infrastructure Mode..............................................................................................................................................................................................4
Figure 1-3 Roaming Across Multiple Access Points......................................................................................................................................................5
Figure 3-1 Link Status Tab..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 3-2 Configuration Tab............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Figure 3-3 Encryption Tab..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 3-5 Site Monitor Tab ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Figure 3-6 About Tab .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Figure 5-1 Windows XP Configuration Utility-Connect to Wireless Network........................................................................................... 40
Figure 5-2 Windows XP- Connection Status................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Figure 5-3 Windows XP Connection Properties -General .................................................................................................................................... 43
Figure 5-4 Windows XP Connection Properties-Wireless Networks ............................................................................................................. 44
Figure 5-5 Windows XP-Add Preferred Networks................................................................................................................................................... 45
Figure 5-6 Windows XP Configuration Utility-Set up a Network to Aceess ................................................................................................ 47
Figure 5-7 Windows XP Connection Properties – Authentication.................................................................................................................... 48

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Chapter 1—Introduction
The Aria extreme is a cross-platform, high-speed 802.11g wireless LAN adapter (CardBus or
PCI) card. It enables your computer to connect to a wireless network and access the Internet,
and share resources, such as files and networked printers, without being bound to network
wires.
Operating in 2.4GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) radio transmission range, the
Aria extreme transfers data at speeds up to 54Mbps when communicating with other 802.11g
devices, but is also backward compatible with 802.11b (Wi-Fi) devices. Both Ad-Hoc and
Infrastructure modes are supported, and for network security concerns, the 64/128-bits Wired
Equivalent Protection (WEP) algorithm is used. In addition, its standard compliance ensures
that it can communicate with any 802.11b/g network.

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Wireless LAN Basics
This section contains some basic information to help you better understand how the Aria
extreme works with other devices to create and operate within a wireless network.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Simply put, a LAN is a network that exists in a relatively limited area. A network consists of
two or more computers connected together, sharing files and peripheral devices such as
printers.
The Aria extreme enables your computer to interact with other computers without connecting
cables normally associated with networks. This makes it possible for you to move your
computer around while staying connected to your network.
There are two ways to use the Aria extreme. One way is to connect directly to one or more
Wireless LAN Card-equipped computers, forming an Ad-Hoc wireless network. The second
way is to connect to an Access Point, which gives you access to an existing wired LAN,
forming an Infrastructure wireless network.

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Ad-Hoc Mode
The Ad-Hoc Group offers peer-to-peer (computer to computer) connections between
workstations, enabling communication between computers within range that have a Wireless
LAN Card installed. A wireless Ad-Hoc network can also access a wired LAN‘s TCP/IP
services (such as e-mail and the Internet) by using a TCP/IP software router on an Ethernet
equipped Macintosh PowerBook or Windows notebook computer.
Note: Using the Aria extreme card in Ad-Hoc mode, your target peer can be a 802.11b or
802.11g- compatible wireless station, but not an 802.11a wireless station, since 802.11a
devices are not compatible with 802.11b/g devices.
Figure 1-1 Ad-Hoc Mode

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Infrastructure Mode
The Infrastructure network uses an Access Point (AP) or several APs as a gateway, linking the
wireless network to a wired LAN. As a result, portable and desktop computers on your
wireless network have access to all of the features of your wired LAN, including e-mail,
Internet access, networked printers and file servers.
Note: Using the Aria extreme in Infrastructure mode, you can connect to 802.11b and 802.11g
compatible Access Points, but not to an 802.11a AP, since 802.11a devices are not compatible
with 802.11b/g devices.
Figure 1-2 Infrastructure Mode

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Roaming (Aria extreme CardBus)
Multiple Access Points can be installed to extend the wireless service coverage area for
seamless wireless access. Within an extended service area, all Access Points and wireless
clients must use the same Service Set Identity (SSID). When roaming among different Access
Points, wireless connectivity is maintained automatically at all times.
Figure 1-3 Roaming Across Multiple Access Points

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Chapter 2—Installing the Aria extreme Card and Software
This chapter describes the process of driver and utility software installation for Aria extreme
CardBus and PCI cards; this chapter also describes the process of hardware installation for the
Aria extreme PCI card. The driver software enables the card to operate in your computer,
while the utility software, Wireless LAN Utility, helps you configure and monitor your Aria
extreme.

54Mbps Wireless LAN Card User’s Manual
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System Requirements
To use the Aria extreme, your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:
Pentium (or equivalent) processor, 300 MHz or better recommended
64MB of RAM, additional memory recommended
30 MB or more hard disk space
Windows®98SE/Me/2000/XP
For Aria extreme (CardBus card): 32-bit CardBus expansion slot
For Aria extreme PCI: One available PCI slot

Chapter 2—Installing the Aria extreme Card and Software
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Installing the Aria extreme PCI Adapter Card
This section covers the installation of the Aria extreme PCI into a desktop computer. If this
does not apply to you, skip to the page 11.
WARNING:
When handling computer products, you must take care to prevent components from being
damaged by static electricity. Before opening your computer or removing parts from their
packages, always ground yourself first by touching a metal part of the computer, such as a port
access cover, and work in an area free of static electricity; avoid carpeted area. Handle all
electronic components by their edges, and avoid touching connector traces and component
pins.
Basic Installation Procedure
1. Shut down your computer.
2. Open your computer to access the expansion card area (PCI slots); refer to your
computer’s user manual for specific info.
3. Locate an available PCI slot inside your computer and remove its port access cover, if
present, from the rear of the computer.

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4. Remove the Aria extreme PCI card from its packaging, and screw in the included
antenna.
5. If you will be connecting to a closed network and access is restricted to specific users,
write down the MAC number printed on a label affixed to the back of the card.
6. Install the Aria extreme PCI card into the PCI slot; make sure the card is firmly seated
and secured.
7. Close your computer and replace its cover.
WARNING:
When you turn on your system after installing the card, the Windows Plug-n-Play function
will detect the card and an installation dialog requesting its driver will appear; click Cancel to
quit the wizard. If you use the wizard, the correct software will NOT be installed. Follow the
instructions on the next page.

Chapter 2—Installing the Aria extreme Card and Software
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Installing the Wireless LAN Driver and Software
WARNING:
If you have the Aria extreme CardBus card, do not plug it into your computer before installing
its driver. If you do, the Windows Plug-n-Play function will detect the card and a installation
dialog requesting its driver will appear; the proper software will NOT be installed. Click
Cancel to quit the wizard and remove the Wireless LAN Card from your computer, and then
follow the instructions below.
Basic Installation Procedures
Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 and XP use the same setup program; however, OS- (Operating
System) specific situations may occur during or after the driver installation process; the
following sections only describe general installation procedures. In OS-specific situations,
follow the on-screen instructions to proceed; you can refer to the general guidelines provided
in the next section on page 15 for further information.
Follow these steps to install the Wireless LAN Card driver and software.
1. Close all Windows programs that are running.

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2. Double-click the Utility&Driver folder from the software that you downloaded, and
then double-click Setup.exe to launch the installer.
3. When the Welcome window pops up, click Next >.
4. When the License Agreement window appears, click Yes.