Sony AIBO ERA-201D1 User manual

AIBO Wireless LAN card
© 2000 Sony Corporation
4-652-247-11(1)
Operating Instructions
ERA-201D1

2
Safety Information
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the 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.
WARNING
• Opening the card, for whatever the reason, could lead to damages that are
not covered by the guarantee.
• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose your wireless LAN card to
rain or moisture.
Owner’s Record
The model number and serial number are located on the card. Record the
serial number in the space provided below. Refer to the model and serial
number whenever you call upon your Sony dealer.
Model No. ERA-201D1
Serial No. ___________

3
Regulatory information
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 separation 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.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in
this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
While installing and operating this transmitter with integral antenna, the radio
frequency exposure limit of 1 mW/(cm*cm) may be exceeded at distances
close to the antennas installed. Therefore, the user must maintain a minimum
distance of 20 cm from the antenna at all times.
Complies with CANADA 210.

4
Customer Support
How can you contact the AIBO Customer Link?
Call: 1-800-427-2988
Email address: [email protected].com
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
http://www.aibo.com/
“AIBO,”the AIBO logo, “OPEN-R,”and the OPEN-R logo are registered
trademarks of Sony Corporation.
“Memory Stick,”“,”and “”are trademarks of Sony
Corporation. In this manual, the “”mark and “”mark have been omitted.
NOTES
•The Sony-supplied software may show screens slightly different from those
included in this manual.
•This manual is written based on the assumption that you are familiar with
basic operations of Windows operating system. For computer operations,
refer to manuals that come with your computer.

5
Table of Contents
Overview ..........................................................................................6
System requirements ................................................................. 7
Installing the LAN card into AIBO..................................................8
Making network settings ................................................................13
Network setting procedure ...................................................... 13
Network configuration and settings......................................... 14
AIBO’s network settings ......................................................... 20
Making AIBO’s network settings ............................................ 21
Precautions .....................................................................................24
Safety ....................................................................................... 24
Installation ............................................................................... 24
Cleaning................................................................................... 24
Troubleshooting .............................................................................25
Limited warranty ............................................................................27
Service procedure...........................................................................30
Specifications .................................................................................31
Glossary .........................................................................................32

6
Overview
The AIBO Wireless LAN Card ERA-201D1 (referred to as the “LAN card”
hereafter), when installed in the AIBO ERS-210, enables AIBO to
communicate with a PC equipped with a wireless LAN card. When a wireless
LAN access point is used, communication withAIBO is possible from a PC
connected to a wired LAN network.
<When an access point is used>
PC
PC
Wired LAN network
Access point
<When an access point is not used>
PC
Wireless LAN network

7
The concurrent use of AIBO-dedicated wireless LAN applications on the PC
and AIBO-ware* “Memory Stick”in AIBO makes it possible to enjoy AIBO to
its full potential through wireless LAN communication.
* AIBO-ware is a program which is capable of running AIBO and is manufactured
by Sony Corporation or other third parties.
System requirements
The wireless LAN card must be used in conjunction with the following:
•AIBO ERS-210
•AIBO-ware “Memory Stick”for wireless LAN communication
•AIBO-dedicated wireless LAN application software for operation on the PC
•A personal computer running AIBO-dedicated PC application software and
capable of being connectable to a wireless LAN network
•A wireless LAN card (IEEE802.11b) (for installation in the PC to enable
wireless communication with AIBO) or an access point (IEEE802.11b) (to
allow wireless communication from a PC connected to a wired LAN
network)
•A Web browser (installed on the PC for making network settings for AIBO)

8
Installing the LAN card into AIBO
1 Press the pause button on AIBO’s chest to make it pause.
Note
While AIBO is accessing the “Memory Stick,”the battery pack lock indicator
appears red. Do not remove the “Memory Stick”during this time to prevent
damaging AIBO. The battery pack is locked until the data-saving procedure is
complete. Removing it forcibly may damage AIBO.
Chest light

9
2 Grasp AIBO by the body, turn it upside down, and then open its
stomach cover.
Notes
•Lift AIBO by the body, and not by its extremities.
•Do not touch the charging terminal with your hand. Doing so may soil the
terminal and cause poor contact.
3 Slide the lock lever and remove the battery pack.
Check that the battery pack lock indicator appears white.
Note
When the battery pack lock indicator appears red, the battery pack is locked.
Removing it forcibly at this time may damage AIBO.
Lock lever

10
4 Insert and press the pin supplied withAIBO into the release holes
for AIBO’s left front and left hind legs, and remove them.
The PC card insertion slot appears.
5 With the antenna on the LAN card oriented towards the right,
push the LAN card firmly into the slot.
Note
When you insert the LAN card, push the base of the antenna or both ends of the
card. Pushing the projecting part of the antenna may damage it.

11
6 Fold down the ejection button so that it is flat against the core unit
of AIBO.
7 Replace the left front and left hind legs.

12
8 Re-insert the battery pack until it clicks into place, and close the
stomach cover.
8 Place AIBO on the floor as shown below.
Press the point
indicated by an arrow.

13
Making network settings
For explanation of network-related terms, see “Glossary”on page 32.
Network setting procedure
The outline of procedure of network settings for AIBO is as follows:
To restore the previous network
settings
Check your network configuration (page 14)
m
Change the network settings of all devices within the network except AIBO so
that they can communicate with AIBO in its settings before change (page 14)
mm
m
Change the network settings using
theWeb brouser on the PC (page 21)
m
Change the network settings of all
devices within the network except
AIBO so that they can communicate
with AIBO in its settings after change
Check the connection of AIBO and
other devices
m
m
End
To use the new network settings
m
Check the connection of AIBO and
other devices
m
End

14
Network configuration and settings
Depending on the devices within the network, select one of the following four
types of wireless LAN network configuration and make settings accrdingly.
a) There is an access point and communication is conducted
through the access point from a wireless LAN-enabled PC
AIBO and the PC can communicate with each other through the access point.
Settings for the access point
Set the following items for the access point so that it can comminicate with AIBO
in its default settings.
SSID: AIBONET
WEP key: AIBO2
Wireless channel: any channnel between 1 and 11
LAN address: 10.0.1.1
LAN subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
DHCP server function: ON (if possible)
Access point
PC

15
Settings for the PC
Set the following items for the PC.
SSID: AIBONET
WEP key: AIBO2
Communication mode: infrastructure mode (access point mode)
IP address: When the access point is set so that it serves as the DHCP server,
set this item to “Aquire the IP address automatically.”Otherwise, set it to
“10.0.1.101”.
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Note
You may find it impossible to set the SSID for some access points currently
available in market. When you use one of these, first change the LAN network
configuration as described in c) or d) below so that communication is conducted
through the access point from a PC and AIBO, then change AIBO’s network
settings so that they correspond with the settings on the access point. And then,
restore the previous LAN network configuration.

16
b) There is an access point and communication is conducted
through the access point from a PC conneted to the wired LAN
network and devices within the wireless LAN network
AIBO and the PC can communicate with each other through the access point.
Settings for the access point
Set the following items for the access point so that it can comminicate with AIBO
in its default settings.
Operation mode: Bridge mode or ISDN router mode
SSID: AIBONET
WEP key: AIBO2
Wireless channel: any channnel between 1 and 11
IP address: 10.0.1.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Settings for the PC
Set the following items for the PC.
IP address: 10.0.1.101
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Wired LAN
network
PC Access
point

17
Notes
•You may find it impossible to set the SSID for some access points currently
available in market. When you use one of these, you cannot change the settings
for AIBO through a PC connected to the wired LAN network. Use a PC which
is connectable to the wireless LAN network.
•Changing the settings for the access point or the PC connected to the wired LAN
network may affect other operating devices connected to the same network. In
such case, disconnect the access point and the PC to which the settings are
made, then change AIBO’s network settings. And then, restore the previous
LAN network configuration.
c) An access point is not used, all personal computers are equipped
with wireless LAN cards, and at least one of the PCs is set to IBSS
Peer-to-Peer mode.
To confirm that the personal computer is properly set to IBSS Peer-to-Peer mode,
refer to the operation manual supplied with the wireless LAN card for the personal
computer.
PC (IBSS Peer-to-
Peer mode)

18
Settings for the PC
Set the following items for the PC in IBSS Peer-to-Peer mode so that it can
comminicate with AIBO in its default settings.
SSID: AIBONET
WEP key: AIBO2
Wireless channel: any channnel between 1 and 11
IP address: 10.0.1.101
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Communication mode: IBSS Peer-to-Peer mode
Note
The settings above can be changed after you change the settings for AIBO.
d) An access point is not used, all personal computers are equipped
with wireless LAN cards, and none of the PCs is set to IBSS Peer-
to-Peer mode
Set AIBO and the PC to ad hoc demo mode.
PC (ad hoc
demo mode)

19
Settings for the PC
Set the following items for the PC in ad hoc demo mode so that it can comminicate
with AIBO in its default settings.
WEP key: AIBO2
Wireless channel: 3
IP address: 10.0.1.101
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Communication mode: ad hoc demo mode
Note
The settings above can be changed after you change the settings for AIBO.

20
AIBO’s network settings
Settings must be made for AIBO on the following items. Once the
communication has been established, you can change the settings accrding to
your network environment.
Item Description Default setting
Hostname The name of AIBO to be used for
wireless LAN communication. Up
to 8 alphanumeric characters can
be entered.
—
IP address IP address 10.0.1.100
Subnet Mask Subnet mask value 255.255.255.0
IP Gateway Gateway address 10.0.1.1
SSID The name of the wireless LAN
network to be used. Up to 32
alphanumeric characters can be
entered.
AIBONET
WEP key The character string to be used as
the key for encrypting data
transmitted over the wireless LAN.
Input five alphanumeric characters.
Do not enter if data need not be
encrypted.
AIBO2