Symbol Spectrum24 User manual

www.symbol.com
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
LA-4121 PC Card and
LA-4123 PCI Adapter
Users Guide
72E-51753-01
Revision B
April 2003

ii Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 by Symbol Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be modified or adapted in any way, for any purposes without permission in writing from Symbol. The material in this manual
is subject to change without notice.
Symbol reserves the right to make changes to any product to improve reliability, function, or design.
No license is granted, either expressly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise under any Symbol Technologies, Inc., intellectual property rights. An implied
license only exists for equipment, circuits, and subsystems contained in Symbol products.
Symbol, the Symbol logo and Spectrum24 are registered trademarks of Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Other product names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies and are hereby acknowledged.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machine Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Novell and LAN Workplace are registered trademarks of Novell Inc.
Toshiba is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.
Patents
This product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. and foreign Patents:
4,593,186; 4,603,262; 4,607,156; 4,652,750; 4,673,805; 4,736,095; 4,758,717; 4,760,248; 4,806,742; 4,816,660; 4,845,350;
4,896,026; 4,897,532; 4,923,281; 4,933,538; 4,992,717; 5,015,833; 5,017,765; 5,021,641; 5,029,183; 5,047,617; 5,103,461;
5,113,445; 5,130,520; 5,140,144; 5,142,550; 5,149,950; 5,157,687; 5,168,148; 5,168,149; 5,180,904; 5,216,232; 5,229,591;
5,230,088; 5,235,167; 5,243,655; 5,247,162; 5,250,791; 5,250,792; 5,260,553; 5,262,627; 5,262,628; 5,266,787; 5,278,398;
5,280,162; 5,280,163; 5,280,164; 5,280,498; 5,304,786; 5,304,788; 5,306,900; 5,324,924; 5,337,361; 5,367,151; 5,373,148;
5,378,882; 5,396,053; 5,396,055; 5,399,846; 5,408,081; 5,410,139; 5,410,140; 5,412,198; 5,418,812; 5,420,411; 5,436,440;
5,444,231; 5,449,891; 5,449,893; 5,468,949; 5,471,042; 5,478,998; 5,479,000; 5,479,002; 5,479,441; 5,504,322; 5,519,577;
5,528,621; 5,532,469; 5,543,610; 5,545,889; 5,552,592; 5,557,093; 5,578,810; 5,581,070; 5,589,679; 5,589,680; 5,608,202;
5,612,531; 5,619,028; 5,627,359; 5,637,852; 5,664,229; 5,668,803; 5,675,139; 5,693,929; 5,698,835; 5,705,800; 5,714,746;
5,723,851; 5,734,152; 5,734,153; 5,742,043; 5,745,794; 5,754,587; 5,762,516; 5,763,863; 5,767,500; 5,789,728; 5,789,731;
5,808,287; 5,811,785; 5,811,787; 5,815,811; 5,821,519; 5,821,520; 5,823,812; 5,828,050; 5,848,064; 5,850,078; 5,861,615;
5,874,720; 5,875,415; 5,900,617; 5,902,989; 5,907,146; 5,912,450; 5,914,478; 5,917,173; 5,920,059; 5,923,025; 5,929,420;
5,945,658; 5,945,659; 5,946,194; 5,959,285; 6,002,918; 6,021,947; 6,029,894: 6,031,830; 6,036,098; 6,047,892; 6,050,491;
6,053,413; 6,056,200; 6,065,678; 6,067,297; 6,082,621; 6,084,528; 6,088,482; 6,092,725; 6,101,483; 6,102,293; 6,104,620;
6,114,712; 6,115,678; 6,119,944; 6,123,265; 6,131,814; 6,138,180; 6,142,379; 6,172,478; 6,176,428; 6,178,426; 6,186,400;
6,188,681; 6,209,788; 6,209,789; 6,216,951; 6,220,514; 6,243,447; 6,244,513; 6,247,647; 6,308,061; 6,250,551; 6,295,031;
6,308,061; 6,308,892; 6,321,990; 6,328,213; 6,330,244; 6,336,587; 6,340,114; 6,340,115; 6,340,119; 6,348,773; D305,885;
D341,584; D344,501; D359,483; D362,453; D363,700; D363,918; D370,478; D383,124; D391,250; D405,077; D406,581;
D414,171; D414,172; D418,500; D419,548; D423,468; D424,035; D430,158; D430,159; D431,562; D436,104.
Invention No. 55,358; 62,539; 69,060; 69,187 (Taiwan); No. 1,601,796; 1,907,875; 1,955,269 (Japan); European Patent 367,299; 414,281;
367,300; 367,298; UK 2,072,832; France 81/03938; Italy 1,138,713 3/02
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
One Symbol Plaza
Holtsville, N.Y. 11742-1300
Telephone:(800)SCAN234, [phone]
www.symbol.com

Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide iii
About This Document
Reference Documents
This Reference Guide refers to the following documents:
Conventions
Keystrokes are indicated as follows:
Typeface conventions used include:
Part Number Document Title
72E-51751-01 Spectrum24 AP-4100 Series Access Point Product Reference Guide
72E-56316-01 Spectrum24 AP-4131 Access Point Product Reference Guide
ENTER identifies a key.
FUNC, CTRL, C identifies a key sequence. Press and release each key in turn.
Press A+Bpress the indicated keys simultaneously.
Hold A+B press and hold the indicated keys while performing or waiting for another
function. Used in combination with another keystroke.
<angles> indicates mandatory parameters in a given syntax.
[brackets] for command line, indicates available parameters;
in configuration files brackets act as separators for options.
GUI Screen text indicates the control name in a GUI-based application.
Italics indicates the first use of a term, book title, or menu.
‘single quotes’ indicates the exact setting for a parameter.
Screen indicates monitor screen dialog. Also indicates user input.
Ascreen is the hardware device on which data appears.
A display is data arranged on a screen.
indicates text shown on a terminal screen.
URL indicates Uniform Resource Locator. Click the URL to launch browser.

iv Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
This document uses the following icons for certain conditions or types of information:
Indicates tips or special requirements.
Indicates conditions that can cause equipment damage or data loss.
Indicates a potentially dangerous condition or procedure that only Symbol-
trained personnel should attempt to correct or perform.

Contents
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide v
Chapter 1 Introduction...................................................................................1
Chapter 2 About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter .......................3
2.1 Operating Modes .........................................................................4
2.2 11 Mbps Operation ......................................................................5
2.3 Power Management ......................................................................6
2.4 Plug and Play ...............................................................................6
2.5 Spectrum24 PC Card LED Descriptions ...........................................7
Chapter 3 Hardware Installation..................................................................9
3.1 Preparation ..................................................................................9
3.2 Installing the Spectrum24 LA-4121 PC Card ...................................9
3.3 Installing the LA-4123 PCI Adapter, Driver and
Mobile Companion...........................................................................11
3.3.1 External Antenna Connection.............................................14
Chapter 4 Installing and Configuring the Driver in Windows 98SE....15
4.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in Windows 98SE.........................16
4.2 Removing a Spectrum24 Driver in Windows 98SE..........................18
4.3 Configuring the Spectrum24 Adapter in Windows 98SE .................19
Chapter 5 Installing and Configuring the Driver in Windows ME ......21
5.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in Windows ME ...........................22
5.2 Removing a Spectrum24 Driver in Windows ME.............................24
5.3 Configuring the Spectrum24 Adapter in Windows ME ....................25
Chapter 6 Installing and Configuring the Driver in Windows 2000 ...27
6.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in Windows 2000 ........................28
6.2 Configuring the Spectrum24 Adapter in Windows 2000 .................31
Chapter 7 Installing and Configuring the Driver in Windows XP ........33
7.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Driver in Windows XP ............................34

vi Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
7.2 Configuring the Spectrum24 Adapter in Windows XP .....................37
7.2.1 Removing a driver in Windows XP ......................................39
7.2.2 Installing the Driver for Use With the Windows XP Zero
Config Utility.............................................................................40
Chapter 8 Installing and Configuring the Driver in Windows CE........43
8.1 Installing the Spectrum24 Windows CE Driver ...............................44
8.2 Configuring the Spectrum24 PC Card in Windows CE....................46
Appendix A Using the Mobile Companion Utility.................................... A-1
A.1 Installing Mobile Companion............................... .......................A-1
A.2 About Mobile Companion ................................... .......................A-1
A.3 Mobile Companion Task Tray Icons ..................... .......................A-3
A.4 Mobile Companion Property Pages ...................... .......................A-4
A.4.1 WLAN Profiles Property Page ........................................... A-4
A.4.2 Mode Property Page ....................................................... A-6
A.4.3 Encryption Property Page ................................................ A-8
A.4.4 IP Config Property Page ................................................ A-11
A.4.5 Power Property Page .................................................... A-13
A.4.6 Available WLAN Networks Property Page ....................... A-15
A.4.7 Signal Property Page .................................................... A-16
A.4.8 Info Property Page ....................................................... A-18
A.4.9 IP Status Property Page ................................................. A-19
A.4.10 Ping Property Page ..................................................... A-21
A.4.11 APs Property Page ...................................................... A-22
A.4.12 Peers Property Page ................................................... A-23
A.4.13 Optional Settings Property Page .................................. A-24
Appendix B WLAN Adapter Specifications................................................ B-1
Appendix C Troubleshooting .......................................................................C-1
C.1 Windows 98SE Troubleshooting Tips.................... .......................C-1

Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide vii
C.2 Windows 2000 Troubleshooting Tips ................... .......................C-2
C.3 Windows CE Troubleshooting.............................. .......................C-3
C.3.1 The Handheld Computer Does Not Recognize
the Spectrum24 PC Card ..........................................................C-3
C.3.2 An IP Address is Not Recognized by the
Handheld Computer ................................................................C-3
Appendix D Customer Support....................................................................D-1
D.1 North American Contacts.................................... .......................D-1
D.2 International Contacts......................................... .......................D-2
D.3 Web Support Sites............................................... .......................D-2
D.4 Additional Information ........................................ .......................D-2
Appendix E Using the Mobile Companion Utility in Windows CE ....... E-1
E.1 Installing Mobile Companion .......................................................E-1
E.2 About Mobile Companion............................................................E-1
E.3 Mobile Companion Task Tray Icons..............................................E-3
E.4 Mobile Companion Property Pages...............................................E-4
E.4.1 WLAN Profiles Property Page ........................................... E-4
E.4.2 Mode Property Page ....................................................... E-6
E.4.3 Encryption Property Page ................................................ E-8
E.4.4 IP Config Property Page ................................................ E-14
E.4.5 Power Property Page ..................................................... E-16
E.4.6 Available WLAN Networks Property Page ....................... E-18
E.4.7 Signal Property Page .................................................... E-19
E.4.8 Info Property Page ........................................................ E-21
E.4.9 IP Status Property Page ................................................. E-22
E.4.10 Ping Property Page ..................................................... E-24
E.4.11 APs Property Page ...................................................... E-25
E.4.12 Peers Property Page .................................................... E-26
E.4.13 Options Property Page ................................................ E-27

viii Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
Index............................................................................................................. Index-1

Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide 1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The LA-4121 PC Card and LA-4123 PCI adapter are Spectrum24 direct-
sequence (DS) products. Spectrum24 DS is a spread spectrum network
operating between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. Spread spectrum communication
provides a high-capacity network within large or small environments.
Spectrum24 DS products provide a high-capacity network using multiple
access points within large or small environments.
• Spectrum24 bridging architecture allows communication between wired
network devices and mobile devices.
•Spectrum24products support the IEEE 802.11b and WiFi compliance
specifications. This open architecture allows Spectrum24 devices to
communicate with wireless devices from other manufacturers that
conform to the same specifications.
• Spectrum24 products allow mobile devices to roam throughout large
facilities while remaining connected to the network.
• Spectrum24 antenna diversity allows adapters to alternate between
antennas with the best reception, increasing overall performance.
• Spectrum24 products allow the establishment of ad-hoc wireless
workgroup networks.
• Spectrum24 products are protocol-independent, allowing mobile devices
to communicate with a wide range of servers, hosts and systems.

Introduction
2 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide

Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide 3
Chapter 2 About the Spectrum24 Wireless
LAN Adapter
The Spectrum24 Wireless LAN (WLAN) adapter allows PC Card slot and PCI
adapter slot-equipped host systems to configure, connect to and establish a
Spectrum24 network.
Features Include:
• Multiple operating mode options for access point or peer-to-peer
associations
• Low-power operation for battery-powered devices with PC Card slots
•StandardNDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) drivers
• Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP and CE (PPC 2002) operating
system support
• WEP, Kerberos, EAP-TLS and KeyGuard data security
• Power management [Continuously Aware Mode (CAM) and Power Save
Polling (PSP)].

About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
4 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
2.1 Operating Modes
The Symbol Mobile Companion utility installs with the Spectrum24 Windows
driver. Use Mobile Companion to select the operational mode, ESSID,
encryption algorithm and power consumption mode used with the
Spectrum24 adapter.
Spectrum24 LA-4121 PC Cards and LA-4123 PCI adapters support the
following operational modes:
•In Infrastructure mode, the adapter interoperates with an access point
(AP). The adapter can roam freely between access point cells in the
network or transmit and receive across subnets. Mobile Units (MUs)
appear as network nodes to other devices in the network. Infrastructure
is the adapter default mode.
• Select Ad Hoc mode to form peer-to-peer networks without access
points. Use Ad Hoc to create networks where needed within established
Spectrum24 network coverage areas. The MU starting the Ad Hoc
network (the first Spectrum24 adapter transmitting a beacon) determines
the channel and data rate used for the other Spectrum24 adapters within
the network using the same ESSID.

About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide 5
2.2 11 Mbps Operation
The Spectrum24 Wireless LAN adapter supports a maximum 11Mbps data
rate. The adapter automatically shifts to a 5.5, 2 or 1Mbps data rate when
unable to maintain a high quality connection at 11Mbps. When the WLAN
adapter detects improved signal strength, it shifts to an increased data rate,
up to the maximum 11Mbps.
The following factors can dynamically alter the data rate:
• signal strength between the access point and Spectrum24 adapter
• the ratio of good transmitted packets to attempted transmitted packets
that fall below a threshold
• the MU finds a higher transmit rate with another AP.
Physical obstructions and numerous devices operating in close proximity to
one another negatively impact the ability to maintain an 11Mbps access
point association.

About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
6 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
2.3 Power Management
LA-4121 PC Cards support the Continuously Aware (CAM) and Power Save
Polling (PSP) power-management modes. CAM requires the radio to remain
on. Symbol does not recommend CAM for battery powered devices.
The PCI version of the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter (model LA-4123)
functions in CAM only.
PSP mode allows the PC Card to conserve power by suspending
communication for short periods of time while still associated with an AP.
The AP saves data for transmission to the PC Card when it wakes at given
intervals. When the PC Card wakes to check for data, it switches back into
CAM until it is ready to suspend communications again.
The PSP performance index, which varies from Excellent to Acceptable,
allows users to specify how often the PC Card wakes to check for data.
The Excellent PSP performance index provides the quickest response time
(shortest sleep interval), while the Adequate PSP performance index provides
efficient power consumption (longest sleep interval). Use the Adequate
performance index when periods of PC Card inactivity are anticipated or
when using a battery for a notebook computer.
Use the Symbol Mobile Companion Power Property Page utility to manually
set the PSP performance index.
2.4 Plug and Play
The PCI version of the Spectrum24 WLAN adapter (model LA-4123) supports
Plug and Play systems. This allows a computer to recognize the PCI adapter,
and configure the hardware interrupt, memory and device recognition
addresses. This feature requires less user interaction and minimizes
hardware conflicts.

About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide 7
2.5 Spectrum24 PC Card LED Descriptions
The LA-4121 PC Card LED illuminates during connection or data transfer to
indicate the functional status of the PC Card.
The LA-4123 PCI adapter supports various plane antennas with various
LED behavior. Refer to the documentation shipped with the antenna for a
description of LED behavior.
Status Function
Off PC Card radio is disabled or incapable of
transmission
Slow Flash PC Card associated with an access point
Rapid Flash Indicates data traffic between PC Card and
access point. The faster the flash, the more data
traffic on the network.

About the Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter
8 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide

Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide 9
Chapter 3 Hardware Installation
3.1 Preparation
Before beginning the installation, verify the hardware package contains the
Spectrum24 PC Card or PCI adapter. Keep the serial number in a safe place.
The Symbol Support Center uses this information to reference warranty and
service contract information.
Verify the model indicated on the card before use. Contact the Symbol
Support Center if an item is missing or not functioning. Refer to Appendix D
for Customer Support contact information.
3.2 Installing the Spectrum24 LA-4121 PC Card
Do not insert the PC Card into the system until instructed to do so following
the driver installation instructions specific to the operating system used.
The Spectrum24 PC Card installation requires:
• a computer with a Type II PC Card slot
• a CDROM drive or internet access
• an available interrupt (IRQ)
• an available I/O port address
• Spectrum24 High Rate 11Mbps Wireless LAN Software CDROM or the
software package downloaded from the Symbol Website.
Installation and removal methods vary for different host devices. Refer to
system documentation for information.

Hardware Installation
10 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
Avoid exposing the Spectrum24 PC Card to liquids or abrasive materials.
Install the PC Card when prompted to do so following the driver installation
instructions specific to the operating system used. Refer to Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8 for driver installation procedures specific to the Windows 98SE, ME,
2000, XP and CE operating systems.
1. Insert the PC Card into the computer PC slot when prompted to do so.
2. Slide in the PC Card until it firmly seats.
Align the card properly when inserting. Insert the card firmly without forcing.
Forcing the card into the slot can damage the device or the card.
To comply with FCC and Industry Canada exposure requirements, this
hand-held device is approved for operation near a user’s hand when there is
20 cm or more between the antenna and the user’s body.

Hardware Installation
Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide 11
3.3 Installing the LA-4123 PCI Adapter, Driver and
Mobile Companion
The installation of the LA-4123 PCI adapter requires the physical installation
of the adapter, the driver installation and the Mobile Companion initial setup
be completed as one process. The LA-4123 PCI adapter does not support
the Windows CE operating system.
Use proper grounding for the environment when handling computer
components.
The Spectrum24 PCI adapter installation requires:
• a CDROM drive or Internet access
• an available PCI slot
• an available interrupt (IRQ)
• an available I/O port address
• Spectrum24 High Rate 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Software CDROM or the
software package downloaded from the Symbol Website.
Spectrum24
®

Hardware Installation
12 Spectrum24 Wireless LAN Adapter Users Guide
If there is a version of the Spectrum24 Plus Pack utility suite in the computer,
remove it using the remove programs option within the Windows Control
Panel. Verify there is no existing Spectrum24 Windows driver in the system. If
there is an existing Spectrum24 driver, remove the driver. Reboot the system.
If using a CDROM to install the PCI adapter driver and Mobile Companion,
do not insert the CD in the system until instructed to do so.
To install the PCI adapter, driver and Mobile Companion utility:
Power off the computer before installing the adapter.
1. Remove the computer cover.
2. Locate an available PCI slot in the computer.
3. Remove the retaining screw and bracket for the slot.
4. Align the adapter with the slot and insert firmly.
Verify the adapter seats in the slot evenly.
5. Verify the antenna connectors on the back of the PC are exposed.
6. Secure the adapter to the chassis with a retaining screw.
7. Replace the computer cover.
8. Power on the desktop computer.
A Windows hardware installation window displays. The appearance of
the hardware installation window differs amongst the supported
Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP operating systems.
9. Click Next. Select the option best suited to the hardware and operating
system
The Windows hardware installation wizard prompts the user to specify a
driver installation method and path.