Symbol LA-5030 User manual

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter
User Guide

LA-5030 & LA-5033
Wireless Networker PC Card & PCI Adapter
User Guide
72E-67970-02
Revision A
November 2005

© 2004 by Symbol Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form, or by any electrical or mechanical means,
without permission in writing from Symbol. This includes electronic or mechanical means, such as
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change without notice.
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Symbol Technologies, Inc.
One Symbol Plaza
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http://www.symbol.com

Contents
About This Guide
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Notational Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Service Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .viii
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. About the PC Card & PCI Adapter
Installation Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
LA-5033 PCI Adapter System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
LA-5030 PC Card System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
54Mbps Operation and Frequency Bands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
LA-5033 PCI Adapter and LA-5030 PC Card LED Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
iv
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
WPA-PSK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Draft IEEE 802.11h Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Rogue AP Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Software Installation Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Chapter 3. Windows 2000 PCI Adapter Installations
Windows 2000 Configuration Utility and Driver Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Installing the LA-5033 PCI Adapter and Driver for use with Windows 2000
Zero Config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Removing the PCI Adapter Driver in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Chapter 4. Windows XP PCI Adapter Installations
Installing the LA-5033 PCI Adapter Driver and Configuration Utility in
Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Installing the Driver in Windows XP For Use With the Zero Config Utility . . . . . . 4-12
Removing the PCI Adapter Driver in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Chapter 5. Windows 2000 LA-5030 PC Card Installations
Installing the LA-5030 PC Card Driver and Configuration Utility in
Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Installing the Driver in Windows 2000 For Use With the Zero Config Utility . . . . 5-11
Removing the PC Card Driver in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Chapter 6. Windows XP LA-5030 PC Card Installations
Installing the LA-5030 PC Card Driver and Configuration Utility in
Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Installing the Driver in Windows XP For Use With the Zero Config Utility . . . . . . 6-13
Removing the PC Card Driver in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23
Appendix A. Using the Configuration Utility
Installing the Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
About the Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Configuration Utility Task Tray Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Status Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

v
WLAN Profiles Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-6
Find WLANs Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-13
Advanced Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-15
Info Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-17
Appendix B. WLAN Adapter Specifications
LA-5033 PCI Adapter Physical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-1
LA-5030 PC Card Physical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3
Appendix C. Customer Support
Appendix D. Troubleshooting
LA-5033 PCI Adapter Troubleshooting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-1
The MU cannot associate to the access point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-1
Degraded performance from the LA-5033 WLAN PCI adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2
Nonfunctioning Adapter LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2
LA-5030 PC Card Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2
The MU cannot associate to the access point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2
Degraded performance from the LA-5033 PCI adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2
Nonfunctioning adapter LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
vi

About This Guide
Introduction
The LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide provides general instructions for
installing and configuring the adapter in the Windows 2000 and XP operating systems for use
with either the Symbol supplied Configuration Utility of the Windows supplied Zero Config utility.
Notational Conventions
The following conventions are used in this document:
• Italics are used to highlight specific items in the general text, and to identify chapters
and sections in this and related documents.
• Bullets (•) indicate:
• action items
• lists of alternatives
• lists of required steps that are not necessarily sequential

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
viii
• Sequential lists (those that describe step-by-step procedures) appear as numbered lists.
• Icons indicate notes, cautions and warnings. Before working on any equipment, be aware of
the hazards associated with its installation and use. Also, become familiar with standard
practices for preventing accidents.he following icons are used in this document:
Indicates tips, hints and special requirements.
ICare is required Disregarding cautions can cause data loss or equipment
damage.
IIndicates a potentially dangerous condition or procedure that only Symbol-
trained personnel should attempt to correct or perform.
Service Information
If you have a problem with your equipment, contact Symbol Customer Support. See Appendix C for
contact information. Before calling, have the model number, serial number, and several of your bar
code symbols at hand.
Call the Support Center from a phone near the scanning equipment so that the service person can
try to talk you through your problem. If the equipment is found to be working properly and the problem
is symbol readability, the Support Center will request samples of your bar codes for analysis at
our plant.
If your problem cannot be solved over the phone, you may need to return your equipment for servicing.
If that is necessary, you will be given specific directions.
Symbol Technologies is not responsible for any damages incurred during shipment if the
approved shipping container is not used. Shipping the units improperly can possibly void
the warranty. If the original shipping container was not kept, contact Symbol to have
another sent to you.

Introduction
The Wireless Networker LA-5030 PC Card and LA-5033 PCI Adapter allow PC Card slot and PCI
slot equipped devices to connect to a Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a, b or g wireless local area network
(LAN), or communicate directly with other mobile devices enabled for wireless LAN connectivity.
• LA-5030 and LA-5033 adapters support the IEEE 802.11a, b, g, and a WiFi compliance
specifications. This open architecture allows LA-5030 and LA-5033 devices to
communicate with wireless devices from other manufacturers that conform to the same
specifications.
• LA-5030 and LA-5033 adapters allow mobile devices to roam throughout large facilities
while remaining connected to the network.
• LA-5030 antenna diversity allows adapters to alternate between antennas with the
best reception, increasing overall performance.
• LA-5030 and LA-5033 adapters allow the establishment of ad-hoc wireless workgroup
networks.

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
1-2

About the PC Card &
PCI Adapter
Use the LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter to connect to a Symbol wireless network.
Features Include:
• Operating mode options for access point or peer-to-peer associations
• Low-power operation for battery-powered devices with PC Card slots
• Standard NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) drivers
• Windows 2000 (using Service Pack 4) and XP (using Service Pack 1 or 2) operating
system support
• WEP, WPA-PSK, 802.1x, EAP security
• Power management. Disabled, Dynamic, and Maximum
• Rogue AP Detection
• 54Mbps maximum data rate.

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
2-2
2.1 Installation Prerequisites
Keep the adapter serial number in a safe place. The Support Center uses the information to reference
warranty and service contract data.
Verify the model indicated on the adapter before use. Contact the Symbol
Support Center if an item is missing or not functioning. Refer to Appendix C for
Customer Support contact information.
Avoid exposing the adapter to liquids or abrasive materials.
2.1.1 LA-5033 PCI Adapter System Requirements
The LA-5033 PCI Adapter installation requires:
• a system with an available PCI slot
• Windows Service Pack #4 for Windows 2000 installations
• Windows Service Pack #1 or 2 for Windows XP installations
• Internet access for the required driver and Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g
Configuration Utility download
(http://www.symbol.com/services/downloads/wn_abg_drivers.html)
• an available interrupt (IRQ)
• an available I/O port address
FCC RF exposure requirements state the PCI adapter external antenna should be
positioned so it is at least 20 cm (8 inches) away from the user.
2.1.2 LA-5030 PC Card System Requirements
The LA-5030 PC Card installation requires:
• a system with a Type II PC Card slot
• Windows Service Pack #4 for Windows 2000 installations
• Windows Service Pack #1 or 2 for Windows XP installations
• Internet access for the required driver and Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g
Configuration Utility download
(http://www.symbol.com/services/downloads/wn_abg_drivers.html)

About the PC Card & PCI Adapter 2-3
To comply with FCC and Industry Canada exposure requirements, this hand-held
device is approved for operation near to the user’s body.
2.2 Operating Modes
The Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g Configuration Utility installs with the Windows driver.
Use the Configuration Utility to select the operational mode, ESSID, encryption algorithm,
authentication scheme and power consumption mode used with the LA-5030 PC Card or LA-5033
PCI adapter.
The LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card support the following operational modes:
•UseInfrastructure to interoperate with an access point (AP). The adapter can roam freely
between AP 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 to form peer-to-peer LA-5030 networks without APs. Use Ad Hoc to create
networks within established network coverage areas or networks free of the physical
constraints of access point provided radio coverage areas. The MU starting the Ad Hoc
network (the first LA5030 adapter transmitting a beacon) determines the channel and data
rate used for the other LA-5030 adapters within the network using the same ESSID.
The Symbol Ad Hoc mode is an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) mode requiring no
backbone infrastructure. The lack of an access point results in MUs alternating the duty of
sending beacons. There are no relay functions in an Ad Hoc (IBSS) network, not every MU is
capable of communicating with other MUs due to the range limitations. Consequently, all
stations need to be within range of each other.

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
2-4
2.3 54Mbps Operation and Frequency Bands
The LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card support a maximum 54Mbps data rate. The adapter
automatically shifts data rates when unable to maintain a high quality connection at 54Mbps. When
the WLAN adapter detects improved signal strength, it shifts to an increased data rate (up to the
maximum 54Mbps). Different data rate and modulation requirements exist in different bands
(standards).
IEEE 802.11a/g
Data Rate Modulation
6Mbps BPSK
9Mbps BPSK
12Mbps QPSK
18Mbps QPSK
24Mbps 16QAM
36Mbps 16QAM
48Mbps 64QAM
54Mbps 64QAM
IEEE 802.11b
Data Rate Modulation
1Mbps DBPSK
2Mbps DQPSK
5.5Mbps CCK
11Mbps CCK

About the PC Card & PCI Adapter 2-5
Several factors can dynamically alter adapter data rate:
• signal strength between the access point and adapter
• the ratio of good transmitted packets vs attempted packets transmitted, but not received
• 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 access point association
with a high data rate.
*The use of 5GHz RLAN’s has varying use restrictions; please refer to the Symbol
Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for details. Go to http://www2.symbol.com/doc/.
USA Frequency Band European Frequency Band* Japan Frequency Band
5.15 - 5.25 GHz 5.15 - 5.35 GHz 5.15 - 5.25 GHz
5.25 - 5.35 GHz 5.47 - 5.725 GHz
5.725 - 5.825 GHz

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2-6
2.4 Power Management
The LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card have flexible power saving mechanisms using the
Advanced Page within the Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g Configuration Utility.
There are three power saving modes:
•Disabled - The device does not conserve power
•Maximum - The device conserves as much power as possible
•Dynamic - The device constantly switches between power-saving and awake states.
2.5 LA-5033 PCI Adapter and LA-5030 PC Card LED
Descriptions
There are two LED Indicators each on the LA-5030 PC Card and LA-5033 PCI Adapter.
LED Meaning
Power Steady Green: Indicates the card is powered on.
Link Flashing Green: Indicates the card is searching for a wireless
connection.
Steady Green: Indicates the card has associated with a wireless
network.
OFF: Indicates that the card has not associated with a wireless
device.

About the PC Card & PCI Adapter 2-7
2.6 Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a security standard for systems operating with a Wi-Fi certified
wireless connection. WPA is an upgrade from WEP (a security standard quickly becoming outdated).
Compared to WEP, WPA provides superior data encryption and user authentication.
The WPA enhanced encryption method addresses the weaknesses of WEP by including:
• a per-packet key mixing function
• a message integrity check
• an extended initialization vector with sequencing rules
• a re-keying mechanism.
WPA uses an encryption method called Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). WPA employs 802.1X
and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). Access points can operate in a combination of WEP/
WPA modes to support both WEP and WPA clients running the Windows 2000 or XP operating
systems.
For Windows XP users using Zero Config to configure WPA, ensure Service Pack
#1 or 2 and WPA Hotfix Q815485 is installed.
2.6.1 WPA-PSK
Wi-Fi Protected Access - Pre Shared Key (WPA-PSK) is a type of WPA providing the same durable
encryption protection for users without an enterprise authentication server. With WPA-PSK,
encryption keys are automatically re-keyed and authenticated after a designated period or after the
transmission of a specified number of packets.
2.7 Draft IEEE 802.11h Compatibility
The LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card are designed to meet the IEEE 802.11h standard. The
IEEE 802.11h standard provides dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC)
for devices operating in the 5GHz band (802.11a) to comply with European radio regulations. TPC is a
means of saving power by determining how much output power is actually required for sending
frames to a particular peer station. DFS selects the radio channel on the access point to minimize
interference with other systems, particularly radar.

LA-5030 PC Card & LA-5033 PCI Adapter User Guide
2-8
By adding the TPC and DFS functionality, the LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card minimize
interference to broadcasts and other systems.
2.8 Rogue AP Detection
The LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card can interoperate with the Symbol AP-4131 access
point to detect other devices operating within its coverage area by transmitting beacons and
receiving probe responses through an Ethernet connection. It is possible that not all of the devices
identified by the access point are operating legitimately.
A rogue AP is an AP located nearby an authorized Symbol AP but recognized as not operating
legitimately. The Symbol AP-4131 access point can trap rogue access points by differentiating them
into several different rogue classes. The LA-5030 PC Card and LA-5033 PCI adapter work with the
AP-4131 access point by providing the AP a list of devices it can detect on the wireless network.
The AP then is able to differentiate them (if necessary) into a rogue device category.
For information on configuring Rogue AP support on the Symbol AP-4131 access point for use with
the LA-5033 PCI adapter and LA-5030 PC Card, refer to the Spectrum24 AP-4131 Access Point Product
Reference Guide available at (http://www.symbol.com/services/downloads).
2.9 Software Installation Options
Symbol recommends using the Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g Configuration Utility to
configure and manage LA-5030 adapter settings. The installation of Symbol Wireless Networker
802.11 a/g Configuration Utility is part of the device driver installation procedure.
Alternatively, the adapter can be managed using the Windows Zero Config utility. Zero Config is a
Microsoft provided utility shipped with Windows 2000 and XP.
Use the Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g Configuration Utility for a more diverse set of driver
configuration settings designed specifically for use with the LA-5030 PC Card and LA-5033 PCI
adapter and its custom feature set.
The Symbol Wireless Networker 802.11 a/g Configuration Utility and the
Microsoft Zero Config utility cannot function if enabled simultaneously. Do not
enable the Microsoft Zero Config utility if using the Symbol Wireless Networker
802.11 a/g Configuration Utility to manage the adapter.