TRENDnet TEW-621PC - 300Mbps Wireless N PC Card... User manual

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Copyright
This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected under
international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor any of the
material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of the author.
Copyright 2006
Version 1.0 (June, 2006)
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. The manufacturer
makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically
disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. The
manufacturer reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to
time in the content hereof without obligation of the manufacturer to notify any person of such
revision or changes.
Trademark recognition
All product names used in this manual are the properties of their respective owners and
are acknowledged.

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Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
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 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.
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions
for satisfying RF exposure compliance. To maintain compliance with FCC RF
exposure compliance requirements, please follow operation instruction as
documented in this manual.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.
SAR compliance has been established in typical laptop computer(s) with Cardbus
slot, and product could be used in typical laptop computer with Cardbus slot. Other
application like handheld PC or similar device has not been verified and may not
compliance with related RF exposure rule and such use shall be prohibited.
The availability of some specific channels and/or operational frequency bands are
country dependent and are firmware programmed at the factory to match the
intended destination. The firmware setting is not accessible by the end user.

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CE Mark Warning
This is a Class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operation in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.

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Table of Contents
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference statement 3
CEMarkWarning 4
Chapter1–WirelessLANNetworking
TransmissionRate 6
TypeofWirelessNetworks 6
Ad-Hoc (IBSS) Network 6
Infrastructure (BSS) Network 7
WirelessLANSecurity 11
DataEncryptionwithWEP 11
Chapter 2 - Getting Started
AboutYourCard 12
PackageContent 12
SystemRequirement 12
LEDDefinition 12
Wireless Utility and Card Hardware Installation 13
Using the Utility to Configure Your Network 22
Link Information 22
SiteSurvey 24
Profile 25
Chapter 3 – Maintenance
UninstallingtheDriver 33
Uninstall the Client Utility 33
UpgradingtheWirelessUtility 33
Glossary 34

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Chapter 1- Wireless LAN Networking
This section provides background information on wireless LAN networking technology.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. CHANGING
NETWORK SETTINGSAND PARTICULARLY SECURITY SETTTINGS SHOULD
ONLY BE DONE BYAN AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATOR.
Transmission Rate (Transfer Rate)
The card provides various transmission (data) rate options for you to select. Options include
Fully Auto, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 22
Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, 54 Mbps and 300Mbps. In most networking scenarios,
the factory default Fully Auto setting proves the most efficient. This setting allows your card
to operate at the maximum transmission (data) rate. When the communication quality drops
below a certain level, the card automatically switches to a lower transmission (data) rate.
Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the
communication quality improves again, the card gradually increases the transmission (data)
rate again until it reaches the highest available transmission rate.
Types of Wireless Networks
Wireless LAN networking works in either of the two modes: ad-hoc and infrastructure. In
infrastructure mode, wireless devices communicate to a wired LAN via access points. Each
access point and its wireless devices are known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). An Extended
Service Set (ESS) is two or more BSSs in the same subnet. In ad hoc mode (also known as
peer-to-peer mode), wireless devices communicate with each other directly and do not use
an access point. This is an Independent BSS (IBSS).
To connect to a wired network within a coverage area using access points, set the card
operation mode to Infrastructure (BSS). To set up an independent wireless workgroup without
an access point, useAd-hoc (IBSS) mode.
AD-HOC (IBSS) NETWORK
Ad-hoc mode does not require an access point or a wired network. Two or more wireless
stations communicate directly to each other. An ad-hoc network may sometimes be referred
to as an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS).
To set up an ad-hoc network, configure all the stations in ad-hoc mode. Use the same SSID
and channel for each.

When a number of wireless stations are connected using a single access point, you have a
Basic Service Set (BSS).
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In the ESS diagram below, communication is done through the access points, which relay
data packets to other wireless stations or devices connected to the wired network. Wireless
stations can then access resources, such as a printer, on the wired network.

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In an ESS environment, users are able to move from one access point to another without
losing the connection. In the diagram below, when the user moves from BSS (1) to BSS (2)
the card automatically switches to the channel used in BSS (2).
Roaming in an ESS network diagram

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WIRELESS LAN SECURITY
Because wireless networks are not as secure as wired networks, its vital that security
settings are clearly understood and applied.
The list below shows the possible wireless security levels on your card starting with the most
secure. EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is used for authentication and utilizes
dynamic WEP key exchange. EAP requires interaction with a RADIUS (Remote
Authentication Dial-In User Service) server either on the WAN or the LAN to provide
authentication service for wireless stations.
1. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
2. IEEE802.1X EAP with RADIUS Server authentication
3. WEP Encryption
4. Unique ESSID
DATA ENCRYPTION WITH WEP
The WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) security protocol is an encryption method designed to try
to make wireless networks as secure as wired networks. WEP encryption scrambles all data
packets transmitted between the card and the access point or other wireless stations to keep
network communications private. Both the wireless stations and the access points must use
the same WEP key for data encryption and decryption.
There are two ways to create WEP keys in your card.
•Automatic WEP key generation based on a password phrase called a passphrase.
The passphrase is case sensitive. You must use the same passphrase for all WLAN
cards with this feature in the same WLAN.
•For WLAN cards without the passphrase feature, you can still take advantage of this
feature by writing down the four automatically generated WEP keys from the Security
Settings screen of the wireless utility and entering them manually as the WEP keys in
the other WLAN card(s).
The card allows you to configure up to four WEP keys and only one key is used as the
default transmit key at any one time.
DONOTATTEMPT TO CONFIGURE OR CHANGE SECURITY SETTTINGS FORA
NETWORK WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION AND WITHOUT CLEARLY UNDERSTANDING
THE SETTINGS YOUAREAPPLING. WITH POOR SECURITY SETTINGS, SENSITIVE
DATA YOU SEND CAN BE SEEN BY OTHERS.

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Chapter 2 - Getting Started
This chapter introduces the Card and prepares you to use the Wireless Utility.
2.1 About Your Card
With the Card, you can enjoy wireless mobility within almost any wireless networking environment.
The following lists the main features of your Card.
9Automatic rate selection.
9Data transmission rates up to 300 Mbps
9Offers 64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) data encryption for network
security.
9Supports IEEE802.1x and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).
9Multiple antennas design.
9Driver support for Windows XP/2000/Vista.
2.2 Package Content
¾TEW-621PC Wireless N PC Card
¾Multi-Language Quick Installation Guide
¾Driver CD-ROM
2.3 System Requirement
z32-bit CardBus Type II Card slot
zMicrosoft Windows Vista, XP or 2000
zCPU: 300Mhz or above / 800MHz or above (Windows Vista)
zMemory:256MB RAM or above / 512MB RAM or above (Windows Vista)
zCD-ROM drive
2.4 LED Definition
The following table describes the LED on the Card
STATUS POWER LED NET LED
POWER OFF OFF OFF
POWER ON Slow Blinking OFF
Radio ON without association Two LEDs slow blinking mutually
Associated without traffic Two LEDs slow blinkin
g
to
g
ethe
r
Associated with traffic Two LEDs blinking together per traffic amount

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2.5 Wireless Utility & Card Hardware Installation
Follow the instructions below to install the Card and Utility.
Windows Vista
STEP 1
Insert the Driver and Utility CD into CD drive
STEP 2
Insert your Card to an available slot on your Laptop, After the following window pop up, click Locate
and install driver software (recommended).
STEP 3
Click Next.
STEP 4
IF YOU HAVE CONNECTED THE CARD TO YOUR COMPUTER,
PLEASE REMOVE IT FIRST.
NOTE

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Click Install this driver software anyways.
STEP 5
Click close.
Windows XP
STEP 1
Insert the Driver and Utility CD into CD drive
STEP 2
If your CD Autorun is enabled, the installation procedures will be started. Then click Install Driver
& Utility. (Otherwise open your CD folder and double-click on the “setup.exe” file)

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STEP 3
The InstallShield Wizard prepares for installation.
STEP 4
The InstallShield Wizard prompts you for confirmation. Click Next on the following menu.
STEP 5
In the destination Folder screen you are asked to confirm the Destination Folder for the application
software. If you would like, you may change the destination folder to another location. Click Next

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STEP 6
The wizard is ready to begin installation. Click Install on it.
STEP 7
At the Software Installation menu click Continue Anyway.

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STEP 8
Click Finish to complete the client utility installation.
STEP 9
Insert your Card to an available slot on your Laptop. The following window pop up, Select No, not
this time and then click Next.
STEP 10
Choose “Install the software automatically”, and click Next.

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STEP 11
Click “Continue Anyway”.
STEP 12
Click Finish to complete the installation.

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Windows 2000
STEP 1
Insert the Driver and Utility CD into CD drive
STEP 2
If your CD Autorun is enabled, the installation procedures will be started. Then click Install Driver
& Utility. (Otherwise open your CD folder and double-click on the “setup.exe” file)
STEP 3
The InstallShield Wizard prepares for installation.
STEP 4
The InstallShield Wizard prompts you for confirmation. Click Next on the following menu.

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STEP 5
In the destination Folder screen you are asked to confirm the Destination Folder for the application
software. If you would like, you may change the destination folder to another location. Click Next
STEP 6
The wizard is ready to begin installation. Click Install on it.