Adaptec Ultra WirelessTM Access Point User’s Guide R
Copyright © 2002 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035. Trademarks Adaptec, the Adaptec logo, and Ultra Wireless are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions.
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Limited 2-Year Hardware Warranty 1. Adaptec, Inc. (“Adaptec”) warrants to the purchaser of this product that it will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of purchase.
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7. Limited Warranty. Adaptec and its Licensor warrant only that the media upon which the Software is furnished will be free from defects in material or workmanship under normal use and service for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of delivery to you. ADAPTEC AND ITS LICENSORS DO NOT AND CANNOT WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OR RESULTS YOU MAY OBTAIN BY USING THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION. THE FOREGOING STATES THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES ADAPTEC AND ITS LICENSORS WILL PROVIDE FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY.
Regulatory Compliance Statements Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. 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.
In this Guide Introduction 2 Installation Task List 3 Installing Your Wireless AP 6 Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 8 Setting Your Wireless AP’s IP Address 12 Opening the Utility and Logging on 13 Connecting to the WLAN 14 Using the Wireless Access Point Utility 19 Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN 20 Troubleshooting 28 About Wireless Technology and LANs 30 Technical Specifications 32 Glossary 33 1
Introduction Introduction This User’s Guide provides detailed instructions for installing and configuring your Wireless Access Point (Wireless AP) as part of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). See the Installation Task List on page 3 for an overview of the installation process. This Guide also includes a basic overview of wireless and LAN technology (see page 30) suitable for novice users. It assumes you have a working knowledge of your computer and are familiar with the Windows operating system.
Installation Task List Installation Task List To successfully install your Wireless AP, complete these tasks: ❏ Follow the tips and suggestions provided in the next section, Before You Begin. ❏ Install the Wireless AP. See page 6. ❏ Install the Wireless Access Point Utility. See page 8. ❏ Set the IP address for your Wireless AP. See page 12. ❏ Open and log on to the Utility. See page 13. ❏ Connect to the WLAN. See page 14. Installation takes approximately twenty minutes to complete.
Installation Task List This is Your Wireless Access Point Top View The top of your Wireless AP has four clearly labeled status indicator lights (or LEDs). Once your Wireless AP is installed, these LEDs display the status of the network and the condition of your Wireless AP, as described: LED On Off DIAG Blinking Updating firmware. LAN LAN connection is made. Problem with LAN connection. Data is being transmitted on LAN. Wireless Ready to receive Wireless connections. Problem with WLAN.
Installation Task List Side View Side View DC-IN port LAN port INIT button The DC-IN port connects your Wireless AP to a power source. The LAN port connects your Wireless AP to your LAN. The INIT button reboots your Wireless AP and resets it to its factory default settings. (Press and hold the INIT button for 5 seconds to reset.
Installing Your Wireless AP Installing Your Wireless AP Before continuing, ensure that you have followed the tips and suggestions provided in Before You Begin on page 3. The next task on the Installation Task List (see page 3) is to install your Wireless AP. This section helps you locate it in the best possible position and guides you through the installation process.
Installing Your Wireless AP Installing the Wireless AP Your Wireless AP can fit into your WLAN in multiple ways. It can be connected to a hub or switch on your network, a router on your network, or a network adapter that’s installed in a computer on your network. To install the Wireless AP: 1 Use the mounting screws to secure the Access Point in place, if desired. 2 Connect the Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the Access Point. Step 4: Connect power. Step 2: Connect LAN.
Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions provided in Before You Begin on page 3. ❏ Installed the Wireless AP. See page 6. The next step on the Installation Task List (see page 3) is to install the Adaptec Wireless Access Point Utility, a tool that helps you set up and monitor your Wireless AP.
Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 5 Click Next. 6 Type in your User Name and Company Name (optional), then click Next.
Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 7 The InstallShield Wizard chooses a default destination folder for the software files. Click Next to accept the default destination (recommended), or click Browse to select an alternate destination. 8 You can choose where to store program icons in the Program Folder. Accept the default folder name, type a new folder name, or select one from the Existing Folders list. Click Next.
Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 9 Click Finish to complete the installation. The Wireless Access Point Utility is installed. The Wireless Access Point Utility icon appears on your desktop. See Setting Your Wireless AP’s IP Address on page 12 to continue.
Setting Your Wireless AP’s IP Address Setting Your Wireless AP’s IP Address Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions provided in Before You Begin on page 3. ❏ Installed the Wireless AP. See page 6. ❏ Installed the Wireless Access Point Utility. See page 8. The next step on the Installation Task List (see page 3) is to set the IP address for your Wireless AP.
Opening the Utility and Logging on Opening the Utility and Logging on Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions provided in Before You Begin on page 3. ❏ Installed the Wireless AP. See page 6. ❏ Installed the Wireless Access Point Utility. See page 8. ❏ Set the IP address for your Wireless AP. See page 12. The next step on the Installation Task List (see page 3) is to log on to the Wireless Access Point Utility.
Connecting to the WLAN Connecting to the WLAN Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions provided in Before You Begin on page 3. ❏ Installed the Wireless AP. See page 6. ❏ Installed the Wireless Access Point Utility. See page 8. ❏ Set the IP address for your Wireless AP. See page 12. ❏ Opened and logged on to the Utility. See page 13. The next step on the Installation Task List (see page 3) is to connect your Wireless AP to your WLAN.
Connecting to the WLAN Adding to an Existing WLAN or Using Your Wireless AP With Non-Adaptec Brand Wireless Devices You must adjust the default settings on your Wireless AP to allow it to function properly within your WLAN.
Connecting to the WLAN To change these settings on your Wireless AP: 1 Log on to your Wireless AP. 2 Click the Basic Set-up tab. a Set the Wireless Network ID (SSID). If you are adding your Wireless AP to an existing WLAN, set the SSID to match your other Wireless network devices. Each station on your WLAN must have the same SSID. b Click Save. A message tells you that the new settings are saved.
Connecting to the WLAN 3 Click the Security tab. The Enable WEP Encryption setting is deselected by default. Adaptec recommends that you protect your network by enabling WEP encryption. Unprotected networks are vulnerable to security breaches by unauthorized users. a Set the Enable WEP Encryption and WEP Key settings as desired. (See Changing the WEP Encryption Settings on page 22 for more information.
Connecting to the WLAN b If you selected Enable WEP Encryption, set Security Authentication Type to Both. (See About Security Authentication Settings on page 24 for more information.) Note: The Security page also lets you set MAC address filtering. For more information, see Filtering MAC Addresses on page 25. 4 Click Save. Your changes are saved. 5 Click Reboot on the Success page. (You do not need to reboot your computer.) You have completed the Installation Task List.
Using the Wireless Access Point Utility Using the Wireless Access Point Utility This section provides an introduction to the basic functions of the Wireless Access Point Utility. (See the next sections of this User’s Guide for detailed information about specific features of the Utility.) ■ Click Save to save any changes you make on a page. Saved changes don’t take effect until you reboot your Wireless AP. ■ Click Reboot to reboot your Wireless AP.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN You can use the Wireless Access Point Utility1 to change the set-up of your WLAN by: ■ Changing the transfer rate. See page 21. ■ Changing the encryption (WEP) settings. See page 22. ■ Limiting access to your Wireless AP by filtering MAC addresses. See page 25. ■ Changing the Administration password. See page 26.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN Changing the Transfer Rate The default transfer rate setting, Automatic, allows your Wireless AP to automatically adjust its transfer speed for optimal performance and the longest operating range. Adaptec recommends that whenever possible, you maintain the Automatic setting. However, if your Wireless AP’s transfer rate changes frequently, you can set a lower transfer rate to achieve a more stable connection. The fixed rate speed options are 11 Megabits per second (Mbps), 5.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN Changing the WEP Encryption Settings Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security feature that encrypts the data being sent over the radio waves of your WLAN. The default Enable WEP Encryption setting is Disabled. Disabled encryption allows your Wireless devices to share data in plain text. ! Caution: Adaptec strongly recommends that you protect your network by enabling WEP encryption. Unprotected networks are vulnerable to security breaches from unauthorized users.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN 4 In the WEP Key Length drop-down box, choose 64-bit key or 128-bit key. Type in the WEP Keys and Default Key used on your WLAN. Ensure that they exactly match your WLAN WEP Keys. Remember that alphanumeric WEP keys are case-sensitive. 5 Click Save. Your changes are saved. You must reboot your Wireless AP to apply your changes.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN 2 Click Save. Your changes are saved. You must reboot your Wireless AP to apply your changes. Click Reboot on the Success page, or continue working in the Wireless Access Point Utility and click Reboot from the Administration page (see page 27) at the end of your session. You do not have to reboot your computer. Creating Keys With a Passphrase 1 Type in your chosen passphrase. 2 Click Generate.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN Filtering MAC Addresses You can help prevent unauthorized users from accessing your network by enabling MAC address filtering. MAC address filtering lets you specify exactly which Wireless devices can connect to your Wireless AP. Note: Each Adaptec Wireless device is labelled with its assigned MAC address. The MAC address is exclusive to that device and cannot be altered. To enable and set up MAC address filtering: 1 Open the Wireless Access Point Utility and log on.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN 7 Click Save. Your changes are saved. You must reboot your Wireless AP to apply your changes. Click Reboot on the Success page, or continue working in the Wireless Access Point Utility and click Reboot from the Administration page (see page 27) at the end of your session. You do not have to reboot your computer. To delete a MAC address: 1 In the Addresses to Allow box, click on the MAC address. 2 Click Remove Selected. 3 Click Save. Your changes are saved.
Changing the Set-up of Your WLAN Rebooting Your Wireless AP You must reboot your Wireless AP to apply any changes you’ve made and saved in the Wireless Access Point Utility. Note: Rebooting happens within seconds and does not cause your computer to reboot. To reboot your Wireless AP: 1 Save any setting changes you’ve made. 2 Click the Administration tab. 3 Click Reboot. The updated settings are applied.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting If you encounter difficulties installing or using your Wireless AP, work through these troubleshooting tips. If you have difficulties achieving or maintaining a Wireless connection: ■ Check to see if radio interference is causing a problem. Move your Wireless adapter away from your microwave oven, 2.4 GHz wireless telephone, baby monitor, or other wireless device. ■ Try connecting to your Wireless AP from a shorter distance.
Troubleshooting If the Wireless Access Point Utility does not list your Wireless AP: Ensure that you are running the Utility on a computer that is wired to the Wireless AP through a network hub or switch, not connected over the Wireless network. If you are accessing the Utility over the WLAN, try connecting your computer to a network hub or switch that is physically connected to your Wireless AP.
About Wireless Technology and LANs About Wireless Technology and LANs This section provides a very brief, very general overview of Wireless technology and LANs. There are many books and Web sites dedicated to this topic that can provide a more comprehensive explanation. What’s a LAN? A network is a group of computers that are connected together in a way that lets them share and exchange information and resources.
About Wireless Technology and LANs What About Security? You have multiple options for adding security to your WLAN. Set security according to the needs of your network. ■ You can limit access to parts of the network by setting passwords and creating special shared files. Refer to your operating system’s documentation for more information. ■ You can set up a firewall to protect your network from intrusion by the outside world (over the Internet) by installing a router. Go to the Adaptec Web site at www.
Technical Specifications Technical Specifications Standards IEEE 802.11b compliant Antenna Built-in diversity dipole antenna Frequency Range ■ ■ Data Transmission Rate ■ ■ ■ ■ 2.4 2.4835 GHz (Industrial Scientific Medical Band) DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) 11 Mbps 5.5 Mbps 2 Mbps 1 Mbps auto fall-back Access Mode Infrastructure mode Data Security 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption Output Power 15 ~ 16.5 dBm Receiving Sensitivity -85dBm @ 11Mbps Roaming IEEE 802.
Glossary Glossary Access Point An Access Point (AP) is a wired controller that sends data to the wireless NICs installed in your network computers, and receives data back from them. An AP is often connected to the network computer that has Internet access, or is directly connected to a DSL or cable modem. The AP then allows other stations on your WLAN to access the Internet.
Glossary firewall A firewall is software or a security device that helps prevent unauthorized users from accessing your LAN or WLAN from outside your network (over the Internet). A firewall uses special software that keeps unauthorized users out of your network. hot-swap To hot-swap is to remove or attach a device without first shutting off your computer.
Glossary NIC Stands for Network Interface Card. A Wireless NIC is a computer card (such as a Wireless PCI adapter, Wireless PC card, or Wireless USB adapter) that lets your computer link to a network. operating mode Ad-hoc mode (sometimes referred to as peer-to-peer mode) allows two computers to connect only to each other in wireless-to-wireless (or peer-to-peer) communication. Infrastructure mode is for WLANs that include an Access Point (AP) or Router and multiple computers.
Glossary transfer rate The transfer rate is the speed at which your Wireless device is sending data. It is expressed in megabits per second (Mbps). The default transfer rate setting, Auto Rate (or Automatic), allows your Wireless device to automatically adjust its transfer speed for optimal performance and the longest operating range. Adaptec recommends that whenever possible, you maintain the Auto Rate setting.
Glossary Wireless device A Wireless device (or Wireless network device) is any Wireless device that connects to the network. See also network device. Wireless Network ID The Wireless Network ID (also referred to as the SSID) is like a secret code that your Access Point and your Wireless devices share to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your WLAN. Your Wireless devices can only connect to your Access Point if they have the same SSID as the Access Point.
R Adaptec, Inc. 691 South Milpitas Boulevard Milpitas, CA 95035 USA © 2002 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. Adaptec and the Adaptec logo are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc. which may be registered in some jurisdictions. Part Number: 513358-06, Ver.
