™ Wireless USB Adapter 11 Mbps data rate – provides alternative to wired LANs that can dramatically cut costs Working range up to 128 m (422 ft) at 11 Mbps, 250 m (825 ft) at 1 Mbps Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint access Seamless connectivity to wired Ethernet LANs augments existing networks quickly and easily DSSS technology provides robust, interference-resistant, and secure wireless connections Supports a wide range of operating systems (Windows 98/Me/2000/XP) Easy installation In
EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter User Guide The easy way to make all your network connections 38 Tesla Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 679-8000 April 2002 Part No: 01-111353-006 Pub No: 150000012000E
Copyright Information furnished by SMC Networks, Inc. (SMC) is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by SMC for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of SMC. SMC reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice. Copyright © 2002 by SMC Networks, Inc. 38 Tesla, Irvine, CA.
LIMITED WARRANTY Limited Warranty Statement: SMC Networks, Inc., Inc. (SMC) warrants its products to be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for the applicable warranty term. All SMC products carry a standard 90-day limited warranty from the date of purchase from SMC or its Authorized Reseller.
LIMITED WARRANTY WARRANTIES EXCLUSIVE: IF AN SMC PRODUCT DOES NOT OPERATE AS WARRANTED ABOVE, CUSTOMER’S SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PRODUCT IN QUESTION, AT SMC’S OPTION. THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
COMPLIANCES FCC - Class B 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 instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
COMPLIANCES EC Conformance Declaration - Class B SMC contact for these products in Europe is: SMC Networks Europe, Edificio Conata II, Calle Fructuós Gelabert 6-8, 2o, 4a, 08970 - Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona, Spain.
CONTENTS EZ Connect™ Wireless USB Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Package Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS Advanced Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Network Configuration and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Network Topologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Ad Hoc Wireless LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Infrastructure Wireless LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Setting the Communication Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EZ CONNECT™ WIRELESS USB ADAPTER Introduction SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter (SMC2664W) is an 11 Mbps wireless network adapter that seamlessly integrates with existing Ethernet networks to support applications such as mobile users or temporary conferences. The adapter is fully compliant with 2.4 GHz DSSS CSMA/CA wireless networking as defined in IEEE 802.11b.
EZ CONNECT™ WIRELESS USB ADAPTER System Requirements Before you install the EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter, check your system meets the following requirements: 2 • An available USB port. • Windows 98/Me/2000/XP (have the Windows installation CD-ROM ready for use during driver installation.) • A minimum of 1 MB of free disk space for installing the driver and utility program. • Another IEEE 802.
PACKAGE CHECKLIST Package Checklist The EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter package includes: • 1 EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter with internal antenna (SMC2664W) • 1 CD ROM containing drivers, utlilty, and user guide • 1 USB cable • 1 Fastening clip • 3 Pieces of velcro • 2 Magnets • One User Guide Please register this product and upgrade the product warranty at www.smc.com. Please inform your dealer if there are any incorrect, missing, or damaged parts.
EZ CONNECT™ WIRELESS USB ADAPTER Applications EZ Connect wireless products offer fast, reliable, cost-effective network access for wireless clients in applications such as: 4 • Remote access to corporate network information E-mail, file transfer, and terminal emulation • Difficult-to-wire environments Historic or old buildings, asbestos installations, and open areas where wiring is difficult to employ • Frequently changing environments Retailers, manufacturers, and banks who frequently rearrange the
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter supports an 11 Mbps half-duplex connection to Ethernet networks. This adapter is fully compliant with 2.4 GHz DSSS CSMA/CA wireless networking as defined in IEEE 802.11b. It can be installed in any notebook or desktop with a USB port. Support is provided for Windows 98/Me/2000/XP. LED Indicator The EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter includes an LED indicator, as described in the following table.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION Attaching the Clip (Optional) 1. Slide the open end of the clip under the two lips (at the USB port end) in the square slot at the rear of the SMC2664W. Lug Slots Lugs Lips 2. Press the two lugs into the slots until they click into place. 3. To remove the clip, push in one of the lugs and pull the clip away from the SMC2664W body. The other lug should slip free. Attaching the Magnets (Optional) 1.
ATTACHING THE VELCRO (OPTIONAL) Attaching the Velcro (Optional) 1. Peel the protective paper off the Velcro circles and firmly press the circles into the circular holes at the rear of the clip. 2. Temporarily hold the SMC2664W in the desired location and check the signal quality is acceptable. Peel the protective paper off the Velcro strip and stick the strip in the chosen location. Attaching the USB Cable 1. Select an available USB port on the PC. 2. Carefully insert the USB cable’s Type-A plug (i.e.
DRIVER INSTALLATION The CD-ROM that comes with the package contains the software/drivers for the EZ Connect Wireless USB adapter. New or updated drivers can be downloaded from SMC’s web site at: http://www.smc.com For installation in Windows 98/Me see the following section. For Windows 2000 go to “Windows 2000 Driver Installation” on page 21, and for Windows XP see “Windows XP Driver Installation” on page 24. Windows 98/Me Driver Installation 1.
WINDOWS 98/ME DRIVER INSTALLATION 2. Click Next. 3. Check “Specify a location” and type E:\Drivers (assuming E: is the location of your CD drive.) Insert the CD into the CD drive and click Next. 4. Click Next to copy files from the CD. Windows 98 may ask you for the Windows 98 CD. If so, remove the EZ Connect Wireless USB adapter CD, insert the Windows 98 CD and click OK.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 5. Click Finish to complete the driver installation. You may be asked to restart the computer. Click Yes. Setting Wireless Properties 1. Click Start/Settings/Control Panel. Double-click the Network icon 2. Click on the “Identification” tab in the Network dialog box and specify your computer name and network workgroup.
SETTING WIRELESS PROPERTIES 3. If you want to add more protocols after installation, go to the “Configuration” tab and click Add. 4. Double-click Protocol and add the network protocols you wish to use. If you install TCP/IP, be sure to set the appropriate Gateway, DNS Server, and Domain for your network. If you install an IPX/SPX compatible protocol, then you also need to install the Client for NetWare Networks. 5. Click File and Print Sharing and check the boxes as required. 6.
DRIVER INSTALLATION vendors may use the setting “Open System.” Use the same setting as the other devices in your network. 8. Set the “Channel” to the same radio channel as that used by the other wireless clients in your group. However, if you are connecting to a network via an access point, the adapter will automatically set the channel to the same as that used by the access point.
SETTING WIRELESS PROPERTIES 9. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is implemented in the adapter to prevent unauthorized access. For more secure data transmissions, set encryption to “128-bit” or “64-bit.” The 128-bit setting gives a higher level of security. The setting must be the same for all clients in your wireless network (Default: Disabled.) To completely configure WEP you must use the Configuration Utility. See “Encryption” on page 31.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 10. Set the “Fragmentation Threshold.” (The default 2,346 means “Disabled.”) See “Terminology” on page 46 for a description of “Fragmentation Threshold.” 11. Set the “Operating Mode” to “Ad Hoc” or “Infrastructure” depending on the type of network to which you want to connect.
SETTING WIRELESS PROPERTIES 12. “Preamble Type” offers a dropdown list with three options: Auto, Long, or Short (see “Terminology” on page 46 for an explanation of “Preamble Type.)” If you aren't sure whether all the Clients and Access point radios in your wireless network support the Short RF preamble, then leave this setting on “Auto” (Default.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 13. “Rate (Mbps)” is the data transmission/reception rate setting. It can be set to Auto, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps. Usually this should be set to Auto. In a radio frequency hostile environment, a lower rate can provide more stable transmission quality.
SETTING WIRELESS PROPERTIES 14. Set the “RTS Threshold” to the same as that used by other devices in your network. (The default 2,347 means “Disabled.”) See “Terminology” on page 46 for a description of “RTS Threshold.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 15. Set the “SSID” identifier to the same as that used by the ad hoc workgroup or access point to which you want to connect. (The SMC2655W Access Point default is WLAN.) If you will be roaming among multiple access points with different BSS IDs, a value of “ANY” will allow connection to any SSID.
SETTING WIRELESS PROPERTIES 16. The WEP encryption implemented in SMC’s Wireless USB adapter is based on the RC4 encryption algorithm. The security keys are four 10 digit keys for the 64-bit WEP setting, and one 26-digit key for the 128-bit WEP setting. WEP must be set in the configuration utility and all changes can be made there (see “Using the EZ Connect Wireless USB Utility in Windows 98, Me, and 2000” on page 28, or see “Using the Windows XP Configuration Tool” on page 35 for details.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 17. “WEP Key to use” shows the key that will be used (1~4) for encryption. Click OK to exit the open screens and click Yes to restart the computer if asked to do so. Go to “Installing the Utility in Windows 98, Me, and 2000” on page 27.
WINDOWS 2000 DRIVER INSTALLATION Windows 2000 Driver Installation 1. Windows 2000 will automatically detect the new hardware and prompt you to install the driver. 2. Click Next.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 3. Check “Specify a location” and click Next. 4. Type E:\Drivers (assuming E: is the location of your CD drive.) Insert the CD into the CD drive and click OK.
WINDOWS 2000 DRIVER INSTALLATION 5. Windows 2000 will find the driver. Click Next. The Digital Signature Not Found screen will open. Click Yes to continue with the installation. 6. Click Finish to complete the driver installation. If you are asked to restart the computer, click Yes. Go to “Installing the Utility in Windows 98, Me, and 2000” on page 27 if you wish to install the optional configuration utility.
DRIVER INSTALLATION Windows XP Driver Installation 1. Windows XP will automatically detect the new hardware and prompt you to install the driver. 2. Check “Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)” and click Next.
WINDOWS XP DRIVER INSTALLATION 3. Check “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install” and click Next. 4. Click Have Disk and the “Install From Disk” screen will open.
DRIVER INSTALLATION 5. Type E:\Drivers\xp (assuming your CD drive is E:) and click OK. Windows XP will find the SMC2664W EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter. Click Next. 6. Though the software is fully compatible with Windows XP, it has not yet been Logo tested by Microsoft. On the Hardware Installation screen click Continue Anyway. 7. After the software has been installed, click Finish to complete the driver installation.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTICS For Windows 98, Me, and 2000, SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter provides optional management software for quick network configuration and easy diagnostics. For Windows XP, use the built-in wirelesss configuration tool (Go to “Using the Windows XP Configuration Tool” on page 35.) Installing the Utility in Windows 98, Me, and 2000 To install the utility software: 1. Insert the CD-ROM into your PC’s CD drive. 2. Click Start/Run... 3. Type E:\Utility\Setup.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTICS Using the EZ Connect Wireless USB Utility in Windows 98, Me, and 2000 Once the installation is complete, the configuration utility can be accessed by selecting the “EZ Connect Wireless USB Utility” icon from the “EZ Connect Wireless USB” folder. A quick launch icon will appear in the lower right-hand corner of the task bar. If the icon is GREEN the connection is good. A RED icon means there is no connection.
USING THE EZ CONNECT WIRELESS USB UTILITY IN WINDOWS 98, ME, AND 2000 Encryption – Provides WEP security control. Advanced – Allows you to configure the advanced settings. Version – Shows the version information. Monitor When you open the wireless USB utility, the information window for the SMC2664W is shown as in the figure below. The “Monitor” page shows the network status of the wireless adapter. Click Modify to configure the “Operating Mode,” “Channel,” “SSID” and “Tx Rate.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTICS wireless clients in your group. However, if you are connecting to a network via an access point, then the channel is automatically set to the channel of the access point to which the adapter connects. Note: The “Channel” can only be set when the “Operating Mode” is “802.11 Ad Hoc.” SSID – Input an SSID string for the wireless network to which you want to connect (“ANY” is the default setting).
USING THE EZ CONNECT WIRELESS USB UTILITY IN WINDOWS 98, ME, AND 2000 Site Survey The Site Survey screen displays all access points in the wireless LAN. You can choose one of them to connect to by double-clicking on an entry. SMCAP SMCAP SMCAP SMCAP Encryption Encryption – Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is implemented in the adapter to prevent unauthorized access. For more secure data transmissions, set encryption to “128-bit” or “64-bit”. The 128-bit setting gives a higher level of security.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTICS four 10 digit keys for the 64-bit WEP setting, and one 26-digit key for the 128-bit WEP setting. Create with Passphrase – Security keys for WEP encryption are generated from a passphrase string, so you must use the same passphrase on all the other stations in your network. Manual Entry – Manual Entry allows you to manually enter key elements. Default Key ID – Choose the Key ID that has the encryption string you prefer.
USING THE EZ CONNECT WIRELESS USB UTILITY IN WINDOWS 98, ME, AND 2000 To use the WEP function, complete the following steps: 1. Select “128-bit” or “64-bit” in the “Encryption” field. 2. Check “Create with Passphrase,” type a string in the Passphrase field, and click Generate. 3. Select the key, and click Apply. Note: A Passphrase string can consist of up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Or 1. Check “Manual Entry” and enter hexadecimal numbers into one of the key fields.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTICS Advanced You can use this screen to set values for “Fragmentation Threshold” (Default: 2346 means Disabled), and “RTS/CTS Threshold” (Default: 2347 means Disabled). See “Terminology” on page 46 for a description of these terms. Version This screen displays the driver, firmware, and utility version numbers.
USING THE WINDOWS XP CONFIGURATION TOOL Using the Windows XP Configuration Tool Basic Settings 1. Right-click the network connection icon on the toolbar. 2. Click Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status box will open.
CONFIGURATION AND DIAGNOSTICS 3. Click Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties box will open. Click the Wireless Networks tab. 4. In the lower section of the screen, click Learn about setting up wireless network configuration and complete the wireless configuration according to the Help and Support Center instructions. Advanced Settings Click the “General” tab (see the screen above).
USING THE WINDOWS XP CONFIGURATION TOOL 1. Click Configure. Click the “Advanced” tab. 2. Set the “Fragmentation Threshold” (the default 2,346 means “Disabled”). See “Terminology” on page 46 for a description of “Fragmentation Threshold.” 3. “Preamble Type” offers a dropdown list with three options: Auto, Long, or Short. See “Terminology” on page 46 for an explanation of “Preamble Type.
NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING SMC’s EZ Connect Wireless Solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration, as well as an integrated configuration with 10 Mbps Ethernet LANs. For a list of the maximum distances between the AP/ Bridge and wireless clients, refer to page 43.
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES Infrastructure Wireless LAN The SMC2664W can also provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wired and wireless LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN.
NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for the wireless adapter to the BSS ID of the access point to which you want to connect. Check with your administrator for the BSS ID of the access point to which he wants you to connect. Roaming Wireless PCs A infrastructure network also supports roaming for mobile workers. More than one access point may be configured with the same SSID to create an Extended Service Set (ESS).
TROUBLESHOOTING USB Adapter Installation Problems If your computer cannot find the EZ Connect Wireless USB Adapter or the network driver does not install correctly, check the following items: • Make sure the adapter is connected to the USB port. Check for any hardware problems, such as physical damage to the adapter’s connector. • Try the adapter in another USB port. If this also fails, try using another SMC2664W wireless adapter that is known to operate correctly.
TROUBLESHOOTING • Make sure the correct software driver is installed. Try reinstalling the driver. • Make sure the computer and other network devices are receiving power. • The access point you want to connect to may not be functioning correctly. Try using another access point. • If you cannot access a Windows or NetWare service on the network, check that you have enabled and configured the service correctly.
NETWORK CONNECTION PROBLEMS SMC Networks 802.11b SMC2664W Wireless USB Adapter Maximum Distance Table Important Notice – Maximum distances posted below are actual tested distance thresholds. However, there are many variables such as barrier composition and construction, as well as local environmental interference that may impact your actual distances and cause you to experience distance thresholds far lower than those posted below.
SPECIFICATIONS Functional Criteria Data Rate Transmission Mode Network Connection Operating Range Radio Signal Signal Type Operating Frequency Sensitivity Modulation Output Power 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps, Auto Half duplex IEEE 802.11b wireless Max distance at 11 Mbps: 128 m (422 ft) Max distance at 5.5 Mbps: 152m (502 ft) Max distance at 2 Mbps: 167 m (551 ft) Max distance at 1 Mbps: 250 m (825 ft) Direct Sequence Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) USA, Canada: 2.412~2.462 GHz Europe (ETSI): 2.412~2.472 GHz Japan: 2.
SPECIFICATIONS Standards Conformance IEEE 802.11b USB specification revision 1.1 Compliances FCC Class B ARIB STD33, T66 UL1950/CSA22.2 NO.
TERMINOLOGY The following is a list of terminology used in this document. Access Point – An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Ad Hoc – An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers each with LAN adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. BSS – BSS stands for “Basic Service Set.” It is an access point and all the LAN PCs that are associated with it. CSMA/CA – Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.
TERMINOLOGY Infrastructure – An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration. Management Frame – Control frame for establishing a link between an access point and a client station. It includes Beacon, Probe, Authentication, and Association frames. MSDUs – MAC Service Data Units. MMPDUs – MAC Management Protocol Data Units. Roaming – A wireless LAN mobile user moves around an ESS and maintains a continuous connection to the Infrastructure network.
TERMINOLOGY 48
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT, CALL: From U.S.A. and Canada (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) (800) SMC-4-YOU; (949) 679-8000; Fax: (949) 679-1481 From Europe (8:00 AM - 5:30 PM UK Time) 44 (0) 118 974 8700; Fax: 44 (0) 118 974 8701 INTERNET E-mail addresses: techsupport@smc.com european.techsupport@smc-europe.com Driver updates: http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?action=tech_support_drivers_downloads World Wide Web: http://www.smc.com/ http://www.smc-europe.com/ FOR LITERATURE OR ADVERTISING RESPONSE, CALL: U.S.A.
