® WiFi-b™ Card Wireless Fidelity Card User Guide
E1414 Checklist Revised Edition V2 September 2003 Copyright © 2003 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Contents Notices ........................................................................................................ v Safety information ...................................................................................... vi About this guide ......................................................................................... vi WiFi-b™ specifications summary ............................................................. viii Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome .........................
Contents 4.2 Control Center Right-click menu .................................................... 4-2 4.3 4.2.1 Wireless LAN Card Settings ............................................ 4-3 4.2.2 Help Menu ....................................................................... 4-9 4.2.3 Change Mode .................................................................. 4-9 4.2.4 Preferences ................................................................... 4-10 4.2.5 About Control Center ......................
Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. 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.
Safety information In order to maintain compliance with the FCC RF exposure guidelines, this equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance [20cm] between the radiator and your body. Use only with supplied antenna. Unauthorized antenna, modification, or attachments could damage the transmitter and may violate FCC regulations. Any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authorization to use this device.
About this guide This user guide contains the information you need to install and configure your WiFi-b™ card. How this guide is organized This manual contains the following parts: • Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the WiFi-b™ card. It presents the card layout, the standard package contents and LED indicators. • Chapter 2: Hardware installation This chapter provides a step-by-step procedure on installing the WiFi-b™ card into an ASUS motherboard.
WiFi-b™ specifications summary Standard IEEE 802.11b Technology Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Data Transfer Rate 11Mbps (with automatic fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1Mbps) Host Interface ASUS proprietary WiFi-b™ interface Network Types Supports Infrastructure and Ad Hoc networks Frequency Band 2.4 GHz ~ 2.
Chapter 1 This chapter describes the features of the WiFi-b™ card. It presents the card layout, the standard package contents and LED indicators.
1.1 Welcome Thank you for choosing the ASUS WiFi-b™ Card! The WiFi-b™ card is a wireless network interface card for ASUS motherboards with the proprietary Wi-Fi slot. This card conforms to the IEEE 802.11b standard for wireless local area network (WLAN) assuring you of seamless connection to any wireless network. The WiFi-b™ card also allows you to share a single Internet connection with other computers making it a perfect solution for your home or small office network.
1.4 Card layout Antenna connector Data Transmission LED Network Link LED WiFi-b™ connectors 1.5 LED indicators The WiFi-b™ card comes with a Data Transmission (Green AIR) and Network Link (Yellow LINK) LED indicators. Refer to the table below for LED indications.
1-4 ASUS WiFi-b™ Card
Chapter 2 This chapter provides a step-by-step procedure on installing the WiFi-b™ card into an ASUS motherboard that supports Wi-Fi specification. It also provides information on system requirements and recommended wireless network settings.
2.1 System requirements Before installing the WiFi-b™ card, make sure that your system meets the following requirements.
5. Carefully insert the card into the Wi-Fi slot. To prevent incorrect orientation, a WiFi-b™ connector pin is removed to match the covered hole on the Wi-Fi slot. 6. Secure the card with the screw that you removed earlier. 7. Replace the PC cover and plug in the power cord. 9. Connect the dipolar antenna twist-on connector to the antenna connector (male) of the WiFi-b™ card. 8. Turn on the computer. An installed WiFi-b™ card 2.
2.4 WiFi-b™ modes The WiFi-b™ card may be set to Station (STA) or Soft Access Point (Soft AP) mode. In STA mode, WiFi-b™ connects to a wireless or wired network through an access point. In Soft AP mode, WiFi-b™ connects other computers with wireless devices to a wireless or wired network. The following section describes the WiFi-b™ card functions in a typical home or small office network. 2.5 Network setup After installing the WiFi-b™ card, determine your network settings to avail all WiFi-b™ features.
WiFi-b™ in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Bridge In this setup, WiFi-b™ functions as a wireless hub allowing a wireless client to access the ADSL modem and the Internet. The router assigns a virtual Internet Protocol (IP) address to the wireless client.
WiFi-b™ in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Bridge This setup applies to a host computer with an installed WiFi-b™ card and a network adapter connected to a hub. By bridging the network connections to the hub and the wireless client, the latter is allowed connection to the Internet via the ADSL modem. The Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns the real IP address to the wireless client. In this setup, every computer must create a broadband network connection.
Chapter 3 This chapter provides information on the WiFi-b™ card software installation and describes configuration of WiFi-b™ using the setup wizard.
3.1 Support CD information The Support CD contents are subject to change at anytime without notice. Visit the ASUS website for updates. 3.1.1 Installing the WLAN Card Utilities and driver To install the WiFi-b™ card driver and the Control Center Utility in your computer: 1. Insert the support CD into the CD-ROM drive. 2. Click “Install ASUS WLAN Card Utilities/Driver” when the ASUS WiFi-b installation window appears.
3.2 Setup Wizard After configuring the wireless option, the Setup Wizard window appears. Click Next. The appearance of setup wizard windows varies on different operating systems. 3.2.1 Selecting the WiFi-b™ operation mode The default setting of the WiFi-b™ card is Station Mode in an Infrastructure type network. The first time you run the setup wizard, it scans available wireless networks in your location and automatically selects the network with the best signal.
If the wireless network you wish to access has an enabled Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, the setup wizard will prompt you to enable data encyption. Click next. Inquire the WEP keys with the network administrator. The WiFi-b™ and the selected wireless network WEP keys must be identical to establish connection. Enter the WEP encryption keys you obtained from the network administrator Refer to “Config-Encryption Tab” on page 4-6 for WEP encryption settings. Click Next.
Select automatic IP settings if your network supports automatic IP address assignment. If not, inquire the IP settings with your network administrator, then enter the IP address manually. After configuration, click Next. The TCP/IP configuration window appears when you run the setup wizard on Windows® 98SE/ME/2000. The window also appears in Windows® XP OS if WiFi-b™ is not bridged to other network connections and has a disabled ICS function. The WiFi-b™ setup is complete.
Create your own wireless LAN (Soft AP and Ad Hoc modes) When prompted, assign a SSID (Network Name) to the wireless LAN you wish to create, then select a radio channel you wish to use in communicating with other wireless devices. Click Next to continue. Check Data encryption (WEP enabled) to secure your wireless network with a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption. Click Next. Enabling data encryption prevents unauthorized access by other wireless networks in your location.
The wizard displays the settings of the created wireless network including the WiFi-b™ mode, SSID, channel and WEP information. If you created a Soft AP, click Next to setup Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). See section 3.3 “Internet Connection Sharing” on page 3-10. When WiFi-b™ is set to Ad Hoc mode, click Next to configure the TCP/IP settings. Refer to section 3.2.2 “Station Mode” on TCP/IP configuration.
When prompted, enter the SSID of the hidden wireless LAN you obtained from the network administrator. Click Next. If the hidden wireless LAN you wish to access has an enabled Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, the setup wizard will prompt you to enable data encyption. Click next. Inquire the WEP keys with the network administrator. The WiFi-b™ and the hidden wireless LAN WEP keys must be identical to establish connection.
The wizard displays information on the wireless network WiFi-b™ is associated with. Click Next to set the TCP/IP configuration. Select automatic IP settings if your network supports automatic IP address assignment. If not, inquire the IP settings with your network administrator, then enter the IP address manually. After configuration, click Next. The WiFi-b™ setup is complete. Click Finish to close the setup wizard.
3.3 Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) After setting the WiFi-b™ in soft AP mode, the wizard will prompt you to setup Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). ICS is a networking feature that allows several computers in a wired or wireless network to share a single Internet connection. To setup ICS: 1. Select whether your computer connects to the Internet or not. Click Next. The wizard will require you to create a home network connection if your computer is not connected to the Internet. 2.
2. When prompted, select whether your computer connects to the Internet directly or through another computer or residential gateway. Click Next. Internet connection via another computer or residential gateway If your computer connects to the Internet through another computer or residential gateway: 1. Select the network adapter you are using to connect to the host computer or residential gateway. Click Next. 2. Select the network adapters that connect to other computers in your home network, if any.
3. The wizard creates a network bridge between your wired (LAN) and wireless (WiFi-b™) network connections. Click Next. Network bridge is a process of connecting several wired or wireless LAN segments. See page 4-19 for details. 4. An Internet Sharing Configuration dialog box appears. Click Yes. 5. A warning dialog box appears. Click OK. 6. The wizard displays the wired and wireless network connections to be added in a network bridge based on your configuration.
8. The selected network connections are bridged. 9. The bridged network connections are displayed in the Network Connections window. 10. Click Finish to close the setup wizard. Refer to Windows® XP Help and Support Center for articles and help files on the Network Bridge function.
Direct internet connection To enable ICS if your computer directly connects to the Internet: 1. Select the number of IP address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Click Next. The wizard will instruct you to enable ICS or create a network bridge if you are assigned two or more IP addresses. 2. The setup wizard automatically selects your broadband network connection. Check Enable Firewall to secure your network from unauthorized access. Click Next. 3.
2. If your computer connects to the internet via another computer or residential gateway, follow steps 2 to 10 of the “Internet connection via another computer or residential gateway” section on pages 3-10 to 3-13. Follow the steps in the “Direct Internet connection” section on page 3-14 if your computer connects directly to the Internet. 3.3.3 Dial-up modem Follow these instructions to enable ICS if you are using a modem and a regular or ISDN phone line. 1.
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Chapter 4 This chapter provides information on how to configure the WiFi-b™ using the Control Center utility.
4.1 The Control Center utility The Control Center utility is a management software that launches applications and configures network settings. The Control Center Utility starts automatically when the system boots and displays the Control Center icon in the Windows® taskbar. The Control Center icon serves as an application launcher, and indicator of signal quality and Internet connection. 4.1.
Wireless LAN Card Settings The Wireless LAN Card Settings is the main interface that allows users to control the ASUS WiFi-b™. Use the Wireless Settings to view the operational and connection status, or to modify the WiFi-b™ configuration. The Wireless Settings window is composed of the property window and tabbed property sheets. Click the icons in the property window to display their tabbed property sheets. Tabbed property sheets Property window 4.2.
Change SSID button - Click to change the SSID. Clicking this button opens the Config-Basic window. See “Config-Basic Tab” on next page. Search and Connect button - Click to view all wireless networks within the range of your system. Clicking this button opens the Site Survey window. See page 4-8. Status - Connection Tab The Connection Tab provides real-time information on connection throughput, frame errors, signal strength, link quality and overall connection quality in graph representation.
Status - Ping Tab The Ping tab allows you to verify the connection of the host computer with another computer in the network. To ping a connection: 1. Type the IP address of the connection you want to verify in the IP Address field. 2. Configure the ping session by assigning the size and count of packet to send, and the time limit for a ping session to continue (in milliseconds). 3. Click the Ping button. During the ping session, the Ping button toggles into a Stop button.
Network Name - Displays the network SSID. The network SSID is a string use to identify a wireless LAN. Assign different SSIDs to segment the wireless LAN and increase network security. Set the SSID to a null string to allow your station to connect to any available access point. Null string may not be used in Ad Hoc mode. Channel. In Infrastructure mode, WiFi-b™ automatically tunes in to the access point channel. In Ad Hoc mode, select a channel that is allowed for use in your country/region.
Two ways to assign WEP keys Manual Assignment. For a 64-bit encryption, enter 10 hexadecimal digits (0~9, a~f, A~F) or 5 ASCII characters in each of the four WEP keys. For 128-bit encryption enter 26 hexadecimal digits (0~9, a~f, A~F) or 13 ASCII characters in each of the four WEP keys. Automatic Generation. Type a combination of up to 64 letters, numbers, or symbols in the Passphrase field. The Wireless Settings utility uses an algorithm to generate four WEP keys based on the typed combination.
Enable ICS. This option activates after an available network connection is placed in the Internet field. Check this option if you want to share a single Internet connection with other computers in a wireless network. See page 4-16 for details. When disabled, the available network connection on the Internet field is bridged with the WiFi-b™ card. Refer to page 4-19 to setup a network bridge. Enable Firewall. This option is active when ICS is enabled.
About Click the About icon to view the software version, driver version, and copyright information. Link State Displays the current connection status of the WiFi-b™ card to the AP or to other Wi-Fi devices. Command icons Apply. Click to apply the changes made on WiFi-b™ configuration and settings. OK. Click to close the Wireless Settings utility window. Cancel. Click to cancel any changes made on WiFi-b™ configuration or settings. Clicking Cancel closes the Wireless Settings utility window. Help.
4.2.4 Preferences The Preferences window allows you to customize the Control Center Utility settings. 4.2.5 About Control Center The About Control Center menu displays the software and drivers version, and copyright information. 4.3 Control Center Left-click menu Left-clicking the Control Center icon displays the Left-Click Menu. The options are described below. Wireless Radio On – Turns the WiFi-b™ radio ON. Wireless Radio Off – Turns the WiFi-b™ radio OFF.
4.4 Configuring WiFi-b™ by Wireless Settings utility The Wireless Settings utility allows you to set your WiFi-b™ card in Station (STA) or Soft Access Point (Soft AP) mode. In STA mode, your WiFi-b™ connects to an access point to access a wireless network or the Internet. In Soft AP mode, your WiFi-b™ transmits and receives signals to and from other WiFi devices in a wireless network. The Soft AP feature is available only on systems running on Windows® XP. 4.4.
6. Click the Encryption tab to set the WiFi-b™ encryption if the selected AP has an enabled WEP encryption. Refer to the Site Survey window to determine whether the selected AP has an enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF) WEP encryption. Refer to page 4-6 on how to configure WEP encryptions. 7. To check if WiFi-b™ is associated with the selected AP, click the Status icon in the property window, then select the Status tab. Look for the Associated State field to confirm.
3. The following confirmation dialog box appears when you switch from Soft AP mode to Station Mode. Click Yes. 4. Follow steps 2 to 7 of the previous section to set the WiFi-b™ in STA mode. Use the Change Mode menu 1. Right-click the Control Center icon in the Windows taskbar to display the right-click menus. Select Change Mode. 2. Select Station Mode when the Change Mode window appears. Click OK. 3. Follow steps 2 to 7 of the previous section to set the WiFi-b™ in STA mode. 4.4.
Setting your WiFi-b™ in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) mode Do any of the following to set your WiFi-b™ in soft AP mode: Enter the Wireless Settings utility 1. Double-click the Control Center icon in the Windows taskbar to open the Wireless Settings utility. 2. Click the Config icon in the property window of the Wireless Settings utility, then select the SoftAP tab. Select Soft AP Mode, then click Apply. 3. A confirmation window appears click Yes. Use the Change Mode menu 1.
Other Soft AP settings When in Soft AP mode, two additional tabbed property sheets are added to the Status settings of the Wireless Settings utility. MAC Table The MAC Table tab displays the MAC address of a wireless device connected to the soft AP. AID - shows the Association ID of a wireless device connected to the soft AP. Power Saving Mode - displays the Power Saving Mode used by the wireless device connected to the soft AP.
4.5 Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) After setting the WiFi-b™ card on Soft AP mode, you may enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). ICS is a Windows® XP feature allowing several computers in a wired or wireless network to share a single Internet connection. With ICS, other wireless clients in a home or small office network rely on the WiFi-b™ for Internet access. Follow these instructions to enable ICS. 4.5.
4.5.2 Connect to the Internet using a broadband or dial-up connection that requires an account If the host computer with the WiFi-b™ card connects to the Internet using a broadband or dial-up connection that requires an account, create a broadband (PPPoE) or dial-up network connection using the Windows® XP interface before enabling ICS. To create a broadband connection: 1. Open the Network Connections window by clicking Start > Connect To > Show all connections from the Windows® desktop. 2.
5. Select Set up my connection manually, then click Next. 6. Depending on your network setup, select Connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password or Connect using a dial-up modem, then click Next. 7. Enter the ISP name, then click Next. 8. Enter the user name and password assigned by your ISP, then check all settings below the user name and password fields. Click Next.
9. Click Finish when the wizard completes creating the connection. 10. The created connection is displayed in the Network Connections window. Return to the Wireless Settings utility. Select the created connection from the Available Network Connections, then drag it to the Internet field. Refer to the steps in section 4.5.1 to enable ICS. 4.6 Network Bridge Host computers with multiple network adapters may use the network bridge function to connect several LAN segments.
3. A warning message appears. Click OK. 4. The Wireless Settings utility displays the wired and wireless network connections to be added in a network bridge based on your configuration. Write down these network connections in a piece of paper. Click OK. 5. Select the network connections to be bridged. Press the Control key while clicking the network connection icons to select. Right-click on any selected network icon to open a drop-down menu. Select Bridge Connections. 6.
Appendix The appendix contains sections for troubleshooting and information on IEEE 802.11b channels and frequencies.
A.1 Troubleshooting This troubleshooting guide provides answers to some common problems which you may encounter while installing and/or using ASUS Wireless LAN card products. These problems requires simple troubleshooting that you can perform by yourself. Contact the Wireless LAN Technical Support if you encounter problems not mentioned in this section. Problem Action My computer does not recognize Verify if the WiFi-b™ card drivers are the installed WiFi-b™ card.
Problem Action 3. Restart your computer and repeat the WiFi-b™ software installation following the instructions contained in this User Guide. I cannot connect to an Access Point. • Check if the Network Type of the WiFi-b™ card is set to Infrastructure mode. • Check if the WiFi-b™ has the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) as that of the AP. • Check if the WiFi-b™ card and the AP have the same Encryption. If WEP encryption is enabled, set the same WEP keys for the WiFi-b™ and the AP.
Problem I cannot connect to another station (computer with a wireless LAN device). I cannot connect to other computers linked via an Access Point or Ad Hoc network. I always have poor link quality and low signal. A-4 Action • Check if the Network Type of the WiFi-b™ card is set to Ad Hoc mode. • Check if the WiFi-b™ has the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) with that of the other station. • Check if the WiFi-b™ card and the other station have the same Encryption.
A.2 Channels The IEEE 802.11b standard for Wireless LAN allocated the 2.4 GHz frequency band into 14 overlapping operating channels. Each channel corresponds to a different set of frequencies. The table below shows the center frequencies of each channel. Channel Center Frequency Channel Center Frequency 1 2.412 GHz 8 2.447 GHz 2 2.417 GHz 9 2.452 GHz 3 2.422 GHz 10 2.457 GHz 4 2.427 GHz 11 2.462 GHz 5 2.432 GHz 12 2.467 GHz 6 2.437 GHz 13 2.472 GHz 7 2.442 GHz 14 2.
Country/Region (Regulating Body) Available Channels Luxembourg (RTT&E/EMC/LVD) Channels 1 to 13 Malaysia (SIRIM/CMC) Channels 1 to 13 Mexico Channels 9 to 11 Netherlands Antilles (RTT&E/EMC/LVD) Channels 1 to 13 Netherlands/Holland (RTT&E/EMC/LVD) Channels 1 to 13 New Zealand (PTC) Channels 1 to 13 Norway (RTT&E/EMC/LVD) Channels 1 to 13 Portugal (RTT&E/EMC/LVD) Channels 1 to 13 Saudi Arabia Channels 1 to 13 Singapore Channels 1 to 13 South Korea (KS) Channels 1 to 13 Spain (RTT&E/EM
