W L I - U S B - L 1 1 G M A N UA L B U F FA L O T E C H N O L O G Y ( U S A ) I N C .
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WLI-USB-L11G Manual This section explains the symbols, signs and terminology used in this manual. A PC with the MELCO USB client installed is called the Wireless LAN PC. The following terminology is used in this manual to distinguish between an Ethernet 10/100BASE-T LAN and a Wireless LAN and should not be construed as generally accepted terminology outside this context.
CAUTION Strongly recommended: To prevent damage due to the static electricity touch a metal object such as a door handle or metal window before touching the device. Static electricity may result in damage to the equipment. Strongly recommended: For usage of the PC and peripheral, refer to the product manual. Strongly recommended: Remove the dust from all connectors. Dust may result in failure in performance. Prohibit: Do not locate this product in the following locations.
Table of Contents 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Before Using the AirStation 1 Introducing USB client (WLI-USB-L11G) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 AirStation wireless network scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Peer-to-peer workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Home networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Enterprise networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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1 Before Using the AirStation 1.1 Introducing AirStation USB Client - WLI-USB-L11G The AirStation USB Client is a wireless network USB Client that complies with the IEEE 802.11b standard on wireless LANs (Revision B). The AirStation USB Client supports data rates up to 11 Mbps. This AirStation USB Client is: • Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) certified by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). This means that your AirStation hardware will communicate with other vendors’ IEEE 802.
1.3 Peer-to-Peer Workgroup The Peer-to-Peer workgroup configuration enables you to quickly set up a small wireless workgroup, where the workgroup participants can exchange files using features like “Files and Printer Sharing” as supported by Microsoft Networking.
Lan Network AirStation Figure 1-2 LAN Infrastructure 1.6 AirStation USB Client Features The AirStation USB Client is a wireless network device that is connected through a USB cable to any standard USB connector. The AirStation USB Client has two LED indicators and a USB connector. Power LED USB Connection Activity LED Rear View Figure 1-3 The front and back of the AirStation USB Client A. Power ON/OFF LED • Solid Green - standard operational mode • Orange - error data B.
1.7 About the AirStation CD-ROM The AirStation CD-ROM contains both software and documentation for all AirStation products that are used in indoor environments. If you wish to install the AirStation driver software, turn to chapter 2 “Installing your USB Client” and follow the instructions as for installing your AirStation USB Client. NOTE: Prior to copying or installing the software, you are advised to read the Software License Agreement “readme.txt”, located in the root folder of the CD-ROM.
2 Installing your USB Client 2.1 Quick overview This chapter describes the installation of the AirStation USB Client for Microsoft Windows operating systems only. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Verify USB package contents (below) Connect your USB Client to your computer Follow the instructions on the screen to install the drivers (section 2.3) Insert the AirStation CD-ROM into your CD-ROM player and install the Client Manager Software (section 2.
Driver Installation for Windows To install the driver proceed as follows: 1. If Windows starts the Add New Hardware wizard follow the instructions of the Search For the Best Driver For Your Device (Recommended) and click Next to install the driver. When you are prompted to locate the driver installation files: Select the Buffalo WLI-USB-L11G from the “\USBL11” (if you are using Windows 2000, “\USBL11\WIN2000) directory of the CD-ROM and click OK to complete the driver installation1. And restart the PC.
2.5 Basic Settings for Enterprise Networks If you wish to connect to an Enterprise Network, your PC should connect to the nearest AirStation first. For the connection, start the Client Manager. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. After selecting MELCO Wireless LAN Client Manager program click File Menu and Select Manual. Define the ESS-ID there. •The value “ANY” to connect to any AirStations network in the vicinity of your computer.
1. 2 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Start from the AirStation Client Manager. Select File – Manual Setting. Select the channel number to be used and peer-to-peer (or ad-hoc) mode in the communication mode. Click OK. Double click My Computer icon. Select the shared drive and right click to define Share in the Share tab. Share name, Comment, Type of access right, and password may be inputted. Click OK. After selecting/double clicking the Entire Network and the specific workgroup name the peer PC name should show up.
• If the Windows operating system prompts you to identify the location of the AirStation driver files (typically file names starting with the characters “WLIL11xx.*” or “NETL11xx.
3 Using AirStation and Windows 3.1 Introduction This chapter provides general information about: • Using your USB Client • Viewing Other Computers • Using the Client Manager • Viewing Wireless Link Quality • View/Modifying USB Client Settings • Finding More Information 3.2 Using your USB Client Radio Antennas The built-in radio and antennas of your AirStation USB Client perform best in an open environment with as few obstacles as possible.
4. 5. To display other workgroups in the network environment, double-click the Entire Network icon. If there is a second network operating system running in your network environment (for example a Novell NetWare network), the “Entire Network” window, will also display available servers running under the second network operating system. If you click on these servers, you may be asked to enter your user name and password that apply to the other network operating system.
When the “test connection” shown below is not indicating an excellent or good radio connection, it follows into two categories of reason. The radio signal is very weak - Save your files and move closer to the AirStation Access Point.
4 Advanced Configurations 4.1 Introduction Although your AirStation USB Client will work fine in most network environments, you may wish to explore the Advanced Parameters options as displayed in the Network Properties Edit Configuration window: • Encryption Parameters Tab • Advanced Parameters Tab • Admin Parameters Tab NOTE: The Advanced and Admin Parameter Tabs are not available for peer-to-peer workgroups. 4.
A. USB Client Specifications Physical Specifications Power Characteristics Dimensions (LxWxH) 63 x 87 x 146 mm Weight 168 gram Cable length 100 cm Temperature & Humidity Operation 0° to 40° C 1 maximum humidity 95% Transit -20° to 75° C maximum humidity 95% (no condensation allowed) Storage -20° to 75° C maximum humidity 95% (no condensation allowed) Networking Characteristics Regulatory Information Wireless communication is often subject to local radio regulations.
Data Rate • High 11 Mb/s • Medium 5.5 Mb/s • Standard 2 Mb/s • Low 1 Mb/s The USB Client uses an automatic Transmit Rate Select mechanism. Radio Characteristics R-F Frequency Band 2.
AirStation IEEE 802.11 Channels Sets The range of the wireless signal is related to the Transmit Rate of the wireless communication. Communications at a lower Transmit range may travel longer distances. NOTE: The range values listed in Table “Radio Characteristics” on page A-3 are typical distances as measured at the Buffalo Technology AirStation laboratories.
B Troubleshooting B.1 Introduction This appendix is divided into a number of sections, each with it’s own specific troubleshooting tips: 1. Common Troubleshooting Tips – B.2 •LED Activity – section B.2.1 •Can Not Connect To The Network – section B.2.2 •LEDs Work But Cannot Connect to Network – section B.2.3 •Cannot Edit Configuration Profile – section B.2.4 •Cannot find the LAN card – section B.2.5 •It takes a long time to shutdown – section B.2.
The starting point to troubleshoot problems with your AirStation USB Client is looking at the LED activity of the AirStation USB Client. Table B.2.1 below provides an overview of the various modes of operation and the associated LED activity. Table B.2.1 also includes a number of troubleshooting hints, if required, that may help you solve the problem. B.2.
B.2.2 Cannot Connect To The Network If your USB Client seems to be working fine, but you are not able to connect to the network, this error might be due to a configuration mismatch. For example if both LEDs of your USB Client blink once every ten seconds, the problem is likely to be caused by a configuration mismatch of: • Network Name • Encryption Key The AirStation Network Name is case-sensitive. Other causes may be: • No driver loaded • Station not authorized to access network • USB Client defect B.2.
B.2.4 Cannot Edit Configuration Profile If you want to add/edit the Configuration Profile of your USB Client but the Client Manager icon is not visible, you may do the following: • If the Client Manager is not running, select the Start button, Programs, MELCO wireless LAN and select Client Manager to start the Client Manager. B.2.5 Cannot Find the LAN card If the WLI-USB-L11G driver is installed into a PC more than once, the Client Manager will indicate, “cannot find the wireless LAN card.
B.3 Windows 98 Troubleshooting Tips B.3.1 Upgrading the AirStation Driver Upgrading the AirStation Driver may be required in one of the following situations: • You would like to use new features that have become available for your AirStation USB Client. • You installed a newer version of the Client Manager tool. • Your Client Manager “Card Diagnostics” reported a Driver/Firmware mismatch.
The Windows operating system will disable the driver and update the driver configuration files. It will not delete the driver from your computer’s hard disk. This means that when you would reinstall the AirStation USB Client, your Windows operating system will attempt to activate the same driver files again. 6.
B.4 Windows 2000 Troubleshooting Tips B.4.1 Updating USB Client Drivers Updating the USB Client Drivers may be required in one of the following situations: • You would like to use new features that have become available for your AirStation USB Client. • You installed a newer version of the Client Manager tool. • Your Client Manager “Card Diagnostics” reported a Driver/Firmware mismatch.
B.5 Installation of the TCP/IP Installation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. for TCP/IP on Windows ME/9X: Re-boot the PC Select Start-Setting-Control Panel Double click the Network icon Click the Add Selecting Protocol and click Add Select Microsoft for manufacture and TCP/IP in the Network Protocol and click OK If the TCP/IP cannot be added this way, the user must refer to the PC manufacture 7. Click Yes when the PC asks for re-start Installation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
US Address: 1977 W. 190th Street Suite 100 Torrance, CA 90504 Website: www.buffalotech.com Email: Sales - sales@buffalotech.com Technical Support - info@buffalotech.com Phone: Sales Tel - 310-965-0448 Sales Tel - 800-508-1110 Sales Fax - 310-965-0497 Tech Support Line: 800-508-1110 M - F 9 AM - 6 PM PST Tech Support Line: 800-934-2471 M - F 7 AM - 3 PM PST UK Address: 881 Plymouth Road Slough, Berkshire SLI 4LP UK Tel - 44 (0) 1753 677500 Fax - 44 (0) 1753 677501 main@buffalo-technology.
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