Caution The NetComm NP642 must be installed and operated in accordance with the instructions provided in this Quick Start Guide. Damage caused by incorrect or careless installation is not covered by warranty. Static Electricity Computers are very sensitive to static electricity which may be discharged by the user when the internal circuitry is touched.
Contents INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 4 Wireless Terminology .......................................................................... 5 System Requirements ......................................................................... 7 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NP642 ............................................................... 8 Package Contents ...............................................................................
INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the NP642 108Mbps IEEE 802.11g Wireless PCI Card. This manual is designed to help familiarise users with the product and offers detailed operational and installation instructions, so please keep it for future reference. With the NP642 Wireless (IEEE 802.11g) PCI Card, a computer can communicate with the Network wirelessly. User-friendly utility software is bundled with the NP642 providing configuration, monitoring and diagnostic options.
Wireless Terminology Wireless Standards 802.11, 802.11b and 802.11g all refer to a series of standards which govern a common method of creating wireless local area networks (WLANs). 802.11b and 11g are the most common WLAN types, with 11g being the later and faster of the two standards with a maximum transmission rate of 54Mbps. The NP642 is faster again as it is built around a processor which ‘turbo-charges’ transmission rates up to 108Mbps. 802.11g is ‘backward compatible’ with 802.
WPA WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access - authorizes and identifies users based on a secret key that changes automatically at a pre-defined interval. This is called TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) to change the temporal key every 10,000 packets (= unit of data.) Keys can either be pre-shared or established by a RADIUS Server. RADIUS RADIUS is part of 802.11i security; this is a wireless standard which is only concerned with wireless security standards.
System Requirements • Desktop computer with available 32bit PCI slot. • Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP • 32Mb of memory and a 300MHz processor • 20Mb spare disk storage • CD-ROM Drive Caution The NetComm NP642 must be installed and operated in accordance with the instructions provided in this Quick Start Guide. Damage caused by incorrect or careless installation is not covered by warranty.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NP642 This chapter provides unpacking and setup information for the NP642 Wireless PCI Card. Package Contents Open the box of the Wireless PCI Card and carefully unpack it. The box should contain the following items: � One 108Mbps 802.11g Wireless PCI Card with removable antenna � One Installation CD, including Utility Software and User Guide. If any item is found missing or damaged, please contact your local reseller for replacement. 8 NP642 IEEE 802.
NP642 LED Indicators LED Indicator Description Power (PWR) The PWR indicator lights green to indicate that it is receiving power from the PCI slot. If the PWR indicator light is off, it is not receiving power. ACT (Activity) The ACT indicator blinks green while the Wireless PCI Card is transmitting data. NP642 IEEE 802.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION PCI Card Installation Instructions 1. Shut down the computer, unplug the power cord, and remove the chassis cover. 2. Insert the contact edge of the Wireless PCI Card into the available PCI Bus Master Expansion slot. Press the card firmly into the connector so that the card’s contacts are fully seated in the PCI slot connector. 3. Install the bracket screw and secure the card to the computer chassis. 4. Replace the computer’s cover. 5. Switch the computer power on.
Connecting the Antenna Before continuing with the Software Installation section, you will need to connect the antenna 1. The antenna has a retaining nut which must be screwed into the connector on the back of the card. Place the screw retaining nut over the antenna connection on the rear of the NB642 and turn it clockwise.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION This section will guide you through the driver and utility installation procedure for the NP642 Wireless PCI Card. Windows 98se/ME/2000/XP Utility and Driver Installation 1. Insert the Driver and Utility CD-ROM into the CD-ROM Drive. The driver and utility setup menu should start up and install the driver. Depending on your operating system, you may need to install the software manually. Go to your Windows start menu and select “Run”. Type “D:\Utility\Setup.
Icon Description If the Icon is completely Green, you have excellent coverage and performance. If the icon is yellow, the signal strength has a fair coverage and performance. If the icon has no colour, signal strength is poor. NP642 IEEE 802.
USING THE WIRELESS UTILITY I. Link Information Launch the utility program by double clicking the utility icon in the Windows task bar. The following window is displayed after launching the Utility program. Field Description Status: Shows the BSSID (or Mac address) of the adaptor, which can be used to identify it on the wireless network. SSID: Shows current SSID, which must be the same for the all wireless devices in order for communication to be established.
Field Description Wireless Mode: Shows the current wireless mode used for wireless communication. Encryption: Shows the current encryption mode used in the wireless network. TxRate: Shows the current data rate used for transmitting. Channel: Shows the current communication channel. Link Quality: Shows the link quality of the NP642 Wireless PCI card with the Access Point when operating under Infrastructure mode.
II. Configuration The configuration page enables you to set the basic parameters for your connection. Field Description SSID: Service Set Identifier, which is a unique name shared among all clients and nodes in a wireless network. The SSID must be identical for each client and node in the wireless network. Give your network a name which you will remember but which does not obviously identify it to the outside world.
Field Description ● Ad-Hoc – to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication directly with other wireless client devices such as other computers with wireless cards. Ad-Hoc Band: There are three bands available for selection- 11B, 11G and 11G Turbo. Choice depends on the type of wireless equipment you wish to connect to. Check the documentation of the associated equipment to verify details. Channel: The channel value that the PCI card will operate in.
Field Description Preamble: Select Long Preamble or Short & Long Preamble type. Leave as default unless advised otherwise by your Network Administrator. Support Band: There are three functions for you to select, including 11B, 11G and eXtended Range. The default setting is 11B, 11G and eXtended Range enabled, which is interoperable with both 11B and 11G devices, and provides a connectivity range of 500m. Note: 18 You must select at least 11B or 11G to support your wireless connection.
III. Advanced In the Advanced page you can configure advanced settings for the NP642 wireless PCI Card Field Description Encryption: There are four options available: Disable (WEP), Enable (WEP), WPA and WPA-PSK. The default setting is set to “Disable”. Enable and Disable refer to WEP data encryption feature. If Enable is selected, you will be required to select the Authentication mode from the drop down list. If WPA is selected, configuration is enabled. Select the “configuration” button.
Select the certificate that you wish to use and enter the server name and login name; this refers to RADIUS Server technology which is generally not in use in the home environment; check with your Network Administrator if you are required to enter this in order to log on to a secure network. If WPA-PSK is selected, click the configuration button. You will then be prompted with the following pop up window. 20 NP642 IEEE 802.
Field Description Please enter a key. If you are joining an existing network, ask the Administrator for the key. If you are setting up the network, create a key; any combination of letters and numbers up to 32 characters with no spaces. Auth. Mode: There are three modes available to choose from: • • • Open Authentication – the sender and receiver do not share a secret Key for communication. Instead, each party generates its own key-pairs and asks the other party to accept it.
IV. Site Survey This page allows you to enable the site survey function, which scans for available wireless networks (wireless clients & access points) and establishes a wireless communication with one. Field Description Available Network: Displays the wireless networks (wireless clients and Access Points) that are in your signal range. Select any one of them to establish communications by simply double-clicking or by clicking on the “Connect” button.
Field Description Profile: You can create and manage profiles for Home, offices or public areas. Double-Click on one of the created profiles. The settings will adapt to the configuration such as SSID, channel, and WEP settings saved by that particular profile. Remove: To remove the selected profile Properties: To view and change settings. Add: To add a profile. You will be prompted with the following popup screen.
V. About This page displays some information about the NP642 Wireless PCI Card. It contains the Driver & Utility Version as well as the MAC address. This feature is useful when you need to identify utility and driver versions as updates become available. 24 NP642 IEEE 802.
APPENDIX A: Glossary Access Point: An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Ad-Hoc: An independent wireless LAN network formed by a group of computers, each with a network adapter. AP Client: One of the additional AP operating modes offered by a 54Mbps Access Point, which allows the Access Point to act as an Ethernetto-Wireless Bridge, thus a LAN or a single computer station can join a wireless ESS network through it.
Bandwidth: The transmission capacity of a device, which is calculated by how much data the device can transmit in a fixed amount of time expressed in bits per second (bps). Beacon: A beacon is a packet broadcast by the Access Point to keep the network synchronized. Included in a beacon are information such as wireless LAN service area, the AP address, the Broadcast destination addresses, time stamp, Delivery Traffic Indicator Maps, and the Traffic Indicator Message (TIM).
CSMA/CD: Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection, which is a LAN access method used in Ethernet. When a device wants to gain access to the network, it checks to see if the network is quiet (senses the carrier). If it is not, it waits a random amount of time before retrying. If the network is quiet and two devices access the line at exactly the same time, their signals collide. When the collision is detected, they both back off and wait a random amount of time before retrying.
Encryption: A security method that uses a specific algorithm to alter the data transmitted, thus prevent others from knowing the information transmitted. ESS: ESS stands for “Extended Service Set”. More than one BSS is configured to become Extended Service Set. LAN mobile users can roam between different BSSs in an ESS. ESSID: The unique identifier that identifies the ESS. In infrastructure association, the stations use the same ESSID as AP’s to get connected.
HEX: Hexadecimal, HEX, consists of numbers from 0 – 9 and letters from A – F. IEEE: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which is the largest technical professional society that promotes the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences for the benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession. The IEEE fosters the development of standards that often become national and international standards.
Node: A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or workstation. Packet: A unit of data routed between an origin and a destination in a network. PLCP: Physical layer convergence protocol PPDU: PLCP protocol data unit Preamble: The ‘preamble’ is a sequence of bits transmitted at 1Mbps that synchronises wireless transmission within the network. The Short Preamble and header may be used to minimize overhead and, thus, maximize the network data throughput.
Subnet Mask: The method used for splitting IP networks into a series of subgroups, or subnets. The mask is a binary pattern that is matched up with the IP address to turn part of the host ID address field into a field for subnets. TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol. The basic communication language or protocol of the Internet. It can also be used as a communications protocol in a private network, i.e. intranet or internet.
APPENDIX B: Registration and Warranty Information All NetComm Limited (“NetComm”) products have a standard 12 month warranty from date of purchase against defects in manufacturing and that the products will operate in accordance with the specifications outlined in the User Guide. However some products have an extended warranty option (please refer to your packaging).
Customer Information ACA (Australian Communications Authority) requires you to be aware of the following information and warnings: (1) This unit shall be connected to the Telecommunication Network through a line cord which meets the requirements of the ACA TS008 Standard. (2) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the Standards for C-Tick and or A-Tick as set by the ACA. These standards are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Product Warranty The warranty is granted on the following conditions: 1. This warranty extends to the original purchaser (you) and is not transferable; 2. This warranty shall not apply to software programs, batteries, power supplies, cables or other accessories supplied in or with the product; 3. The customer complies with all of the terms of any relevant agreement with NetComm and any other reasonable requirements of NetComm including producing such evidence of purchase as NetComm may require; 4.
Limitations of Warranty The Trade Practices Act 1974 and corresponding State and Territory Fair Trading Acts or legalisation of another Government (“the relevant acts”) in certain circumstances imply mandatory conditions and warranties which cannot be excluded. This warranty is in addition to and not in replacement for such conditions and warranties.
