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Chapter 1   Product Overview 
 

 

 
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Chapter 1  Product Overview 

1.1 Introduction 

Wireless network is a convenience to everyone. Whether you are a home user or an 
office network administrator, you are going to enjoy the benefits of the wireless 
network. 
 
As a home user, you can enjoy the freedom to roam around your house and maintain 
connection to your network. Now you can surf the web, send e-mail or download a 
program while in the garden or near your swimming pool. Wireless network will 
change the way you live. No more unsightly cables and wiring with the 
implementation of a wireless network. 
 
Many new offices in consideration of fast implementation and easy maintenance of the 
network has upgraded/expanded to a wireless network. 
 

1.2 Overview 

Compex iWavePort WLU11A is a handy card-sized 11Mbps Wireless Adapter with 
USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface in compliant to IEEE 802.11b industry standard. 
It offers the convenience of a plug and play by just simply connecting to a USB 
interface of your PC or notebooks.

 

 

1.3 Features and Benefits 

Compex WLU11A is designed to give you all the supPort features you need in a 
wireless network to establish a wireless client. The following features are included as 
part of the benefits of owning a WLU11A. 
 

1.3.1 IEEE 802.11b and USB 1.1 Specifications compliant 

The WLU11A can interoperate with any other wireless devices that comply with 
IEEE802.11b Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and interpretable with most 
notebooks and desktop computers, in compliance to USB 1.1 specifications. 

1.3.2 Supports 1, 2, 5.5 and 11Mbps Data Rates 

WLU11A works at a maximum speed of 11Mbps on the wireless interface; and is 
backward compatible to support older wireless products with lower speeds of 1, 2 
Mbps. 

Summary of Contents for iWavePort WLU11A

Page 1: ......

Page 2: ... Revision by Christopher Manual Number U 0336 V1 1C Version 1 1 December 2001 Disclaimer Compex Inc provides this manual without warranty of any kind either expressed or implied including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose Compex Inc may make improvements and or changes to the product and or specifications of the product described in t...

Page 3: ...d receiver Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help Caution Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void the user s authority to operate the equipment FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions This device may not cause harmful interference ...

Page 4: ... Compex Inc 4051 E La Palma Unit A Anaheim CA 92807 USA Call Fax Tel Tel Fax BBS 714 630 7302 8 a m 5 p m Pacific time 800 279 8891 ext 122 Technical Support 714 630 6521 714 630 2570 24 hour access Europe Write ReadyLINK Networktechnology Gmbh Albert Einstein Straβe 34 M21 63322 Rödermark Germany Call Tel Fax BBS 49 0 6074 98017 8 a m 5 p m local time 49 0 6074 90668 49 0 6074 93974 24 hour acces...

Page 5: ...ng system you may need to refer to your operating system s documentation for networking How to Use this Document The document is written in such a way that you as a user will find it convenient to find specific information pertaining to the product It comprises of chapters that explain in details on the installation and configuration of WLU11A Conventions In this document special conventions are u...

Page 6: ...valent Privacy WEP 64 128 bit data encryption 2 1 4 Applications 2 1 4 1 When do you need wireless LAN 2 1 4 2 Networking scenarios for WLU11A 2 1 5 Panel Views and Descriptions 4 1 5 1 Top View 4 1 5 2 Front View 4 1 5 3 Panel Description 5 1 6 Technical Specifications 6 Chapter 2 Getting Started 7 2 1 Package Content 7 2 2 Setup Considerations 7 2 2 1 Software requirements 7 2 2 2 Hardware requi...

Page 7: ... install Utility 38 5 2 Drivers Un Installation 39 Chapter 6 Windows XP Wireless Connectivity 40 6 1 Start Windows XP Wireless Connection Properties Menu 40 6 2 Windows XP Wireless Connectivity Properties Menu 43 6 3 Infrastructure Mode With 64 bit Encryption Configuration 46 6 4 Ad Hoc Mode With 128 bit Encryption Configuration 47 Chapter 7 Troubleshooting 48 7 1 Encounter IP Address Conflicts 48...

Page 8: ... a handy card sized 11Mbps Wireless Adapter with USB Universal Serial Bus interface in compliant to IEEE 802 11b industry standard It offers the convenience of a plug and play by just simply connecting to a USB interface of your PC or notebooks 1 3 Features and Benefits Compex WLU11A is designed to give you all the supPort features you need in a wireless network to establish a wireless client The ...

Page 9: ...triction in the building Cost effectiveness against laying of cables Easy scalability and expansion of existing network 1 4 2 Networking scenarios for WLU11A WLU11A can be configured for 2 types of wireless architectures Infrastructure and Ad Hoc In the Infrastructure architecture all the wireless clients communicate through the access point which is a device that acts as a base station for all wi...

Page 10: ... of wireless clients support depends on the access point Figure 1 4 2a Infrastructure Architecture Configuration Figure 1 4 2b shows an example of how a WLU11A can work in an Ad Hoc architecture In an Ad Hoc architecture there is no limit to the number of wireless clients you can connect Figure 1 4 2b Ad Hoc Architecture Configuration ...

Page 11: ...Chapter 1 Product Overview 4 1 5 Panel Views and Descriptions 1 5 1 Top View 4 2 3 1 Figure 1 5 1a Top View of Compex WLU11A 1 5 2 Front View 5 Figure 1 5 2a Front View of Compex WLU11A ...

Page 12: ...RX LED Blinking Green Data is receiving on the wireless interface Off No data is received on the wireless interface 3 TX LED Blinking Green Data is transmitting on the wireless interface Off No data is transmitted on the wireless interface 4 Dipole Antenna The antenna is for RF Transmission Receiving 5 USB Port The connection port for your USB cable ...

Page 13: ...ating Channels 4 Channels France 11 Channels US Canada 13 Channels Europe Media Access Method Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance CSMA CA Data Rate 11Mbps 5 5Mbps 2Mbps 1Mbps Modulation CCK BPSK QPSK Antenna Dipole Antenna Data Privacy 64 bit or 128 bit WEP selectable Power Consumption 5V 250mA TX 150mA RX 30mA Standby Net Weight About 130 g Dimension L x W x H 101mm x 65 mm x 1...

Page 14: ...er USB Cable Quick Install Guide with warranty card CD User manual and software drivers and utilities 2 2 Setup Considerations Check your Local Area Network configurations Check if it is Dynamic or Static IP addressing Check the TCP IP protocols and IP address settings of the PCs Clients or Ethernet Hub Switch in your LAN 2 2 1 Software requirements Windows 98 98SE ME 2000 XP 2 MB of hard disk spa...

Page 15: ...ions Before you start the hardware installation you need to have the following items ready WLU11A unit USB cable Computer with USB port To begin 1 Power up your computer and login 2 Plug the smaller connector of the USB cable to WLU11A and the other end the cable to your computer 3 The PWR LED will light up indicating that WLU11A is receiving power from your computer 4 Your computer will detect th...

Page 16: ... 2000 WLU11A Driver Installation 1 Once you plug WLU11A into your computer it will detect the WLU11A hardware immediately as shown in Figure 3 2 1a Click Next to continue Figure 3 2 1a USB Device detection NOTE If your computer does not detect the WLU11A check that your USB driver for your operating system is working properly You may need to install the USB driver for computer Please refer to the ...

Page 17: ...mended in Figure 3 2 1b and then click Next Figure 3 2 1b Search for new drivers 3 Insert the CD into your computer CD ROM drive Select Specify a location enter x Software wlu11a drivers and click Next See Figure 3 2 1c Note x is the drive letter for your CD ROM drive Figure 3 2 1c Select drivers location ...

Page 18: ...lation 11 4 Click Next once windows found the driver in CD drive See Figure 3 2 1d Figure 3 2 1d Drivers confirmation 5 Click Next to confirm and Windows will install the drivers as shown in Figure 3 2 1e Figure 3 2 1e Drivers Installation ...

Page 19: ... For Windows 98 98SE ME please reboot the system Figure 3 2 1f Installation complete 7 Go to My Computer use right mouse button and click on Properties Select Device Manager then Network adapters You will be able to find Wireless 802 11b USB Adapter if it has been successfully installed See Figure 3 2 1g Figure 3 2 1g Check status of WLU11A driver ...

Page 20: ...uide 1 Power up your computer Connect the USB male connector to your computer USB port Your computer will detect the WLU11A hardware immediately as shown in Figure 3 2 2 a Select Install from a list or specific location Advanced and click Next to continue Figure 3 2 2a Found new hardware ...

Page 21: ...re wlu11a drivers and click Next as shown in Figure 3 2 2b Windows will detect the drivers for you Click Continue Anyway to proceed Note x is the drive letter of your CD ROM drive Figure 3 2 2b Windows logo test 3 Windows will copy the necessary files and complete the installation when Figure 3 3 2c is shown Figure 3 3 2c Installation complete ...

Page 22: ...r use right mouse button and click on Properties Select Hardware and then click Device Manager Select Network adapters You will be able to find Compex iWavePort WLU11A if it has been successfully installed See Figure 3 2 2d Figure 3 2 2d Check status of WLU11A driver ...

Page 23: ...onfiguration Utility is required to configure your client to work with your wireless network 1 Insert the CD into your CD ROM drive and Windows will start Compex Product Information web page Figure 3 3 1b If no web is started locate start html at root directory of CD and double click it See Figure 3 3 1a Figure 3 3 1a Locate Setup exe ...

Page 24: ... for WLU11A Configuration Utility and click it See Figure 3 3 1b Figure 3 3 1b Drivers Utility 3 If you are using Windows 98 98SE ME 2000 select Run this program from its current location and click OK and proceed to step 5 Else skip this step See Figure 3 3 1c Figure 3 3 1c Run Drivers Utility ...

Page 25: ...18 4 If you are using Windows XP click Open and proceed to step 5 Else skip this step See Figure 3 3 1d Figure 3 3 1d Open Drivers Utility 5 Click Next in the Welcome Screen as shown in Figure 3 3 1e to continue Figure 3 3 1e Setup welcome screen ...

Page 26: ...se and select the various directories To install in the default directory just click Next See Figure 3 3 1f Figure 3 3 1f Select directory to setup utility 7 Enter the name of the program folder for the utility To use the default just click Next See Figure 3 3 1g Figure 3 3 1g Select directory to setup utility ...

Page 27: ...0 8 Windows will install the files from the diskette as shown in Figure 3 3 1h Figure 3 3 1h Installing files 9 When setup finished installing the utility as shown in Figure 3 3 1i clicks Finish to complete it Figure 3 3 1i Installation Completion ...

Page 28: ...rt automatically The utility icon will appear on the system tray once it is started See Figure 3 3 1j Figure 3 3 1j Configuration Monitor Utility 3 3 2 Windows XP Configuration Windows XP configuration please refer to Windows XP Wireless Connectivity Properties for Windows XP Software Refer page 40 for the setup ...

Page 29: ...art the utility There are various ways you can start the configuration utility in Windows 98 98SE 2000 XP You can start the utility from the Windows Start menu select Programs folder and then select Wireless 802 11 USB Utility folder and click WLAN Monitor Utility Figure 4 1a Start Configuration Monitor Utility You can also start the utility by clicking the Utility icon on the system tray as shown...

Page 30: ...ture or Ad Hoc architecture mode For more information about Infrastructure or Ad Hoc architecture please refer to section 1 4 2 To configure the Architecture do the following 1 Start the client utility Click Status menu and the following screen will be shown in Figure 4 2a Figure 4 2a Start Configuration Monitor Utility ...

Page 31: ...3 channels European except France ETSI SSID SSID is the acronym for Service Set Identifier It is a unique name that is shared among all wireless hosts Key in an Identification to specify the wireless network you want to access Tx Rate Set the transfer rate for the wireless interface If the transfer rate for your wireless interface cannot be sustained the link will be dropped If you set the Tx Rate...

Page 32: ...ing for any available wireless network OK WLU11A detects other wireless clients in Ad Hoc mode Associated BSSID WLU11A is connected to an Access Point in Infrastructure mode The BSSID is shown in HEX numbers Signal Strength Indicates the signal strength of data packets from the access point in infrastructure mode Values 0 to 100 Link Quality Indicates the signal quality of the link to other wirele...

Page 33: ...onfigure the following parameters Operating Mode Infrastructure SSID Compex Tx Rate Auto Power Mgmt Mode Active Figure 4 2 1a Example of Infrastructure Mode 2 Click Submit and WLU11A will search for any access point 3 Click Exit to close the program NOTE All the information entered must be the same value as your access point in order for WLU11A to connect to it ...

Page 34: ...the following parameters Operating Mode Ad Hoc Channel 3 SSID Compex Tx Rate Auto Power Mgmt Mode Active Figure 4 2 2a Example of Ad Hoc Mode 2 Click Submit and WLU11A will search for any wireless clients 3 Click Exit to close the program NOTE All the information entered must be the same value as your other wireless clients in order for WLU11A to connect to them ...

Page 35: ...u have configured the desired architecture WLU11A can show you the statistics for transmission To watch the statistics follow the procedures below 1 Start the client utility Click Statistics menu and the following Figure 4 3a will be shown Figure 4 3a Statistics menu ...

Page 36: ... successfully transmitted or received The number of data packets unsuccessfully transmitted or received Management Successful Tx Rx Unsuccessful Tx Rx The number of management packets successfully transmitted or received The number of management packets unsuccessfully transmitted or received Rejected packets TX RX Number of rejected transmitted received packets Table 4 3 Statistic Menu Parameters ...

Page 37: ...t are detected by WLU11A To check the wireless hosts around WLU11A do the following 1 Start the client utility Click Site Survey menu and the following Figure 4 4a will be shown Figure 4 4a Site Survey Menu 2 To scan the wireless hosts click Re Scan During the scanning you can end it by clicking Cancel ...

Page 38: ... unique name that is shared among all wireless hosts in the same wireless network Signal Shows the signal strength to the device Channel The frequency channel that is set on the respective wireless host Encryption Shows whether Encryption is turned on or off on the respective wireless host BSS BSS is the acronym for Basic Service Set It indicates the mode Infrastructure or Ad Hoc this BSSID is wor...

Page 39: ...For protection of your data from unauthorized users you need to encrypt the data before they are transmitted WLU11A offers two types of encryption 64 bit WEP and 128 bit WEP To secure your data do the following 1 Start the client utility Click Encryption menu and select 64 bit under Encryption parameters and the following Figure 4 5a will be shown Figure 4 5a Encryption Menu ...

Page 40: ...3 KEY 4 Enter your Encryption Key here NOTE You can enter up to 4 Encryption Key However only 1 key will be used at a time Default Key Select one of the four keys to use for encryption Mode Select the mode for the encryption key Values Optional Encryption key does not depend on the Encryption key selected Mandatory Encryption also depends on the Encryption key selected Authentication Type Select h...

Page 41: ...eters Encryption 64 bit Key 1 0123456789 Key 2 ABCDEF0000 Key 3 0000000000 Key 4 0000000000 Default Key Key 1 Mode Mandatory Authentication Type Open System Figure 4 5 1a 64 bit Encryption Configuration 2 Click Submit for changes to take effect NOTE All the information entered must be the same value as that of your wireless network in order for WLU11A to connect to it ...

Page 42: ...n menu is for users who are familiar with the IEEE802 11 standard Preamble type Fragmentation Threshold and RTS CTS Threshold can be set here To set these setting do the following 1 Start the client utility Click Advanced menu and the following Figure 4 6a will be shown Figure 4 6a Advanced Menu ...

Page 43: ...he preamble Values Long 144 bits Short 72 bits Auto Automatically select Long or Short for Preamble type Fragmentation Threshold Set the maximum size the RF data packet will be split up for transmission Values 256 to 2345 2346 to disable RTS CTS Threshold Set the size of the Request to Send RTS and Clear to Send CTS packets Values 1 to 2346 2347 to disable Table 4 6 Advanced Menu Parameters ...

Page 44: ...version of your WLU11A do the following 1 Start the client utility Click Version menu and the following Figure 4 7a will be shown Figure 4 7a Version Menu Table 4 7b explains the various parameters on the Version Menu Parameters Description Driver Version The version of the driver used Firmware Version The version of the firmware in WLU11A Application Version The version of the Client Utility Tabl...

Page 45: ...you want to install a new client utility you need to un install the present client utility first 1 Start the Uninstall Select Programs folder and then select Wireless 802 11 USB Utility folder and click Uninstall Click OK to continue Figure 5 1a InstallShield Wizard 2 Once the following screen Figure 6 1b is shown the un installation process is completed Click Finish to close it Figure 5 1b Mainte...

Page 46: ...ures below 1 Search for the Un98wlua bat file in the CD ROM under the directory software wlu11a drivers and Run it Figure 5 2a Un98wlua bat NOTE This batch file only works for Windows 98 98SE and ME 2 A Dos batch will run Press Enter key twice to uninstalled the drivers Figure 6 2b shows the results of the un installation Figure 6 2b Uninstallation successful ...

Page 47: ...k 6 1 Start Windows XP Wireless Connection Properties Menu 1 Once you have installed the drivers for WLU11A Windows XP will detect WLU11A and a Wireless Network Connection icon will be seen on the system tray Click it See Figure 6 1a Figure 6 1a Wireless Network Connection icon 2 If wireless client is not connected to any wireless network Figure 6 1b will be shown else Figure 6 1c will be shown Fi...

Page 48: ...ity 41 Figure 6 1c Wireless Network Connection Status 3 Click Advanced if Figure 6 1b is started else click Properties if Figure 6 1c is started Wireless Network Connection Properties Wireless Networks will be started as shown in Figure 6 1d ...

Page 49: ...Chapter 6 Windows XP Wireless Connectivity 42 Figure 6 1d Wireless Network Connection Properties Wireless Networks ...

Page 50: ...perties Menu The properties of the Wireless Network Connection Properties Menu will be explained in this section Figure 6 2a shows the hierarchy of the other menus The various buttons will bring you to the various menus as shown in Figure 6 2a Figure 6 2a Hierarchy of Various Other Menus ...

Page 51: ...work detected by WLU11A Preferred Networks Configure the priority of wireless network to connect to WLU11A Table 6 2a Wireless Network Connection Properties Menu Parameters Table 6 2b explains the various parameters on the Advanced Menu Parameters Description Networks to access Specify the priority on the types of wireless network the wireless client is to be connected Automatically connect to non...

Page 52: ... with access point Shared Key Wireless client need to share the same Encryption key to authenticate with access point Network key Enter your Encryption Key here Key format The format of the encryption key Values ASCII characters Hexadecimal digits Key Length Specify whether to use 64 bit or 128 bit encryption Key index Specify the location of the of the Network key The key is provided for me autom...

Page 53: ... Network Authentication Shared mode Network key 1122334455 Key format Hexadecimal digits Key length 40 bits 10 digits Key index advanced 0 The key is provided for me automatically This is a computer to computer ad hoc network wireless access points are not used 2 Click OK and then click Refresh to let WLU11A search for your preferred wireless network NOTE All the information entered must be the sa...

Page 54: ...tion Shared mode Network key 11223344556677889900aabbcc Key format Hexadecimal digits Key length 104 bits 26 digits Key index advanced 0 The key is provided for me automatically This is a computer to computer ad hoc network wireless access points are not used R 2 Click OK and then click Refresh to let WLU11A search for your preferred wireless network NOTE All the information entered must be the sa...

Page 55: ...twork with a DHCP server you may encounter a conflict of IP address as shown Figure 7 1a IP conflict 7 1 1 For Windows 98 98SE ME In Windows 95 98 you can try the following to release your IP address and renew a new IP address 1 Click Start point to Run and enter in winipcfg The Winipcfg screen will then appear as shown Click Release All button The Winipcfg will then release your current TCP IP co...

Page 56: ... 49 3 And Restart your computer 7 1 2 For Windows 2000 XP Do the following 1 At the Command Prompt type ipconfig release and press Enter 2 Next type ipconfig renew and press Enter See Figure 7 12a Figure 7 1 2a ipconfig command ...

Page 57: ...dapters are covered here The configurations here assumed that a DHCP server exist in your network 8 1 Adding TCP IP network protocol for Windows 98 98SE ME 1 From the Windows 98 98SE ME Start Button select Settings and then Control Panel 2 Double click on the Network icon and a Network screen will appear as Figure 8 1a Network Configuration Installed Components Look for TCP IP Add button ...

Page 58: ...lect Protocol and click Add button Figure 8 1b Select Network Component Type 5 Select Microsoft and TCP IP in Manufacturers and Network Protocols columns respectively Click OK You may need your Windows CD to complete the installation Figure 8 1c Select Network Protocol 6 After TCP IP is installed go back to the Network screen and select TCP IP in the list of Network Components ...

Page 59: ...s and check the settings in each of the TCP IP Properties window Figure 8 1d IP Address Configuration Now that you have your TCP IP installed you may proceed to section 7 2 to configure the TCP IP TCP IP Properties Tabs IP address Tab shown ...

Page 60: ...otocol for DHCP server 1 Click on IP Address Tab and select Obtain an IP address automatically Figure 8 2a IP Address Configuration 2 Click on Bindings Tab and select Client for Microsoft Networks and File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks and click OK Figure 8 2b Binding ...

Page 61: ...Chapter 8 Appendix 54 3 Click the Gateway and make sure all fields are blank Figure 8 2c Gateway 4 Click on DNS Configuration Tab and select Disable DNS Figure 8 2c Gateway ...

Page 62: ...or Windows XP you do not need to install the TCP IP protocol as it is installed when you install a network card Therefore only the configuration for TCP IP is shown 1 From the Windows XP Start menu click Control Panel then click Network and Internet Connections Then click Network Connections to open Figure 8 3a below Figure 8 3a Network Connections ...

Page 63: ...Chapter 8 Appendix 56 2 Right click the network connections you want to edit and click Properties Figure 8 3b will be opened as shown Figure 8 3b WLU11A Network Connection ...

Page 64: ...IP Address Configuration 4 Select Obtain an IP address automatically and click OK To be able to browse the Net the PC usually runs a browser If you have not installed any install one now The most popular browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Start the browser and the NP11A will connect these PCs to the Internet ...

Page 65: ...58 NOTES ...

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