Adaptec Wireless Access Point manual

R Adaptec Ultra W ir eless TM Access Point User’ s Guide[...]

ii Copyright © 2002 Adaptec, Inc. All rights r eserved . No part of this publication may be repr oduced, stored in a retrieval system, or tran smitted in any form or by any means, electr onic, mechanical, photocopyi ng , recor ding or otherwise, withou t the prior writ ten consent of Adaptec , Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Mi lpitas, CA 95035. T[...]

iii Adaptec T echnical Support If you have questions ab out installing or using your Adaptec product, chec k this document first—you will find answers to most of your ques tions here. If you need further assistance, use the support options listed below . T echnica l Suppo rt I dentifi cation (T SID) N umber ■ Before contacting T echnical Suppor[...]

iv Limited 2-Y ear Hardware W arranty 1. Adaptec, Inc. (“Adaptec”) warrants to the purc haser of this product that it will be free fr om defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years fr om the date of purchase. If the product should become defective within the warranty period, Adaptec, at its option, will repair or replace t[...]

v Adaptec Software Li cense Agreement PLEASE READ CAREFULL Y : THE USE OF THIS SOF TW ARE IS SUBJECT TO THE SOF TW ARE LICENSE TERMS OF ADAPTE C, INC. AND OTHER LICENSOR S WHOSE SOF TW ARE MA Y BE BUNDLED WITH THIS PRODU CT . BY YOUR USE OF THE SO F TW ARE INCLUDED WITH THIS PRODUCT YOU AGREE TO THE LICENSE TERMS REQUIRED BY THE LICENSOR OF THA T S[...]

vi 7. Limited W arranty . Adaptec and its Licensor warrant only that the media upon which the Software is furnished will be fr ee from defe cts in material or workmanship under normal use and service for a period of thirty (30) da ys from the date of delivery to you. ADAPTEC AND ITS LICENS ORS DO NOT AN D CANNOT W ARRANT TH E PERFORMANC E OR RESUL [...]

vii Regulatory Comp liance Statements Federal Commun ications Commission Radio Freque ncy Interference Stat ement W ARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible fo r compliance could void the user ’s authority to operate the equipment. This equipment has been tested and found to comp ly with the li[...]

1 In this Guide Introduction 2 Installation T ask List 3 Installing Y our Wireless AP 6 Installing the Wireless Access Point Uti lity 8 Setting Y our Wireless AP’ s IP Address 12 Opening the Utility and Logging on 13 Connecting to the WLAN 14 Using the Wireless Access P oint Utility 19 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN 20 T roubleshooting 28 Abou[...]

2 Introduction Intr oduction This User ’ s Guide pr ovides detailed in structions fo r installing and configur ing your W ireless Access Point (W ir eless AP) as p art of a W ir eless Local Area Network (WLAN). See the Installation T ask List on page 3 for an overview of the installation process. This Guide also includes a basic overview of wirel[...]

3 Installation T ask List Installation T ask List T o successfully install your W ir eless AP, complete these task s: ❏ Follow the tips and suggestions provided in the next se ction, Befor e Y ou Begin . ❏ Install the W ir eless AP. See page 6 . ❏ Install the W ir eless Access Point Utility. See page 8 . ❏ Set the IP address for your W ir e[...]

4 Installation T ask List This is Y our Wireless Access P o int T op View The top of your W ir eless AP has four clearly labeled status indicator lights (or LED s ). Once your W ireless AP is installed , these LEDs display the status of the network and the condition of your Wi r e l e s s A P , a s d e s c r i b e d : LED On Off Blinking DIAG Updat[...]

5 Installation T ask List Side View The DC-IN port connects your W ireless AP to a power source. The LAN port connects your W ireless AP to your LAN. The INIT button reboots your W ireless AP and resets it to its factory default settings. (Press and hold the INIT button for 5 seconds to reset.) DC-IN por t INIT button LAN port Side View[...]

6 Installing Y our Wireless AP Installing Y our W ir eless AP Before continuing, ensure that you have followed the tips and suggestions provided in Before Y ou Begin on page 3 . The next task on the Installation T ask Li st (see page 3 ) is to install your W ireless AP. This section helps you l ocate it in the best possible position and guides you [...]

7 Installing Y our Wireless AP Installing the Wireless AP Y our W ir eless AP can fit into your WL AN in multiple ways . It can be connected to a hub or switch on your network, a router on your network, or a network adapter that ’s installed in a computer on your network. T o install the W ireless AP: 1 Use the mounting scr ews to secure the Acce[...]

8 Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility Installing the W ir eless Access Point Utility Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions pr ovided in Before Y ou Begin on page 3 . ❏ Installed the W ire less AP. See page 6 . The next step on the Installation T ask List (see page 3 ) is to install the Adapte[...]

9 Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 5 Click Next . 6 T ype in your User Name and Company Name (optional), then click Next .[...]

10 Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 7 The InstallShield W izard chooses a default destination folder for the software files. Click Next to accept the default destination (recom mended), or click Browse to select an alternate destination. 8 Y ou can choose where to stor e program icons in the Pr ogram Folder . Accept the defau lt folder [...]

11 Installing the Wireless Access Point Utility 9 Click Finish to complete the installation. The W ir eless Access Point Utility is installed . The W ir eless Access Point Utility icon appears on your desktop . See Setting Y our Wir eless AP’ s IP Addr ess on page 12 to continue.[...]

12 Setting Y our Wireless AP’ s IP Address Setting Y our W ir eless AP’s IP Addr ess Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions pr ovided in Before Y ou Begin on page 3 . ❏ Installed the W ire less AP. See page 6 . ❏ Installed the W ireless Access Point Utility . See page 8 . The next step on the Ins[...]

13 Opening the Utility and Logging on Opening the Utility and Logging on Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions pr ovided in Before Y ou Begin on page 3 . ❏ Installed the W ire less AP. See page 6 . ❏ Installed the W ireless Access Point Utility . See page 8 . ❏ Set the IP address for your W ir ele[...]

14 Connecting to the WLAN Connecting to the WLAN Before you continue, make sure that you have: ❏ Followed the tips and suggestions pr ovided in Before Y ou Begin on page 3 . ❏ Installed the W ire less AP. See page 6 . ❏ Installed the W ireless Access Point Utility . See page 8 . ❏ Set the IP address for your W ir eless AP. See page 12 . ❏[...]

15 Connecting to the WLAN Adding to an Existi ng WLAN or Using Y our Wireless AP With Non-Adaptec Brand Wireless Devi ces Y ou must adjust the default settings on your W irele ss AP to allow it to function proper ly within your WLAN. These spec ific settings must be identical with those of ev ery other W ireless device on your WLAN: ■ Wi r e l e [...]

16 Connecting to the WLAN T o change these settings on your W ireless AP: 1 Log on to your W ir eless AP. 2 Click the Basic Set-up tab. a Set the W ireless Network ID (SSID) . If you are adding your W i reless AP to an existing W LAN, set the SSID to match your other W ireless network devices. Each station on your WLAN must have the same SSID. b Cl[...]

17 Connecting to the WLAN 3 Click the Security tab. The Enable WEP Encrypti on setting is deselecte d by default. Adaptec recommends that you protect your network by enabling WEP encryption. Unpr otected networks are vulnerable to security br eaches by unauthorized users. a Set the Enable WEP Encrypti on and WEP Key settings as desir ed. (See Chang[...]

18 Connecting to the WLAN b If you selected Enable WEP Encryption, set Security Authenti cation T ype to Both . (See About Security Authentication S ettings on page 24 for more information.) Note: The Security page also lets you set MAC address filtering. For m ore information, see Filtering MAC Addresses on page 25 . 4 Click Save . Y our changes a[...]

19 Using the Wireless Access Point Utility Using the W ir eless Access Point Utility This section pr ovides an introducti on to the basic functions of the W ir eless Access Point Utility. (See the next sections of this Use r ’ s Guide for detailed information about specific featur es of the Utility .) ■ Click Save to save any changes you make o[...]

20 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN Y ou can use the W ireless Access Point Util ity 1 to change the set-up of your WLAN by: ■ Changing the tr ansfer ra te. See page 21 . ■ Changing the encryption (WEP) settings. See page 22 . ■ Limiting access to your W ireless AP by filtering MAC addresse s. See page 25 . [...]

21 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN Changing the T ransfer Rate The default transfer rate setting, Automatic , allows your W ir eless AP to automatically adjust its transf er speed for optimal performance and the longest operating range. Adaptec recomm ends that whenever possible, you maintain the Automatic setting. However , if your W ireless AP?[...]

22 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN Changing the WEP Encryption Settings W ir ed Eq uivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security feature that encrypts the data being sent over the radio waves of your WLAN. The default Enable WEP Encryption sett ing is Disabled . Disabled encryption allows your W ireless devices to share data in plain text. Caution: Adapte[...]

23 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN 4 In the WEP Key Length dr op-down box, choose 64-bit key or 128-bit key . T ype in the WEP Keys and Default Key used on your WLAN. Ensure that they exactly match your WLAN WEP Keys . Remember that alphanum eric WEP keys are case-sen sitive. 5 Click Save . Y our changes are saved. Y ou must reboot your W ir eles[...]

24 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN 2 Click Save . Y our changes are saved. Y ou must reboot your W ir eless AP to apply your changes. Click Reboot on the Success page, or continue working in the W ireless Access Point Utility and click Reboot from the Administration page (see page 27 ) at the end of your session. Y ou do not have to reboot your c[...]

25 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN Filtering MA C Addresses Y ou can help pr event unauthorized users fr om accessing your network by enabling MAC address filtering. MA C address filtering lets you specify exactly which W ireless device s can connect to your Wi r e l e s s A P . Note: Each Adaptec W ire less devi ce is la belled with its assigned[...]

26 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN 7 Click Save . Y our changes are saved. Y ou must reboot your W ir eless AP to apply your changes. Click Reboot on the Success page, or continue working in the W ireless Access Point Utility and click Reboot from the Administration page (see page 27 ) at the end of your session. Y ou do not have to reboot your c[...]

27 Changing the Set-up of Y our WLAN Rebooting Y our Wireless AP Y ou must r eboot your W ir eless AP to apply any changes you’ve made and saved in the Wi reless Access Point Util ity. Note: Rebooting happens within seconds and does not cause your computer to r eboot. T o reb o ot y ou r Wirel es s A P: 1 Save any setting chan ges you’ve made. [...]

28 T roubleshooting T r oubleshooting If you encounter dif ficulties installing or using your W ir eless AP, work through these tr oubleshooting tips. If you ha ve difficulties achieving or maintaining a Wireless connection: ■ Check to see if radi o interference is causing a problem. Move your W ir eless adapter away from your microwave oven, 2.4[...]

29 T roubleshooting If the Wireless Access P oint Utility does not list your Wireless AP: En s u re t h a t y o u ar e ru n n i n g th e U t i l i ty o n a c o m p u t e r t h a t i s w i re d to the W ir eless AP through a netw ork hub or switch, not connected over the W ireless network. If you are accessing the Utility over the WLAN, try connecti[...]

30 About Wireless T echnolog y and LANs About W ir eless T echnology and LANs This section provides a very brief, very general overview of W ireless technology and LANs. There ar e many books and W eb sites dedicated to this topic that can provide a more comprehensive explanation . What’ s a LAN? A network is a gr oup of computers that are connec[...]

31 About Wireless T echnolog y and LANs What About Security? Y ou have multiple opt ions for adding secu rity to your WLAN. Set security according to th e needs of your network. ■ Y ou can limit access to parts of the network by setting passwords and creating special shar ed files. Refer to y our operating system’s documentation for mor e infor[...]

32 T echnical Specifications T echnical Specifications Standards IEEE 802.1 1b compliant Antenna Built-in diversi ty dipole antenna Frequency Range ■ 2.4 2.4835 GHz (Industrial Scientific Medical Band) ■ DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) Data T ransmission Rate ■ 11 M b p s ■ 5.5 Mbps ■ 2 Mbps ■ 1 Mbps auto fall-back Access Mod e I[...]

33 Glossary Glossary Access P oint An Access Point (AP) is a w ired contr oller that sends data to the wireless NICs installed in your network computers, and r eceives data back from them. An AP is often connected to the network computer that has Intern et access, or is direct ly connected to a DSL or cable modem. The AP then allows other stations [...]

34 Glossary firewall A firewal l is software or a security device that helps pr event unauthorized users from access ing your LAN or W LAN from outside your network (over the Inte rnet). A firewall uses special software that keeps unauthorize d users out of your network. hot-s wap T o hot-swap is to remove or attach a device without first shutt ing[...]

35 Glossary NIC Stands for Network Interface Car d . A W ire less NIC is a computer ca rd (s uc h as a W ire l es s PC I ad a pt e r , W ire l es s PC c ard , or W i rel e ss USB adapter) that lets your computer link to a network. operating mode Ad-hoc mode (sometimes refe rred to as peer-to-peer mode) allows two computers to connect only to each o[...]

36 Glossary transf er rate The transfer rate is the speed at which your W i rele ss device is sending data. It is expressed i n megabits per second (M bps). The default transfer rate setting, Auto Rate (or Automatic), allows your W ireless device to automatically adjust its transfer sp eed for optimal performance and the longest operating range. Ad[...]

37 Glossary Wireless de vice A Wirel es s de v ic e (o r Wirel e ss network device) is any W ireless device that connects to the network. Se e also network device . Wireless Network ID The W ir eless Network ID (also referr ed to as the SSID) is like a secret code that your Access Point and your W i reless devices share to pre vent unauthorized use[...]

R Adaptec, Inc. 691 South Milpitas Boulevard Milpitas, CA 95035 USA © 2002 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. Adaptec and the Adaptec logo are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc. which may be registered in some jurisdictio ns. Part Number: 513358-06, Ver. AA, LB 10/02[...]