Wireless Networking - 3Com OfficeConnect 3CRWE51196 User Manual

Wireless Networking

Ensure that you have a Wi-fi certified 802.11b wireless adapter for each
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wireless computer, and that it is correctly installed and configured. Verify that
each Wireless computer has either Windows 95 or higher or MAC OS 8.5 or
higher.
Verify that your wireless computers are configured to work in Infrastructure
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mode and not Ad Hoc mode. The Gateway contains an Access Point that is
designed to operate in Infrastructure mode. Ad Hoc mode is not supported by
the Gateway.
Check the status of the Gateway Wireless LED, it should be lit if wireless is
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enabled and will flash when there is wireless activity. If not lit go to "Wireless
Configuration Screen" on page 35 and enable wireless networking.
Ensure that the TCP/IP settings for all devices are correct.
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Ensure that the Wireless Clients are using the same ESSID or Service Area Name
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as the Gateway. The ESSID is case-sensitive
Ensure that you are using the same level of security on all of your wireless
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computers (None, 40/64 or 128 bit) and that all devices are using the same
keys, and the same order of keys where appropriate.
Ensure that you have the Wireless computer enabled in the list of allowed MAC
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addresses if you are using Wireless Connection control on the Gateway.
If you are having difficulty connecting or are operating at a low speed try
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changing the antenna positions on the rear of the Gateway. For more effective
coverage you can try reorientating your antennae. Place one antenna vertically
and one horizontally to improve coverage. Additionally consider moving the
wireless computer closer to the Gateway to confirm that the building structure
or fittings are not adversely affecting the connectivity. If this resolves the
problem consider relocating the Wireless computer or the Gateway, or by
trying a different channel on the Gateway.
Sources of interference: The 2.4Ghz ISM band is used for 802.11b. This is
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generally a licence free band for low power applications, and you may have
other devices at your location that operate in this frequency band. You should
take care to ensure that there are no devices like microwave ovens for example
close to the Gateway or wireless computers as this could affect receiver
sensitivity and reduce the performance of your network. If you are unsure try
relocating both the wireless computers and the Gateway to establish whether
this problem exists.
Most wireless computer Adapters will scan the channels for the wireless
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Gateway. If a wireless computer has not located the Gateway then try initiating
a search manually if the client software supports this feature or manually set
the channel on your wireless computer to correspond to the Gateway channel
number. Please refer to your Wireless computer Card documentation and
vendor to do this.
Speed of connection: The 802.11b standard will automatically choose the best
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speed depending on the quality of your connection. As the signal quality
weakens then the speed falls back to a lower speed. The speeds are 11Mbps,
5.5Mbps, 2Mbps and 1Mbps. In general the closer you are to the Gateway the
better the speed. If you are not achieving the speed you had anticipated then
try moving the antenna on the Gateway or moving the Wireless computer
closer to the Gateway. In an ideal network the Gateway should be located in
Wireless Networking 57