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Copyright
© 2001 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. Covered by one or
more of the following U.S. patents: 5,412,687; 5,844,900; 5,875,179;
5,913,174; 6,006,090; and 5,231,634. This manual and the software described
in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated
into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of
Proxim, Incorporated.
Trademarks
Symphony, Symphony-HRF, the Symphony logo, Symphony Composer,
Symphony Conductor, Symphony Maestro, Proxim, and the Proxim logo are
trademarks of Proxim, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, Limitation Of Liability
For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the retail customer,
Proxim warrants the Symphony HomeRF Base Station against defects in mate-
rials and workmanship. If a product is found defective during the warranty
period, Proxim will repair or replace the product with the same or a similar
model, which may be a reconditioned unit, without charge for parts or labor.
Any replaced or repaired product will have either a ninety (90) day warranty,
under the conditions described herein, or the remainder of the initial one (1)
year warranty, whichever is longer.
Proxim also warrants the media containing the Symphony software against fail-
ure for a period of ninety (90) days.
Proxim will not honor this warranty if there has been any attempt to tamper with
or remove the product's external foil label. This warranty does not cover and
Proxim will not be liable for any damage or failure caused by misuse, abuse,
acts of God, accidents, or other causes beyond Proxim's control, or claim by
any entity other than the original purchaser.
Symphony HomeRF Base Station User's Manual
Part # 7360.0147
Rev. A
i

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Summary of Contents for Proxim Symphony HomeRF Base Station

  • Page 1 Proxim also warrants the media containing the Symphony software against fail- ure for a period of ninety (90) days. Proxim will not honor this warranty if there has been any attempt to tamper with or remove the product’s external foil label. This warranty does not cover and Proxim will not be liable for any damage or failure caused by misuse, abuse, acts of God, accidents, or other causes beyond Proxim’s control, or claim by...
  • Page 2 In no event shall Proxim, Inc. be responsible or liable for any damages arising: From the use of the product; From the loss of use, revenue, or profit of the product; or As a result of any event, circumstance, action, or abuse beyond the control of Proxim, Inc.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. Introduction ............... 1 Product Description ................2 Symphony HomeRF Hardware Products.........2 Software Products ................2 The Product Package................3 System Requirements................4 Interoperability Between Symphony Products ........4 2. Wireless Networking With the Base Station ... 5 What Is Wireless Networking? ...............5 Supported Configurations ...............6 Sharing Internet Access ..............6 Communicating With an Ethernet Network ........8 Sharing Internet Access And Communicating With An...
  • Page 4 6. Symphony Maestro Configuration Tool ....21 Base Station Management and Configuration Features ....... 22 Monitor Communication With Base Station......... 22 Configure Network Topology ............22 Configure ISP TCP/IP Settings............. 23 Configure Dial On Demand Settings ..........24 Configure Internal TCP/IP Settings ..........25 Upgrade the Base Station ..............
  • Page 5 8. Using the Wireless Network ........39 Networks Using Transparent Bridging Mode Only......39 Understanding Transparent Bridging ..........39 TCP/IP Settings for Transparent Bridging Only Networks ...39 Application Hints ..................40 Range of Symphony HomeRF Products........40 Reducing Interference..............41 Home Network Security ..............41 Accessing E-Mail................42 Playing Games Over the Home Network ........42 Sharing Software Applications ............42 Sharing a Scanner with the Home Network ........42...
  • Page 7: Introduction

    1. Introduction Thank you for purchasing Proxim’s Symphony HomeRF Base Station, a mem- ber of the Symphony HomeRF 2.0 Network. Proxim has been a market leader in the wireless networking industry for over ten years providing award-win- ning technology to companies and individuals around the world. You can expect this same reliability from the Symphony HomeRF 2.0 products in your...
  • Page 8: Product Description

    Product Description The Symphony HomeRF Base Station is a member of a product family that provides a complete wireless networking solution for the home or small office. The Symphony HomeRF 2.0 Network complies with the HomeRF specifica- tion 2.0 and operates at radio data rates up to 10 Mbps.
  • Page 9: The Product Package

    Internet and network configurations for multiple networks. The Location Switcher is described in Chapter 7 beginning on page 31. Proxim also offers Symphony accessory products, such as a second antenna option for the Symphony HomeRF PC Card. Refer to the Symphony Web site at http://www.proxim.com/symphony/ for additional information.
  • Page 10: System Requirements

    System Requirements In order to use a Symphony HomeRF Base Station, you must have the following: An external, Ethernet-ready device that provides broadband Internet access, such as a cable modem, DSL modem, or ISDN router (one of these devices is required to share Internet access)
  • Page 11: Wireless Networking With The Base Station

    2. Wireless Networking With the Base Station What Is Wireless Networking? A “network” is two or more computers physically connected to each other. For example, if you connect two computers together with a cable, you have created a network. The two computers will communicate with each other over the cable.
  • Page 12: Supported Configurations

    DSL modem, cable modem, or ISDN router, to share Internet connectivity with each computer on the wireless network. Figure 1 illustrates an example of this networking configuration. The diagram shows a Symphony HomeRF Base Station connected to a cable modem with an Ethernet cable. Figure 1...
  • Page 13 The Base Station links the broadband Internet device and the wireless comput- ers so that each computer (laptops and desktops) on the Symphony network has simultaneous Internet access and can share files and printers with each other. To use the Base Station in this configuration, you need an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and one of the following pieces of equipment that you will connect to the Base Station with an Ethernet cable: An external cable modem...
  • Page 14: Communicating With An Ethernet Network

    Communicating With an Ethernet Network If you already have a small network in your home or office, you can connect the Symphony HomeRF Base Station directly to an Ethernet cabling hub in order to provide connectivity between wireless computers and nodes on the wired Ethernet, as shown in Figure 2.
  • Page 15: Sharing Internet Access And Communicating With An Ethernet Network

    Sharing Internet Access And Communicating With An Ethernet Network As discussed above, a Symphony HomeRF Base Station can link a Symphony network to a wired Ethernet network. In addition, if you have an existing device on the Ethernet network that pro-...
  • Page 16 The Ethernet hub in Figure 3 has three devices attached: an Ethernet-ready desktop computer, a DSL modem, and a Base Station. The Base Station links the Ethernet and wireless networks together so that all computers can share files, printers, and Internet access. In this configuration, the Base Station may perform both Network Address Translation (NAT) and Transparent Bridging or Transparent Bridging only.
  • Page 17: Installing The Base Station

    3. Installing the Base Station The Symphony HomeRF Base Station is a stand-alone device which requires no software installation. Also, the Base Station has a built-in antenna which does not require installation. Note: Install the Base Station first before installing the Symphony HomeRF adapters that will communicate with it.
  • Page 18 Note: Use the Symphony HomeRF Base Station only with the power adapter supplied by Proxim with the product. Using another power supply may damage the Symphony HomeRF Base Station. The three LEDs on the top of the Base Station will momentarily light up. In addition, the green Link LED, located to the left of the Ethernet ports, should light up.
  • Page 19: Software Installation For Adapters

    Windows 98/ME users may need the Windows CD or Cabinet files to complete the installation of the Symphony HomeRF adapter. Proxim recommends that you do not proceed with the installation until you have confirmed that you have one of these Windows installation media available.
  • Page 20: Installation Procedure

    Installation Procedure Follow these steps to install a Symphony HomeRF adapter: Note: Make sure that the Symphony HomeRF Base Station is powered on before proceeding. Insert the Symphony Installation CD; the Symphony Installation program will launch automatically, as shown in the example on the next page. If the program does not launch, run SETUP.EXE from the CD-ROM.
  • Page 21 Click <Customize> to change the default installation directory; other- wise, click <Install> to continue with the standard installation. Windows 2000 users: click <Yes> to continue the installation if prompted that the software package does not contain a Microsoft digital signature. Insert the Symphony HomeRF adapter into the computer’s PCMCIA slot or USB port when prompted by the following message:...
  • Page 22 Do NOT choose <Cancel>. You must enter a User Name and Password to logon to the network. Also, if you have a Windows 2000 Professional computer on your network, Proxim recom- mends that you use the same User Name and Password on all computers to simply file sharing.
  • Page 23: Symphony Composer Installation Wizard

    5. Symphony Composer Installation Wizard After you have installed a Symphony HomeRF adapter, the Symphony Composer Installation Wizard will automatically appear to guide you through the setup and configuration of your wireless network. You need to complete the Composer Wizard on each computer in which you installed an adapter. The Composer provides a friendly user interface that helps you configure your network.
  • Page 24: Important Note To Users In Transparent Bridging Mode Only

    Establish Communication With the Base Station After you have configured a Security Code, the Composer will attempt to auto- matically detect the Symphony HomeRF Base Station. If the Composer cannot find the Base Station, it will ask you a series of ques- tions to help locate the Base Station.
  • Page 25: Configure Tcp/Ip Information

    If problems persist, confirm that you have entered the correct Security Code and that the Base Station is powered on and operational. Also, try moving the computer and the Base Station closer together; the computer may be out of range. Configure TCP/IP Information When first powered on, the Base Station will request IP addressing informa- tion from your ISP’s DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server.
  • Page 26: Configure Switcher Prompt At Boot-Up

    If you configure a drive with Read/Write or Read Only access, Proxim recom- mends that you establish a password to prohibit unauthorized access. Depend- ing on the type of Internet connection you have, others may be able to see your computers in their Network Neighborhood or My Network Places icon and have unauthorized access to your drives.
  • Page 27: Symphony Maestro Configuration Tool

    6. Symphony Maestro Configuration Tool After the Composer configures the wireless network, a Symphony icon will appear in the Windows System Tray of each wireless computer, as shown below: Base Station icon The icon will change colors to reflect different states of connectivity. For example, the icon is gray when the network is functioning normally, and it is red when a wireless computer cannot communicate with the Base Station.
  • Page 28: Base Station Management And Configuration Features

    Base Station Management and Configuration Features Maestro offers the following management and configuration features for the Symphony HomeRF Base Station: Monitor Communication With Base Station Maestro reports the Symphony Base Station Status, which includes a Base Sta- tion icon that changes color to reflect different states of connectivity (just like the Symphony icon in the Windows System Tray).
  • Page 29: Configure Isp Tcp/Ip Settings

    I would like to use the Base Station to allow my wireless computers to communicate with Ethernet computers: This option corresponds to Transparent Bridging mode only. Use this option if you want the Base Station to bridge the TCP/IP protocol so that wireless com- puters and Ethernet computers are on the same LAN and IP network.
  • Page 30: Configure Dial On Demand Settings

    Base Station will continue to automatically connect to the Internet if your mail program is configured with the name of the ISP’s e-mail server (e.g., mail.proxim.com) rather than an IP address. Therefore, to prevent a mail check from launching an Internet connection, you must enable the Prevent mail check option and reconfigure the mail program to use the server’s IP...
  • Page 31: Configure Internal Tcp/Ip Settings

    IP address and subnet mask. Note: Proxim recommends that only advanced users who are familiar with TCP/IP change the Internal TCP/IP Settings. If you change these settings, you must use a subnet mask that is valid for the class of IP address you entered and provides at least 4 bits of addressing space for the local network.
  • Page 32: View Base Station Status

    Open Maestro on the wireless computer to which you downloaded the firmware file in Step #1, click <Configure> under the Symphony Base Station Status heading, and select the Upgrade tab. Write down the current version of the firmware as reported in the Upgrade screen.
  • Page 33: Networking Features

    Windows 2000 Professional computer and to the File Shar- ing With Windows 2000 technical note on the Symphony Web site at http://www.proxim.com/symphony/. By default, Maestro will grant remote users Read/Write access to the shared resource. If you want to allow this type of access to remote users but prohibit...
  • Page 34: Test Wireless Connection

    File Sharing screen and clicking <Properties>. Warning! Proxim recommends that you establish passwords for each drive that you share on the local area network. Depending on the type of Internet connection you have, others may be able to see your computers in their Network Neighborhood or My Network Places icon and have unauthorized access to your drives.
  • Page 35 Remote Drive Sharing screen and click <Detach From Share>. Note: Windows 2000 users should refer to the File Sharing With Windows 2000 technical note at http://www.proxim.com/symphony/ for addi- tional information on how to share files between Windows 2000 and Windows 98/ME computers.
  • Page 36: Launch Symphony Location Switcher

    Register Products On-line At any time you may register your Symphony HomeRF products on-line at Proxim’s Web site. If you did not register your products following the comple- tion of the Composer Installation Wizard, simply click the <Register> button in the About Symphony Maestro Configuration Utility screen to be taken to...
  • Page 37: Symphony Location Switcher

    7. Symphony Location Switcher The installation procedure will automatically configure a Symphony HomeRF adapter with all of the parameters required to establish network communica- tion. However, under some circumstances, you may want to move a computer from the wireless network to another network. For example, you may want to connect the computer to your office LAN (Local Area Network) that is in a different location and uses an Ethernet card to provide network access.
  • Page 38: Location Switcher Icon

    Location Switcher Icon After the Composer Wizard has configured a Symphony HomeRF adapter, the computer may automatically launch the Location Switcher program (depend- ing on the computer’s configuration) and place the Location Switcher icon in the Windows System Tray. If the icon does not appear, the Location Switcher program can be launched from the Symphony section of the Start Menu’s Programs group.
  • Page 39: Location Switcher Icon In Taskbar

    Alternatively, you can open the configuration screen by right-clicking the Switcher icon and choosing Edit or by selecting the Symphony Location Switcher entry in Start Menu > Programs > Symphony. Location Switcher Icon In Taskbar Depending on your computer’s configuration, the Location Switcher icon may appear in the Windows System Tray each time you restart the computer.
  • Page 40: Switching Between Profiles

    You can disable this feature by unchecking the Always prompt user at startup box within the Switcher configuration screen. Likewise, if the prompt does not appear, you can enable this feature by checking the box. This configuration option is not available on Windows ME computers. Switching Between Profiles The Location Switcher offers three ways to toggle between profiles: Method 1: Right-click the Switcher icon in the Windows System Tray...
  • Page 41: Identification

    IPX/SPX is a network protocol like TCP/IP. By default, the wireless network does not use this protocol, but it may be used on other networks. If you are unfamiliar with these settings, Proxim recom- mends that you leave these parameters at their default value.
  • Page 42: Miscellaneous

    To change a profile’s default printer, select another installed printer from the Default Printer drop-down menu. Miscellaneous The Miscellaneous option determines which Proxim programs are automati- cally launched when a computer is restarted using the selected profile. “Maestro” corresponds to the Symphony Maestro Configuration Tool.
  • Page 43: Creating And Deleting Profiles

    Creating and Deleting Profiles Within the Location Switcher configuration screen, you may create a new pro- file or delete an existing one. There is no limit to the number of profiles that you can create. To create a new profile, follow these steps: Click <Create Profile>.
  • Page 44: Moving A Laptop Computer From The Office To The Home

    Select the Original Profile (or another profile you have created specifi- cally for the office) at the Switcher prompt at boot-up. The Location Switcher will restore all of your office LAN’s settings, and the laptop will be ready to communicate with the office LAN without further configuration.
  • Page 45: Using The Wireless Network

    8. Using the Wireless Network This chapter contains additional information for users who have configured the Base Station to use Transparent Bridging mode only as well as information on using Symphony with popular computer applications and accessories. Networks Using Transparent Bridging Mode Only For networks that use NAT, the Symphony software automatically configures the TCP/IP properties for wireless computers.
  • Page 46: Application Hints

    In order for Ethernet computers and wireless computers to communicate as part of the same LAN using TCP/IP, you must configure all devices (Ethernet and Symphony) to use the same IP network. By default, a Symphony adapter is configured to accept an IP address from a DHCP server.
  • Page 47: Reducing Interference

    2.4-GHz telephones. Frequency hopping technology is designed to minimize interference so while you may notice a degradation in performance, your devices will not cease to function. Proxim recommends against installing the base station of a 2.4-GHz telephone between two Symphony HomeRF adapters.
  • Page 48: Accessing E-Mail

    Accessing E-Mail Each computer on the wireless network can send and receive e-mail exactly as if you were directly connected to the Internet (assuming that each computer has e-mail software installed and configured). Typically, when you access e-mail, messages are downloaded from your ISP’s mail server and stored on the computer’s hard drive.
  • Page 49: About The Base Station

    9. About the Base Station This chapter describes the LED Indicators, Ethernet ports, and buttons found on the Symphony HomeRF Base Station. LED Indicators The Base Station has four functional LEDs: three on the top of the unit (shown in Figure 4) and one on the back panel (shown in Figure 5).
  • Page 50: Ports And Buttons

    Link LED: Located to the left of the Ethernet ports. This LED lights up when a physical connection exists between the Base Station and an attached Ethernet device. The LED will not light up if a damaged or improper Ethernet cable is attached. Ports and Buttons The ports and buttons on the Base Station’s back panel (shown in Figure 5) are described below:...
  • Page 51 Port II (with connector plug inserted) Learn button Link LED Port I Teach button Power connector Figure 5 Back Panel...
  • Page 53: Uninstalling Symphony Products

    10. Uninstalling Symphony Products This chapter describes how to uninstall Symphony HomeRF products. Uninstalling the Base Station To uninstall the Symphony HomeRF Base Station, unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet and disconnect the Ethernet cable from the attached Ethernet device.
  • Page 54 When prompted, shut down the computer and remove the Symphony HomeRF adapter from the computer. Note: The Uninstall program will reconfigure the computer with the network settings stored in the Original Profile, if any exist. For more information on profiles, refer to Chapter 7 beginning on page 31.
  • Page 55: Troubleshooting

    The Symphony HomeRF 2.0 Suite of products is designed to be very easy to install and operate. If you do experience difficulties, however, use the infor- mation in this chapter and on Proxim’s Symphony Web site to help diagnose and solve your problems.
  • Page 56 Symptom/Question Possible Solution/Answer I can share files and printers between Confirm that you have configured the the computers on the wireless network, Base Station with the appropriate but I can’t access the Internet. Topology setting. Also, if you are using NAT, confirm that the Base Station’s ISP TCP/IP settings have been properly configured.
  • Page 57 Symptom/Question Possible Solution/Answer I can't find another computer on the 1. Confirm that the other computer is wireless network. listed in the Symphony Network Map in the Maestro tool. 2. Test the strength of the wireless con- nection between the two computers from within the Maestro tool.
  • Page 58: General Questions

    General Questions Symptom/Question Possible Solution/Answer Can I connect the Base Station to my The Symphony HomeRF Base Station office Ethernet network so that my lap- can only be connected to small hubs top can access the network? with no more than 7 devices attached. If...
  • Page 59: How To Reach Technical Support

    What version of the software are you using with each of your Symphony HomeRF products? You can reach Symphony Technical Support by voice, fax, E-mail, or mail: Tel: 800-411-8106 or 408-731-2780 Fax: 408-731-3676 Web: http://www.proxim.com/symphony E-mail: symphony_support@proxim.com Mail: Proxim, Inc. Attn: Symphony Technical Support 510 DeGuigne Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94085...
  • Page 60: Specifications

    The following technical specification is for reference purposes only. Actual product performance and compliance with local telecommunica- tions regulations may vary from country to country. Proxim, Inc. will only ship products that are type approved in the destination country. Ethernet Interface:...
  • Page 61: Regulatory Information

    C. Regulatory Information FCC WARNING This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
  • Page 62: Index

    Index Allow Internet Connection to Be Brought Up Automatically 24 – Always Prompt User at Startup 33 Always Show Switcher Icon in Taskbar 33 Always Stay Connected to the Internet 24 Antenna Base Station 11 Symphony HomeRF PC Card 16 Symphony HomeRF USB Adapter 2 Attach to Share 29 Automatically Disconnect After the Specified Minutes of Inactivity 24...
  • Page 63 Domain 35 Drive Mappings. See Remote Drive Sharing. See also File and Printer Sharing Switcher Options DSL Modem 7 Dynamic Addressing 19 EConduct 36 – Editing a Profile 34 E-Mail 42 – Establishing Communication With the Base Station 18 – Ethernet Cable 3 Ethernet Interface 54 Ethernet LED 43...
  • Page 64 IPX/SPX 10 IPX/SPX Switcher Options 35 ISDN Router 7 ISDN Terminal Adapter 7 ISP Connect Mode 19 ISP TCP/IP Settings 23 Learn Button 44 LED Indicators 43 Link LED 12 Location Switcher. See Symphony Location Switcher Maestro Tool. See Symphony Maestro Configuration Tool Microsoft Digital Signature 15 Miscellaneous Switcher Options 36 NetBEUI 10...
  • Page 65 Port II 12 Power Adapter 3 Power Indicator LED 43 Power Supply 54 PPPoE 19 Prevent Mail Check From Bringing Up Connection Automatically 24 Printing Over the Wireless Network Troubleshooting Suggestions 50 Product Package 3 Proxy Server Settings 31 Range 40 RangeLAN2 Status Monitor 36 Read Only Drive Access 19 Read/Write Drive Access 19...
  • Page 66 Symphony HomeRF Base Station 2 Antenna 11 – Establishing Communication 18 – Installation 11 LED Indicators 43 – Management Tools 22 – Ports and Buttons 44 Status 26 – Topology and Operating Mode 22 – Upgrade Procedure 25 PC Card 2 Antenna 16 –...
  • Page 67 2.4-GHz Operating Band 41 2.4-GHz Telephones 41 UNINSTAL.EXE 47 – Uninstall Instructions 47 Upgrade from Disk 26 – Upgrade Procedure 25 User Name Network 16 PPPoE 23 Windows 2000 IP Configuration Tool 40 Professional 4 Server 4 Windows 95 4 Windows 98/ME 4 Cabinet (CAB) Files 13 Installation CD 13...

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