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Aironet ISA4810B User Manual

4800b series wireless lan adapter
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User's Guide
4800B Series
Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter
ISA4810B, ISA4820B, PCI4810B, PCI4820B
DOC-710-005312-A0
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 3875 Embassy Parkway
Akron, Ohio 44333-8357
www.aironet.com

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  • Page 1 User’s Guide 4800B Series Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter ISA4810B, ISA4820B, PCI4810B, PCI4820B DOC-710-005312-A0 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 3875 Embassy Parkway Akron, Ohio 44333-8357 www.aironet.com...
  • Page 2 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any means, elec- tronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the written permission of Aironet. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Aironet makes...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Advanced (Infrastructure)........31 Advanced (Ad Hoc/IBSS) ........33 Using the Site Survey Active Mode Feature....34 Destination MAC Address ........34 Continuous Link Test ..........34 Destination is Another Aironet Device....35 Number of Packets..........35 Packet Size ............35 Data Retries ............35 Data Rates ............35 Delay Between Packets ........35 Packet Tx Type .............36...
  • Page 4 Section 3: Error Messages and Troubleshooting Error Messages and Troubleshooting ......47 Indicator LEDs............47 If Your Radio Fails to Establish Contact....49 Appendix A: Aironet LAN Adapter Overview Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview......51 Safety Information ..........52 Radio Characteristics ..........53 Direct Sequence Radio Technology......53 Data Transparency and Protocols......53...

  • Page 5: About The Technical User's Guide

    LED messages and error codes, as well as general procedures for correcting common problems. Appendix A – Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview – provides a general introduction to the 4800B Series PCI/ ISA Card, direct sequence radio technology, and the vari- ous configurations you can use when operating the 4800B Series PCI/ISA Card in your infrastructure.

  • Page 6: Typographical Conventions

    About the Technical User’s Guide Typographical Conventions When reading the User’s Guide and Technical Reference Manual, it is important to understand the symbol and formatting conventions used in the documentation. The following symbols are used in the guide. Convention Type of Information Indicates a note which contains important information.

  • Page 7: Section 1: Installing The Wireless Lan Adapter

    Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter Section 1 Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter This section describes the procedures for installing the Wireless LAN Adapter. Here’s what you’ll find in this section: • Before You Start • Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter •...

  • Page 8: Before You Start

    Aironet 4800 Series for Windows 95 & NT CD • Aironet 4800 Series for Windows 98 CD If any item is damaged or missing, contact your Aironet supplier. Save all shipping and packing material in order to repack the unit should service be required.

  • Page 9: Configuring The Dip Switches (Isa Only)

    Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter Configuring the DIP Switches (ISA Only) The Aironet 4800B Series ISA Wireless LAN Adapter con- tains DIP switches for setting the Plug and Play Mode (PnP), Base Address, and Interrupt Levels (IRQ). The switches have been factory set for PnP before shipment (this is the recommended setting).
  • Page 10 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter Base Address The Base Address is controlled through DIP switches 4 and 5. DIP Switch On (Non-PnP) Off (PnP) NOTE: When PnP is selected, the information in the table below will read “Don’t Care”. DIP Switch Base Address...
  • Page 11 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter IRQ Level The IRQ level is selected through DIP switches 1-3. The table below shows the switch position settings required for different IRQ levels. NOTE: When PnP is selected, the information in the table below will read “Don’t Care.”...

  • Page 12: Installing The Wireless Lan Adapter

    Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter This section provides instructions for installing an Aironet client card on a computer using Windows 95 or 98, and on a computer using Windows NT 4.0. Before you begin, examine the PCI or ISA Card. The...
  • Page 13 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter Card Installation Steps 1. Turn off the computer and all its components. 2. Remove the computer cover. 3. Remove the screw from the top of the CPU back panel above an empty expansion slot. This screw is used to hold the metal bracket on the back panel.
  • Page 14 6. Reinstall the screw to the top of the CPU back panel. 7. The Aironet 4800B Series PCI or ISA Wireless LAN Adapter comes with one 2 dBi dipole antenna. With the unit powered off, attach the antenna to the antenna connector on the Wireless LAN Adapter.
  • Page 15 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter...
  • Page 16 4. Select "Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended)" and click "Next." 5. Select "CD-ROM drive," unselect all the other options, insert the Aironet 4800B Series for Win- dows 98 CD, and click "Next." NOTE: If your computer doesn’t have a CD-ROM drive, go to the Aironet website (www.aironet.com) and...
  • Page 17 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter If the Windows 98 files are installed on your com- puter, the Windows 98 files will usually be located in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. Click "OK" to copy the required files. If Windows 98 prompts for the Windows CD, insert the Windows 98 CD into your CD-ROM drive.
  • Page 18 Update Device Driver Wiz- ard dialog box. The dialog box states that Windows will complete the installation of the PCI/ISA Net- work Controller. 3. Insert the Aironet 4800 Series for Windows 95 and Windows NT CD and click Next.
  • Page 19 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter NOTE: If your computer doesn’t have a CD-ROM drive, go to the Aironet website (www.aironet.com) and download the drivers for your computer’s operating system. Copy the drivers to a 3.5” floppy disk, and use the floppy disk in place of the CD.
  • Page 20 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter 11. In the My Computer window, double-click the Con- trol Panel icon. 12. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Net- work icon. 13. Select the PC4800 DS Wireless PCI (or ISA) LAN Adapter.
  • Page 21 DIP switches accordingly, and install the card in your computer to complete your setup. When Windows NT 4.0 starts, it will not detect your Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ISA Card Wireless LAN Adapter. You will need to do the following to install the drivers: 1.
  • Page 22 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter drive letter may be different from this example.) Click OK. 6. In the Select OEM Option box, select the "Aironet PCI/ISA4800 PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter" option. Click OK. 7. The Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
  • Page 23 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter 3. Follow the setup instructions on the screen to com- plete the installation. Refer to Section 2 of this User Guide for details on using each utility.
  • Page 24 Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter...

  • Page 25: Section 2: Using The Windgs Utilities

    Section 2 Using the WinDGS Utilities WinDGS is used to perform user level diagnostics on your Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Card in the Windows 95, 98, or Windows NT operating system environment. To install the WinDGS, LinkScope, and WEPKey utili- ties, follow these steps: 1.

  • Page 26: Select Card

    5. Select Open. This will flash the card with the selected image. Edit Properties WinDGS allows you to change the configuration parame- ters of your currently installed Aironet 4800B Series Wire- less LAN Adapter. See “Using Edit Properties” on page 27 for details on this command. Statistics The Statistics screen shows the current statistics from the PCI/ISA Card.

  • Page 27: Status

    Continuous Link Test is selected. • Packet Size: This parameter specifies the size of the data packet to be sent to the Aironet Access Point. Be aware that the TCP/IP stack that comes with Windows 95 will fragment packets greater than 512 bytes. Therefore,...
  • Page 28 2. Configure the drivers for network operation. 3. Ensure unique IP assignments of mobile/portable PCI/ISA Card devices and Aironet Access Point. 4. Set up an Aironet Access Point for the intended operation (set fragmentation thresholds, RTS thresholds, etc.) 5. Start the operating system on the mobile station.
  • Page 29 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities 9. Navigate through the Aironet Access Point menu to the link test option. See the appropriate Access Point Technical Reference Manual for more infor- mation. 10. Set up the test options to accurately model the system.

  • Page 30: Site Survey

    It is important to remember the information being displayed is from the Aironet Access Point’s viewpoint. Therefore, packets sent are from the Aironet Access Point to the PCI/ ISA Card client. Packets received are from the PCI/ISA Card to the Aironet Access Point. Signal quality is an esti- mate of the signal strength recorded at the time of packet reception by the radio.

  • Page 31: Radio Off/On

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities The Overall Link Quality rating on the Site Survey window indicates the ability of the Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter to successfully communicate with an Access Point. Ratings are Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. The rating is derived from the Current Signal Strength and Current Signal Qual- ity.

  • Page 32: Core Dump

    Core Dump allows you to perform a core dump of the Wire- less LAN Adapter’s firmware. Enter file names for core dumps 1 and 2, or accept the defaults (C:\Aironet\Win- DGS\Core4800.1 and Core4800.2). Click the Do Core Dump button to perform the dump.

  • Page 33: Using Edit Properties

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Using Edit Properties The Edit Proper- ties screen, which you access from the Commands menu, includes four “pages,” which you select by clicking the tabs at the top of the window: • System Parameters •...
  • Page 34 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities having to memorize every MAC address. The name can be up to 16 characters. SSID The Service Set Identifier (SSID) controls access to a given wireless network. This value MUST match the SSID of any/all Access Points that you want to commu- nicate with.

  • Page 35: Rf Network Parameters

    Maximum Power Save Mode (Max PSP Mode) can only be used in conjunction with PSP or Fast PSP Modes. This mode allows the Aironet 4800B Series Wireless LAN Adapter to conserve the most power while still maintaining an infrastructure connection. Using Max PSP Mode conserves power but will reduce throughput.
  • Page 36 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities • Data Rate: This parameter determines the data rate used to transfer all management frames by the client device when associated within a given Basic Service Set (BSS). When operating in Infrastructure Mode, this parameter should be set to correspond to the Access Point setting.

  • Page 37: Advanced (Infrastructure)

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities headers improve throughput performance. Long radio headers ensure compatibility with all models of Aironet Wireless LAN adapters. The PCI/ISA4800B Series Wireless LAN Adapter supports short radio headers, but earlier models of Aironet's Wireless LAN Adapter (4800 and 4800A) require long headers.
  • Page 38 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities • Antenna Diversity: PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapt- ers are not configured for antenna diversity. • Right Antenna Only (J1): This is the default set- ting. The PCI/ISA Card will not attempt to communi- cate using the left hand antenna port since no antenna is connected to it.

  • Page 39: Advanced (Ad Hoc/Ibss)

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Setting this to a large value will decrease the available bandwidth whenever interference is encountered, but will make the system more immune to interference and collisions. Refer to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for more information on the RTS/CTS mechanism.

  • Page 40: Using The Site Survey Active Mode Feature

    Destination MAC Address This parameter specifies the Access Point that will be involved in the test. The default is the MAC address of the AP the Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter is currently associ- ated with. Continuous Link Test If you click this check box, the Active Mode test will run repeatedly until you press the OK or Stop buttons on the Site Survey page.

  • Page 41: Destination Is Another Aironet Device

    Destination is Another Aironet Device Click this check box if the Access Point you named in the Destination MAC Address field is an Aironet Access Point. Number of Packets This parameter sets the quantity of packets that will be sent during the test.

  • Page 42: Packet Tx Type

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Packet Tx Type This parameter sets the packet type that will be used during the test. If you select Unicast, the system will expect an ACK back from the destination, and retries can occur. If you select Multicast, no packet retries will occur during the test.

  • Page 43: Using The Linkscope Utility

    The combined result is repre- sented by a diagonal line. The Aironet Access Point associ- ating with the PCI/ISA Card is indicated along the bottom of the display as well as its MAC address.

  • Page 44: Options

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Options The Options pull-down menu includes the following options: Preferences When you select Preferences, this window appears: Three parameters are available on the Preferences window: • Screen Updates Per Minute: This parameter sets the screen update frequency on the Linkscope...
  • Page 45 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities main window. Type a value in the entry field or use the slider bar to adjust the setting. • Display Icon in Systray when Minimized: Select this checkbox to display a Linkscope icon at the bottom of your screen when Linkscope is mini- mized.

  • Page 46: Using The Wepkey Utility

    Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Using the WEPKey Utility This section briefly explains how to use the Aironet WEP- Key Utility to configure a WEP key on the Aironet client card. WEP Overview WEP-40 and WEP-128 are optional IEEE 802.11 features...
  • Page 47 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities The following login screen appears: Passwords are case sensitive, and can contain up to 256 characters. The default password is Aironet (upper-case A followed by lower-case ironet). 3. Enter the correct password and click OK. The main...
  • Page 48 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities To enable or disable WEP, set the WEP key with the WEP key utility, and then open WinDGS. At the WinDGS main screen, select Edit Properties from the Commands pull-down menu. Click the RF Net- work tab.
  • Page 49 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Passwords are case sensitive, and can contain up to 256 characters. The default password is Aironet (upper-case A followed by lower-case ironet). 6. To enter a WEP key, choose Enter WEP Key from the Commands pull-down menu on the main screen.
  • Page 50 7. If you purchase WEP as an upgrade for your Wire- less LAN Adapter, you need to enter the WEP Option Code. Aironet or your Aironet reseller will give you the Option Code when you purchase the feature.
  • Page 51 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities Type the Option Code and click OK. You can then set up WEP keys and use the WinDGS utility to enable WEP. 8. You can exit the WEPKey utility by selecting Exit from the Commands menu.
  • Page 52 Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities...

  • Page 53: Section 3: Error Messages And Troubleshooting

    Section 3: Error Messages and Troubleshooting Section 3 Error Messages and Trouble- shooting The PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter provides LED mes- sages and error codes. This section provides the general procedures for correcting common problems encountered when installing the PCI/ISA Card. Indicator LEDs The PCI/ISA Card has two indicator LEDs (green and amber) on the back panel, below the antenna connector.
  • Page 54 Section 3: Error Messages and Troubleshooting Table 3.1 – Green LED Operating Messages Green LED Condition No power or error Flashing Quickly Power on, self-test OK, scanning for network Flashing Slowly Associated with an infrastructure network Table 3.2 – Amber LED Operating Messages Amber LED Green LED Condition...

  • Page 55: If Your Radio Fails To Establish Contact

    • Check that all parameters are set properly for both the PCI/ISA Card and the Aironet Access Point. If the radio fails to establish contact, contact Aironet Techni- cal Support for additional assistance: Phone - (330) 664-7903...
  • Page 56 Section 3: Error Messages and Troubleshooting...

  • Page 57: Aironet Wireless Lan Adapter Overview

    Appendix A Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview The Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter is a PCI/ISA Card radio module that provides transparent wireless data communications between fixed, portable, or mobile devices and other wireless devices or a wired net- work infrastructure.

  • Page 58: Safety Information

    Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Safety Information The FCC with its action in ET Docket 96-8 has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC certified equipment. The Aironet products meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1,...

  • Page 59: Radio Characteristics

    If a particular frequency encounters a level of noise and/or interference, there is enough redundancy built into the sig- nal on other frequencies that the Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ ISA Wireless LAN Adapter will usually still be successful in its transmission.

  • Page 60: Protocols Supported

    The Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter can be used in a variety of infrastructure configurations. Aironet Access Points provide connections to Wired Net- works. When using the Aironet standard device drivers, the PCI/ISA Card is fully compliant with the following operating systems:...

  • Page 61: Radio Antenna

    Radio Antenna Optional antennas are offered for the PCI/ISA Card. Con- sult the Aironet Antenna Guide for more information. Security Features The Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter employs Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Technology,...

  • Page 62: Terminology

    “anti-jamming” and “low probability of intercept” radio systems. The Aironet Access Point must be set to the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) as all other Aironet devices on the wireless infrastructure. Units with a different SSID will not be able to directly communicate with each other.
  • Page 63 Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Saving: Max PSP, the most energy conserving mode; Fast PSP, which sacrifices some power-saving in exchange for data transfer speed; and CAM (Constant Awake Mode), in which the client node never sleeps. Client nodes powered from an AC line should use CAM.

  • Page 64: System Configurations

    Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview System Configurations The Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter can be used in a variety of network system configurations. Aironet Access Points provide connections to your network or act as repeaters increasing wireless communication range.
  • Page 65 Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Figure A.2 - Wireless Infrastructure In a wireless infrastructure, an Aironet Access Point is used as a stand-alone root unit. The root unit is not attached to any wired LAN, but functions as a hub linking all stations together.
  • Page 66 (roaming). When an infrastructure is configured using multiple Aironet Access Points and/or repeaters, a mobile station is automatically associated and re-associ- ated to the Aironet Access Point which provides the best performance. This is referred to as seamless roaming.
  • Page 67 Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Figure A.4 - Extended Infrastructure Using Repeaters An Aironet Access Point can be configured as a stand- alone repeater to extend the range of your infrastructure, or to overcome an RF blocking obstacle. The repeater for-...

  • Page 68: Coverage Options

    Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Coverage Options The system architecture options of the wireless station and Access Points provide for a variety of coverage alternatives and flexibility. The system can be designed to provide a wide coverage area with minimal overlap (Figure 1.5) or coverage with heavy overlap (Figure 1.6).
  • Page 69 Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Figure A.6 - Heavy Overlap Coverage Option By arranging the Access Points so the overlap in coverage area is nearly maximized, a large number of mobile stations can be supported in the same wireless infrastructure. How-...
  • Page 70 Appendix A: Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview Figure A.7 - Multiple Overlapping Systems Coverage Option Multiple systems can operate in the same vicinity. The architecture provides multiple channels, which can exist in the same area with virtually no interference to each other. In...

  • Page 71: Appendix B: Pci/Isa Card Specifications

    Appendix B: PCI/ISA Card Specifications Appendix B PCI/ISA Card Specifications LAN Drivers Supported Table B.1 – Supported Drivers: Drivers Operating System NDIS3 Windows 95 NDIS4 Windows NT NDIS5 Windows 98, Windows 2000...

  • Page 72: Radio Specifications

    Appendix B: PCI/ISA Card Specifications Radio Specifications Table B.2 – Radio Specifications Item Specification Description Radio Type Direct Sequence Spread- 2.4 GHz ISM Band Spectrum (DSSS) Operating 2400-2497 MHz North American, ETSI, and Frequency Japan channel coverage, factory configurable FCC ID LOZ102038 FCC approval Channeling...

  • Page 73: Power Requirements

    Appendix B: PCI/ISA Card Specifications Power Requirements Table B.3 – Power Requirements Specification Value Operational Voltage 5.0V ±0.25 Volts Receive Mode Current 280 mA (350 mA typically) High Power Transmit Mode 490 mA (450 mA typically) Current (30 mW) Sleep Mode Current 110 mA typically Physical Specifications Table B.4 –...
  • Page 74 Appendix B: PCI/ISA Card Specifications...

  • Page 75: Appendix C: Channels

    Appendix C: Channels Appendix C Channels The channel identifiers and the channel center frequencies of each 22 MHz wide channel are shown in the table below, as appropriate for the various areas or regulatory agencies. Regulatory Domains Channel Center North ETSI Spain France...
  • Page 76 Appendix C: Channels...

  • Page 77: Appendix D: Declarations Of Conformity

    Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity Appendix D Declarations of Conformity Manufacturers Federal Communica- tion Commission Declaration of Conformity Statement Models: PCI4810B, PCI4820B, ISA4810B, ISA4820B FCC Certification number: LOZ 102038 Manufacturer: Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. 3875 Embassy Parkway Akron, OH 44333-8357 330-664-7900 This device complies with Part 15 rules.
  • Page 78 Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity • Increase separation between the equipment and receiver. • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit differ- ent from which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV techni- cian.
  • Page 79 Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity Department of Communications—Canada Canadian Compliance Statement This Class B Digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference - Causing Equipment Regula- tions. Cet appareil numerique de la classe B respecte les exi- gences du Reglement sur le material broilleur du Canada. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry of Canada.
  • Page 80 Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity European Telecommunication Standards Institute Statement of Compliance Information to User This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the European Telecommunications Standard ETS 300.328. This standard covers Wideband Data Transmission Sys- tems referred in CEPT recommendation T/R 10.01. This type accepted equipment is designed to provide rea- sonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
  • Page 81 Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity...
  • Page 82 Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity...

  • Page 83: Appendix E: Technical Support

    Appendix E: Technical Support Appendix E Technical Support Communications Use the following information to contact the Aironet Technical Support group: Telephone: (330) 664-7903 Fax: (330) 664-7990 e-mail: techsupp@aironet.com Web Site For additional product information and technical sup- port, including the capability to download new firmware and drivers, use the Aironet web site at: http://www.aironet.com...
  • Page 84 Appendix E: Technical Support...

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