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ASUS WiFi-b™ Card

2-4

2.4

WiFi-b

 modes

The WiFi-b™ card may be set to Station (STA) or Soft Access Point (Soft AP)
mode. In STA mode, WiFi-b™ connects to a wireless or wired network through an
access point. In Soft AP mode, WiFi-b™ connects other computers with wireless
devices to a wireless or wired network.

The following section describes the WiFi-b™ card functions in a typical home or
small office network.

2.5

Network setup

After installing the WiFi-b™ card, determine your network settings to avail all
WiFi-b™ features. The following network settings are recommended.

WiFi-b in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode - Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

The Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature allows wireless clients to share a
single Internet connection. In this setup, WiFi-b™ automatically assigns a virtual IP
address to each of the wireless clients. The computer with the WiFi-b™ card must
create a broadband network connection.

ADSL Modem

Wireless clients

INTERNET

PC with WiFi-b™

WiFi-b™ in Soft Access Point (Soft AP) Mode -ICS and Bridge

In this setup, WiFi-b™ bridges the computer’s network connection to the ADSL
modem (wired) and to the wireless client (wireless). WiFi-b™ assigns a virtual IP
address to the wireless client. The PC with the installed WiFi-b™ card must setup
a broadband network connection.

ADSL Modem

Hub

PC1

PC2

Wireless client

INTERNET

PC with

WiFi-b™

Summary of Contents for WiFi-b

Page 1: ...WiFi b Card Wireless Fidelity Card User Guide ...

Page 2: ...ARTICULAR PURPOSE IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS ITS DIRECTORS OFFICERS EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT SPECIAL INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS LOSS OF BUSINESS LOSS OF USE OR DATA INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT SPECIFIC...

Page 3: ...2 4 Chapter 3 Software installation 3 1 Support CD information 3 2 3 1 1 Installing the WLAN Card Utilities and driver 3 2 3 1 2 Setting the Windows XP wireless options 3 2 3 1 3 Other support CD options 3 2 3 2 Setup Wizard 3 3 3 2 1 Selecting the WiFi b operation mode 3 3 3 2 2 Station Mode 3 3 3 2 3 My Configuration 3 5 3 3 Internet Connection Sharing ICS 3 10 3 3 1 Broadband connection that re...

Page 4: ...0 4 4 Configuring WiFi b by Wireless Settings utility 4 11 4 4 1 Station Mode STA 4 11 4 4 2 Soft Access Point Mode Soft AP 4 13 4 5 Internet Connection Sharing ICS 4 16 4 5 1 Connect to the Internet using a broadband connection that is always on 4 16 4 5 2 Connect to the Internet using a broadband or dial up connection that requires an account 4 17 4 6 Network Bridge 4 19 Appendix A 1 Troubleshoo...

Page 5: ... harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the rec...

Page 6: ...on output power of this Wireless LAN device is far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits Nevertheless this device shall be used in such a manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation as a mobile or portable device but use in a body worn way is strictly prohibited When using this device a certain separation distance between antenna and nearby persons has to be kept to...

Page 7: ...is chapter provides information on the WiFi b card software installation and describes configuration of WiFi b using the setup wizard Chapter 4 Utility information This chapter provides information on how to configure the WiFi b using the Control Center utility Appendix The appendix contains sections for troubleshooting and information on IEEE 802 11b channels and frequencies Conventions used in t...

Page 8: ...nfrastructure and Ad Hoc networks Frequency Band 2 4 GHz 2 5 GHz Security 64 bit 128 bit configurable WEP encryption Access Point Software access point function supports up to 31 wireless clients Windows XP only Operating Distance Indoors 100 ft 30 m 11Mbps Outdoors 1000 ft 300 m 11Mbps Supported OS Station Mode Windows 98SE ME 2000 XP Soft AP Mode Windows XP Antenna Stand alone dipolar antenna Sp...

Page 9: ...Chapter 1 This chapter describes the features of the WiFi b card It presents the card layout the standard package contents and LED indicators Product introduction ...

Page 10: ...erating distance of up to 100 ft 30 m indoors and 1000 ft 300m outdoors Easy installation and full software support Soft access point function supports up to 31 wireless clients Windows XP only Supports infrastructure WiFi b to access point and ad hoc WiFi b to other wireless clients network types Windows 98SE ME 2000 XP compatible The WiFi b operating distance may be shorter if there are walls ba...

Page 11: ...indicators Refer to the table below for LED indications AIR LINK Meaning Fast Blink ON WiFi b radio is on and is transmitting receiving data ON ON WiFi b radio is on but no data activity OFF OFF No power WiFi b radio is off or disabled Blink OFF WiFi b is not connected to a wireless LAN Antenna connector Data Transmission LED Network Link LED WiFi b connectors ...

Page 12: ...1 4 ASUS WiFi b Card ...

Page 13: ...s a step by step procedure on installing the WiFi b card into an ASUS motherboard that supports Wi Fi specification It also provides information on system requirements and recommended wireless network settings Hardware installation ...

Page 14: ...em meets the following requirements ASUS motherboard with Wi Fi slot Intel Pentium 4 or AMD K7 K8 system Minimum 64MB system memory Windows 98SE 2000 ME XP operating system CD ROM drive for software and drivers installation The following ASUS motherboards support the WiFi b card P4C800 E Deluxe P4C800 Deluxe P4C800 P4P800 Deluxe P4P800 P4P800S E Deluxe P4P800S P4P8X P4S800 D Deluxe P4S800D P4S800 ...

Page 15: ...card with the screw that you removed earlier 7 Replace the PC cover and plug in the power cord 9 Connect the dipolar antenna twist on connector to the antenna connector male of the WiFi b card 8 Turn on the computer 2 3 Antenna placement Place the antenna at an elevated location to receive or transmit better signal Do not place the antenna under your table or in a closed compartment An installed W...

Page 16: ...t Access Point Soft AP Mode Internet Connection Sharing ICS The Internet Connection Sharing ICS feature allows wireless clients to share a single Internet connection In this setup WiFi b automatically assigns a virtual IP address to each of the wireless clients The computer with the WiFi b card must create a broadband network connection ADSL Modem Wireless clients INTERNET PC with WiFi b WiFi b in...

Page 17: ...client WiFi b in Soft Access Point Soft AP Mode Bridge In this setup WiFi b bridges the computer s network connection to the ADSL modem and to the wireless clients allowing the latter access to the Internet The real IP address for each wireless client is supplied by the Internet Service Provider In this setup every computer must create a broadband network connection ADSL Modem Wireless clients INT...

Page 18: ...t computer with an installed WiFi b card and a network adapter connected to a hub By bridging the network connections to the hub and the wireless client the latter is allowed connection to the Internet via the ADSL modem The Internet Service Provider ISP assigns the real IP address to the wireless client In this setup every computer must create a broadband network connection ADSL Modem Hub PC2 PC3...

Page 19: ...Chapter 3 This chapter provides information on the WiFi b card software installation and describes configuration of WiFi b using the setup wizard Software installation ...

Page 20: ...ort CD into the CD ROM drive 2 Click Install ASUS WLAN Card Utilities Driver when the ASUS WiFi b installation window appears 3 1 3 Other support CD options Uninstall ASUS WLAN Card Utilities Driver Click this option to uninstall the WLAN Card utilities and driver from your system Read Install User Documentation Click to view the installation and quick setup guides in PDF format Explore this CD Cl...

Page 21: ...th the best signal The wizard also allows you to connect to any of the available networks If you want to set your WiFi b in soft access point mode or in Ad Hoc network setting check My Configuration then click Next See section 3 2 3 My Configuration for details 3 2 2 Station Mode Follow these instructions to set your WiFi b in station STA mode Select a wireless network from the table then click Ne...

Page 22: ...t you to enable data encyption Click next Inquire the WEP keys with the network administrator The WiFi b and the selected wireless network WEP keys must be identical to establish connection Enter the WEP encryption keys you obtained from the network administrator Refer to Config Encryption Tab on page 4 6 for WEP encryption settings Click Next The wizard prompts you to return to the previous windo...

Page 23: ...up is complete Click Finish to close the setup wizard 3 2 3 My Configuration The setup wizard displays allows you to set the WiFi b card in three different operation modes when you select My Configuration Select an operation mode then click Next The TCP IP configuration window appears when you run the setup wizard on Windows 98SE ME 2000 The window also appears in Windows XP OS if WiFi b is not br...

Page 24: ... and Ad Hoc modes When prompted assign a SSID Network Name to the wireless LAN you wish to create then select a radio channel you wish to use in communicating with other wireless devices Click Next to continue Assign the WEP encryption keys of your wireless network Refer to Config Encryption Tab on page 4 6 for WEP encryption settings Click Next Keep a record of the WEP keys Wireless computers in ...

Page 25: ...ing on page 3 10 When WiFi b is set to Ad Hoc mode click Next to configure the TCP IP settings Refer to section 3 2 2 Station Mode on TCP IP configuration Connecting to a hidden wireless LAN Some access points disable their SSID broadcasting to prevent a wireless device from finding and accessing their networks Inquire the SSID of the hidden wireless LAN with the network administrator To connect t...

Page 26: ...Equivalent Privacy WEP encryption the setup wizard will prompt you to enable data encyption Click next Inquire the WEP keys with the network administrator The WiFi b and the hidden wireless LAN WEP keys must be identical to establish connection Enter the WEP encryption keys you obtained from the network administrator Refer to Config Encryption Tab on page 4 6 for WEP encryption settings Click Next...

Page 27: ...ck Next to set the TCP IP configuration Select automatic IP settings if your network supports automatic IP address assignment If not inquire the IP settings with your network administrator then enter the IP address manually After configuration click Next The WiFi b setup is complete Click Finish to close the setup wizard ...

Page 28: ...Connection Sharing ICS ICS is a networking feature that allows several computers in a wired or wireless network to share a single Internet connection To setup ICS 1 Select the broadband network connection from the drop down list Click Next 1 Select whether your computer connects to the Internet or not Click Next The wizard will require you to create a home network connection if your computer is no...

Page 29: ...k adapter you are using to connect to the host computer or residential gateway Click Next 2 Select the network adapters that connect to other computers in your home network if any The wizard will bridge these networks with the WiFi b Click Next Internet connection via another computer or residential gateway If your computer connects to the Internet through another computer or residential gateway ...

Page 30: ...lick Yes 7 Select the network connections to be bridged when the Network Connections window appears Press the Control key while clicking the network connection icons to select Right click on any selected network icon to open a drop down menu Select Bridge Connections 5 A warning dialog box appears Click OK 6 The wizard displays the wired and wireless network connections to be added in a network br...

Page 31: ...work connections are displayed in the Network Connections window 8 The selected network connections are bridged 10 Click Finish to close the setup wizard Refer to Windows XP Help and Support Center for articles and help files on the Network Bridge function ...

Page 32: ...if you have an existing broadband network that is always on DSL cable modem or LAN 1 Select whether your computer directly connects to the Internet or through another computer or residential gateway Click Next Direct internet connection To enable ICS if your computer directly connects to the Internet 1 Select the number of IP address assigned by your Internet Service Provider ISP Click Next The wi...

Page 33: ...elect the dial up connection from the drop down list Click Next If you do not have a dial up connection the wizard will instruct you to create one using the Windows interface or the support CD from your Internet Service Provider ISP 2 Select whether your computer directly connects to the Internet or through another computer or residential gateway Click Next 3 If your computer connects to the inter...

Page 34: ...3 16 ASUS WiFi b Card ...

Page 35: ...Chapter 4 This chapter provides information on how to configure the WiFi b using the Control Center utility Utility information ...

Page 36: ... quality of link to the access point and connection to the Internet Refer to the table below for icon indications Station Mode Infrastructure Network Mode WiFi b to an access point Excellent link quality and Excellent link quality but not connected to the Internet connected to the Internet Good link quality and Good link quality but not connected to the Internet connected to the Internet Fair link...

Page 37: ...ield displays the SSID of the network which the card is associated with or is intending to join The SSID is a group name shared by every member of a wireless network Only client PCs with the same SSID are allowed to establish a connection The MAC Address field displays the hardware address of a device connected to a network The Current Channel field displays the radio channel that the card is curr...

Page 38: ...rify a connection to a particular host name or IP address The IP Release and IP Renew buttons may only be used on a WiFi b card that is configured with DHCP Change SSID button Click to change the SSID Clicking this button opens the Config Basic window See Config Basic Tab on next page Search and Connect button Click to view all wireless networks within the range of your system Clicking this button...

Page 39: ...ton Click Stop anytime to cancel the ping session The session field displays information on the verified connection including the roundtrip time minimum maximum and average and packets sent received and lost after a ping session Click the Clear button to clear the session field Config Basic Tab The Basic tab provides general information on network types and other configurations Network Type Select...

Page 40: ...b 104 bit and 128 bit WEP keys use the same encryption method Network Name Displays the network SSID The network SSID is a string use to identify a wireless LAN Assign different SSIDs to segment the wireless LAN and increase network security Set the SSID to a null string to allow your station to connect to any available access point Null string may not be used in Ad Hoc mode Channel In Infrastruct...

Page 41: ...matically generated encryptions Use Manual Assignment instead of Automatic Generation if you are not sure whether other wireless clients use the same algorithm as that of WiFi b Keep a record of the WEP encryption keys Config Advanced The Advanced tab displays the WiFi b card advance settings It is recommended that you do not make any changes on these settings Config Soft AP The Soft AP tab displa...

Page 42: ...vailable networks Enable ICS This option activates after an available network connection is placed in the Internet field Check this option if you want to share a single Internet connection with other computers in a wireless network See page 4 16 for details When disabled the available network connection on the Internet field is bridged with the WiFi b card Refer to page 4 19 to setup a network bri...

Page 43: ... cancel any changes made on WiFi b configuration or settings Clicking Cancel closes the Wireless Settings utility window Help Click to display the help menu 4 2 2 Help Menu The Control Center utility has a Help menu to guide you in using the Control Center and Wireless Settings utilities Right click the Control Center icon then select Help Select a utility to display its help window 4 2 3 Change M...

Page 44: ...ct View available wireless networks within range Wireless Option Sets your Windows XP wireless networking environment See page 18 for details The Control Center Left click menu is available only when WiFi b is set to Station Mode STA 4 2 5 About Control Center The About Control Center menu displays the software and drivers version and copyright information 4 2 4 Preferences The Preferences window ...

Page 45: ...tions to set your WiFi b in Station STA mode Windows 98SE ME 2000 OS 1 Launch the Wireless Settings utility by double clicking the Control Center icon in the Windows taskbar 2 Click the Survey icon from the property window to display the available access points or other Wi Fi device 3 Select the AP with the best signal quality by referring to the RSSI column The higher the RSSI the better the sign...

Page 46: ...ncryptions Windows XP OS Do any of the following to set your WiFi b in station mode Enter the Wireless Settings utility 1 Double click the Control Center icon in the Windows taskbar to open the Wireless Settings utility 2 Click the Config icon in the property window then select the Soft AP tab Select Station Mode 7 To check if WiFi b is associated with the selected AP click the Status icon in the ...

Page 47: ...l office network must have An installed IEEE 802 11b compliant network interface card Windows 98SE ME 2000 XP operating system Use the Change Mode menu 1 Right click the Control Center icon in the Windows taskbar to display the right click menus Select Change Mode 3 Follow steps 2 to 7 of the previous section to set the WiFi b in STA mode 3 The following confirmation dialog box appears when you sw...

Page 48: ...Access Point Soft AP mode Do any of the following to set your WiFi b in soft AP mode Enter the Wireless Settings utility 1 Double click the Control Center icon in the Windows taskbar to open the Wireless Settings utility 2 Click the Config icon in the property window of the Wireless Settings utility then select the SoftAP tab Select Soft AP Mode then click Apply 2 Select Soft AP Mode when the Chan...

Page 49: ...b displays the MAC address of a wireless device connected to the soft AP AID shows the Association ID of a wireless device connected to the soft AP Power Saving Mode displays the Power Saving Mode used by the wireless device connected to the soft AP Event Log The Event Log tab displays detected system events including the date and time of the event and event type Click Clear Log to clear the event...

Page 50: ...rnet using a broadband that is always on 1 Open the Wireless Settings utility Select Config from the property window then select the Soft AP tab 2 Select the built in 3Com Gigabit LAN connection from the Available Network Connections field then drag it to the Internet field 3 Check Enable ICS and Enable Firewall then click Apply 4 Click OK when this dialog box appears 5 An Internet Sharing Configu...

Page 51: ...equires an account If the host computer with the WiFi b card connects to the Internet using a broadband or dial up connection that requires an account create a broadband PPPoE or dial up network connection using the Windows XP interface before enabling ICS To create a broadband connection 1 Open the Network Connections window by clicking Start Connect To Show all connections from the Windows deskt...

Page 52: ... setup select Connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password or Connect using a dial up modem then click Next 7 Enter the ISP name then click Next 8 Enter the user name and password assigned by your ISP then check all settings below the user name and password fields Click Next ...

Page 53: ...physical connection between a host computer and a client computer Network bridging is a cost effective method of connecting LAN segments since it does not require expensive hardwares such as routers and technical expertise for configuring Internet protocol IP addresses Network bridge is essential in enabling ICS among wireless clients in a home network You must have Administrator privileges before...

Page 54: ...while clicking the network connection icons to select Right click on any selected network icon to open a drop down menu Select Bridge Connections 7 The bridged network connections are displayed in the Network Connections window 6 Wait while the selected network connections are bridged Only LAN connections may be bridged with the WiFi b card The Wireless Settings utility will instruct you to change...

Page 55: ...Appendix The appendix contains sections for troubleshooting and information on IEEE 802 11b channels and frequencies ...

Page 56: ...e device driver is not properly installed Re install the WiFi b card driver following the instructions below Problem Action This troubleshooting guide provides answers to some common problems which you may encounter while installing and or using ASUS Wireless LAN card products These problems requires simple troubleshooting that you can perform by yourself Contact the Wireless LAN Technical Support...

Page 57: ...ption is enabled set the same WEP keys for the WiFi b and the AP Check if the MAC address of the WiFi b card is added in the AP Authorization Table Inquire this with your LAN administrator There is poor signal reception Re orient the WiFi b antenna I can connect to an Access Point but I cannot connect to the Internet Check if the WiFi b card and the AP have the same Encryption If WEP encryption is...

Page 58: ...r computers linked via an Access Point or Ad Hoc network Check if the WiFi b card and the other APs and or clients have the same Encryption If you enable WEP encryption you must set the same WEP keys for the WiFi b card and the other AP s and or clients Check the TCP IP settings IP address subnet mask gateway and DNS of your computer Enable file and printer sharing in each client computer to allow...

Page 59: ...Available Channels Australia ACA Channels 1 to 13 Belgium RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Bulgaria RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Canada CSA cUL 950 3rd Edition Channels 1 to 11 China MII Channels 1 to 11 Cyprus RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Czech Republic RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Denmark RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Finland RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 France RTT E EMC LVD Channels 10 t...

Page 60: ...C LVD Channels 1 to 13 Netherlands Holland RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 New Zealand PTC Channels 1 to 13 Norway RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Portugal RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Saudi Arabia Channels 1 to 13 Singapore Channels 1 to 13 South Korea KS Channels 1 to 13 Spain RTT E EMC LVD Channels 10 to 11 Sweden RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Switzerland RTT E EMC LVD Channels 1 to 13 Taiwan ...

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