Section 4
Configuration & Monitor Utility
The Configuration & Monitor Utility is a powerful application that helps you to configure
the Fast-VNET card and monitor the statistics of the communication. Unlike the standard
method of configuring the card via the operating system utilities (e.g. Control
Panel), this application permits the dynamic modification of the configuration parameters
while the card is operating. It also offers some more configuration options.
ATMEL offers the Configuration & Monitor Utility for Windows 98/Me/2000.
Note:
Please keep in mind that the Configuration & Monitor Utility can be used to
change the above configuration parameters when the cards are active. When
the cards are not in use, please use the Control Panel method described in previous
sections.
4.1 How to Install the
Configuration &
Monitor Utility
In order to setup the Configuration & Monitor Utility run the program “setup.exe,” which
you will find in your installation CD and follow the instructions as they appear on the
screen (see section 3). As soon as a link is established, the application will start running
and will appear as an icon on the system tray. You can locate the application under Start
-> Programs -> ATMEL 802.11 Wireless LAN -> Configuration & Monitor Utility.
4.2 Using the
Configuration &
Monitor Utility
The Configuration & Monitor Utility appears as an icon on the system tray of Windows
every time the card is running (see Figure 4-1). You can open it by double-clicking on
this icon. While the station is in infrastructure mode and not associated to an access
point, the color of the icon is red. As soon as the station associates itself to an Access
Point (see page 4-4
“Site Survey”
), the icon color automatically turns to blue. In Ad-Hoc
mode the color is always blue, except when the card is resetting and Initialising where it
turns to red during the reset and initialisation procedure.
Figure 4-1.
The icon of the Configuration and Monitor Utility
When the application is opened the following options (tabs) are available:
• Monitor
• Statistics
• Site Survey
• Encryption
• Advanced
• Version
Note: Please Note that at the very top of the Monitor and Configuration Utility of
the application (Figure 4-2), you can either select ATMEL PCMCIA FastVNET
(3.3V) or ATMEL USB (A) FastVNET card.
Monitor
A typical screen of the application in Infrastructure mode is shown in Figure 4-2. The
configuration parameters are shown at the top of the screen (Operation Mode, Channel,
SSID, TxRate, Power Management Mode and MAC Address of the USB card). In the
middle of the screen there is information about the status of the communication (the
BSSID of the Access Point to which the card is associated, Signal Strength, and Link
Quality). In order to change the configuration parameters press the “Change” button,
