About the Wi-Fi(R) (Wireless LAN) Standards
Wi-Fi allows your VAIO computer to connect to a network through a wireless connection.
Wi-Fi uses the following IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (draft) standard, which specifies the type of technology used. Refer to the
specifications to find out about the configuration of the computer.
IEEE 802.11a (Frequency band:5 GHz)
Exclusive to models compliant with the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (draft) standard.
IEEE 802.11b/g (Frequency band:2.4 GHz)
The IEEE 802.11g standard provides higher-speed communications than the IEEE 802.11b.
IEEE 802.11n (Frequency band:2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
For models compliant with the IEEE 802.11b/g/n standard, only 2.4 GHz band can be used.
IEEE 802.11ac (draft) (Frequency band:5 GHz)
Exclusive to models compliant with the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (draft) standard.
Starting Wi-Fi(R) (Wireless LAN) Communications
You can establish Wi-Fi communications between your VAIO computer and an access point (not supplied).
Before using Wi-Fi, make sure a Wi-Fi access point is on and operating.
1. Connect an access point to your VAIO computer.
Refer to
Windows Help and Support
(
Opening Windows Help and Support
) and the manual that came with the access
point for more information.
2. Open the charms and select the
Settings
charm. (See
Opening the Charms
to open the charms.)
3. Select
Change PC settings
in the lower right corner.
4. Select
Wireless
in the left pane of the
PC settings
screen.
5. Change
Airplane mode
to
Off
and the
Wi-Fi
setting under
Wireless devices
to
On
.
6. Open the charms and select the
Settings
charm. (See
Opening the Charms
to open the charms.)
7. Select
(the network icon).
8. Select the desired access point and
Connect
.
After the connection is established,
Connected
appears in the selected wireless access point field.
If a security key entry window appears, enter the security key as required and select
OK
. See
About a Security Key for
Wi-Fi(R) (Wireless LAN)
for more information.
Note that security keys are case-sensitive.
To check Wi-Fi connection status
Open the desktop and move the mouse pointer over
(the Network icon) in the desktop notification area to check the Wi-Fi
connection status, such as the access point currently connected to your VAIO computer.
To open the desktop, see
Opening the Desktop
.
Note
On IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (draft) equipped models, when only the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi function is enabled, your VAIO computer
cannot connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi access point. Also, when only the 5 GHz Wi-Fi function is enabled, the computer cannot
connect to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi access point.
On IEEE 802.11b/g/n equipped models, when the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi function is disabled, the computer cannot connect to an
access point. Also, the computer cannot connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi access point.
It may take some time to find and connect to a Wi-Fi access point before starting communications via Wi-Fi.
Hint
Refer to
Windows Help and Support
(
Opening Windows Help and Support
) for more information on
Airplane mode
.
Once you connect your VAIO computer to the access point by entering the security key, the access point will be registered in
the computer. You do not have to enter the security key for subsequent connections.
About a Security Key for Wi-Fi(R) (Wireless LAN)
A security key is a security protocol for Wi-Fi that encrypts data transmitted on Wi-Fi. It is also referred to as an encryption