1
Installing Your Wireless LAN PCI
Adapter
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the 3Com 11Mbps Wireless LAN PCI Adapter. This user guide
will assist you with the installation procedures for the PCI Adapter.
Your package should contain the 3Com 11Mbps Wireless LAN PCI Adapter and the
Installation CD
. The Installations CD contains the following items:
•
Drivers and Configuration Utility program used to manage the 3Com 11Mbps Wireless LAN
PCI Adapter and to establish a wireless connection with your LAN
•
README.TXT file with updated information about your Wireless LAN PCI Adapter
•
This
Wireless LAN PCI Adapter User Guide
•
3Com Connection Assistant
•
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Wireless LAN Basics
Wireless LAN (Local Area Networks) systems offer a great number of advantages over a
traditional, wired system. Wireless LANs (WLANs) are more flexible, easier to setup and
manage and often more cost effective than their wired equivalents.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data over the air,
minimizing the need for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with
user mobility, and, through simplified configuration, enable movable LANs.
With wireless LANs, users can access shared information without looking for a place to
plug in and network managers can set up or augment networks without installing or
moving wires. Wireless LANs offer the following productivity, convenience and cost
advantages over traditional wired networks:
